Ex-presidential aide Ramiz Mehdiyev to be expelled from ruling party

Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of Azerbaijan’s presidential administration who was placed under house arrest last week, will be expelled from the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party, Arif Rahimzade, chairman of the party’s Veterans Council, told APA.

He said the party’s relevant bodies would meet in the coming days: “Ramiz Mehdiyev cannot remain either a party member or a member of the Veterans Council. A person who has been convicted cannot stay in the party.”

Police have placed Mehdiyev’s residence under surveillance, with all movement and communications fully controlled. He was placed under house arrest for four months by Baku’s Sabail district court on charges of attempting to seize power, treason and large-scale money laundering. The arrest period may be extended depending on the investigation.