Araz Musayev Demands Arrest of Adil Aliyev Amid Power Struggle in Azerbaijan’s Combat Sports Federations

Araz Musayev

Araz Musayev, president of the Azerbaijan Muay Thai Federation and nine-time world champion, was stabbed on May 28 in Antalya, Turkey. From his hospital bed, he publicly accused Adil Aliyev—president of the Azerbaijan Kickboxing Federation and head of Baku’s Surakhani District Executive Authority—of orchestrating the attack to wrest control of the Muay Thai Federation. Aliyev flatly denies any involvement, calling Musayev’s claims slanderous and insisting he had no connection to the incident.

Musayev has led the Muay Thai Federation for several years, earning respect as a nine-time world champion and a prominent figure in Azerbaijan’s combat sports community. Appointments to these federations are normally made by a selection committee, not simply by request, which sets the stage for a potentially contentious leadership battle. Adil Aliyev holds two influential roles: he heads the Azerbaijan Kickboxing Federation and also serves as the executive authority for Surakhani District in Baku—a position that confers substantial local political power.

The Attack and Immediate Aftermath On May 28, during the IFMA World Championship in Antalya, Turkish police say two men approached Musayev and stabbed him once in the head and three times in the abdomen. The attack occurred just steps from the competition venue. Musayev was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Turkish authorities initially detained two suspects and later expanded their investigation, arresting a total of six individuals—among them Azer Hasanov, president of the Azerbaijan Universal Fighting Federation.

Before the stabbing, Musayev had reported receiving threats. In a later interview, he said, “I warned that something was being plotted against me, but nothing was done until it was too late.” He remains hospitalized in Antalya, receiving treatment for life-threatening wounds.

Musayev’s Allegations From his hospital bed, Musayev released a video message addressed to President Ilham Aliyev, demanding that Adil Aliyev be arrested for masterminding the attack. He accused Aliyev of “renting people from Russia” to carry out the stabbing, claiming the motive was to seize control of the Muay Thai Federation. “The man wanted to take over as head of the Muay Thai Federation. We had no other issues,” Musayev said. “Appointments to the federation are made by selection, not by request. He disgraced our country before all the world federations by sending so-called ‘killers’ after me.”

Musayev also described the immediate aftermath outside the hospital: “There were 10–15 gendarmes stationed at the ward’s entrance. Passersby laugh at us, asking, ‘Are such things still happening in Azerbaijan?’”

Adil Aliyev’s Denial Adil Aliyev spoke to Musavat.com from his office in Baku, categorically rejecting Musayev’s allegations. “I have no connection to this incident. I learned about it through the media,” he said. Aliyev called Musayev’s claims “baseless, slanderous, and defamatory” and accused him of trying to manipulate public opinion while recovering in the hospital. “Why is Araz Musayev rushing to implicate me before the investigation’s results are known? This clearly shows an attempt to divert the investigation. The person who carried out the stabbing is known, and the location of the incident is well documented. My name has never been involved in such matters—and it never will be.”

Aliyev emphasized that he remains focused on his work in Baku. “I do not know what Araz Musayev is thinking or why he is making these accusations,” he added.

Details & Quotes

• Musayev’s warning before the stabbing: “I told people I was receiving threats, but nothing changed until they tried to kill me.”

• On the day of the attack, Musayev was leading a 14-member Azerbaijani delegation at the IFMA World Championship in Antalya.

• Turkish authorities have arrested six suspects so far, including Azer Hasanov; investigations are ongoing.

Analysis / Reactions This violent clash between two high-profile federation heads highlights a deeper power struggle within Azerbaijan’s combat sports circles. On one side, Musayev—an acclaimed athlete turned administrator—claims that Aliyev, wielding both political authority and sports influence, sought to override the federation’s selection process. On the other, Aliyev’s denial underscores how closely intertwined local politics and sports governance can be.

Sports Community Reaction: Colleagues in Azerbaijan worry that this episode could tarnish the country’s reputation on the international stage. One anonymous Muay Thai coach in Baku commented, “If officials use violence to settle federation disputes, no foreign team will want to compete here.”

Political Implications: Given Aliyev’s role as a district executive head, questions arise about whether political offices are being leveraged to exert undue influence over independent sporting bodies.

Legal Ramifications: Turkish investigators are meticulously piecing together evidence—phone records, CCTV footage, and eyewitness testimony—to identify who ordered and carried out the stabbing. The result may determine whether Musayev’s claims have legal merit or if Aliyev’s denials hold up.

As of early June 2025, Araz Musayev remains hospitalized in Antalya, showing signs of improvement but still under close medical supervision. The Turkish investigation is ongoing; six suspects, including Azer Hasanov, have been detained, but no formal charges against Adil Aliyev have been filed. Back in Baku, both men await the outcome of foreign legal proceedings while the Azerbaijan combat sports community watches anxiously.