Abbas Abbasov, ex-Deputy Prime Minister, Sought in Mehdiyev Inquiry

Abbas Abbasov

In Azerbaijan, a major legal case has taken a turn: Abbas Abbasov, who used to be the First Deputy Prime Minister, is now wanted by the police. The State Security Service (SSS) made this announcement as part of a bigger criminal inquiry involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former Head of the Presidential Administration. Abbasov was Deputy Prime Minister from 1992 to 2006.

Ramiz Mehdiyev's case is large, with accusations of trying to take power illegally, treason, and money laundering. The Sabail District Court put Mehdiyev under house arrest for four months on October 14. Investigators say that Abbas Abbasov, who now lives in Russia, tried to cause trouble by illegally taking control of Azerbaijani groups in Russia to gain influence. Also, he is accused of starting the Union of Russian Azerbaijani Organizations—called the Union of Billionaires—in 2012 to help the National Council and plan a power grab.

The Ramiz Mehdiyev case has had an impact on the political opposition. On December 1, Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), and Mammad Ibrahim, a party member, were detained before trial. At the same time, Gultekin Hajibeyli, a member of the National Council, was detained in Turkey and is being sent back to Azerbaijan. They are all accused of working with Mehdiyev to attempt a coup.

The media that supports the government keeps talking about these accusations of conspiracy, but the people accused say they are innocent. Karimli, Ibrahim, and others who have been detained say that the government is using the proceedings for political reasons. As the investigation spreads, people are paying close attention to how Abbas Abbasov and Ramiz Mehdiyev will respond to these accusations.