Azerbaijan indicts 'network of people' accused of 'foreign-backed plot to seize power'

Azerbaijan’s State Security Service has filed charges against a group of people accused of belonging to a criminal network alleged to have attempted to forcibly seize state power. It's claimed they tried to alter the constitutional structure, with the support of foreign intelligence agencies.

According to the indictment, nationals including Mehdiyev Ramiz Anvar oglu, Abbasov Abbas Aydin oglu, Karimli Ali Amirhuseyn oglu and others allegedly conspired to undermine the state through an organisation registered abroad as the “Union of Russian Azerbaijani Organizations” and also known as the “Union of Billionaires.”

The group, prosecutors say, created the “National Council of Democratic Forces,” which nominated Russian passport holder Rustam Ibrahimbeyov in Azerbaijan’s 2013 presidential elections.

The indictment claims the council received financial and organisational backing from foreign special service agencies to carry out mass unrest and attempts to influence political processes.

Funded unrest

Documents attached to the criminal case reportedly show that members of the “Union of Billionaires” coordinated with Azerbaijani nationals abroad to mobilise supporters for rallies and mass disturbances. Investigators say funds of more than 933,000 manats (about $549,000) were directed to facilitate these activities.

Prosecutors also allege that Karimli Ali Amirhuseyn oglu instructed party members to manipulate a patriotic march in Baku from 14–15 July 2020, turning it into a "chaotic event" aimed at seizing administrative buildings, including the Milli Majlis and the state broadcaster AzTV, and announcing the seizure of power through the mass media.

Criminal charges

Ramiz Mehdiyev is accused of collaborating with foreign agencies to restructure state administration and legalise over 17 million manats (about $10m) of criminally obtained funds, actions prosecutors say amount to treason.

The accused face charges under multiple articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including attempts to forcibly seize power, treason and legalisation of criminally obtained property. Abbas Abbasov, Fuad Gahramanli and Ganimat Zayidov have been declared wanted and arrested in absentia.

Investigations into the case are ongoing.

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