OMM Newsroom
The Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has considered removing Ramiz Mehdiyev from Academy membership.
ANAS provided the information to “Operative Information Center-OMM”, which reports.
ANAS said that under Clause 3.6 of the regulations governing the election, rights and duties of Academy members, approved at the Academy’s General Assembly on November 23, 2023, a member may be expelled if they commit acts that bring discredit on the country or the Academy, or fail to fulfil their duties. The matter is discussed by the Presidium, which adopts a decision for submission to the General Assembly for approval.
ANAS President and academician Isa Habibbeyli opened the Presidium meeting, saying Mehdiyev had committed criminal acts that brought discredit on the country and violated the requirements set out in the Academy’s charter for its members. He noted that the Baku Court of Grave Crimes had sentenced Mehdiyev to 14 years in prison. Habibbeyli said that Mehdiyev’s alleged plans to change the constitutional order of the independent state and his criminal conduct amounted to treason against the country, and were actions unbecoming of an Academy member and a scholar. “Ramiz Mehdiyev, who has committed treason against the state and been sentenced to a severe punishment by a court, cannot remain a member of ANAS,” he said.
In view of what it described as criminal acts unbecoming of a citizen and Academy member, as well as the Baku Court of Grave Crimes’ 14-year prison sentence, the Presidium deemed Mehdiyev’s expulsion appropriate and put the matter to a vote.
Presidium members strongly condemned Mehdiyev’s criminal acts, saying they were unbecoming of a scholar. They said he had betrayed the independent state, attempted to change the constitutional order and abused his official powers to acquire illegal wealth. The members also said the actions proven in court were unacceptable and that he had no place among the Academy’s members.
The meeting also heard that Mehdiyev had held a long career in public administration and made extensive use of opportunities provided by the state, making his alleged turn to treason unforgivable.
The Presidium voted to approve the proposal to expel Mehdiyev from Academy membership.
ANAS said the regulations governing the election, rights and duties of its members require the decision to be approved by the Academy’s General Assembly.
The Presidium then decided to convene the ANAS General Assembly on October 30, 2026.
The Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced former Presidential Administration head Ramiz Mehdiyev to 14 years in prison.
The court ruled that, taking into account Mehdiyev’s age and health problems, the prison sentence imposed under Article 70 of the Criminal Code would be suspended.
The ruling also ordered that a submission be made to consider stripping Mehdiyev of his state awards.
The ruling provides for the confiscation of Mehdiyev’s property and its transfer to the state.
A criminal case against Mehdiyev was opened by the State Security Service in October 2025. He was charged under Articles 193-1.3.2 (legalisation of property obtained through crime), 274 (treason) and 278.1 (actions aimed at seizing power by force or forcibly changing the constitutional order of the state) of the Criminal Code.
Mehdiyev headed the Presidential Administration from 1995 to 2019. (APA)
