The arrest of Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the Presidential Administration and a current member of Azerbaijan’s Security Council, is an event that demands thorough analysis. At 87, Mehdiyev is no ordinary figure: a protégé of Heydar Aliyev, he was one of the key members of Aliyev’s inner circle. Later, he played a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of power in Azerbaijan and, under Ilham Aliyev, served as the country’s chief administrator. Mehdiyev oversaw the work of major Azerbaijani institutions, including law enforcement, handled most personnel appointments, and, most importantly, was considered Moscow’s closest ally. In short, Ramiz Mehdiyev is a statesman of national significance – a figure who attracts attention even after retiring from all key positions.

Therefore, the arrest of such a high-ranking figure raises many questions and points to hidden processes within Azerbaijan’s ruling elite. Mehdiyev is accused by Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies of attempting a coup d’état. The last time such charges were brought against current or former officials in Azerbaijan was in 2005 – exactly twenty years ago.

Pro-government and opposition media offer differing interpretations. The former claim that the information about Mehdiyev’s alleged plans was passed to Ilham Aliyev by the Russian side during the CIS leaders’ summit in Dushanbe. Particularly intriguing is the claim that Mehdiyev allegedly hoped for Russian assistance. In this case, Russia, by sacrificing Mehdiyev, is effectively demonstrating its firm commitment to its alliance with the Azerbaijani leadership under Ilham Aliyev. If true, this move would be a calculated step by Moscow toward restoring relations with Baku.

Opposition outlets, however, view the situation as part of internal power struggles. According to this version, the new generation of officials is retaliating against representatives of the “old guard”, who allegedly stood behind the arrest of the well-known oil trader Adnan Alizade.

Which version proves accurate will become clear soon. If the first scenario is true, further arrests are likely to follow – as it is evident that one man, especially an 87-year-old retiree, cannot stage a coup alone. However, if Mehdiyev’s arrest leads to no broader political or legal repercussions, the opposition’s interpretation will seem more plausible.

In any case, these developments clearly demonstrate the existence of sharp contradictions within Azerbaijan’s ruling elite.

#AZERBAIJAN

16.10.2025 07:55