like full con dreams of another. well the boss starts june, 1st dw, the 0 by john a former soviet republic bounded by the caspian sea. the country's people and media are routinely suppressed. and yet the country is becoming increasingly important for europe due to its considerable gas and oil reserves punk shrub. i came here as an election observer on behalf of the council of europe. it was the 1st election where i saw a massive electoral fraud. my supervisor federal because they didn't have a interestingly,

everything in this country is controlled and there's no free press, nothing to that. it's almost at the bottom of the press freedom index justifies ranking. that's why we filmed this secretly and a great risk to all those wanting to shed light on how one of your biggest corruption scandals could happen. that hopefully sex decline alone comes that little lawmaker who isn't poor and who sees this and then folded with all the things they can do here from where they can get invited to along with the president and his wife. and so some boy totes where they get gifts more to have where ladies knock on their door in the night last night and put enough of some diamonds onto to and clubs and. and then they think they're far away from home, from berlin, in strasburg. and i'm away from it all day and they see this and they think, oh, the weather is lovely and everyone here is rich. so go ahead and put them on if there's no issue here. everyone's nice on zillow,

and that gives some strange ideas. now everyone other about some insurance and they let themselves be bought and we have and the coffee buying european politicians. how does that work? the funk schwab has been a member of the german parliament, the buddhist dog since 2005 the spot also hits the german delegation in the parliamentary assembly of the council of europe. he travels regularly to strasbourg, the headquarters of the continents leading human rights organization. the council of europe was founded after the 2nd world war to safeguard human rights. this

organization is clearly it's across rude human rights in general, or crossroads world, right. in this, i'm side of it for all his dedication, he still believes politicians need to be prepared to compromise and design. and um, if we were to say that we would no longer have a need to insert dealings with azerbaijan or worse, then we wouldn't be left with much of them, but didn't kind of have to run in that kind. of course, i also realize we strengthened regimes by making economic deals with some of his email, all that and then the which i have never proposed that we should no longer have any to things with its own substrate and within them. at the same time above that doesn't mean you can't smoke. frankly. topics cream gum is a frank discussion with us or by john even possible. the country lives from its oil and gas reserves. it's a cheap, considerable wealth and international standing with the fossil fuels. europe urgently needs the focus. this country is

depending on how you look at the length of the oil. well, smith of and one, but in effect it's also a curse on it because without democratic oversight, the money ends up in the pockets of a few. and then 1000 from the ending landed the bronx, java is preparing for a risky meeting. he wants to offer hope to a woman whose freedom is anything but a given you know, because we're meeting kadijah is my alova the one of the most courageous and also best noon critics of the regime here and other by john and as i but john kadijah is my a little bit of work as an investigative journalist and blogger endangers her life . only her prominence and international pressure protect her. the only the government is very cautious as it know, she is a symbolic, bigger,

and even if she would arrest it tomorrow, that would be immediate international protest not to put the council if you rep would pass resolutions. and as everybody's john would be named and shamed, they don't want it, i don't just ones in it. as soon as she extends her hand in greeting men in plain clothes, presumably from the domestic secret service step in, they want to prevent her from giving an interview. hi, nice to meet you, i o. and we're trying to in the elevator. she tells us to turn the camera back on. she ignores the officials and instructions 2015. it's difficult to leave with a feeling that of someone shut, shut you up. the journalist refuses to be silenced. even though her safety is at risk. you know, you walk through the city, you see the beautiful building. i see is a corruption, corruption, and intimidation tactics are linked to the family of president gil,

hama leaves early up, took over power from his father. is my little boy's, investigating the family's business affairs. so i've learned how to look into pen of money and registry, and i found $11.00 companies belong that belong to the president's company. she uncovered undisclosed share holdings belonging to the presidential family and privatized banks and telecommunications companies. shortly afterwards is my a little bit was sentenced to 7 years in prison. after a year and a half, she was released on parole after international protest. the child is my life. i know that teacher is maya luna is one of the most dedicated defenders of human rights and journalist here and as a patient and probably beyond all of us on the off the whole by analysis. this really is a shining example of someone who's risking her personal life preaching her happiness

on the line. i'm for a good cause as an issue, leaving with this can a few that some little can she deserved to be supported internationally for her commitment by anyone who can once you have the settings. and of course, it is incredibly disappointing to see that there are lawmakers who ultimately have staff, people that could teach a is my a little bit in the back of self interest. and those are their own personal gain voice. and i'm wondering, i'm interested in the condition it's might of i know it's tragic and also really shameful progress. one of addiction is the german politician is used to supporting people living under a dictatorship who are fighting for their rights, freedom and dignity. but he never imagined that he would have to stand up to his own allies in the council of europe to do so.

this issue were in the heart of the parliamentary assembly of the council of europe . but other than had struck it all began in 2013 at one of his 1st votes as a member of the parliamentary assembly as well. that was the vote. and the parliamentary assembly where i was in an emotional debate, and it was ultimately decided by a majority of the political prisoners and do not exist in azerbaijan up to, will need to be. but that's also talk about the people who are in the prison. if we float, furnish destroys this report and goodness me, i hope we don't. then we can't stop there. it's a serious mistakes. and anybody distortion affects children in view of the extremely complex to a political situation, which many colleagues have already addressed to make us maybe called offers are dangerous and delicate. but this reason i do not hesitate to vote against this report. got the vote was merely intended to establish the existence of political prisoners in azerbaijan. far from a secret, but quite unexpectedly,

the majority of representatives voted against the report by the then deputy head of the german delegation. chris touched base, so suddenly president chatted me personally too. it took me a long time to get over into the car to this day. stay, sir, hasn't fully come to terms with the defeat. but why is that not a part of day to day politics? it was unprecedented into the accounts of europe for the bottom entry assembly to reject the motion from a committee with such a majority. it wasn't just the outcome of the vote. that surprised space. but how it came about. the german commissioner for human rights had never seen anything like it then for the planning race, suddenly filled up unexpectedly on that well, when i have a 200 members in the room, which is an enormous number of cities parliamentary meetings and it was absolutely clear that these people had be mobilized for these got as will be,

the one that i've gotten, the representatives were from italy, france and the u. k. but also from germany, folks on this got them. they were equally people hawking each other, celebrating this result that time at the d, i knew they were celebrating the fact that they were paid a lot of money from the offend function. i don't do the decision was bought to go fund serious allegations several investigations into suspected corruption are currently underway against former members of another european institution, the european parliament and what designs are by john, have to say about the corruption allegations. we ask the embassy gets response. azerbaijan is building relations with european countries in a transparent and legal manner. at the time, funk schwab, a debated whether he should stay in the council of europe, his guns for the body of i find the whole celebration of as or bush on success. so bizarre and disturbing, so of, and i said as to the,

either you leave it here in the or you try to do everything. you can to prevent it from happening again, not my fault, even though i hadn't really understood what exactly had happened. but then someone in the know reached out to get because now it says the heads of the european stability initiative thing tech. he researches corruption world wide and has excellent connections all the way to azerbaijan. he told function of what his sources were telling him the happenings on canadian we already had sources and as there by john who tried to explain it and the 2nd and the few insiders explained how people were being systematically primed system, others find that be strong and be like how people were systematically given gifts and the rooms, how money was transferred to the vacations, organized with a whole list of names and 3 members of the german going to stock it. wadlington access bishop and cottage twins also came under suspicion. all 3 were said to have

received money from us or by john travelling to the country and taking part in election observation missions because it was uh, we could say was, can insiders explain to us how the regime operates, it ought to be. and what we're seeing is the results on the representative to stand up and say that black is white, that rig the elections are for elections. political prisoners are hooliganism, criminals, and somebody twins, bishop engineers now all denied the accusations. function of it was also in boxes to observe the elections on behalf of the council of bureau. on election day, the observers were meant to be visiting several pulling stations and documenting events. schwabl recalls a disturbing encounter. and then come along a message, quince shopping bags on both arms on the the if the election observation, the viable or bus, the german law maker, cars names, trends was also in boxes to observe the elections. but she was visiting boutiques

that day post trans assistance was shopping clubs and it was confident the next day that it was another important step towards the free and fair elections. by, of course, it was nothing of the sort and except one in the meantime, authorities and other european countries had launched initial investigations, but not in germany visiting the bank. we know things to autonomy and prosecutors doesn't. as everybody's on the assembly member had suspiciously transferred over 2400000 euros v electric box companies to an attorney and lawmaker of that i called a few minutes ago. and then i will i'm and i'm an update on that. he was chair of the your team people's party wanted to know that goose, which was the largest block in the parliamentary assembly hope enforced by law. who by what was right at the time of this votes on political prisoners, these, we know not sure if on the transfers are discovered, the emails and the conversations between the 2 were discovered to patients switching anytime e mailed him as a by johnny with an intake in an e mail,

the italian think the answer by johnny representative with the words your gifts are very tasty and quote, your wishes might come in and he was convicted initially, but acquitted due to a lack of evidence. fox chava and get all the canals hoped never the less that law enforcement agencies would take action. no one should get away. scott free . the reality was different by john paine, because the by john remained a member of the council of europe to proceed to even when it became clear what was happening here. let me get if i could continue with impunity as an alternate damaged for this reason. or authoritarian states will not shy away from using money to try to corrupt or institutions and democracies. i'm part of my stay to compound the trail of corruption and violence also led to the mediterranean island of mounts on

the matthew cutter. loaner cutter. looks back on the darkest days of his life. is this, this is the projects that's left to let the mine all those assessing nation is this project. the electro gas power plant is a joint venture involving multi business people, german industrial giant, siemens and the as or by john state own company. so car, it's part of been in business strategy to provide europe with gas by a pipeline from answered by shown in the future. daphne cut a want to cuz he discovered that high ranking, multi is politicians, were covertly involved in the gas project by a show companies in panama, the matthews brother, andrew remembers his mother's stunning reports. and when this came

out, i remember feeling this sort of just this empty sensation in my stomach journalist daphne kajuana. colleagues, you didn't know her assess and nation was being planned. the, the bomb went off, as my mother was coming down the head as the force of the explosion it just sent to the call in carrying into the fields here on that it's ended up. and in that spot with is the banner. daphne cut or want to delete, see it died in the burning wreckage of her car. the investigation got off to a faltering start. it looked as if the authorities were trying to protect the powerful people in malta. but her son, matthew,

pushed on my mother was contacted by a soul from within the next row gas on the sole source of all single on the agreement that the more of these governments was refusing to publish. detailing the terms of the deans with us there by john and with the, with the people from the private sector behind the project. and was the follow the money to geneva in switzerland? the answer by john state owned company. so car has offices there in a prime location. so so cause ruling this was most likely as a vehicle for for kickbacks. and to to those most he's politicians, i mention with secret panama companies. so car did not respond to our request for comment. the brothers investigations led them deeper into a network of corruption and european politics. it all revolved around raw materials, scare people. they've had,

they could get away with motoring. the country's most famous journalist then they could get away with anything you know is just the question of, of when they decide to act with your following them. they sought help outside malta and turn to the parliamentary assembly of the council of europe. pace punk schwab but took on the case it was actually even scary of a because we knew. so let's a so we didn't know we didn't know who was behind this is really felt like a mine cute on on. we obviously couldn't trust our own off our own national delegation in case unfortunately, despite massive resistance from us or by johnny representative summit said off moment fox father and fellow campaigners were able to push through a special report. the council of europe listened to the brothers the pressure paid off. there were a rest and malta,

and the 1st sentences were handed down. the family of the murdered journalist daphne cut on a lead c, i continued their own investigative journalist, stick work. we were events, one, cause a dots money came from mazda or by john bones the around you were a polite typing phone boy, going to switzerland, laughed to the then to the united arab emirates, into a bank account belonging to your good fennic. no, because he is being prosecuted for his role in my mother's assassination. there is a distinct possibility that those funds where use the finances, the outside of the nation itself. multi is business man york in the neck is in custody and a waiting trial this year in connection with the murder in germany, investigations were launched into the 3 buddhist stock members at wadlington fox, sufficient in calvin spence in a statement,

fish it referred to bogus evidence and politically motivated investigations, a few months later, calvin's plans died suddenly at the age of $53.00. for the 1st time in years kadijah is my little but was allowed to leave her country. her 1st destination, germany, to report at the buddhist, talk on the situation in oz, or by john less time i was in the lane, it was a d 0. this a to use. i was on the table then, then in prison and then again on the travel then. so it was difficult time. the journalist is also critical of germany's role. after all that's happened. wire german politicians still sticking by honest or by john. it's disappointed, but that's how it is. you understand that for you to pin politician i,

he's constituency, demanding. the gas is much more important than azerbaijan, the political prison, commodities mean power and europeans are more dependent than ever before. vast quantities of raw materials will be crucial in implementing the european union's green deal and phasing out in fossil fuels like oil and gas. thanks to azerbaijan, gas and oil reserves president is, hama, lives is already a welcome guest and energy partner. and he clearly has his eyes set on the future. in september 2023 as or by shawnee troops took control of the dispute is not going to kind of buck region within just a few days. either by john celebrated its victory while over 130000 ethnic armenian split. when asked hazard by john said no one had been forced to leave the territory. the government report done as or by

johns economic minerals indicates what this so called liberation operation was really about the rule materials of the future. like copper, cobalt and lithium. just one month after the governor carter buck offensive, azerbaijan administer of ecology and natural resources, moved to a body of invited guests to the jew mining for him in boxes. it was the 1st of its kind in the country show. the new territories are rich and natural resources, which will play an important role in reconstruction. thank you, and good luck. with that, i mean that, that representatives from german organizations and companies also attended what you think and here does. we can find what we need for

the future here. and for the future we need metals, but renewable entities in the automotive sector. electra mobility or electron will be need to and many of the deposits are located in the previously occupied territories, which are now being developed under gradually being integrated into as a body shop. as economy degree has to be at the bus on the printer. and by john could be a very good partner for us to be in the sense that we could also obtain copper, gold and minium other resources. and this could enable a very good cooperation from to buy a win win situation for both sides to own admin to get what role does the countries of human rights record play and all of this, to my mention advice to the subject of human rights isn't so straightforward him, i don't know much about it. i must admit, i haven't really looked into insignificance when by the f doesn't go around poisoning dissidents in england or germany, or have them shot so killed and

a strange that doesn't happen here because you to these 4 mining companies. it's all about claims. the mining rights and the areas now under as or by show any control anglo agent mining is traded on the london stock exchange. the company had already made a deal with several 1000000000 euros with us or by showing a year before the military operation. far home had jace as a topic executive, an anglo agent mind. of course, i should not do that kind of strategic metro situation in the what was also a more to be having that. and especially in the year of america, those mets, those demands will be a strategy at this subject. so the concept love, jessica, i'm not sure how's advice john is looking to the future. the strategic foundation

is being late here in the border region with the go in a car box, minerals for future technologies, critical for the european green deal. these crucial role materials are intended to ensure that answered by john can continue to pursue its power politics and a post gas in oil era. the, let's look at it like that except some you appear in countries. now the countries they wanted to leave that there to job to dollars there. and the if they are paying now, they usually have to pay if during the assessments your phones, it says a little bit dependent on the all aspects on the others. lots in that reliable way. this is a situation that they have been good themselves. you know, as or by john,

the mining of critical raw materials is developing rapidly. why is europe cleaning on on it because of the aroma tv layer, which we mean by the, we're not only doing this as, as our bodies. and we're also doing this with china and other countries. and unfortunately, i could tell you stuff about all these other countries too, but that was especially unpleasant, but as there by the end, is it there shamelessly exploiting this rules? what's after all that's happened, azerbaijan isn't a stronger geo political position than ever before. fox schwab, it doesn't have the power to change that. but in the council of europe, he wants to finally hold answered by john to account the business side of it. we're currently discussing making an observation is representative, responsible all that they're doing and the rules they're breaking. visiting on the action this meeting at the council of europe is intended to set the president. so i'm good. yes. yes, i see the hands of mr. schwab, but yes,

from the floaters up. thank you very much. yeah, president if punk schwab is motion is accepted, the as or by johnny delegations, credentials to the council of europe would not be ratified. yep. the meeting was that cool? this is an easy time. so the pressure is huge, right now, the buttons are contacting the german chancellor of the german foreign minister and all the other kinds of your members dates on. and that's where we stand as all of us under citizens, regardless of what those members supporting this challenge police rice in their places. the moment of truth previously this device, a report was voted down here. yes, thank you. thank you. the challenge has the supports request under the rules of procedures. this is the 1st time us are by john has been held accountable in the counsel of your decision. it should, it's not pleasant to them,

but we need to say no, we want to talk with it. the customers be the last of the representatives of us are by john left in protest. almost simultaneously, the public prosecutor's office in munich brought charges against the 2 former members of the buddhist talk in connection with allegations of bribery by us. everybody's on the battle for the raw materials of the future is only just beginning and also by sean and many other countries. can europe take part without sacrificing its values? the ego africa. rubies ear is still key and it's making people say, it's important for us to begin collecting this data to be able to compare it and

see whether there's any health impact. and this little device as opposed to how we quoted this, a low cost of $42.00 monita. does it more the co advocate in 30 minutes on d. w. a haven for russian money, money belonging to put in his country jones is said to be hidden away in switzerland. disappoint you, sanctions. private jeff mentioned this secret bank accounts. paradise for collective cross and war criminals on the trail of the legal, russian billions. in switzerland. in 75 minutes on d, w. we

and there was never giving up last night, every weekend on d w. the, this is d w. news and these are our top stories. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu has called a deadly air strike on a camp and ra fox, a tragic mistake. him us run health ministry in gaza is confirmed. at least 45 people were killed and dozens more injured. it says the strike had an area where thousands of displaced civilians are sheltering. israel claims and targeted and killed 2 homeless commanders. european union, foreign ministers, meeting and brussels have agreed to reactivate the blocks border mission in rafa, it's amos to him.