Shykhlinski case: Russian court sentences Azerbaijani ex-diaspora head, son

A court in Russia’s city of Yekaterinburg has sentenced Shahin Shykhlinski, a former leader of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Urals, and his son, lawyer Mutvali Shykhlinski, to prison on charges of using violence against a law enforcement officer.

The Kirovsky district court found both men guilty over an incident that took place on July 1, 2025, near the Baku Plaza shopping centre, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Investigators said law enforcement officers had stopped a Mercedes driven by Mutvali Shykhlinski, with his father in the passenger seat, in order to serve the elder Shykhlinski with a summons for questioning. During the stop, Mutvali allegedly struck an operative while reversing the vehicle. The injured officer was identified as a lieutenant with the Russian National Guard.

Both defendants were charged under Part 2 of Article 318 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which covers the use of violence against a representative of authority. They denied the accusations.

The court sentenced Shahin Shykhlinski to nine years in prison for the latest offence and, taking into account a previous conviction in March for involvement in attempted murder and murder, imposed a combined sentence of 24 years. The ruling specified that the first four years would be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony.

Mutvali Shykhlinski was sentenced to eight years in a general-regime penal colony.

The court also ordered the confiscation of the Mercedes vehicle used in the incident.

The verdict has not yet entered into legal force and can be appealed.

By Sabina Mammadli