Former Azerbaijani army chief taken to Turkey for questioning during 2020 war

 During the 2020 Second Karabakh War, then-Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, Najmeddin Sadikov, was flown to Turkey and questioned by Turkish intelligence services, Middle East Eye (MEE) reported on Tuesday, citing diplomatic sources.

According to the report by journalist Ragip Soylu, Turkish officials suspected Sadikov of having pro-Russian sympathies. The operation was part of a broader Turkish effort to identify and neutralize pro-Russian elements within the Azerbaijani military during the 44-day conflict.

“In the midst of the war, Sadikov was removed from his position and taken to Turkey for interrogation. He was later allowed to travel to Russia,” the report said, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Turkey played a key role in Azerbaijan’s military campaign, supplying drones, electronic warfare systems, and intelligence support, according to MEE.