High-ranking prisoners in Azerbaijan

Republic of Azerbaijan gained its independence from Soviet Union in 1991, but many of its ruling elite had enough time to pass through country’s penal system.

RFE/Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani section reports that two presidents, two parliament speakers, two prime ministers, one prosecutor general and two state counselors in Azerbaijan either were imprisoned, or fled the country after being indicted of grave crimes in past 18 years. 12 ministers were held in prisons – one of them passed away in confinement, two ministers are still serving their terms. Among high-ranking prisoners of Azerbaijan there were two ministers of economy, two ministers of agriculture, two ministers of national security, one minister of interior and one minister of finances.

Two most dangerous government spheres were economy and national security.