Baku court holds preliminary hearing in trial of ex-presidential chief of staff Ramiz Mehdiyev

A preliminary hearing in the criminal trial of Ramiz Mehdiyev, former head of Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration, and his former aide Eldar Amirov was held at the Baku Court of Serious Crimes.

During the session presided over by Judge Murad Aslanov, personal details of the defendants were verified, and their procedural rights and obligations under local legislation were outlined. The court ensured conditions for exercising defense rights and scheduled the case for full judicial review.

Azerbaijan's State Security Service launched criminal proceedings against Mehdiyev in October 2025. He faces charges under Articles 193-1.3.2 (money laundering), 274 (high treason), and 278.1 (actions aimed at the violent seizure of power or violent change of the constitutional order) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.