Azerbaijan Court Gives 14-Year Suspended Sentence to Ex-Presidential Chief Ramiz Mehdiyev for Treason

Former Azerbaijani Powerbroker Convicted

A Baku court sentenced Ramiz Mehdiyev to 14 years in prison on charges of actions aimed at the violent seizure of power, treason, money laundering and accepting a bribe on an especially large scale. [2] The sentence was suspended due to his age and health. [2] The court also ordered confiscation of his property and recommended stripping him of state awards. [2] The verdict was delivered on 22 October but became public only on 27 October after a closed-door trial. [2]

Mehdiyev’s Decades in Power

Mehdiyev headed the presidential administration for 24 years under Heydar Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev. [2] He chaired the pardons commission and was widely regarded as the country’s unofficial second-in-command. [2] In that role he could influence who became a member of parliament, which newspaper was shut down and who received a pardon. [2]

Shifting Official Account of the Plot

Investigators say Mehdiyev drafted a document entitled “Proposals for Reorganising the System of Public Administration” in August and September 2025 and passed it through his aide Eldar Amirov to opposition leader Ali Karimli. [2] The final version of the document was sent on 3 October. [2] The indictment also refers to the Union of Russian Azerbaijani Organisations, a group registered abroad and known as the “Union of Billionaires,” which investigators claim was established by foreign intelligence services and led by Abbas Abbasov and Rustam Ibragimbekov. [2] Early accounts from pro-government media had linked the case to possible Kremlin involvement, but the final indictment focused on ties to the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party. [2]

Asset Confiscation and Public Reaction

The day after the verdict the presidium of Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences decided to expel Mehdiyev from its membership. [2] Academy president Isa Habibbayli described Mehdiyev’s actions as “a betrayal unworthy of a scholar.” [2] Pro-government websites published lists of villas, plots of land, stakes in shopping centres and bank shares allegedly belonging to him. [2] Lawyer Chingiz Ganizade noted that once the verdict comes into force the confiscated property could be sold at auction or partly transferred to war veterans and families of fallen servicemen. [2] Independent sources have focused on the lack of transparency surrounding the closed-door trial and the fact that the verdict was announced five days after it was delivered. [2]

Nigeria Security Officer Arrested in Abuja Market Shooting

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command arrested Deputy Superintendent of Corps Onoja Samuel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for allegedly firing shots into the air during a confrontation with traders at a market in the Kubwa area of Abuja. [1] On 25 October 2026 at about 1:50 pm police received a distress call reporting that an unidentified man armed with a pistol was firing sporadically into the air at the market. [1] Operatives attached to the Kubwa Police Division disarmed and arrested the suspect. [1] Preliminary investigations found that Samuel had gone to the market armed with a pistol following reports that some traders had assaulted his wife. [1] A CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspect. [1]

Police Call for Coordination Between Agencies

FCT Police Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi urged personnel of sister security agencies to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for areas where they intend to conduct authorised operations. [1] The commissioner stated that such notification would ensure proper coordination and prevent avoidable clashes. [1] The NSCDC officer remains in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations. [1]

What to watch next: The verdict has not yet taken legal effect and there is a 20-day period for appealing it. [2]