Day: September 23, 2025

#CIA  #StateDept  #Potus  #Azerbaijan  #IlhamAliyev
Azerbaijan’s Oil Sanctions Evasion Scheme  g.co/gemini/share/85eb1281dd…
Prompt:
The oily hypocrisy of Ilham Aliyev: Mixing of Azeri and Russian oil to avoid sanctions was done under the personal agreement between Putin and Aliyev, Adnan Ahmadzada is a designated fall guy, arrested just before Aliyev visit to New York.
GS:
google.com/search?q=The+oily…
Gemini
Baku, Azerbaijan – Allegations of a clandestine agreement between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin to circumvent international sanctions by mixing Russian and Azeri oil have surfaced, casting a shadow over Azerbaijan’s role as a key energy partner to the West. The recent arrest of a high-ranking official from the state oil company, SOCAR, just days before Aliyev’s visit to New York, has fueled speculation that a “fall guy” has been designated to quell international scrutiny.

Adnan Ahmadzada, the former deputy head of the investment department at SOCAR, was taken into custody in Baku around September 20, 2025, on charges of sabotage against economic security and large-scale embezzlement.1 His arrest has been linked to allegations of “oil fraud,” specifically the mixing of Azerbaijani ‘light’ crude with other petroleum products.2

This development comes amid mounting evidence and reports from various international sources suggesting that Azerbaijan has been instrumental in helping Russia evade sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. Investigations have pointed to a “shadow trade” where Russian oil is transported to Azerbaijani ports, mixed with local crude, and then exported as Azerbaijani oil, effectively obscuring its origin.3 This practice allows Russia to continue selling its oil on the global market, undermining the impact of Western sanctions.

The United Kingdom has already taken action, sanctioning several Azerbaijani individuals and companies for their alleged involvement in this illicit trade.4 These entities are accused of being part of a network that facilitates the transportation, refining, and exportation of Russian crude oil.5

While there is no direct public evidence of a “personal agreement” between Aliyev and Putin on this matter, the close and strategic partnership between the two leaders, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors, has been well-documented. Their frequent meetings and joint statements emphasize a deepening of ties, which critics argue has created an environment conducive to such covert operations.

The timing of Ahmadzada’s arrest, immediately preceding President Aliyev’s arrival in New York on September 22, 2025, for the UN General Assembly, has been viewed by many as a calculated move. Observers suggest that by sacrificing a high-level executive, the Aliyev government may be attempting to demonstrate a commitment to cracking down on corruption and illegal activities within its energy sector, thereby deflecting direct responsibility and appeasing international partners.

Official statements from Baku have framed Ahmadzada’s arrest as part of a broader anti-corruption campaign.6 However, given the significant body of evidence pointing to state-level complicity in the circumvention of sanctions, this narrative is being met with skepticism from international watchdogs and foreign governments. The case of Adnan Ahmadzada is now at the center of a geopolitical firestorm, highlighting the “oily hypocrisy” of a nation that presents itself as a reliable energy alternative to Russia while allegedly enabling its sanctions evasion.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 23, 2025