BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Azerbaijan's
Former First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas Abbasov has been put on
wanted list in connection with the case of Former Head of the
Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, Trend reports.


This development was reflected in a subsequent procedural
decision within the criminal case being investigated by the State
Security Service of Azerbaijan against Ramiz Mehdiyev and other
individuals on charges related to actions aimed at seizing state
power.


On the basis of the materials gathered in the course of the
investigation, a decision was taken to involve Abbas Abbasov in the
aforementioned criminal case. Abbasov, who for many years had not
been held accountable due to his defense of Mehdiyev, was declared
wanted for evading the investigation while remaining outside the
country.


Abbasov served as the First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan
beginning in 1992 and, during his tenure, chaired several state
commissions. Following his dismissal in 2006, he relocated to the
Russian Federation.


According to the investigation, Abbasov engaged in activities
during the preceding period that sought to exert control over and
influence Azerbaijani diaspora structures in Russia through
unlawful means.


Rustam Ibrahimbayov, who headed the “National Council”
established in Azerbaijan in early 2013 and comprising Ali Karimli
and his associates, was also a member of the Coordination Council
of the “Union of Billionaires,” which operated under the direct
leadership of Abbas Abbasov.


In 2012, amid emerging warnings that the establishment of the
“Union of Billionaires” was linked to political processes in
Azerbaijan, Ibrahimbayov publicly rejected these allegations,
speaking on behalf of the organization in a series of media
interviews. Subsequent developments in 2013 are widely known.


Notably, Abbasov, who had previously traveled to Azerbaijan on a
monthly basis, ceased visiting the country following the emergence
of the National Council issue in early 2013, exercising caution in
light of his activities.


According to the information obtained, funds transferred to
Azerbaijan through various channels pursuant to arrangements among
the aforementioned individuals and organizations, along with audio
and video recordings of these arrangements, related commitments
made to participants at the time, records of meetings held abroad,
and other materials concerning plans to forcibly seize
constitutional state power in Azerbaijan, have been seized,
incorporated into the criminal case, and are expected to be
publicly examined during open court proceedings.


The Sabayil District Court has issued a ruling in the criminal
case against Ramiz Mehdiyev. In accordance with the decision, the
court granted the investigative motion and imposed a preventive
measure of house arrest on Mehdiyev, who faces criminal charges for
particularly serious offenses, for a period of four months.


He has been charged under Articles 278.1 (Actions aimed at
seizing state power), 274 (High treason), and 193-1.3.2
(Legalization of property obtained by criminal means) of the
Criminal Code.


Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News
Agency's WhatsApp channel