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Azerbaijan’s State Security Service says CSTO membership was discussed if Ali Karimli took power

12 February 2026 13:10 (UTC +04:00)

"As a result of prior negotiations in accordance with the request of the authorized persons of the relevant foreign state, in a secret letter addressed by the “National Council” to the leadership of this foreign state in 2013, there was request to support the activities of the “council” and a proposal to put pressure on the Azerbaijani state to implement the “reforms” carried out in that country in Azerbaijan as well," the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan said in a statement regarding Ramiz Mehdiyev, Abbas Abbasov, Ali Karimli and others ., APA reports.

"According to the aforementioned accusation, Ganimat Zayidov, since the beginning of 2013, has been secretly communicating and negotiating with representatives of foreign special service agencies on behalf of Ali Karimli, appealing for the use of the broad organizational and special capabilities of foreign special service agencies in bringing him to power in the Republic of Azerbaijan, promising in return, listing specific details, that the strategic interests of the foreign state in Azerbaijan will be ensured, and the parties also agreed that if Ali Karimli comes to power, the Republic of Azerbaijan will gradually become a full member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization," the statement reads.

Azerbaijan State Security Service Ali Karimli Ganimat Zayidov foreign interference national security treason allegations constitutional order National Council of Democratic Forces CSTO Collective Security Treaty Organization foreign special services political processes APA