Ibiza DJ involved in £14 million money laundering scandal
Ibiza resident DJ Mikaela Jav, real name Izzat Khanim Javadova, has just made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Deriving from a wealthy background, Javadova is the daughter of an Azerbaijani oligarch and former MP, as well as the cousin of the current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
With news of corruption and money laundering coming to
light, the well-known DJ and her husband Suleyman Javadov have come under
investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), for funds that have been
flagged at the premise of being acquired through “corruption, theft or
embezzlement.” With the couple suspected to be receiving funds in their UK
accounts via different opaque companies in offshore locations, they have in
turn made it impossible for the source of the funds to be obscured, let alone
audited.
Further investigatory work by the NCA, resulted to the
identification of six of the alleged companies the couple have been using to
transfer their funds, being part of the “Azerbaijani Laundromat.” Known as one
of the most intricate networks when it comes to money laundering, tax invasion,
funding for bribes, and the transfer of elicit funds out of the country, the
“Azerbaijani Laundromat” has been known to be used by the wealthy and elite
that are looking to fund their posh lifestyles.
In recent times, many high ranking officers have been
accused of taking such an approach with their wealth, however, if found guilty,
Javadova will be the first person from a ruling family to have used the
“Azerbaijani Laundromat” system. With the couple’s lawyers adamant that no
foul-play has taken place, they haven take to court to state that they are
“highly regarded and upstanding members of society in the UK and in
Azerbaijan,” and in turn maintain their innocence regarding the alleged
charges.
However, with Javadova claiming that the funds were profits
gained through a rental company, it was later revealed that the income was
“well over double the turnover of their rental income.” In addition, the NCA
have further argued that “no explanation has been proffered as to why a
Scottish or Irish LP or a Seychelles company should be used to manage property
in Azerbaijan using a bank account in Estonia (or Latvia).”
With allegedly £14 million of elicit money transferred into
their UK accounts, the couple have already had more than £6 million seized by
the NCA. The main matter of the issue derives from “whether the funds received
in the UK come from some other (more immediate) source and have been obtained
through unlawful conduct,” or the “extensive property portfolio” which the
couple own due to their inherited wealth can make for a solid argument as
suggested by their solicitor Niall Kelly.
Overall, lots are in stake for both Javadova and her
husband, with hearings on the case scheduled to begin this month. We will make
sure to keep you updated with any further news on the matter.
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