Former MP Elshad Mirbashiroglu refutes reports of Russian business scam

Former Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Elshad Mirbashiroglu has denied media reports claiming he was defrauded while attempting to set up a business venture in Russia.

Earlier, local news portal Qafqazinfo reported that Mirbashiroglu had approached law enforcement authorities alleging the misappropriation of 50,000 AZN given to logistics manager Gulnar Soltanova to establish an iced beverage distribution project at Moscow's "Food City" market.

The report also identified attorney Nizami Ibragimov as another victim who purportedly invested 210,000 AZN into the same scheme. According to media sources, Soltanova was charged under Article 178 (fraud) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan and placed under non-custodial restraint pending trial.

However, in a statement to Anews.az, Mirbashiroglu refuted the claims, declaring the reports entirely untrue. Attorney Nizami Ibragimov declined to comment or provide an interview regarding the matter.