Former Azerbaijani Diaspora Head in Russia Faces Life in Prison

Shahin Shikhlinski, the former head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Russian Federation, is facing very serious charges that could lead to life imprisonment. Investigative bodies consider Shikhlinski the leader of an ethnic criminal group. This is reported by Russian sources. According to the investigation, the members of this group committed a number of serious crimes, including murders and attempted murders, in the Sverdlovsk region between 2001 and 2011. Criminal cases have been initiated against the former "diaspora leader" for organizing two murders and for using violence against a representative of the authorities.

The murder of businessman Fehruz Shirinov in 2010 has particularly come to the attention of law enforcement. It is noteworthy that the murdered businessman had once openly accused Shikhlinski of criminal activity, which, according to the investigation, became the motive for the reprisal.

The incident that sparked the escalation of events was the incident that took place in early July near the "Baku Plaza" shopping center in Yekaterinburg. Special forces carried out an operation at the very moment when Shikhlinski, with his son Mutvali, was trying to park a Mercedes-Benz G-class car.

Mutvali Shikhlinski, who was arrested in mid-July, said that masked men broke the car windows and held a gun on them. He claims that he was in a state of shock and, when opening the car door, accidentally hit a special forces officer, as a result of which the latter fell and received a serious injury. Mutvali faces up to 10 years in prison, but he, like his father, does not admit his guilt.

The preliminary investigation has already been completed, and the case has been transferred to court. The trial will soon begin, where, besides the Shikhlinskis, the Safarov brothers (Akif, Ayaz, Bakir, Kamal, Mazahir) and Asker Rajabov are also on the dock. They are also accused of murders and attempted murders. It is noteworthy that, according to sources, one of the group members, Mazahir Safarov, has testified and implicated his accomplices, while the others continue to deny the charges.