Azerbaijani President's Guards Allegedly Hit Protesters in Washington D.C. on Thursday

Video shows Azerbaijani President Aliyev's security guards hitting protesters outside a Washington D.C. hotel. This is similar to an incident in 2017.
By Newsroom | World News, United States |

Tensions flared outside a Washington D.C. hotel where Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was staying during his visit for Donald Trump's Board of Peace meeting. Video evidence appears to show individuals identified as members of President Aliyev's security detail engaging physically with a group of protesters. This incident has drawn a response from advocacy groups calling for official action.

Background of the Visit and Protests

President Aliyev was in Washington D.C. for the inaugural meeting of Trump's Board of Peace, an initiative announced by President Trump earlier in the year. His stay was at the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. Protesters, who stated their intention to demonstrate peacefully, were gathered near the hotel. According to one protester, the group moved toward a different hotel entrance when they observed President Aliyev's vehicle arriving there.

  • The Azerbaijani president's visit was for the first meeting of Trump's Board of Peace.

  • The clashes occurred outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

  • Protesters claim they were attempting to peacefully demonstrate.

Accounts of the Physical Altercations

Video footage circulating on social media depicts a physical confrontation. It shows individuals described as Aliyev's security detail striking and chasing protesters, with some being thrown to the ground.

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"Footage circulated on social media shows protesters being thrown to the ground as a group of suited men physically apprehend them outside the hotel Aliyev was staying in." - CNN Politics

"Bodyguards traveling with the Azerbaijani president… punched, kicked and chased protesters outside a Washington hotel on Thursday, video footage shows." - The Guardian

One protester, Adil Amrakhly, spoke to CNN via a translator, detailing how the group approached the vehicle they believed belonged to Aliyev, only to encounter physical force.

Official Responses and Inquiries

Requests for comment from U.S. authorities have been directed between various agencies. The DC Metropolitan police and the U.S. Secret Service referred inquiries to the State Department, which, in turn, redirected questions back to the Secret Service and DC police. The State Department did not provide a comment to CNN when reached.

Advocacy Group Demands Action

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has issued a call for the U.S. Department of Justice and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those involved in the alleged assault. They refer to the incident as an attack on "peaceful protesters" outside the Board of Peace summit. The ANCA draws a parallel to a 2017 incident involving Turkish security officials.

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"ANCA Demands Congressional Action on Azerbaijan Sanctions WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice and local law enforcement to prosecute members of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s security detail videotaped attacking peaceful protesters outside the site of President Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace summit in Washington, DC." - ANCA Press Release

This event brings to mind a similar incident in 2017 where bodyguards for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were videotaped assaulting protesters in Washington D.C. during a visit. In that instance, U.S. authorities arrested two individuals. More recently, the Biden administration supported demonstrators in a Supreme Court case related to that 2017 event, arguing that foreign security personnel should not have sovereign immunity for alleged assaults. The State Department's guidance indicates that protective escorts may only bring weapons for the dignitary's protection.

  • In 2017, Turkish President Erdogan's security detail allegedly attacked protesters.

  • U.S. officials arrested two individuals in the 2017 incident.

  • The Biden administration supported demonstrators in a Supreme Court case concerning the 2017 event, questioning sovereign immunity for such actions.

  • State Department guidance suggests weapons are only permitted for the protection of visiting dignitaries.

Intimidation Claims

Following the physical confrontations, some protesters reported that their family members remaining in Azerbaijan experienced political intimidation. These reports include being questioned at police stations and at their workplaces.

Broader Context of Azerbaijani Governance

President Aliyev has been in power for over two decades. Reports indicate a history of suppressing political opposition and dissent within Azerbaijan.

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Officials Involved and Jurisdictional Ambiguities

  • Actors Present: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, his security detail, protesters, U.S. law enforcement, U.S. Secret Service, State Department.

  • Location: Waldorf Astoria hotel, Washington D.C.

  • Events: Gathering of protesters, arrival of President Aliyev, physical altercations, official inquiries.

  • Jurisdictional Questions: The roles and responsibilities of U.S. Secret Service, DC Metropolitan Police, and the State Department in managing incidents involving foreign dignitaries and their security on U.S. soil remain a point of inquiry.

Conclusion and Unanswered Questions

The incident outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel raises serious questions regarding the conduct of foreign security personnel and the protection of protest rights in the United States. While video evidence appears to document physical assaults, official statements from U.S. agencies have been limited to referring inquiries to other departments. The ANCA's demand for prosecution highlights the desire for accountability. The parallels drawn to the 2017 Turkish delegation incident underscore the ongoing debate about the extent of immunity for foreign security agents acting abroad. Further investigation by U.S. authorities is necessary to ascertain the full details of the events and determine appropriate actions.

  • Video evidence exists of physical altercations.

  • U.S. agencies have deferred direct comment, referring inquiries.

  • Advocacy groups are calling for legal action.

  • Past incidents involving foreign security personnel attacking protesters in D.C. have led to legal challenges and policy discussions.

  • Allegations of subsequent intimidation in Azerbaijan have been raised.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington D.C. on Thursday?
Video shows people believed to be Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's security guards physically hitting and chasing protesters. This happened when the president was visiting for a meeting.
Q: Who was involved in the incident with the Azerbaijani president's security guards?
The incident involved individuals identified as President Aliyev's security detail and a group of protesters. U.S. agencies like the Secret Service and State Department are involved in handling inquiries.
Q: Why are advocacy groups asking for action?
Groups like the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) want the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and charge the security guards. They say the guards attacked peaceful protesters.
Q: Has this kind of incident happened before in Washington D.C.?
Yes, in 2017, security guards for Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were filmed attacking protesters in Washington D.C. Some of those guards were arrested.
Q: What are the next steps after the alleged assault?
Advocacy groups want legal action. U.S. agencies are looking into the incident, but have so far referred questions to other departments. There are also claims of intimidation against protesters' families in Azerbaijan.