Ramiz Mehdiyev’s fall from power in Azerbaijan illustrates the precarious nature of influence, where political shifts dictate who is scapegoated.
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Ramiz Mehdiyev, a once powerful figure in Azerbaijan known as the “grey cardinal” for his extensive, unofficial influence, has fallen from favor after being accused of plotting a coup and facing house arrest. Mehdiyev’s power extended far beyond his official role as head of the Presidential administration until 2019. His decline accelerated after he resigned from the National Academy of Sciences amid criticism of his mismanagement. Recently, he has been accused of treason and money laundering. His downfall has led to former officials distancing themselves from him. While state media has accused him of a coup plot with Russian backing, some experts suggest these charges might be a pretext for internal power restructuring. The article concludes that Mehdiyev’s fate illustrates the temporary nature of influence and conditional loyalty within Azerbaijan’s power structure, suggesting that political maneuvering, rather than justice, dictates who falls from grace.
