Putin ‘Foils Coup Attempt’ in Azerbaijan by Alerting Aliyev, Reports Say
putin-aliyev
Azerbaijani news agency APA has reported that a coup attempt in Azerbaijan was foiled after Russian President Vladimir Putin personally warned President Ilham Aliyev about the plot. According to the agency, the alleged mastermind behind the operation was Ramiz Mekhtiyev, the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration, who was subsequently arrested on charges of attempting to seize power and committing treason.
Putin’s Call Reportedly Stopped the Coup
Sources cited by APA claim the attempted coup was thwarted following a direct phone call from Putin to Aliyev. The Russian leader is said to have shared intelligence detailing Mekhtiyev’s plans, prompting Azerbaijani authorities to act swiftly.
Novaya Gazeta, a Russian independent outlet, reported that the issue was also raised during the Russia–Central Asia Summit in Dushanbe on October 9, where Putin and Aliyev discussed emerging regional tensions.
Mekhtiyev Allegedly Sought Moscow’s Backing
According to Euronews, Mekhtiyev had attempted to leverage strained relations between Moscow and Baku by reaching out to Russian contacts to gain support for his coup plot. Through old political and military connections, he reportedly informed Russian officials of his plan and requested Moscow’s endorsement in exchange for favorable post-coup relations.
His reported blueprint included a transitional government led by himself, designed to “restore stability” and realign Azerbaijan’s policies with Russia’s regional interests.
Arrest and Treason Charges
After receiving the information from Putin, Azerbaijani security forces detained Mekhtiyev within days, launching a criminal investigation into his alleged plot to overthrow the government. Prosecutors have reportedly charged him with high treason and conspiracy to seize power, with an ongoing probe expected to expand to include other senior officials suspected of complicity.
A Coup Born from Tension After Plane Tragedy
Regional observers say the coup plot may have emerged amid heightened tensions between Baku and Moscow. The rift reportedly deepened after a civilian Azerbaijani passenger plane was downed in December, allegedly by Russian missiles, killing 29 passengers.
The tragedy, according to some analysts, intensified distrust between the two governments and prompted disaffected Azerbaijani elites to seek Moscow’s intervention in reshaping the country’s leadership.
Kremlin Silence as Baku Tightens Security
Neither the Kremlin nor the Azerbaijani Presidential Office has issued official confirmation regarding the alleged coup plot. However, sources close to Azerbaijani intelligence suggest that security measures around government institutions in Baku have been reinforced since early October.
If verified, the event would mark one of the most dramatic episodes in Azerbaijan’s post-Soviet history — a case in which Russian intelligence reportedly protected, rather than undermined, the sitting leadership in Baku.