Bribe, yacht, and millions: SAUR VP Anass Derraz's role in $6 million scheme

A recent court session was held in Baku as part of a criminal case brought against Anass Derraz, the vice president of the French company SAUR. He faces serious charges of large-scale bribery and other related crimes.

During the trial at the Baku Court for Serious Crimes, Judge Farid Namazov presided over proceedings, with the defendant answering questions from the state prosecutor, Caliber.Az reports via domestic media.

When questioned about his role in the legal case involving businessman Farhad Ahmadov, Derraz explained his involvement. The prosecutor asked why an engineer by profession had acted as a legal advisor in Ahmadov’s case, and Derraz clarified: "I am not a lawyer, and I did not participate directly in the court proceedings. I provided advice. Farhad Ahmadov owned a yacht in Dubai that was under arrest, and several lawyers were working to have it released. Although I’m an engineer, I have some legal experience and assisted by coordinating efforts. I was their representative, but the yacht was never released, and I did not receive any additional payments."

Derraz further explained his professional relationship with Ahmadov, stating that the two had met through mutual acquaintances. The contract between them was not for legal assistance but for consulting, primarily in the UAE. He confirmed that he received payment for his legal advice via a bank account in Dubai, with funds transferred from Ahmadov's account in Switzerland.

Derraz’s preliminary testimony, which was read out in court, shed light on the full scope of the case. He revealed that he lived in Dubai and had acquaintances, including Alexandre Benalla, the former head of the French President's security service. Derraz explained that he and Benalla had been in contact with Ahmadov regarding his yacht, Luna, which had been seized by a London court. Ahmadov, according to Derraz, claimed the court’s decision was unjust, and Benalla promised that through his connections, he would facilitate the yacht's release.

Derraz’s role, he said, was to provide legal advice, find lawyers, and engage in lobbying to lift the yacht's arrest. The contract signed for this work was worth $6.14 million, which was to be divided as follows: $2.25 million for Derraz and $3.29 million for Benalla. As an advance, Benalla received $400,000, while Derraz took $200,000. The remaining payments were to be made once the work was completed. The money was transferred from Ahmadov’s Swiss bank account.

Derraz testified that, although he fulfilled his part of the agreement, the yacht was never released. He also confirmed that he did not return his fee, as stipulated in the contract. However, he revealed that during the transfer, Benalla encountered problems with the bank. The bank flagged the transaction as suspicious, and Derraz had to clarify the purpose of the money, but ultimately, there were no significant issues with the transfer.

The next trial session is scheduled for October 2, during which witness testimony will continue.

Both Alexandre Benalla and Anass Derraz are accused of receiving substantial bribes and committing other criminal acts in 2018, with the goal of lifting international sanctions on the assets of Azerbaijani billionaire Farhad Ahmadov, a Russian citizen.

According to reports from both local and international media, French officials allegedly demanded a bribe from Ahmadov, promising to release his luxury yacht Luna, worth approximately $500 million, from international detention and to protect him from sanctions.

It was further revealed that Ahmadov transferred a portion of the bribe to both Derraz’s account at AL HILAL BANK and Benalla’s account at BANK OF AFRICA UNITED KINGDOM PLC SC PAR.

Anass Derraz has been charged in Azerbaijan and is currently prohibited from leaving the country. Meanwhile, an international arrest warrant has been issued for Alexandre Benalla by Interpol.

The Azerbaijan State Security Service (SSS) has charged Derraz under Articles 193-1.3.2 of the Criminal Code for the legalisation of criminally obtained property on a large scale, as well as under Articles 32.5, 311.3.3 for aiding and abetting in receiving a large bribe.

As a precautionary measure, Derraz has been placed under a written undertaking not to leave the area.

By Tamilla Hasanova