Azerbaijani authorities have presented details of an attempted coup

The State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan has presented new details in the case of an alleged coup attempt involving former head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, former Deputy Prime Minister Abbas Abbasov, and the leader of the opposition Popular Front Party (PFPA) Ali Karimli. According to the agency, they, with the assistance of foreign intelligence agencies, were preparing a violent seizure of power.

According to the indictment, these individuals were co-founders and leaders of the Union of Azerbaijani Organizations of Russia (the "Union of Billionaires"). The organization's alleged goal was the violent overthrow of Azerbaijan's constitutional order.

It is alleged that after these individuals created the National Council of Democratic Forces (the "National Council"), which nominated Rustam Ibrahimbekov as a presidential candidate in 2013, they, with the financial and organizational support of foreign intelligence agencies, prepared for mass unrest. Approximately 1 million manats were allocated to recruit participants in the unrest from the country's regions. According to the State Security Service, there were also plans to recruit individuals living abroad to participate in the rallies. The "National Council" allegedly sent a secret letter to a foreign state requesting support and pressure on Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, according to the State Security Service, there was an agreement on Azerbaijan's gradual accession to the pro-Russian military bloc, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). It is also noted that Ramiz Mehdiyev laundered over 17 million manats of criminally obtained funds by October 13, 2025.

The State Security Service also released an intercepted conversation between former head of the presidential administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev, and a representative of a foreign intelligence service from one of the countries. The conversation was conducted in Russian. According to the agency, an employee of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) served as an intermediary between Mehdiyev and Russian security agencies. It is alleged that communications with Russian security forces through an agent network in the Russian Academy of Sciences were maintained even during the period when Mehdiyev headed the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (2019–2022).

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