Ramiz Mehdiyev, who was accused of serious crimes and placed under house arrest, was once awarded high state honors not only in Azerbaijan but also in Russia.
Medianews.az reports that on May 14, 2008, the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree awarding Ramiz Mehdiyev the "Order of Friendship" ("Орден дружбы"). This decree can still be found today in open sources on the internet.
Ten years later - in 2018, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding Ramiz Mehdiyev the "Order of Honor" ("Орден Почета"). Interestingly, at that time the Azerbaijani public only learned about Ramiz Mehdiyev being awarded such an order at the end of April, during an event held in Sochi, Russia, organized by Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
On April 25-26, the 9th International Meeting of high-ranking officials responsible for security issues was held in Sochi. Representatives from 117 countries, including Azerbaijan, participated. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Ramiz Mehdiyev as the head of the Presidential Administration.
Within the framework of the event, a separate meeting took place between Ramiz Mehdiyev and Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council. During that meeting, Patrushev stated that Vladimir Putin had signed the decree awarding Ramiz Mehdiyev the Russian "Order of Honor" for his services in developing relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. Patrushev presented the decree and the order to Ramiz Mehdiyev right there. This news was published the same day in the media of both Russia and Azerbaijan. However, Putin's decree awarding Ramiz Mehdiyev the "Order of Honor" cannot be found in open sources even now.
Ramiz Anvar oglu Mehdiyev was born on April 17, 1938, in Baku city. From 1995 until October 23, 2019, he led the Presidential Administration (called the Presidential Executive Office until 2009). From October 23, 2019, until February 19, 2022, he was the president of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. At different times, he was awarded Azerbaijan's "Heydar Aliyev," "Istiglal," "Shohrat," and "Sharaf" orders.
In October 2025, following a decision by the Sabail District Court, Ramiz Mehdiyev was placed under house arrest and is currently charged under three articles of the Criminal Code: 278.1, 274, and 193-1.3.2.
Article 278.1 concerns actions aimed at forcibly seizing or holding power contrary to the Azerbaijani Constitution, or forcibly changing the constitutional order of the state. These acts are punishable by imprisonment from 12 to 20 years or life imprisonment.
Article 274 concerns treason against the state. Treason means intentional acts committed by a citizen of Azerbaijan to the detriment of Azerbaijan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security, or defense capability: defection to the enemy, espionage, divulging state secrets to a foreign state, or engaging in hostile activities against the Republic of Azerbaijan while assisting foreign states, organizations, or their representatives - punishable by 12 to 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment.
Article 193-1 concerns legalization (laundering) of property obtained by criminal means. According to paragraph 3.2 of this article, i.e., 193-1.3.2, a person who commits the same act involving a large amount ("large amount" meaning an amount exceeding 50,000 manats) is punishable by deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to 3 years and/or imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years.
Togrul Ali,
Medianews.az
