BAKU

In a continuing wave of arrests related to corruption, authorities in Azerbaijan have arrested several medical officials who, the government says, took payoffs in exchange for accommodating certain COVID-19 patients with preferential treatment.

A high official with the state agency for Medical and Social Expertise and Rehabilitation, Oruj Mammadov, was detained for bribe-taking. Mammadov, prosecutors allege, took 4,000 manats ($2,351) to obtain treatment from a facility via the Zykh hospital,  which has ties to the  Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Mammadov was charged under Articles 311.2 (taking a bribe) and 312-1.1 (illegal influence on the decision of an official) of the Criminal Code.

He was ordered to be monitored awaiting further legal procedures.

The prosecutor’s office said other suspects were also being investigated.

In addition, the chiefs of “Yeni Klinika” and the “modular hospital” of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were also arrested. “Yeni Klinika” (New Clinic) chief Parviz Abbasov was arrested on charges of bribe-taking, the press service of the General Prosecutor’s Office reported.

The prosecutor’s office alleges Abbasov, as well as others, including employees Avaz Huseynov, Samir Mirzoyev and Vusala Aliyev were also charged with accepting bribes of 3,000 to 3,500 manats for preferred admission as coronavirus inpatients.

A lawsuit was filed against Abbasov under Articles 311.3.1 (taking a bribe by a group of persons by prior conspiracy) and 311.3.2 (repeatedly taking a bribe). According to the court decision, Abbasov was taken into custody. A criminal case was initiated against Huseynov. Aliyeva and Mirzoyev were charged with crimes under articles 32.5, 311.3.1 (assistance in receiving a bribe by a group of persons by prior agreement).

“Yeni Klinika” was opened in April last year and has been used to treat coronavirus patients. It was equipped with modern medical equipment and was considered the most advanced among the “covid” hospitals.

According to another report from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the head physician of the modular hospital of the Emergencies Ministry’s Medical Centre, Imran Agayev, was also arrested on similar charges, charged under Article 311.3.1 (taking a bribe by a group of persons by prior conspiracy) of the Criminal Code.