New decisions have been made regarding four detainees in the case of Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the Presidential Administration, who has been placed under house arrest on charges of attempting to seize power by force, treason against the state, and legalization of a large amount of property obtained through criminal means.
Medianews.az reports that the individuals in question are AXCP chairman Ali Karimli, his advisor Mammad Ibrahim, Vugar Mammadov (Tofiqoglu), editor-in-chief of the "Hurriyyet" newspaper, Hurriyyet.az website, and "Hurriyyet TV," and former employee of the Presidential Administration Eldar Amirov.
These individuals were detained last year and pre-trial detention measures were chosen for them. The term of these pre-trial detention measures was set to expire on February 13.
On February 9, at the Sabail District Court, based on materials provided by investigators of the State Security Service (DTX), a petition was reviewed regarding the extension of pre-trial detention for Ali Karimli, Mammad Ibrahim, Vugar Mammadov, and Eldar Amirov for 4 additional months.
The court granted each petition, extending the detention period of the accused by 4 months.
Ramiz Mehdiyev was placed under house arrest for 4 months on October 14, 2025, by a petition from the DTX and a decision of the Sabail District Court. The duration of the measure against him is set to expire on February 13. It is not yet known whether the investigation has submitted a petition to extend this term.
Ramiz Mehdiyev is accused under Articles 278.1, 274, and 193-1.3.2 of the Criminal Code; Ali Karimli, Mammad Ibrahim, and Eldar Amirov under Article 278.1; and Vugar Mammadov under Article 182.2.4.
The detainees are being held in the detention facility of the DTX investigation department.
Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code pertains to actions aimed at seizing or forcibly retaining power in violation of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, or forcibly changing the constitutional order of the state. These acts are punishable by imprisonment from 12 to 20 years or life imprisonment.
Article 274 addresses treason against the state. Treason refers to an act intentionally committed by a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security, or defense capability of Azerbaijan: switching to the enemy side, espionage, disclosing state secrets to a foreign state, carrying out hostile activities against the Republic of Azerbaijan, or assisting a foreign state, organization, or their representatives – punishable by imprisonment from 12 to 20 years or life imprisonment.
Article 193-1 pertains to legalization of property obtained through criminal means. According to clause 3.2 of this article, i.e., Article 193-1.3.2, a person who commits the same act involving a large amount (defined as amounts exceeding 50,000 manats) is punished with imprisonment from 7 to 12 years, with or without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to 3 years.