On September 26, opposition newspaper “Azadlig” publicized the video-material it received from Elshad Abdullayev, the former rector of the private university ABU. In that video, Elshad Abdulayev was having a conversation with Gular Ahmadova, member of the Azerbaijani parliament. The conversation was taking place in late October 2005, a week before the parliamentary elections and the parties were discussing the amount of the bribe to fix Elshad Abdullayev’s victory at the elections. Elshad Abdullayev, whose brother Mahir Abdullayev had been kidnapped before that conversation, says he was hoping to become a member of the parliament so that he could influence the political processes to have his brother released from captivity. Gular Ahmadova, member of the Azerbaijani parliament was negotiating on behalf of Ramiz Mehdiyev, the chief of the Presidential Administration. Having received $500,000 from Abdullayev, Ahmadova was demanding half a million more in order to finish the business. Abdullayev insisted that the price of the seat in the parliament had already been negotiated between them and he was not willing pay the additional “fee.” Below is the full English transcription of the conversation:
Translated by Araz Slangue and Khadija Ismayilova
Definitions
E.A. Elshad Abdullayev – then rector of ABU (the university with bad reputation)
G.A. MP Gular Ahmadova with nickname “mother in law”
Seva – Sevinj Babayeva – middleman between Elshad Abdullayev and Gular Ahmadova
Background
The meeting happens in the cabinet of Elshad Abdullayev, he films it secretly. Time of the conversation – late October 2005, seven days to elections.
This happens several days after arrest of the two important government ministers – Farhad Aliyev and Ali Insanov on coup charges. The government pushed on all businessman candidates to withdraw in order to elilminate any chance of win for Farhad Aliyev’s supporters.
Abdullayev, the candidate in Binagady constituency #8 was not an officially endorsed candidate of YAP. During the conversation, Ahmedova tells him that she managed to strike the name of the official candidate off from the to-be-mps list confirmed by the president and demands one million for the full result – mandate.
Apparently Ahmedova didn’t cheat. Abdullayev was first announced a winner. On November 7 Central Election Commission announced him a winner with 29,08%, but then opposition candidate’s win (Arzu Samedbeyli – Musavat) had been proved and confirmed under international pressure.
TRANSCRIPT
G.A.: Seva, I don’t have energy to speak much
Seva: (interrupts) I got it
G.A.: You sort out this issue by the end of the day…
Seva: We will.
E.A.: Seva khanum, one minute..
Elshad Abdullayev, former rector of ABU. Fled Azerbaijan fearing prosecution.
G.A.: I am leaving, you sort it out here yourselves, call “mother in law” when you finish
E.A. Mr Mother in Law
G.A.: Madame Mother in law. I don’t know why everyone is calling me Mister
E.A. The issue is. You said 500 and I gave 500.
G.A.: Hey, bro, you didn’t come when it was 500. You didn’t come with 500. You didn’t pay respect. You
E.A. : But why…
G.A.: You didn’t come. You said you are working with someone else. She (points to Seva) came and said you don’t want to meet me, you work with someone else.
Gular Ahmadova, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament. Resigned from her position after the outbreak of the secret cam scandal.
E.A. But I said I will do it with 500
G.A.: No. It was in the beginning.
E.A. I always do deals with the top. You can say to master Ramiz [means Ramiz Mehdiyev, chief of the administration]. Up to date, I didn’t…
G.A.: I am not giving it to Master Ramiz. I am taking it myself.
E.A.: I have been working with master Ramiz, whom else?
G.A.: I am taking it myself, you see, this is my price. What has master Ramiz to do with this. If you want, I do it, if you don’t want it, I don’t. I put it short and net.
E.A. You said 500, and …
Seva: Now she says 500 more.
G.A.: I am not saying it now. I said it when I left the car. When I went to ask for you I said one [million] and left the car.
Seva: And I asked if it can be done afterwards, she said no way, five hundred must come!
Sevinj Bababyeva, Seva. Gular’s friend, a director of a public library in Baku. Attorney General’s office interrogted her after the outbreak of the video featuing her as a middleman in a bribery case.
G.A.: I am not giving anything to master Ramiz. Master Ramiz is not someone who takes money, nobody has ever gave him one single manat as a bribe. I am demanding the money – me – Gular Ahmadova – if you give it, I will fix it for you, if you don’t , it is up to you. I am not a racketeer, I am not kidnapping people…
INAUDIBLE
Seva: you know when it was 500? When we first tolked about this. 500 was when you told me. 7 days left to [elections]. Now it is passed.
G.A.: What are you talking about, bro, I stroke names off the list confirmed by the president. Are you playing with this?
E.A.: I am not playing, I am doing what you told me to do.
G.A.: I didn’t tell YOU anything. I told this woman from the beginning, and then she came and said he is not working with you. He has other person.
E.A.: Listen what I tell you. If we get 30 percent of voters there…
G.A.: I don’t care about voters. There are so many people who want to be a parliament member, but there is only one voter.
E.A.: you know I have so much to do, I don’t really need to be MP.
G.A.: Dear, I am telling you as sister to brother, if you want…
E.A.: Dear mother in law
G.A.: You should have better learned who the mother in law is. You don’t know her well. Mother in law says it once.
Seva: She is driven to the corner, she is told it is late. We don’t know, she can’t tell us everything. It is short notice.
G.A.: Listen to me bro, we changed the list for you. You joke with this. We are not used to joke with these kind of things
E.A.: No, I stand by my words, I am not joking.
G.A.: Listen to me. Your name was not in that list.
E.A.: So what. I ran twice and didn’t pass.
G.A.: Look nobody forces you.
E.A.: I have so many other things. Today I won 250 thousands worth case with Azercell.
G.A.: Good for you. If you win 250 thousands worth cases, why you are bargaining here?
E.A.: Look, the situation is.. I don’t agree. You told me one thing.
G.A.: I personally told you nothing.
Seva: I told you it was 500 then. Then it became late.
G.A.: Four months ago it was 500.
Seva: Even less – 300. Then the price gone up. Four months ago it was 300, then 500.
E.A.: But you told me 500 and I gave you 500.
Seva: But she says it is not enough. It is late, so 500 needs to be found.
G.A.: Seva, I am leaving. You speak to him.
E.A.: Wait a minute. What kind of treatment it is: “I am leaving”. It is not 5 manats, or 2 manats. I gave so much money, and now you say…
G.A.: Hey, man, did you see my power? I went in one night, sorted it and came. What are you telling me now?
E.A. : Please, sit down, let’s clarify this.
Seva: It is not up to her.
G.A.: It is up to me. Why do you need to interfere?
E.A.: This lady told me 500 and I brought 500.
G.A.: Seva, did I explain you everything? Didn’t I tell you one [million] when I left the car? Why didn’t you tell him?
Seva: I thought he will give later. There will be commission issue, etc, then he will give.
G.A.: Did I promise you anything about commission?
Seva: You said not now, afterwards.
G.A.: Afterwards, may be, if he gets in we will talk. .
E.A. : Guler khanum, I swear to Allah, to my children’s life, she told me 500 and I gave 500.
Seva: Then she said it is late.
E.A. : Why late? What is the rush?
G.A.: Listen to me, I am telling you the last time. When she told me first time, I told Seva bring 500 and we will fix it.
Seva: It was 2-3 months ago.
G.A.: And she went back and forth, said he doesn’t want to meet you. I am speaking to you openly. I don’t care if someone doesn’t like this. There are so many confuses. It happens to me as well. This morning one minister friend of mine calls and says, that some stranger is my brother. I told him I have two brothers only – this and that. That stranger is working against him[the minister]. And he asked it again, and I told him who says that eats shit. I made them eat shit this morning (laughs). What can I do. I have a big experience in this kind of showdowns. It’s been two years, you can’t find your brother. If you would approach me, I would find him within two months. Now the issue is that this person (points to Seva) told me. And I told her I will talk to him myself. Let’s take money and fix the issue. But I have to talk to him personally. I have something to tell him. This is politics. You can’t afford hedging here. You can do it in business, but the punishment for hedging is very big. The person like Ali Insanov got punished. The person like Farhad Aliyev got his punishment. Neither you, nor me are worth more than these people. Neither of us have more money than them.
EA: Sure, we are less important people.
GA: Am I right? Hedging always ends badly. And if I’m doing this with you, I’m taking responsibility, brother. More than half of the responsibility of what you’re going to do is on me. If I’m taking this responsibility, then I have to know if you’re going to turn to another direction in the future. And I have to know that you not gonna turn, I have to know this. This is no joke, you can’t joke about this. This is a matter of politics, matter of power. This is no joke.
Seva: I have told you that Ramiz is a complicated man. I have told you that.
GA: And I told her. Seva came to me and said that.. I’m sorry, Seva, I gonna tell it as it is.
Seva: Go on, go on
GA: She said that whatever they told him about you, he said that she is not a good person, I don’t wanna meet her, I’m gonna do business with other people. I told her “good, let him do business with whoever he wants, godspeed”. Isn’t it what I said?
Seva: Yes, yes, that’s right.
GA: Didn’t I say “god help him?”
Seva: Yes. I told you that he doesn’t want to meet you.
GA: Am I right?
Seva: Yes, yes, yes
GA: After a while she came back.. and she told me that several times, maybe..
EA: She said that negotiations are being held with Mr. Ramiz’s daughter. Ms. Sevinc [Seva] said his daughter is involved
Seva: Thats right, she talked to her family.
EA: And I was Mr. Ramiz’s son in law’s academic advisor.
GA: I don’t even know Mr. Ramiz’s daughter
EA: I was his lecturer in law school, also in KGB school [Academy of the Ministry of National Security].
GA: Listen to me, I don’t know neither Mr. Ramiz’s daughter, nor his son.
EA: Ms Sevinc told me it was Mr Ramiz’s daughter..
GA: I don’t care what Sevinc told you, that’s her problem, I’m not responsible for her.
EA: But I know you through Ms Sevinc
GA: Do you even hear me?? Don’t say any names here.
EA: Are there strangers here? We all know each other here, I have the right to know
GA: You don’t have the right to know anything.
EA: Mrs. Gular, this is a huge deal, shouldn’t I know…
GA: Didn’t I solve your problem here? I did it in just one day..
E.A: What is this? You take 500 from me and now when it’s done you’re telling me to bring another 500.
GA: I never told you anything, brother. When have I told you a price? I told her (Seva) when I was getting off the car. You were sitting there in the car.
EA: Ms. Sevinc, didn’t you tell me 500?
Seva confirms.
GA: Girl, didn’t you call me and say that they told him to take it back? (Seva confirms). Didn’t I tell you to tell him not to worry about it?
E.A: You know when they told me? A day after I had a meeting with you they told me to withdraw my candidacy. And in the morning I was killing Sevinc, like what is this? First they tell me it’s done, then the other day they tell me to withdraw it.
Seva: Next day after we met at the office they told him to withdraw. Turns out they told everyone that day to withdraw.
GA: The day we met at the office, didn’t I ask you if they already said you should withdraw? You said no. Everyone was told to do so that day.
E.A: No it was a day after
G.A: What does it have to do with me? You were told a day after. (phone call). Seva, so does he mean that I told them to call him to withdraw?
Seva: No, everyone was told to withdraw that day, and they did. After we met with you. Everyone withdrew on the last day.
EA: Ms Sevinc told me 500.
GA: Seva, did I tell you 500?
Seva: First you said 500. Till the last day it was 500.
G.A.: Last day, when we were in the car I said if he’s up for it I’ll go. If he’s not, then no. Why didn’t you let this man know?
Seva: I thought he would pay the rest later.
GA: Were you gonna pay for him? WHat do you mean “later”? You’re talking strange things. When I was leaving the car I told you to tell him that he’s not gonna work with a thousand different people, he’s gonna work with us.
EA: You have worked with Mr Ramiz. Why didn’t you say so?
GA: No, we don’t work with Mr Ramiz. You were working with Mr Aqil.
EA: Mr Aqil hasn’t even done anything. Mrs Gular..
GA [turns to Seva]: You understand right? It’s hard for me to talk.
Seva confirms
EA: Mrs Gular, we needed signatures with Mr Ramiz several times, he has signed all of them personally. Did Aqil tell me anything? Yes, Aqil dealt with my MP issue. I saw what he did. He told Mr Ramiz and he did it. Because he was playing straight.
Seva: He wasn’t playing straight, he was taking [money] and keeping it at home, not giving anything to anyone. Now she went inside and they want the rest. It has nothing to do with her.
GA: Listen, don’t say any names here.
Seva: I don’t
EA: Just sit down, we have serious issues to discuss.
GA: Hey bro, I have stuff to do. You repeat the same things, I repeat the same things. What’s the point? When I was doint it, I said 1.
EA: No one told me about it.
GA: No one told you about it? Well, that’s your problem. You two solve it. You proposed to tell you the tuition fee. I said I would find out and tell you. In the car I said “Seva, it’s 1”. If he is up for it, let’s do it. If he is not, then we’re not gonna do it. And I said he is not going to work with Aqil or something. And we are going to solve all the problems regarding the university.
EA: Haven’t Mr Ramiz and I solved all the problems on our own up to this day?
GA: No, you haven’t worked with Mr Ramiz.
EA: No, we have worked with Ramiz. There was no one else involved.
GA: Why are you mentioning names? I don’t understand.
EA: I’m telling you. We all know each other here. Are there any strangers else here? It’s not television or internet… We’re just talking here.
GA: Didn’t I tell you to “cook it” (sort it out) before you talk to me?
Seva: I did.
GA: No you didn’t, it’s still “raw”
Seva: I always “cook” business before I bring it up.
GA: What have you “cooked”?? You haven’t told him about the 500.
Seva: I thought he would pay the rest of it after the commission [parliamentary committee]. You’re telling him to pay right now.
GA: I haven’t promised you any committee. Girl, didn’t I tell you in the car that Ali Huseynov is the head of the committee? Did we even discuss the committee?
EA: I don’t even need the committee. It’s not urgent.
Seva: (answering to GA) No you didn’t. You even told me that the money for the committee is different.
GA: Didn’t I tell you that Ali HUseynov is the head of the committee and no one can dismiss him? Didn’t I tell you it’s going to be 1, when I was leaving the car, Seva? Then I called you and you said he is up for it. Then you said you’re in his sister’s house. They’re collecting. Then you brought it in the morning. I asked you how much was it? You said 500. You said he will pay the rest in a couple of days. I said I had to go there on Monday. And you said it’s going to be ready by Monday.
Seva: I was going to tell him.
GA: You should’ve told him. And you had your phone turned off.
Seva: I hadn’t. It was broken.
GA: Do you have a problem?
Seva: Yes.
EA: Mrs Gular, I was told to bring 500. She even said there was going to be a payment mechanism. I said that either Mr Ramiz tells me to solve it with Gular, or the chief meets me and tells me what he has to say.
GA: Mr Elshad, Mr Ramiz is not going to tell you anything. The chief has already accepted you, they have kept you, you have elections ahead. Listen to me, man, listen to me. Let’s not mention any names. I don’t like that. I do it with OSCE, with the European Council.
EA: God bless you. In this case you were told 250. We were sitting in the car, Ms Sevinc’s car, the chief called. He told me to come tomorrow. I asked whether it was good news or bad. He said good. He said what he had to say. After I left his office, I said to Ms Sevinc that I would bring her the deposit when I get out. And I did.
GA: Did you even hear what I said before? Seva, tell him everything I told you before.
EA: Mrs Gular, if you do the committee too, then yes, we will give you another 500.
Seva: Why don’t you, do the committee.
GA: You haggling with me? Have I promised you the committee?
EA: I don’t even need it. The most important thing is to solve our problem and help us pass.
GA: I’m 40 years old, don’t play with me, okay?
Seva: Don’t argue.
Ahmedova leaves
E.A. All we want is to have our issue fixed.
END
