Information regarding the detention of the Azerbaijani diaspora's leader in Yekaterinburg, with possible evidence presented.
In Yekaterinburg, Russia, Shahin Shikhlyanski, the head of the Azerbaijani diaspora, has found himself at the centre of a criminal investigation. Shikhlyanski, also spelled Shikhlinski, was placed on Russia's federal wanted list recently, following allegations of involvement with an organized criminal group linked to prostitution, pornography distribution, and drug trafficking.
The legal action against Shikhlyanski comes after intensified tensions following raids on Azerbaijani homes in Yekaterinburg on June 27, which resulted in the deaths of two Azerbaijani brothers, Ziyeddin and Huseyn Safarov. This tragic incident led to forensic investigations indicating multiple injuries, prompting Azerbaijan to launch its own criminal inquiry, accusing Russian authorities of torture and murder.
Shikhlyanski's son, Mutvali, is currently in custody, charged with hitting a police officer with his vehicle during a law enforcement attempt. Mutvali faces charges under Article 318 of the Russian Criminal Code (violence against public officials) and will remain in pre-trial detention until at least September 14, 2025.
The investigation into the Azerbaijani group, initially handled by Sverdlovsk law enforcement, was transferred to Moscow's law enforcement agencies. It is said that Shikhlyanski's fellow countrymen might have given testimony against him, as the investigation delves into a criminal case involving his compatriots who were previously arrested for murders and attempted murders in 2001, 2010, and 2011.
The situation has also sparked diplomatic and cultural repercussions, including Azerbaijan canceling Russia-linked cultural events and conducting raids on Kremlin-affiliated outlets as part of a broader fallout.
For those interested in staying informed about the latest developments in Yekaterinburg and Nizhny Tagil, subscription to the telegram channels "Yekaterinburg Reading" and "Our Nizhny Tagil" is available.
The story of Shahin Shikhlyanski's detention began on August 1, when he was reportedly taken into custody in Yekaterinburg. This was preceded by his detention on July 1 near his shopping center, Baku Plaza, following an altercation with law enforcement. During this incident, it is said that Mutvaly, Shikhlyanski's son, reversed his vehicle and hit an officer in an attempt to evade law enforcement. After being detained in Moscow upon exiting a foreign diplomatic mission, Shikhlyanski was transported from the capital to Yekaterinburg to the Investigative Committee. Following his detention, Shikhlyanski left Yekaterinburg.
Mutvali denies his guilt and claims he didn't see the law enforcement officer when he reversed. The investigation continues, and updates can be found through the aforementioned telegram channels.
The investigation into the Azerbaijani group, initially handled by Sverdlovsk law enforcement, has delved into a criminal case involving Shikhlyanski's compatriots who were previously arrested for murders and attempted murders in 2001, 2010, and 2011. In the realm of general-news and politics, the fallout from the criminal investigation of Shahin Shikhlyanski, head of the Azerbaijani diaspora, encompasses crime-and-justice matters, such as alleged involvement with an organized criminal group linked to prostitution, pornography distribution, and drug trafficking.
