Political Tensions Escalate: Opposition Leader's Home Searched in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's authorities searched the home of opposition leader Ali Karimli amid a growing investigation into a suspected coup attempt against President Ilham Aliyev. The operation is linked to a criminal case involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, a former ally of the Aliyev family. Several opposition figures have been detained.

In Azerbaijan, police conducted a search at the residence of Ali Karimli, the leader of the opposition Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (APFP), on Saturday as part of a broadening investigation into a suspected coup attempt against President Ilham Aliyev.

According to a government source, the operation is connected to a criminal case involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, a former close associate of late President Heydar Aliyev. Mehdiyev, who was a senior official during Heydar Aliyev's presidency and later dismissed from his post by the current president, Ilham Aliyev, is accused of financing Karimli's activities.

Recently, a Baku court placed the 87-year-old Mehdiyev under house arrest for charges including attempts to overthrow the government. Meanwhile, Karimli and other APFP members have faced arrests due to their protest activities in the nation, which is often criticized by Western nations for its human rights record.

(With inputs from agencies.)