Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Votes to Expel Ramiz Mehdiyev

The Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has voted to strip Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former Head of the Presidential Administration, of his academy membership. The decision will be presented for final ratification at the General Assembly of ANAS scheduled for October 30, 2026.

Opening the session, ANAS President Isa Habibbayli highlighted that the Baku Serious Crimes Court had sentenced Mehdiyev to 14 years of imprisonment for treason and attempts to alter the country's constitutional order, activities deemed completely incompatible with academic integrity and the academy’s charter. Presidium members strongly backed the move.

Under the judicial ruling, the 14-year sentence was suspended pursuant to Article 70 of the Criminal Code due to Mehdiyev's age and health conditions, alongside directives for the submission of motions to revoke his state honors and order the confiscation of his property to the state.

N. Tebrizli