Azerbaijan’s Former Presidential Chief of Staff Placed Under House Arrest
A former chief of staff to the Azerbaijani president, Ramiz Mehdiyev, has been placed under house arrest on charges of treason, attempting to overthrow the state by force, and money laundering.
A Baku court ordered four months of home detention for Mehdiyev, 87, citing his advanced age, according to reports in pro-government media outlets.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under Azerbaijan’s criminal code.
Mehdiyev ended the call when asked about the charges in a brief phone interview.
Mehdiyev, often dubbed the “grey cardinal” by local media, wielded considerable influence in Azerbaijani politics during nearly 25 years as head of the Presidential Administration.
Author's summary: Mehdiyev under house arrest.