Azerbaijani authorities have detained former Russian judge Elena Khakhaleva at Baku International Airport, officials confirmed to Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and Ministry of Internal Affairs. The arrest was first reported by Kommersant and Izvestia, citing sources, and later corroborated by law enforcement contacts through RIA Novosti and TASS.
Khakhaleva, a former judge from Krasnodar, is wanted internationally by Russian authorities. According to Kommersant, Azerbaijan has requested confirmation from Russia's Prosecutor General’s Office to proceed with an extradition request for Khakhaleva.
The former judge has declined voluntary return to Russia, claiming her prosecution is politically motivated. In statements reported by Kommersant, Khakhaleva disclosed that she had been undergoing treatment for serious medical conditions, first in Georgia and then in Azerbaijan. She was reportedly en route to Dubai when her status as an internationally wanted person was flagged during passport control.
Khakhaleva gained national attention in 2017 after the lavish wedding of her daughter, which featured performances by celebrities Nikolai Baskov and Valery Meladze. She had claimed her ex-husband, businessman Robert Khakhalev, financed the event, which was estimated to cost 4.5 million rubles by the Krasnodar Regional Judicial Council.
In July 2020, Khakhaleva was prematurely removed from her judicial post following disciplinary action related to a reported 128 days of absence from work between 2016 and 2019. Russian authorities later charged her with fraud and abuse of office (Articles 159 and 292 of the Russian Criminal Code) for allegedly receiving salaries for days she did not work, causing a financial loss of 1.2 million rubles to the state budget.
Khakhaleva left Russia in December 2021 and was placed on an international wanted list. In 2022, a Russian court issued an in absentia arrest warrant. Azerbaijani authorities are now awaiting Russia’s official extradition request to determine her fate.
Khakhaleva’s case underscores growing scrutiny on judicial figures in Russia. The accusations against her include fraudulently receiving payments during her extended absences and allegations of improper use of her judicial position. Observers note that her claims of political persecution are a common defense in high-profile legal cases involving former officials.
Russian prosecutors must now formally confirm their intent to extradite Khakhaleva. Azerbaijani officials have not yet commented on whether the process will proceed. The case remains under international focus as Khakhaleva’s legal team argues her detention and prosecution are politically charged.
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