The defendants- former chief of Health Ministry pharmacology and medical equipment department Akif Maharramov, officers of the department Eldar Rzayev, Haji Aliyev, Shovgi Jafarov, former chief of the Ministry's international relations department Aleksandr Umnyashkin, former chief of the medical service department Vekil Abbasov, other officials of the ministry Fakhraddin Abbasov, Parviz Kazimov, Anar Namazov and Fuad Mahmudov are in the courtroom. Except the ex-minister, all other accused are not deprived of freedom.

Lawyer for Aleksandr Umnmyashkin protested against the composition of the court. The lawyer said that the tenure of the judges of the court ended in 2005 and they are not independent. The court staff will discuss the protest.

The trial will be continued in the afternoon.

Former officials face charges of embezzlement, abuse of power and bribery. APA