The processes occurring around the Azerbaijani diaspora organization operating in the Ural region of Russia have entered a new phase.
According to Modern.az, leaflets are being distributed to believers in mosques in Yekaterinburg, stating that a new candidate has been put forward for the position of “head of the Ural Azerbaijani community”.
These processes accelerated after the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case in June regarding the “ethnic criminal group” case.
Within the framework of that case, Shahin Shikhlinksi, who had led the Azerbaijani community in the Urals for many years, was detained and charged with several murders, as well as organizing conspiracies against other individuals. The court proceedings are currently ongoing. Incidentally, it was revealed a few days ago that the statements in Shikhlinksi's criminal case were taken by A.S. Karapetyan, a senior investigator for important cases of the Russian Investigative Committee, a justice major, and of Armenian origin. It is interesting that Karen Kamoyevich Tutunjyan, another employee of Armenian origin from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, also testified against Shikhlinksi during the incident that occurred on July 1, 2025.
Vidadi Mustafayev, who is reported to have replaced Shikhlinksi as a diaspora leader, has also been arrested. He is accused of large-scale fraud, and the court has ordered his pre-trial detention until January 31.
According to media reports, a new candidate has emerged who wishes to lead the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Urals against the backdrop of these processes. According to publications “Kommersant” and “SP”, this candidate is Karim Gasimov. He is 69 years old, originally from the Masally region of Azerbaijan, and has been living in Russia since 1976.
Karim Gasimov worked in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, is a retired police colonel, and has five children. It is reported that he has been leading a Muslim religious organization called “14 Holy Mosques” since 2014.
According to information, Karim Gasimov's candidacy will be discussed at a congress expected to be held in the near future. In an interview with the local press, he stated that negotiations regarding the timing of the congress are ongoing, and the event could be held on January 5 of next year. According to Gasimov, the charter for the “Azerbaijan-Ural” interregional public organization for the Ural Federal District is being prepared.
In his speeches, Karim Gasimov stated that the main line of his election platform is the unity of Azerbaijanis and the preservation of friendly relations with Russia. He also questioned the legitimacy of the previous leadership, emphasizing that the diaspora would operate in a different direction. According to Gasimov, the goal is to establish activities based on the principles of peace, friendship, prosperity, and unity, while also nurturing young leaders for the future. He also noted that he currently has no rivals in the elections.
Observers state that Karim Gasimov, a former law enforcement officer, is likely to have the support of the power structures of Sverdlovsk Oblast, and his candidacy is regarded as the formation of a new line in the leadership of the Azerbaijani diaspora organization in Russia.
Elnur Amirov
