Azerbaijan Detains Four Citizens Over Participation in Ukraine War

Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (DTX) has detained four Azerbaijani citizens for participating in military hostilities linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine, citing violations of domestic criminal law.

In an official statement published on 3 February 2026 on the State Security Service’s website, DTX said the arrests followed an investigation into Azerbaijani nationals involved in armed conflicts outside the country’s borders.

According to the statement, Real Nabiev (35), Faris Huseynov (33), Ali Mammadov (32), and Murov Mirhashimli (32) were detained in January. Courts subsequently ordered pre-trial detention.

DTX said the individuals took part in ongoing military operations between Russia and Ukraine, but did not specify which side they fought for. The agency stressed that participation in foreign armed conflicts without state authorisation constitutes a criminal offence and said operational and investigative measures are continuing to identify other Azerbaijani citizens involved in similar activities.

The arrests were carried out under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which criminalises participation by Azerbaijani citizens in foreign armed conflicts. Authorities cited Article 114 (mercenarism), covering involvement in overseas hostilities outside official military structures, alongside Article 12.3, which allows for the prosecution of crimes committed abroad by Azerbaijani nationals. In certain cases, investigators may also invoke Article 279, relating to participation in illegal armed formations, depending on the individual’s role.

In its statement, DTX warned that Azerbaijani citizens who engage in armed conflicts abroad face criminal liability regardless of location and said enforcement efforts would continue.