#SouthCaucasus Ilham Aliyev shifted the blame for the illegal, bypassing sanctions oil trading to #RamizMehdiyev and top manager of SOCAR #AdnanAhmedzade who was also detained. However, reports do not indicate that President Ilham Aliyev has directly shifted blame for the scandal to these individuals. In recent legal and media developments in Azerbaijan, former official Ramiz Mehdiyev and former SOCAR executive Adnan Ahmedzade have been accused in connection with illegal oil trading schemes. Here is a summary of recent developments: Adnan Ahmedzade’s arrest: In late September 2025, former SOCAR Trading executive Adnan Ahmedzade was arrested on charges including large-scale misappropriation a

#SouthCaucasus
Ilham Aliyev shifted the blame for the illegal, bypassing sanctions oil trading to  #RamizMehdiyev and top manager of SOCAR  #AdnanAhmedzade who was also detained.
However, reports do not indicate that President Ilham Aliyev has directly shifted blame for the scandal to these individuals.
In recent legal and media developments in Azerbaijan, former official Ramiz Mehdiyev and former SOCAR executive Adnan Ahmedzade have been accused in connection with illegal oil trading schemes.
Here is a summary of recent developments:
Adnan Ahmedzade’s arrest: In late September 2025, former SOCAR Trading executive Adnan Ahmedzade was arrested on charges including large-scale misappropriation and undermining state economic security. Unofficial reports suggest he was involved in oil trading schemes, including possibly mixing sanctioned Russian oil with Azeri crude to obscure its origin.
Ramiz Mehdiyev’s arrest: In October 2025, former presidential administration chief Ramiz Mehdiyev was placed under house arrest and charged with treason, attempted coup, and money laundering. Some Azerbaijani media have suggested connections between Mehdiyev’s alleged network and Ahmedzade’s activities, implying a wider probe into pro-Russian influence and corruption.
Contamination issue: The arrests follow revelations of organic chloride contamination in Azeri crude oil cargoes in July 2025, which raised questions about sabotage and potential illegal mixing of oils.
While both men face serious charges related to misconduct, corruption, and oil trading, the notion that President Aliyev explicitly “shifted the blame” in a statement is not supported by recent reporting. The cases appear to be unfolding as separate investigations led by state security services.

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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 20, 2025