BAKU -- Azerbaijan's prosecutor-general is investigating allegations lawmaker Gular Ahmedova requested a bribe in exchange for securing a seat in parliament for academic Elsad Abdullayev.
The video, posted on YouTube on September 25, appears to show Ahmedova demanding $1.3 million from Abdullayev to "settle the question" of a parliamentary seat.
Ahmedova says the video was edited to frame her. and that Abdullayev has tried three times since 2002 to sue her in court.
Azerbaijani presidential administration official Ali Hasanov said the video provided a basis for a corruption investigation, but added the video "also shows that people with a negative image like Elsad Abdullayev...are trying to get posts using corrupt methods."
In 2010, the Education Ministry closed the Azerbaijan International University, where Abdullayev was rector, amid allegations he was taking bribes.
The video, posted on YouTube on September 25, appears to show Ahmedova demanding $1.3 million from Abdullayev to "settle the question" of a parliamentary seat.
Ahmedova says the video was edited to frame her. and that Abdullayev has tried three times since 2002 to sue her in court.
Azerbaijani presidential administration official Ali Hasanov said the video provided a basis for a corruption investigation, but added the video "also shows that people with a negative image like Elsad Abdullayev...are trying to get posts using corrupt methods."
In 2010, the Education Ministry closed the Azerbaijan International University, where Abdullayev was rector, amid allegations he was taking bribes.
