Head of “Omid” store chain Rahman Mammadov and sales director arrested

Rahman Mammadov, the head of the “Omid” store chain, and the chain's sales director Tarlan Gasimzade have been arrested. They are accused of beating an employee and demanding money from him under threats.

According to the case details, Rahman Mammadov and Tarlan Gasimzade accused the manager of the “Omid Ganja-3” store in Ganja of embezzling money received from the sale of goods.

In connection with this, they beat the store manager, threatened him by various means and demanded 88,000 manats from him for the damage he had allegedly caused to the company.

After the victim filed a complaint with the police, Rahman Mammadov and Tarlan Gasimzade were detained. They were charged under Article 182.2.3 of the Criminal Code (extortion with the use of violence). On the evening of 5 November, a court ordered both of them to be remanded in custody for four months.

“Omid” is one of the largest store chains in Azerbaijan for the wholesale and retail sale of renovation, construction and household goods. The company has about 100 branches in Baku, Ganja, Sumgait and the regions.

Article 182 of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code defines extortion as a crime; its clause 182.2.3 covers extortion committed with the use of violence.