Blogger Huseyn Gasanov sold an apartment for cookies

Russian blogger of Azerbaijani origin Huseyn Hasanov found himself at the center of a major scandal after, according to investigators, he sold elite real estate in "Moscow City" through a fictitious scheme using a package of cookies instead of money.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to Mash, the parties to the deal allegedly resorted to the trick in order to hide the asset from tax authorities and prevent a possible seizure of the property.

According to information presented in court by a prosecution witness, the initiator of the unusual scheme was Huseyn Hasanov himself. He claimed that he had no debts to the state, and therefore the operation would not attract the attention of law enforcement. In the official documents, the value of the apartment was listed at 68 million rubles; however, the actual "payment" allegedly took place in an unusual manner — instead of monetary funds, a package of crackers was reportedly placed in a bank safe deposit box.

Investigators believe that through this method, the blogger managed to formally dispose of the real estate, hiding it from tax authorities and avoiding seizure. At the same time, the transaction appeared legitimate only on paper.

According to case materials, Hasanov, acting as an individual entrepreneur, evaded taxes totaling over 170 million rubles. Subsequently, as law enforcement authorities believe, he attempted to launder funds through various financial schemes, including the sale of real estate worth tens of millions of rubles.

The blogger himself does not admit guilt. A preventive measure in the form of arrest in absentia has been imposed against him, and he has been placed on an international wanted list, despite the fact that, according to available information, the debt and accrued penalties have been fully paid off.