Recent revelations have brought to light new details surrounding the tragic murder of Azerbaijani political émigré Vidadi Iskanderli, who was fatally stabbed in his home in Mulhouse, France. A vocal critic of Azerbaijani oligarchs, Iskanderli died in the hospital on 1 October after succumbing to over 20 stab wounds sustained during an attack on 29 September, according to a BBC report.
Three unidentified attackers broke into Iskanderli’s residence, inflicting critical injuries to his liver and lungs. Despite efforts to save him, he died two days later. Mulhouse police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing as they search for the assailants.
Blogger Cites Oligarch’s Involvement in Iskanderli’s Murder
Ali Oguz, an opposition blogger and host of Oguz TV, revealed that Iskanderli had recently been exposing the criminal activities of Azerbaijani oligarch Anar Alizade on his blog. According to Oguz, Iskanderli had been receiving threats from Fuad Agayev, a former Azerbaijani intelligence officer now residing in Switzerland, who allegedly acted on Alizade’s behalf.
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Agayev, who has previously been implicated in the 2012 poisoning and death of Azerbaijani public figure Sevinj Babaeva in Istanbul, is reportedly connected to the Azerbaijani émigré network. Iskanderli, in one of his final public statements, expressed fear for his life, accusing Agayev of being a “henchman” for Alizade.
Growing Concerns Among Azerbaijani Exiles
Iskanderli’s murder has intensified concerns about the safety of Azerbaijani political exiles in Europe, many of whom continue their activism despite persistent threats and intimidation. Known for his vocal criticism of the Azerbaijani government and oligarchs, Iskanderli used his platform to expose corruption and human rights abuses. His death has sparked fears within the émigré community that targeted violence against dissidents abroad may be on the rise.
The involvement of Fuad Agayev, whose controversial past includes ties to intelligence operations and accusations in previous high-profile cases, adds complexity to the investigation. The ongoing inquiry into Iskanderli’s murder is expected to explore these connections, as well as the broader network of Azerbaijani political and business figures potentially linked to the crime.
Neither Anar Alizade nor Fuad Agayev has responded publicly to the allegations or to Iskanderli’s murder. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the police.
This article was received directly from the reporter.
