The long-standing leadership vacuum in the Azerbaijani criminal underworld in Russia is entering a new phase. Against the backdrop of the absence of a single leader among local criminal groups, there is a risk that control of criminal circles of Azerbaijani origin will pass into the hands of other Caucasian groups.
Modern.az reports that Akhmed Dombayev (Akhmed Shalinsky), a Chechen-born "thief-in-law" who returned to Moscow after 5 years, has already begun to interfere in the activities of Azerbaijani criminal groups.
Dombayev's return to Moscow was "triumphant". He moves around the capital accompanied by numerous armed individuals. It is reported that he has a security detail of at least 20 people around him. It is claimed that Akhmed Dombayev has been seen in several places long considered under the control of Azerbaijani criminal clans, and has also established contacts with Azerbaijani businessmen. Thus, it is reported that there is currently no single leader with real influence in the Azerbaijani criminal underworld in Russia.
Azerbaijani "thief-in-law" Vagif Suleymanov has long lost his former influence in criminal processes. He is mainly said to spend his time with another "thief-in-law" Suren Tavadov (Surik Andijanski). As for other Azerbaijani criminal authorities, Taleh Daghliyev (Tolik Mashtaginsky), it is written that he was sent to Pyatigorsk at the instruction of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and is not allowed to appear in Moscow.
It is claimed that Ulfat Taghiyev (Rufo Ganjinsky), presented as a "criminal general", is banned from entering Russia, but despite this, he manages some conflicts remotely. According to information, in recent times, Zaur Aliyev (Zayka), a participant in the Russia-Ukraine war, has also been mentioned in "showdowns" among Azerbaijani criminal groups.
As a result of all this, it is reported that the absence of a single center in the Azerbaijani criminal environment increases the risk of confrontation. It is precisely in such circumstances that Akhmed Shalinsky's return to Moscow has created a new situation for Azerbaijani criminal groups. It is reported that he has begun to unite various Azerbaijani criminal groups under his control. He does not intend to stop there and will try to establish control over other Caucasian criminal groups in the next stage.
Akhmed Dombayev's return to Moscow raises separate questions. Because it is reported that he is on federal wanted list in Russia. Therefore, his arrival in Moscow after a 5-year break, openly operating and infiltrating the Azerbaijani criminal underworld, resembles a planned move.
