Azerbaijani Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant in absentia for 7 Turks: They were placed on the 'international wanted list'
Quick Look
- The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued an arrest warrant in absentia for 7 people living and operating in Türkiye and announced that it launched an international search.
- The investigation is continuing in connection with social media posts and protests in front of diplomatic missions.
- The people for whom the arrest warrant was issued are stated as Rıdvan Kaya, Zekeriya Ceran, Fatih Tezcan, Ahmet Şanlı, Fahrettin Taşkaya Saral, Abdurrahman Tumer and Alparslan Tanrıkulu.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), led by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, reacted harshly to the allegations that the AKP government in Türkiye was criticized for interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs. Previously, discussions had started on the Ankara-Baku line over allegations that headscarved students were not admitted to schools in Azerbaijan.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan announced that an arrest warrant was issued in absentia for 7 people living and operating in Türkiye. While it was reported that an international search was launched against the people in question, it was stated that the investigation was linked to social media posts and protests in front of diplomatic representations.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency AZERTAG, the Azerbaijani Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the people who were given an arrest warrant in absentia were Rıdvan Kaya, Zekeriya Ceran, Fatih Tezcan, Ahmet Şanlı, Fahrettin Taşkaya Saral, Abdurrahman Tumer and Alparslan Tanrıkulu.
In the statement, it was noted that the people in question were charged with different articles of the Azerbaijan Criminal Code.
In the investigation carried out by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that action was taken against 7 people within the scope of articles 281.2, 283.2.1 and 167-3.1 of the Azerbaijan Criminal Code.
It was reported that these articles include accusations of open calls for the forcible seizure of power and forcible change of the constitutional order, incitement of religious hatred and hostility through violence, and preparation, storage and dissemination of materials containing religious extremism.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the investigation continues and international legal assistance and cooperation mechanisms have been activated.
Tezcan, among the names in question, is known for his hostility towards Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, and secularism and the republic.
Discussions started on the Ankara-Baku line over allegations that headscarved students were not allowed into schools in Azerbaijan.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), led by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, reacted harshly to the statements of the President's Chief Advisor Oktay Saral and AKP deputies.
Criticizing the ruling circles in Türkiye for interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, YAP said, "We call on the AKP government to avoid this harmful policy."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Azerbaijani Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will continue its requests for international legal assistance for the surrender of 7 people for whom arrest warrants have been issued.
Likely · Within weeks
The New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) will continue its criticism of the AKP government in Türkiye and will try to keep the allegation of interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs on the agenda.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- The current whereabouts of the 7 people for whom arrest warrants were issued were not disclosed.
- It was not disclosed which countries the international search operations were carried out in coordination with.
- The content or actions of the social media posts and protests were not detailed.
- It was not stated what the evidence was against those arrested under the relevant articles of the Azerbaijan Criminal Code.
