On November 29, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan (SSS) announced the initiation of a criminal case concerning smuggling conducted abroad under diplomatic cover.

The case implicates Azerbaijani citizens who, in collusion with foreign nationals, participated in smuggling operations between foreign states. Investigators uncovered reasonable suspicions that Lieutenant Colonel Gahraman Mammadov Shamil oglu, Chief Assistant to the Military Attaché of Azerbaijan's Armed Forces in the United States, was involved in transporting a large quantity of gold bars. These bars were moved from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Turkey as part of a scheme with fellow Azerbaijani citizen Gasimov Anar Ali oglu and foreign accomplices.

According to the investigation, Mammadov arrived in Turkey on November 22, 2024, as part of a pre-arranged agreement. Using his diplomatic passport, he collected a bag containing the gold bars from Gasimov, who had brought them from the UAE and placed it in a storage area outside customs control at Istanbul International Airport. Mammadov then crossed the customs border without declaring the gold, thereby abusing his official powers and privileges.

Mammadov was apprehended by Turkish law enforcement while attempting to deliver the gold bars to Gasimov in Istanbul. An inspection revealed 70 kilograms of gold bars, valued at 10,220,900 manats, in Mammadov's possession. An additional 14 kilograms of gold bars, still undeclared, were found in the airport's storage area. Gasimov was also detained in Turkey and held criminally responsible for his involvement in the smuggling operation.

Mammadov is being investigated under Articles 12.1, 206.3.2, 12.1-1, 206.3.3 (smuggling by an Azerbaijani citizen in collaboration with others abroad, using official status) and 12.1-1, 341.1 (abuse of official authority abroad) of the Criminal Code. The Baku Military Court has ordered his arrest as a preventive measure.