Baku corruption trial exposes alleged French plot to lift sanctions on Russian oligarch

A high-profile court hearing took place in Baku in the ongoing criminal case initiated by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) against Anass Derraz, Vice President of the French multinational water and waste management corporation SAUR, valued in the billions.

The session at the Baku Court for Serious Crimes, presided over by Judge Farid Namazov, was conducted in strict compliance with legal procedure, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

To ensure full comprehension, the court provided Derraz with real-time interpretation in both English and French throughout the proceedings.

Following a re-verification of the defendant’s identity and personal information, the court formally commenced the judicial inquiry phase. During this session, the public prosecutor presented the concluding section of the indictment.

Corruption scheme involving French officials

According to the case materials, the charges stem from a corruption scheme involving Anass Derraz and Alexandre Benalla, the former security chief to French President Emmanuel Macron. Both men are accused of soliciting a substantial bribe and engaging in related criminal activities in exchange for facilitating the lifting of international sanctions on assets belonging to Azerbaijani-born billionaire Farhad Akhmedov, who holds Russian citizenship.

Investigators determined that Benalla and Derraz demanded a bribe from Akhmedov in return for securing the release of his luxury yacht, Luna, from seizure, and guaranteeing its uninhibited movement through international waters. Additionally, the pair allegedly assured Akhmedov that they would protect him from personal sanctions by leveraging their influence in French governmental circles.

An agreement was ultimately reached, according to the investigation, for a total bribe of $6.14 million. To mask the illicit nature of the payments, the parties drafted a fictitious consulting agreement to provide a veneer of legitimacy.

Case documents reveal that on November 15, 2018, the initial instalment of $600,000 was agreed upon, to be followed by a further payment of $5.54 million within 15 days after the Luna was released from arrest.

The investigation recorded that Akhmedov transferred $200,000 to Anass Derraz’s personal account at AL HILAL BANK, and $400,000 to an account belonging to Alexandre Benalla at BANK OF AFRICA UNITED KINGDOM PLC SC PAR.

Charges and penalties

Judge Namazov noted that Anass Derraz has been charged by the SSS under Article 193-1.3.2 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code (legalisation of property obtained by criminal means in a significant amount), as well as Articles 32.5 and 311.3.3 (complicity in the acceptance of a large bribe).

If convicted on all charges, Derraz faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 8 to 12 years.

Derraz indicated his intent to testify in his own defence at the next hearing. The court accepted his request and scheduled the next session for July 31 at 9:30 a.m.

Benalla on Interpol's Red Notice

The case carries broader implications due to the involvement of Alexandre Benalla, who is currently the subject of an international manhunt. Interpol issued a Red Notice for Benalla in April 2025 — its most serious form of international wanted alert — following a detailed investigation by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service.

The Red Notice authorises Benalla’s arrest anywhere in the world and his subsequent extradition to Azerbaijan. Sources familiar with the matter state that Benalla is currently located in a third country, where extradition procedures have already begun.

Interpol’s decision was based on an official legal request submitted in 2024 in connection with the Azerbaijani criminal investigation.

By Tamilla Hasanova