The Azerbaijani embassy in Stockholm finds itself entangled in yet another controversy following a recent report by Swedish Television (SVT), which revealed it accrued the highest number of parking fines among all embassies in Sweden last year. This latest incident compounds a series of scandals plaguing Ambassador Zaur Ahmadov’s tenure.
According to the SVT report, the Azerbaijani embassy amassed a staggering 56 parking fines in 2023, with only one being paid. This revelation comes amidst extensive media coverage in Sweden detailing accusations against Ambassador Ahmadov, including harassment campaigns against Swedish journalists, the use of fake social media accounts for propaganda, publishing sensitive photos from the Swedish parliament for propaganda purposes, and mismanagement within the embassy.
These allegations paint a troubling picture of Ambassador Ahmadov’s leadership and raise concerns about the conduct of the Azerbaijani mission in Sweden. While Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström met his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov two times in the past and likely touched on Zaur Ahmadov’s behavior, the ineffective, weak and incompetent Bayramov is unlikely to report it to the Azeri president due to his fear of Hikmat Hajiyev and going over his head.
Further complicating the situation are alleged ties between Ambassador Ahmadov and Hikmat Hajiyev, a powerful presidential advisor in Azerbaijan. Some local media reports suggest Ahmadov may have assisted Hajiyev in launching his diplomatic career, with Hajiyev reciprocating by securing the ambassadorial post for Ahmadov years later.
Hajiyev himself has faced criticism from international outlets like France 24, Freedom House and some local news sites for alleged backstabbing colleagues to secure diplomatic jobs, engaging in propaganda activities against other countries after becoming a presidential advisor, and nepotism and cronyism, having his wife Aygun Huseynova and associates like Ahmadov appointed to high-paying positions.
Despite extensive coverage of these scandals in Swedish media, Azerbaijani news outlets, purportedly under Hajiyev’s control, remain silent on the issue. Conversely, a recent report in Azerbaijani media portrays Ambassador Ahmadov as an “exemplary ambassador,” highlighting the stark contrast between the two narratives.
The Swedish Transport Agency forwards information on unpaid parking fines by diplomatic missions to the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It remains unclear what action, if any, the Ministry will take regarding Azerbaijan’s outstanding fines.
This latest controversy surrounding the Azerbaijani embassy in Sweden further strains relations between the two countries. Given the protection provided by Hajiyev, Ambassador Ahmadov is unlikely to face repercussions for his actions. How the Swedish government will address the situation remains to be seen.
