Last week, a photo circulated on social media and in the press showing Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the Presidential Administration, who is being held accountable for serious crimes, sitting at the same table with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to reports in the press, Mehdiyev prepared a coup d'état plan, and the plan was presented to certain circles in Moscow. It is even reported that he intended to create a State Council, and that the identities of the members of this Council are known.
In this context, Mehdiyev's joint photo with Putin, whose connections with certain circles in Russia are beyond doubt, has generated interest.
Modern.az has investigated the history of the photo.
According to our investigation, the photo was taken in March 2002.
In those years, an initiative called the “Caucasus Four” was established. This included Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. This format was created in 1996, but its lifespan was not long.
When the photo was taken, a meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the “Caucasus Four” countries was held in Sochi, Russia. Putin also attended the meeting.
In those years, Mehdiyev not only headed the Presidential Administration (at that time it was called the Presidential Apparatus - ed.) but also held the position of Secretary of the Security Council.
According to official information released by the Kremlin, the purpose of the meeting was to maintain stability in the South Caucasus, strengthen the fight against terrorism, and discuss regional cooperation mechanisms. The Karabakh issue was also touched upon during the meeting.
It should also be noted that Serzh Sargsyan represented Armenia at the meeting. Sargsyan, who was the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, was elected president some time later.
Russia had not yet occupied Georgian territories, and relations between the two countries were considered normal. Georgia was represented by Tedo Japaridze, the Secretary of the National Security Council.
The fifth person at the table is Vladimir Rushailo, the Secretary of Russia's Security Council.
It should be recalled that Ramiz Mehdiyev is accused under Articles 278.1 (actions aimed at seizing state power), 274 (treason), and 193-1.3.2 (legalization of property obtained through criminal means) of the Criminal Code.
On October 14 of this year, the Sabail District Court of Baku city issued a decision regarding the criminal case against Mehdiyev Ramiz Anvar oglu. According to the decision, the court granted the motion concerning Ramiz Mehdiyev, who was brought to criminal responsibility for particularly serious criminal acts, and chose house arrest as a pre-trial detention measure for a period of 4 months.
Elnur Amirov
