Azerbaijan and nets of the Russian special services

The Russian site dossier.center has published an article titled "Beard" from Yerevan and soft power in Baku. The site, has published a list of 76 Azerbaijani citizens interesting to the Russian secret services, also indicates high-ranking Russian officers who, use "soft power" under the guise of participating in humanitarian and cultural events.​

Political scientist Arastun Orujlu answered ASTNA questions about the interesting points and the list in that article.

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- You probably are aware about the article published in the dossier.center. Why has this list appeared right now? What is happening?

- Of course, I am informed about the list, and I expressed my opinion on social networks. To put it mildly, this list does not reflect the reality and scale of the activities of the Russian secret services in Azerbaijan. The list appeared right now - during the cooling of relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, and it is not coincidence. Yes, I   deliberately use the word “appeared”. First, this list is a kind of message and therefore it has been made. Just to look authentic, it is presented as a product of dossier.center website by Khodorkovsky. Most likely, the Russian secret services leaked this information directly to the specified website or some channels. This is one of the traditional methods of secret services.

- Most of the people on this list are known to the public for their closeness to former presidential aide Ali Hasanov. While Ali Hasanov has been removed from office, and even according to some versions, preparations are underway for his arrest; therefore, such a list has been issued. Do you think this might be a step against Hasanov; or, is this list a message from Ali Hasanov, addressed to some people?

- First of all, it is interesting that the absolute majority of the people on the list are close to the authorities or are directly representatives of power; and this is not an accident. Are not there Russian agents among opposition parties and civil society in Azerbaijan? Of course, there are enough. It is enough to analyze carefully the events of the last month to understand that there are such people, and they event act in unison.

Logically, a site that operates in opposition to the Russian government should first expose this government. But we see the opposite. The talk is about persons who do not have special significance in society, in social and political life. Can the intelligence agencies of such a large country as Russia, which politically shakes such powerful countries as the United States, Great Britain, Germany, cooperate with such people in Azerbaijan? Such claims are, of course, ridiculous and even absurd. Rather, the release of this list, apart from the message, is part of a multi-component operation.

As for Ali Hasanov, I think, that the matter is not his personality; for many years, he just oversaw the social and political sector. Therefore, all reasoning and doubts are associated with him. By the way, it seems to me that it is completely wrong to consider the persons indicated in this suspicious list as unambiguously agents, or to represent them as agents. Because there is no legal and factual basis for this. This could be common misinformation. Do not forget that the talk is about such grave crimes as espionage and treason.

- The talks about the activities of the Russian fifth column in power have been lasting for years, but the list shows irrelevant people. That is, it could be the tip of the iceberg, the large and underwater part of which remains unknown. How to identify those who are in the invisible part of the iceberg? What is the point of publishing a list of faces that does not include such people?

- In countries that were part of the Russian Empire for 200 years, then in the USSR, including Azerbaijan, the existence of a fifth column is quite natural and I have repeatedly spoken and written about this. However, the influence of people from this list on socio-political, socio-economic life is extremely small. In this case, to refer them to the fifth column or part of it means to deceive yourself. The Russian fifth column has covered the whole Azerbaijan; it is engaged in sabotage, provocations and other destructive actions, hindering the development of the country.

Today I declare with responsibility that they are preparing a coup in the country, or at least a civil confrontation. The signs of this are visible every day more and more clearly. Maybe this list was published in order to divert people's attention from serious agents capable of big things. Therefore, I think it is better to be cautious and calm in this matter. Because the country is in a very fragile contradictory position, at this time, erroneous judgments can lead to the most unexpected consequences. Of course, there is an iceberg, but it or a small part of it will not be shown to us. The duty of the Azerbaijani secret services is to find and neutralize these forces.

- Recently, the names of Ramiz Mehdiyev, Ali Hasanov, Eldar Hasanov and even Najmaddin Sadigov have been frequently mentioned. They are said to be associated with Russia. Based on this, what is behind the discussion in society of Russia's destructive policy? Could it be that the attention to this topic is caused by some kind of political change? Because recently, attention has been drawn to an even greater rapprochement with Turkey. Could there be some change in the “big brother's” policy and Turkey will take Russia's place?

- The persons you named have always been loyal to Russia, and in this sense, I do not expect a surprise. I have repeatedly written that the country has a powerful fifth column of Russia, which covers all aspects of the life of the state; and they keep many things under complete control.

They hinder the economic development of the country, destroy the science and health care systems, and openly commit crimes against the army. All this is happening against the background of the tacit reaction of the head of state. Sometimes these provocateurs are even rewarded and encouraged to commit new crimes. Hence the natural question arises, is it possible that Ilham Aliyev and his relatives are so wary of Russia that they are forced to create such conditions for its agents who commit crimes against the people and the state? Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to this question and I find it difficult to understand the logic of this behavior.

Healthy logic dictates that if not all, then most of the agents must be neutralized. For this, the most optimal way is to arrest for the crimes committed, to obtain information about those who ordered the crimes against the Republic of Azerbaijan and then to act according to a well-known scheme. However, we see that while these people are encouraged to new crimes. Therefore, I see no reason to talk about some kind of liquidation of the fifth column of the Kremlin and the replacement of Russia by Turkey in the role of “big brother”. Most of all, it is evident that the government is making curtseys towards Turkey in order to win loyalty to Russia.

The problem is that Russia is not particularly keen on cooperation with the Aliyevs. Because the Kremlin thinks, that Russia has loyal supporters in Azerbaijan. In my opinion, what was happening was intended to change in the internal political structure, that is, the rotation of power within the family; but over time, this is less and less likely. In other words, time is working against Ilham and Mehriban Aliyevs. They make one blunder after another, which makes this rotation even more difficult.

- Some people believe that behind what is happening is an attempt to rock the country. How do you assess the recent events taking place, does someone really want to rock the country from inside and outside? If so, what are the consequences? In general, what are the consequences for Azerbaijan and the region?

- I have repeatedly said that what has been happening recently is leading the country into the abyss and urgent steps are needed to counteract this process. I state that I some insidious plan is being prepared against Azerbaijan, both from outside and from within. If this happens, the country will be mired in long-term chaos and even civil confrontation, this will be a loss of sovereignty and independence, and even the question of the physical existence of the state will arise.

It should be remembered that what we are talking about is taking place against the backdrop of a difficult geopolitical confrontation over Azerbaijan and the region, which ultimately affects the situation inside the country. For the same reason, internal stability is more important today than before. At this time, arrests, false accusations, violence, etc. actions can only accelerate and deepen destructive processes. At least because there is a fifth column and it is in operation. Today there is a need for mutual understanding between the authorities and the people; this is the only visible optimal way out of the situation. Will it be? I do not know, because I do not see such signs yet.