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Azerbaijani MP Aqil Abbas says funds found at Ramiz Mehdiyev’s residence could produce 10 films

27 February 2026 11:54 (UTC +04:00)

Turkish films have today influenced the world more than the Ottoman Empire did, said MP Agil Abbas during today’s session of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament), APA reports.

The MP said that while football receives sponsorship in the country, filmmaking does not: “In Russia, ministries produce more films, ministries compete with each other. Why should films here be produced only with funds from the Ministry of Culture? Why are there no sponsors?! We also have historical figures. Why hasn’t a film been made about Shah Ismail Khatai or the Qajars? A film about Babek was made, and it was very good. Koroghlu is not a historical figure for us. Seventeen million in illegal funds were found at Ramiz Mehdiyev’s house — that equals ten full-length films. But this money is kept at home; let it be used to make these films. I also want our films to reach the world. In Türkiye, films have conquered the world with Fatih Sultan Mehmet.”

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, in turn, noted that the speech did not comply with the requirements of the third reading and stated that Azerbaijan is not Russia.

Firuza Vahid

Azerbaijan Milli Majlis Aqil Abbas Sahiba Gafarova Parliament session Film industry Turkish cinema Cultural policy Ministry of Culture Historical films Shah Ismail Khatai Qajars Babek Ramiz Mehdiyev Domestic politics