The trial in the case of embezzlement at the "Salyan Barracks" has begun

A trial on the embezzlement case at the Training Center of the Azerbaijani army has begun at the Baku Military Court.

As Qafqazinfo reports, the first, preliminary court hearing has taken place.

Seven people are involved in the case: former head of the Training Center (popularly known as the "Salyan Barracks") Colonel Sary Khalilov, his former assistant Bakhtiyar Bakhramzade, former head of the center's financial service Lieutenant Colonel Rashad Melikzade, as well as Ibadulla Aliyev, Hajiaga Hamidov, Afghan Yunusov, and Ayaz Adamov, who held various positions.

Of all the defendants, only Melikzade and Aliyev are in custody.

At the preliminary hearing, the case was not examined on its merits - the judges only verified the personal data of the accused and conducted initial hearings.

The investigation, conducted by the Military Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan, established that the amount of damage in the case totals 207,000 manats.

By the decision of presiding judge Zeynal Agayev, the criminal case was accepted for proceedings and scheduled for trial. The court ruled to keep two of the accused under arrest and to leave five at liberty under their previous preventive measures.

If the defendants are found guilty of embezzlement as part of an organized group and the damage caused is not compensated, the military personnel face a punishment of up to 10 years of imprisonment.

The main court hearing is scheduled for November 13.

It is worth noting that former head of the Training Center Colonel Sary Khalilov is reportedly a close friend of former Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Nizam Osmanov. Khalilov was retired almost simultaneously with Osmanov's dismissal from service.