Azerbaijan launches investigation into alleged plots to seize state power VIDEO

Investigative measures are underway in connection with alleged criminal acts targeting the state power of Azerbaijan, authorities confirmed.

The State Security Service of Azerbaijan has reportedly identified reasonable grounds to suspect that several nationals, including Mehdiyev Ramiz Anvar oglu, Abbasov Abbas Aydin oglu, and Karimli Ali Amirhuseyn oglu, among others, were involved in activities aimed at forcibly seizing state power and altering the country’s constitutional structure, Caliber.Az reports via the Service.

According to the indictment, the accused were allegedly involved in a foreign-backed organisation, initially registered abroad in 2012 as the “Union of Russian Azerbaijani Organizations” and later referred to as the “Union of Billionaires.” The organisation, allegedly supported by foreign special service agencies, reportedly aimed to interfere in Azerbaijan’s political processes. Key figures named in the indictment include Abbasov Abbas Aydin oglu, Ibrahimbeyov Rustam Mammad Ibrahim oglu, Mehdiyev Ramiz Anvar oglu, and the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Karimli Ali Amirhuseyn oglu.

The indictment further claims that these individuals later created the “National Council of Democratic Forces,” which reportedly nominated Rustam Ibrahimbeyov, a foreign national, as a presidential candidate in 2013, allegedly with financial and organisational support from foreign intelligence agencies. Investigators claim the group sought to incite mass riots, disrupt public order, and direct significant funds for the purpose of forcibly seizing power.

Technical evidence reportedly indicates that Azerbaijani nationals living abroad were instructed to mobilise relatives and friends in Azerbaijan to participate in protests and rallies in line with the alleged instructions of foreign agencies. Documents allegedly show requests from the “National Council” to foreign authorities seeking support and pressure on Azerbaijan to implement reforms similar to those in the foreign state.

The indictment also alleges that in 2020, during patriotic marches in Baku supporting the Azerbaijani army amid the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict in Karabakh, the accused allegedly sought to manipulate crowds to seize control of key government and media institutions.

Additionally, Ramiz Mehdiyev is accused of submitting materials outlining plans to restructure the state administration to foreign intelligence officials in 2025, and of legalising more than 17 million manats ($10 million) in criminally obtained funds.

Authorities have charged the accused under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including attempts to forcibly seize state power, treason, and large-scale money laundering. Several individuals, including Abbas Abbasov, Fuad Gahramanli, and Ganimat Zayidov, are reportedly outside Azerbaijan and have been declared wanted, with arrest in absentia issued by the court.

Investigations into the case are ongoing.