Former treasurer of Badamdar Hotel sentenced to eight years

The Baku Serious Crimes Court has sentenced the former chief treasurer of Badamdar Hotel & Residences, Dunyamali Garaev, to eight years in prison for embezzling more than 163,000 manats, the court said.

Garaev, a 30-year-old Baku resident, was found guilty under Articles 179.3.2 (large-scale embezzlement), 308.1 (abuse of office), and 313 (official forgery) of the Criminal Code.

Investigators said Garaev falsified financial records while working at Badamdar Estates LLC, reporting lower amounts received from the company's outlets, including FO, F10, Chillbar, CIB, SPA, and others. In some cases, he altered decimal placement – recording 175.00 manats instead of the actual 1,750.

The audit revealed he spent the stolen funds on personal expenses, including gifts for a waitress he was romantically involved with, as well as gambling and a lavish lifestyle. His monthly salary was 800 manats.

Although Garaev confessed during the investigation, he later retracted his statements in court, claiming the audit was inaccurate and conducted without transparency.

Badamdar Estates was recognized as the victim in the case. Garaev was arrested after failing to appear for work and ignoring phone calls on the day of the audit.

N.Tebrizli