Azerbaijani law enforcement has detained several individuals who attempted to organize an unsanctioned march in Baku under Soviet flags – an incident that circulated widely on social media earlier this week.
Videos showed a small group carrying USSR banners and chanting slogans associated with communist ideology, prompting immediate reaction from police.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that organizers Abdulla Ibragimli, Ibrahim Asadly, and several other participants were identified and detained. According to the ministry, the group’s activities went far beyond a spontaneous street demonstration.
A Coordinated Attempt with External Support
Preliminary investigation suggests the individuals had rented office space, held regular meetings, and “acted with the support and financial backing of another state.” Although officials did not publicly name the foreign actor, the ministry emphasized that the objective of the group was the promotion of communist ideology and the organization of public actions in violation of Azerbaijani law.
During searches conducted at the rented office and at homes connected to the detainees, police seized:
Soviet flags and banners
Printed materials promoting communist ideology
Books containing radical narratives
CD-ROMs and other electronic storage devices
Devices used for internal communication between group members
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and further legal action will follow.
One Detainee Has a Controversial Past
As Azerbaijani media later reported, one of the detained individuals – Ibrahim Asadly, a physician – was no stranger to public controversy.
According to information reported by Lent.az and earlier local media coverage, Asadly had been involved in a high-profile personal scandal during his employment as an oncologist at Loğmed Medical Center.
Reports at the time alleged that he maintained a romantic relationship with a colleague, A. Sultanova. The situation escalated when Asadly’s wife discovered the relationship and confronted the pair at the clinic.
Witnesses claimed the incident resulted in a physical altercation that continued outside the facility.
According to those accounts, both Asadly and Sultanova allegedly assaulted his spouse, prompting a police investigation. Following the scandal, Asadly was dismissed from the medical center.
Attempted Soviet March Sparks Debate
The attempted Soviet-flag march has fueled debate within Azerbaijani society, where the legacy of Soviet rule remains politically sensitive. Authorities maintain that any public demonstration must comply with legal procedures, stressing that unapproved rallies – especially those aimed at promoting political ideology – pose risks to public order.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reiterated that demonstrations glorifying political systems linked to past repression or external influence will be met with “firm and immediate action.”
Diplomatic and Public Reactions
The incident unfolded amid a broader regional narrative of increased vigilance toward foreign influence operations. Officials did not directly link the case to wider geopolitical tensions but indicated that “any organized activity funded from outside the country warrants attention.”
Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani public has reacted sharply online – some mocking the attempted march as “a cosplay of a bygone era,” while others condemned it as a “provocation designed to destabilize the societal mood.”
Investigation Continues
Authorities continue to examine communications, financial flows, and connections between the detained individuals and potential external actors. The ministry emphasized that the case is being treated not as a spontaneous protest, but as a coordinated operation with ideological motives.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
