Azerbaijani banker's wife loses appeal over unexplained wealth ordersFebruary 6, 2020 - 14:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The wife of an Azerbaijani banker who blew £16m of unexplained wealth in Harrods has lost her appeal against a National Crime Agency bid to seize her luxury London home, the BBC reports. The Court of Appeal has rejected Zamira Hajiyeva's attempt to stop the UK's first ever Unexplained Wealth Order from being implemented against her. Hajiyeva must reveal how she became wealthy enough to buy a mansion near Harrods and a golf course in Berkshire. She faces losing the properties if she can't provide proof of income. Hajiyeva's husband is a state banker jailed for fraud in their native Azerbaijan. The couple deny all wrongdoing - and Hajiyeva has not been charged with a crime in the UK. Hajiyeva must now provide the NCA with a full account of the sources of her wealth - including how she was able to buy her £15m home and the Mill Ride Golf Course in Berkshire. If she cannot provide evidence that satisfies the investigators, they can then return to court to ask another judge to make a separate order to seize the property. That process could take another year if Hajiyeva successfully appealed. But if she has no grounds to do so, she may be forced out in months. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |