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HEY BIG SPENDER

Who is Zamira Hajiyeva, where is she from and what is an Unexplained Wealth Order?

Her husband, Jahangir Hajiyev, was the chairman of the state-owned International Bank of Azerbaijan from 2001, until he resigned in 2015

ZAMIRA Hajiyeva is the wife of a jailed banker being ordered to show how she is funding her lavish lifestyle.

Here's what we know about the big spending shopaholic.

 It was revealed that Zanira Hajiyeva had spent £16million in Harrods over a 10-year period
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It was revealed that Zanira Hajiyeva had spent £16million in Harrods over a 10-year periodCredit: East2west News

Who is Zamira Hajiyeva?

Zamira Hajiyeva is the wife of a jailed banker who went on a £16million shopping spree in Harrods.

The 55-year-old spent the eye-watering sum at the luxury store between 2006 and 2016, totalling around £4,000 a day.

But she is now being ordered to explain the source of her wealth and has had her anonymity lifted by the court as part of a brand new anti-corruption law.

It was revealed to the court that she spent £150,000 on luxury jewellery brand Boucheron in the Knightsbridge store just a matter of hours.

Ms Hajiyeva also topped up her wine cellar with another £1,800 worth of the finest booze during another spree in just one day.

The court heard that she also splashed out £20,000 on luxury men's goods at the London store.

As well as her immense shopping bills

also owns two properties with a combined worth of £22m.

The Knightsbridge property, which is a stone's throw from her favourite shop, was bought in 2009 by a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.

 A court heard Hajiyeva once spent £150k on luxury jewellery at the Knightsbridge store in just a few of hours
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A court heard Hajiyeva once spent £150k on luxury jewellery at the Knightsbridge store in just a few of hoursCredit: Image Bank - Getty

Where is she from?

Ms Hajiyeva is a native of the central Asian country of Azerbaijan.

Her husband, Jahangir Hajiyev, was the chairman of the state-owned International Bank of Azerbaijan from 2001, until he resigned in 2015.

 Hajiyeva has been ordered to explain the source of her wealth
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Hajiyeva has been ordered to explain the source of her wealthCredit: East2west News

Following an investigation, he was jailed for 15 years for fraud and embezzlement as well as being ordered to repay $39m.

His crimes have been likened to BBC drama McMafia - a series about "dirty money" and international multi-million deals.

However, there is no suggestion that Ms Hajiyeva has done anything wrong.

 Jahangir Hajiyev was jailed for 15 years for fraud and embezzlement
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Jahangir Hajiyev was jailed for 15 years for fraud and embezzlementCredit: Getty - Contributor

What is an Unexplained Wealth Order?

This is the UK's first ever Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO), which forces owners to disclose the source of their wealth.

If this can't be proven then the NCA can apply to the High Court to seize the property.

The NCA have demanded that she provides legitimate evidence or her Knightsbridge home will be nabbed.

Donald Toon, director for economic crime at the NCA, said: "Where we cannot determine a legitimate source for the funds used to purchase assets and prime property it is absolutely right that we ask probing questions to uncover their origin."

Ms Hajiyeva's lawyers said: “The decision of the High Court upholding the grant of an Unexplained Wealth Order against Zamira Hajiyeva does not and should not be taken to imply any wrong-doing, whether on her part or that of her husband."

“Mrs Hajiyeva has made clear her intention to engage fully in the judicial process and will present her case to the court as appropriate through her lawyers.

"She will, therefore, make no further comment at this time.”


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