Cousin of Azerbaijan’s President Faces Greek Court Over Drugs-Fueled Party Allegations

Izzat Javadova, a cousin of Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, and a figure previously associated with the controversial "Azerbaijani Laundromat," has appeared in a Greek court following a police raid on a drugs-fueled party where she performed as a DJ. The case has garnered significant attention in Greece due to potential links between organized crime and wealthy elites.

Javadova, 44, stands accused of organizing the party, which took place in a rented villa near Athens. She faces charges of aggravated drug trafficking after Greek authorities discovered a trove of illegal substances and cash during their December 30 raid. Police reportedly seized 45 packages containing cocaine, ecstasy, and crystal meth, as well as a safe holding over €43,000 (£35,000).

Despite the allegations, Javadova has denied any involvement in organizing the event or distributing online invitations. In a statement to Greek broadcaster ERT, she maintained, “I did not organise the party, and they did not find drugs on me.” She described the gathering as a “tekno Berlin kinky party” and dismissed the charges as a targeted attack against LGBTQ attendees.

Witness accounts painted a picture of an extravagant event where drugs were allegedly distributed among partygoers, many of whom had been invited via Instagram and personal connections. Some defendants admitted to possessing drugs for personal use but denied trafficking allegations. Among those arrested were two off-duty police officers and a judicial officer who had been providing security at the event.

This is not Javadova’s first brush with controversy. In 2021, she and her husband agreed to forfeit £4 million to UK authorities after it was alleged they had funneled funds into the country through a £2.1 billion money-laundering scheme known as the “Azerbaijani Laundromat.” While the National Crime Agency (NCA) did not press criminal charges, it claimed the couple utilized a network of 20 offshore shell companies to transfer the funds.

Javadova, who is also known by her DJ moniker Mikaela Jav, is related to President Aliyev, the authoritarian leader of oil-rich Azerbaijan. She is the daughter of Jalal Aliyev, a former member of parliament, and her husband, Suleyman Javadov, is the son of a former deputy energy minister.

The couple has consistently denied wrongdoing, asserting that their wealth originates from legitimate business interests, including a family-owned vodka and cognac enterprise. Their solicitors stated, “Our clients have legitimate business dealings and trusted that their money transfers were dealt with by the banks in accordance with the law.”

Javadova resides in a £4 million flat in Whitehall and is reported to own additional properties in Richmond, Ibiza, and Azerbaijan. As the case in Greece unfolds, it adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding her and her family’s activities.

By fLEXI tEAM