Knife Attack on the President of the Azerbaijan Muay Thai Federation – “They Sent a Killer”

Araz Musaev

Six suspects have been detained in connection with the attack—one of them in Russia.

During the IFMA U23 Elite Senior Muay Thai World Championship, held in the Kemer district of Antalya, the president of the Azerbaijan Muay Thai Federation, Araz Musaev, was seriously injured in a stabbing.

The incident occurred on 25 May in the Atatürk Sports Hall in Göynük, where the competition was taking place. At around 15:00, Musaev was stabbed twice in the abdomen and received a blow to the head.

The on-site emergency medical team provided first aid before taking him to Kemer State Hospital; he was later transferred to Antalya City Hospital. Musaev underwent surgery, and doctors report that his condition is stable and not life-threatening.

Musaev’s accusations: “They sent a killer”

Speaking to Unikal, Araz Musaev insisted the attack was no accident and said it stemmed from federation politics and personal animosities:

“The world championship is being held in the city of Antalya. Azar Hassansoy and Elshan Abdulrahimov were dispatched here to wrest the federation from me. They came, but that didn’t work. On the contrary, the Kickboxing Federation was placed under my supervision by the world body. After that they tried to start a fight, saw that it wasn’t working. Then they sent a killer and had me stabbed.”

Musaev added that, because Elnur Mammadov, the head of a department in the Ministry of Youth and Sport, lacks expertise in these combat sports, he has issued unlawful decisions that led the World Muay Thai Federation to incorporate kickboxers into the Muay Thai Federation.

He said he underwent major surgery for stab wounds to the head and body and for injuries inflicted with brass knuckles, and that his condition remains serious. According to Musaev, some of the people behind the attack were sent from Russia, and he claims he had been prepared for such a threat.

Response to the accusations: “We reject and condemn them”

The Azerbaijan Kickboxing Federation replied that neither Azar Hassansoy nor Elshan Abdulrahimov had any link to the assailants:

“As a federation we condemn the attack on Araz Musaev.”

Since 2000, the president of the Azerbaijan Kickboxing Federation has been Adil Aliyev, a former MP who is now head of the Surakhani District Executive Authority. Informally, Aliyev has been accused of orchestrating attacks on independent voices and businesspeople in Europe—especially in Germany—on behalf of Ilham Aliyev’s interests. Although no court cases have arisen, the allegations are widely discussed in both opposition and pro-government circles.

CCTV footage and arrests

Security-camera footage shows Araz Musaev waiting at the hall entrance when an individual approaches and punches him, causing him to fall.

At the order of the Kemer Prosecutor’s Office, the District Gendarmerie Command launched an investigation. Based on Musaev’s statement and subsequent inquiries, seven suspects were identified. A.H., an Azerbaijani citizen suspected of organising the attack, was detained in the Kemer area.

Other suspects—Uzbek nationals A.R., K.K., E.B., and Azerbaijani citizens M.I.G., F.B., and R.S.—were placed under surveillance. Some allegedly tried to flee in a rented car, changed clothes, shaved, and then headed by taxi to Antalya Airport.

International search and extradition

A.R. and K.K., accused of stabbing Musaev, were arrested at the airport. E.B. managed to escape to Russia; an Interpol Red Notice was issued, and he was arrested at a Russian airport. Extradition proceedings are under way.

Unable to buy tickets, suspects F.B. and R.S. shaved their heads and beards to alter their appearance but were detained at the airport during the night.

The criminal investigation continues, and man-hunts are under way for the fugitive M.I.G.

Outlook

Araz Musaev’s treatment is ongoing, but he is expected to be discharged from hospital in the coming days.