A criminal case has been initiated against Ramiz Mehdiyev, former head of the Presidential Administration and academician. The 87-year-old Mehdiyev is accused under articles of treason, attempted violent seizure of power, and legalization of criminally obtained property. By decision of the Sabail District Court, he has been sentenced to 4 months of house arrest.
According to Modern.az, the incident has also generated widespread resonance in the Russian media.
Influential publications in that country approached the incident cautiously and showered Mehdiyev with words of praise.
In an article published in the newspaper “Kommersant” under the signature of Armenian journalist Lusine Balasyan, Mehdiyev is referred to as “Baku's grey cardinal”.
The newspaper presented him as an "influential political figure" who played a significant role in Azerbaijani politics for many years and participated in the formation of state ideology.
“Kommersant” writes that one of the main accusations leveled against Mehdiyev is the article of “treason,” which is explained in the context of “activities in favor of Russia.”
A part of the Russian media evaluates this incident as a manifestation of tensions in relations between Baku and Moscow.
In these articles, Mehdiyev is clearly presented not as an accused person, but as a "former influential statesman."
It is probable that the reason for this approach primarily stems from the interests of the Russian media itself. Although the Moscow press does not openly defend Mehdiyev, it speaks about him softly and with "respect."
With such an approach, the Russian media aims to soften the accusations of a “Russian trace.” If Mehdiyev were portrayed as guilty in the “treason” accusation, this incident could be seen as a blow to the Kremlin's image. Therefore, Russian journalists interpret the incident as a “political balancing act,” “removal of the old elite,” and thus try to distance responsibility from their country.
