Baku Court hears testimony in international bribery case involving French executives

The Baku Court on Grave Crimes has held another hearing in the completed criminal case launched by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service against Anass Derraz, Vice President of the French multinational company SAUR, which has a multi-billion-dollar turnover.

Anass Derraz gave his testimony freely during the session, which was presided over by Judge Farid Namazov, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Derraz stated that he had arrived in Azerbaijan for business purposes:

"I have known Farhad Ahmadov since 2018. This November they contacted me from Farhad Ahmadov's office. He had a divorce issue. Before contacting me, the London court had decided to freeze all of Farhad Ahmadov's assets. He contacted me about a property, specifically about his yacht in Dubai. That property was valued at $500 million. Everyone knew me for my connections in Dubai, for easily resolving such matters, for my 'special ability'."

Although Derraz is neither a lawyer nor the owner of a legal firm, he signed a legal services contract with Farhad Ahmadov with the aim of securing the release of the yacht:

"We signed the contract so that the services I provided would appear legal and legitimate. The contract stated that regardless of the outcome, the amount given as an advance for this service would not be refunded. Because we had spent time on this work. To receive the full payment, we guaranteed that the matter would be successfully resolved. Money was transferred to my account as an advance, but the main amount was not transferred."

He confirmed receiving a $200,000 advance payment from Farhad Ahmadov:

"That amount was paid to me. If the arrest on the yacht had been lifted, he would have had to pay $2 million. As for the other participant, Benalla, after he left Macron's administration, an investigation was conducted by the French prosecutor's office regarding him."

The next court session has been scheduled for September 11.

According to the official charges, Alexandre Benalla—the former head of the French President’s Security Service—and Anass Derraz are accused of receiving large bribes and engaging in other criminal conduct in exchange for lifting international sanctions against the assets of Farhad Ahmadov, a Russian billionaire of Azerbaijani origin.

The accused parties allegedly demanded bribes from Ahmadov and, in return, promised to secure the release of his luxurious yacht Luna from arrest, as well as to protect Ahmadov from being subjected to international sanctions.

The agreement between the parties reportedly involved a total sum of $6.14 million in bribes. It was agreed that $600,000 would be paid on November 15, 2018, with the remaining $5.54 million to be transferred within 15 days of lifting the seizure on the yacht. A consulting agreement was signed by both parties to formalize these terms.

Financial records show that Farhad Ahmadov transferred $200,000 to Anass Derraz’s account at Al Hilal Bank, and $400,000 to Alexandre Benalla’s account at Bank of Africa United Kingdom PLC SC PAR.

Anass Derraz is accused of facilitating Benalla’s receipt of the bribes from Ahmadov.

Born in Morocco in 1984, Derraz holds dual citizenship in the French Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco and currently serves as Vice President of SAUR. The company is officially registered in Dubai.

The Azerbaijani State Security Service has charged Anass Derraz under:

Article 193-1.3.2 – Legalization of property obtained through criminal means (in large amounts)

Articles 32.5 and 311.3.3 – Passive bribery (accepting bribes), committed in large amounts

As part of the investigation, Azerbaijan has also applied to INTERPOL to issue an international arrest warrant for Alexandre Benalla. Following a thorough review, INTERPOL's General Secretariat deemed the request valid and, in April 2025, issued a Red Notice against Benalla, notifying all member states.

The issuance of the Red Notice by INTERPOL underscores the credibility and strength of the evidence gathered by the Azerbaijani State Security Service. A Red Notice allows for the detention of the wanted individual in any member country and their potential extradition to the requesting country.

Benalla is currently reported to be undergoing extradition proceedings in a third country.

By Vafa Guliyeva