A group of Azerbaijani scientists claims to have been scammed over being taken to a conference in Shusha, a key city in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is under Azerbaijan’s control. Arif Gurshadoghlu, historian and one of the alleged deceived, reported this on his Facebook account. According to him, someone collected 70 manats per person from scientists, telling them they can go to a conference in Shusha.
Someone named Alvan Jafarov – who is a lead coordinator at “IKSAD Azerbaijan” – took money from 470 scientists in the name of registering them for a conference in Shusha. Such a dirty game was orchestrated knowing that only a few people will be able to go to the conference. Maybe Jafarov is not the mastermind, but there was this scam anyway.
Arif Gurshadoghlu
Gurshadoghlu wrote that on the eve of the trip, it turned out that only 100 chosen scientists will be able to join the trip.
Among the participants, there are four from the same family and many who are not even scientists. Now he tells us that no one should demand their money back. How come?! Is it so easy to rip everyone off of 70 manats and get away? 70 manats from 370 people each make up 25,900 manats.
Gurshadoghlu
Alvan Jafarov has no statement on the matter at the time. He is the main representative for Azerbaijan of the Institute of Economic Development and Social Research under Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He is also an employee of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University.
The Interior Ministry told APA that an investigation was opened on the case, and those affected are advised to inform the police.