Azerbaijani Deputy Dismissed from Position and Stripped of Russian Citizenship

The deputies of the Duma of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug have removed their colleague Khalid Taghizadeh from the position of Vice Chairman of the Committee on Social Development due to a controversial statement that "Uzbeks can return to Yugra, their historical homeland," Muksun.fm reports.

Earlier, Alexey Savintsev, the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, noted that in 2022, the party provided video materials to the regional administration of internal policy confirming Khalid Taghizadeh's nationalist views. However, no actions were taken against him, and the recording disappeared from his VKontakte page.

“We once again provided the Duma with the substantiating information we have. As I said, we believe that such statements should lead to a collective decision by the Duma to strip him of his mandate,” he remarked.

According to sources close to political circles, Taghizadeh is reportedly on vacation outside of Russia, presumably in Azerbaijan, which is considered his historical homeland.

It has been impossible to contact the deputy since May 29, the date of the Duma meeting, and he was absent at the Ethics Committee meeting on June 2, where his statements were discussed. His participation in the extraordinary meeting on June 3, where the question of stripping him of his mandate may be addressed, is also in doubt.

It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani deputy referred to the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug as the historical homeland of certain migrants. He stated that Yugra and part of the Tyumen region were once part of the Siberian Khanate, whose last ruler was Khan Kuchum from the Shiban dynasty, affiliated with the Uzbek ruling dynasty.

The deputy suggested that migrants consider the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug as their historical homeland. He has since apologized for his comments, acknowledging that his words could have been misunderstood and expressing regret, stating that he did not wish to offend anyone.

It is also noted that Taghizadeh is of Azerbaijani descent. Reports indicate that he traveled to Azerbaijan on June 3.

Previously, a leader of the diaspora lost his Russian citizenship following remarks made about migrants.