Embattled ex-minister to stand trial mid-May

The trial of the former economic development minister Farhad Aliyev and his brother, former president of major AzPetrol oil company Rafig Aliyev, is due to begin May 15, according to the Grave Crimes Court.

19 people charged mainly with corruption will stand trial.

Farhad Aliyev is charged with graft, embezzlement, illegal entrepreneurship and abuse of power, while his brother – with tax evasion and smuggling.

Under another charge, the two are accused of complicity in a coup attempt and staging mass riots. The case will be reviewed separately.

The two were among several high-ranking officials arrested in the run-up to the November 2005 parliamentary elections on charges of an attempt to overthrow power.*