Financial Scrutiny for Azerbaijani Oligarch Aras Agalarov in Russia Coincides with Diplomatic Strain

Enforcement proceedings have been initiated in Russia against Aras Agalarov, a prominent Azerbaijani-born businessman and owner of the "Crocus Group." This development comes amidst escalating tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan, marked by recent reports of arrests of Azerbaijani citizens in Russia and a formal diplomatic protest from Baku.

Aras Agalarov is a well-known figure in Russia's business and construction sectors. According to Forbes magazine's 2020 list, he was ranked as the 55th richest person in Russia with an estimated fortune of $1.7 billion. He is also recognized for his past familial ties to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, having been his former in-law. His son, Emin Agalarov, recently accompanied President Aliyev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during their visit to the "Sea Breeze" residential complex in Nardaran on July 2.

The Federal Bailiffs Service (FSSP) of Russia launched the enforcement proceedings against Agalarov on June 26, 2025. This action is based on an enforcement document issued by Moscow's Presnensky District Court, which was accepted by the court on May 7, 2025. As of now, no specific reason for the initiation of these proceedings has been publicly disclosed. This move against Agalarov aligns with a broader trend of various court and enforcement measures being carried out against other prominent individuals in Russia, such as singer Leonid Agutin and former Penza Oblast governor Ivan Belozertsev.

The news of the legal action against Agalarov surfaces concurrently with reports of "violent arrests" of Azerbaijanis in Russia. In response to these events, Russia's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mikhail Yevdokimov, was summoned to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on July 2. During a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Aras Azimov, the Azerbaijani side conveyed its "protest regarding the unfriendly actions and steps that undermine relations between the two countries."

The ongoing enforcement proceedings against Aras Agalarov, coupled with the recent diplomatic friction and concerns over the treatment of Azerbaijani citizens in Russia, highlight a period of growing strain in the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The specific details behind the financial obligation remain undisclosed, leaving the situation open to further developments.