The report, details the latest findings, including bank statements and contractual agreements that link both men to a $6.14 million bribe paid by Farhad Akhmedov, a Russian billionaire of Azerbaijani origin, AzVision.az reports, citing Trend.
The report says: "As previously reported, a controversial article was published in the British press about the case of Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire Farhad Ahmadov’s yacht, Luna. The article claimed that in exchange for the yacht's international release from detention in 2018, the head of French President Emmanuel Macron's Protection Service, Alexandre Benalla, and his accomplice, Moroccan-born French citizen Anass Derraz, demanded a bribe of 6.14 million US dollars. A criminal investigation was launched by Azerbaijan's security agencies following the claims.
According to the article, Ahmadov transferred part of the amount to A. Benalla’s account at "BANK OF AFRICA UNITED KINGDOM PLC SC PAR" in France (Account No. 2701000091503) and to A. Derraz’s account at "AL HILAL BANK" (Account No. 024071984024).
Although French authorities made efforts to suppress the matter, in connection with the criminal investigation conducted by Azerbaijan's state security service, A. Derraz, who later became the vice president of the multinational "Saur" company, was placed under house arrest in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, A. Benalla was placed on the international wanted list.
The French Embassy in Azerbaijan has been unable to effectively defend A. Derraz despite continuous inquiries. Given the nature of the situation, French authorities are particularly concerned about the potential consequences of publicizing the bribe-taking involving individuals under international sanctions.
Our editorial team, having confirmed the legitimacy of the bribe, has obtained documents, including a three-party legal services contract signed between F. Ahmadov, A. Benalla, and A. Derraz, as well as bank statements showing transfers from F. Ahmadov to their accounts. These documents are now presented to the public.
Our investigations into the matter are ongoing."
AzVision.az
