Azerbaijani Billionaire Arrested Yesterday Seeks Asylum in Montenegro

The former owner of Moscow's Cherkizovsky market, Azerbaijani billionaire Telman Ismailov, who was arrested in Montenegro the day before, has requested political asylum in the country. This was reported by Kommersant, referencing the local publication Vijesti.

It is noted that the businessman is seeking asylum on the grounds of allegedly being persecuted in Russia, which raises questions about his extradition to Russia.

Vijesti reports that the businessman's son, Alekper Ismailov, purchased half of the shares of the Casino Avala in Budva in 2018. However, the company has stated that the businessman is no longer a shareholder in the casino. It remains unclear to whom he sold the shares.

According to Kommersant, a criminal case was initiated against Telman Ismailov in Switzerland in 2019 on three charges. Also in 2019, due to Ismailov's debts, a lien was placed on his son Alekper's casino in Montenegro.

On November 11, 2017, Azerbaijani billionaire's lawyer Marina Rusakova announced that her client was charged with organizing the murder of two individuals and illegal arms trafficking. He is also accused of kidnapping singer Abraham Russo. According to Kommersant, authorities managed to arrest the businessman on their second attempt.