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A woman of Azerbaijani descent, whose anti-corruption law targeted the fortunes of the British authorities, was released on bail Thursday as she was fighting for extradition to her country. Origin after allegations of embezzlement.
Zamira Hajiyeva is the first person to be the subject of an unexplained wealth order, a measure introduced this year with the aim of reducing London's status as a haven for ill-gotten gains. The orders allow the authorities to seize the assets of people suspected of corruption or links with organized crime until the owners report on how they were acquired.
Hajiyeva's husband, former president of the International Bank of Azerbaijan, Jahangir Hajiyev, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in his home country in 2016 for fraud and embezzlement.
The British authorities want to know where Hajiyeva got the funds to spend 16 million pounds (21 million dollars) on jewelry, wine and other products in the London department store Harrods and to buy properties worth 22 millions of pounds.
Hajiyeva, 55, was arrested last week by British police at the request of an Azeri for alleged embezzlement.
A High Court judge ruled Thursday that there were no "substantial grounds" to deny bail.
