YEKATERINBURG, July 17 — Russian authorities have issued a search warrant for Shahin Shikhlinski, the head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Ural region, amid an ongoing criminal investigation involving his family members.
The news was reported by Russian outlet E1.ru and confirmed by Azerbaijani public figure Vidadi Mustafayev, who described the move as part of a “standard legal procedure.” He did not comment on Shikhlinski’s current whereabouts or the specific grounds for the warrant.
The development comes one day after a Russian court ordered the pre-trial detention of Shikhlinski’s son, Mutvali Shikhlinski — a lawyer and his father’s deputy in diaspora affairs. On July 16, the Leninsky District Court of Yekaterinburg ruled to hold Mutvali in custody for two months, alongside another defendant, in connection with charges of using violence against a government official.
According to local sources, the charges stem from an alleged altercation involving law enforcement or administrative personnel, although official statements remain limited.
Shahin Shikhlinski has been a visible figure within the Azerbaijani community in the Urals, frequently involved in cultural and public initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between ethnic Azerbaijanis and broader Russian society. His leadership has been noted in diaspora events, charity efforts, and public diplomacy.
Observers say the legal case has sparked concern among members of the diaspora, with some expressing fears that the situation could affect the community’s public image or lead to increased scrutiny from Russian authorities.
As of now, no official statement has been made by Shahin Shikhlinski or his legal representatives, and Russian law enforcement has not disclosed the specific charges that led to his being placed on the wanted list.
The case remains under investigation.
