Company owned by Leyla Aliyeva of Azerbaijan made ‘loan payments’ to Hearnville, Egrant and Tillgate

A company owned by Leyla Aliyeva, one of the two daughters of Ilham Aliyev, ruler of Azerbaijan, transferred very large sums of money, described as “loan payments”, to Hearnville Inc, Tillgate Inc and Egrant Inc last year.

The company, which is incorporated in Dubai’s free zone, is called Al Sahra FZCO, and Ms Aliyeva is the ultimate beneficial owner.

The payments were made through Al Sahra FZCO’s account at Pilatus Bank.

More about this tomorrow.

Michelle Muscat with Leyla Aliyeva of Azerbaijan, in Malta in 2014.