The Pashaev Clan's Latest Success in Azerbaijan: Analyst Tatevik Hayrapetyan

Ramiz Mehdiyev, known as the 'gray cardinal' in Azerbaijan's political arena, has resigned from his position as the president of the National Academy of Sciences today. In his resignation letter, he stated that he would now stay at home and write books.

At first glance, this seemingly insignificant news contains intriguing nuances. The 84-year-old Mehdiyev is the leader of the Nakhchivan clan and held the position of head of the presidential administration from 1994 to 2019. During the early years of Ilham Aliyev's rule, it was considered that Mehdiyev effectively ran the country.

Tatevik Hayrapetyan, a former MP and an Azerbaijani analyst, noted on Facebook that Mehriban Aliyeva, after taking office as the First Vice President in 2017, launched a campaign against Mehdiyev and other representatives of the Nakhchivan clan. This was a clan battle that allowed the Pashaevs to gain new leverage within the state system. As a result, in 2019, Mehdiyev resigned, conceding his position to the younger cadre of the Pashaev clan. Nevertheless, he was awarded honors by Ilham Aliyev and sent into retirement while occupying the presidency of the Academy.

The Mehdiyev topic was long considered closed; however, unexpectedly, a new campaign against him was initiated recently, during which a member of the Milli Majlis stated, 'Mehdiyev has an Armenian family and has always served the Armenians and their strategic goals.' This is an unprecedented accusation against Mehdiyev, who has held high state positions for 25 years and is known as the 'gray cardinal'.

Moreover, it is worth noting that he engages in evident falsification in his 'scientific' works and public speeches, especially concerning episodes related to Armenians. Therefore, there is no real basis for accusing him of serving Armenian interests; the facts speak to his pronounced anti-Armenian stance. However, accusing someone of being Armenian is a good and decisive means of 'discrediting' a person in Azerbaijan.

Two days after this accusation, Mehdiyev resigned. Discussions are already underway about whether the 84-year-old Mehdiyev will be arrested soon.

It is not a coincidence that during all of Aliyev's visits after the war, he has been primarily accompanied by his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, dressed in 'camouflage' uniforms, rather than any senior military representative. This marks yet another success for the Pashaev clan in Azerbaijan.