By Investigative Sources | September 2025
In a growing international scandal, Adnan Ahmadzade, a former senior executive at SOCAR (the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan), stands accused of orchestrating one of the largest covert oil and shipping networks aimed at circumventing global sanctions on Russia.
But recent developments reveal an even darker twist: Ahmadzade — a UK citizen, allegedly obtained citizenship through deceptive means — is said to have used his British identity to shield the luxury assets of a Russian oligarch and build a transnational oil laundering empire spanning the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and the EU market.
Adnan Ahmadzadeh was the person responsible for selling Lukoil crude oil with fake certificates in Spain, Romania, Turkey, and Albania. There is ample evidence to support this
According to information from a reliable source, the scheme worked as follows: Russian oil under embargo sanctions was brought and stored in oil reservoirs /Tank farm/ in European countries designated for SOCAR— Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. It was then re-certified under the name ‘SOCAR Azeri Light’ and sold to the STAR refinery and other oil refining plants.
Under Adnan’s personal directive, those hidden, bubble-like shell companies he established played a key role in facilitating these operations.
You can get information about Adnan Ahmadzade and his network by clicking on the links below.
A Superyacht, Sanctions, and British Complicity
One of the most explosive revelations is that Ahmadzade is suspected of registering the $108M superyacht “Galactica Super Nova” under his name in coordination with Vagit Alekperov, the sanctioned president of Lukoil, Russia’s second-largest oil company.
The yacht has been hidden in a Mediterranean port to evade seizure by Western authorities. Alekperov was sanctioned by the UK on April 13, 2022.
Vagit Alekperov, co-owner of “Lukoil” and billionaire, has likely sold his 70-meter superyacht Galactica Super Nova and acquired a new 80-meter yacht called Genesis, as noted by “Vyorstka.”
The ownership of the Galactica Super Nova yacht changed last year — until summer, the vessel belonged to the Malta-based company Nova 70 LTD, which Alekperov controlled through another Maltese firm Waves Holdings LTD and Cyprus-based Grindale Investments LTD. However, according to Maritime Portal data, on July 11 the yacht was transferred to an unknown Marshall Islands offshore company Six Star Shipping LTD. Two months later, the yacht was renamed Gaja.
An interesting point is that recently this yacht has been registered under the name of Azerbaijani businessman Adnan Ahmadzade * It is alleged that this step was taken to evade sanctions and conceal assets.
The transponder on Vagit Alekperov’s former yacht has been turned on again.
“Close ties with Russia are also reflected in his special connections with Vahid Alakbarov, the owner of the Lukoil company. Adnan Ahmadzade’s attendance at Vahid Alakbarov’s birthday in Bodrum and registering the $108 million ship ‘Galactica Super Nova,’ owned by the Russian billionaire, in his own name are clear examples of these connections.
Galactica Super Nova was put up for sale in August 2021. Alekperov was asking for 75 million euros. The yacht’s sale announcement under its new name was also published by the broker Northrop and Johnson. However, the yacht’s page now states it is “no longer for sale.” Nevertheless, some other brokers still have listings for the yacht under its old name.
According to a reliable source, a Galactica Super Nova Yacht allegedly registered under the name of Adnan Ahmedzade by the head of Lukoil in order to conceal its true ownership has been spotted in the port of Barcelona, Spain.”
“In the picture are Adnan Ahmadzada and the president of FC Barcelona.”
You can get information about Adnan Ahmadzade and his network by clicking on the links below.
Call for Legal Accountability: All Companies and Executives Must Be Investigated
Given the seriousness and potential international implications of the case, we call for relevant authorities in the UK, EU, and internationally to examine any credible allegations regarding the alleged concealment of the sanctioned superyacht “Galactica Super Nova” and any connected entities, including those linked to OilMar DMCC and associated firms.
While it is not currently possible to confirm whether senior figures within these companies were fully aware of the asset’s sanctioned status, the fact remains:
A UK-sanctioned asset — a $100M superyacht — was registered under the name of a UK citizen (Adnan Ahmadzade) and subsequently disappeared from international tracking systems (via GPS signal deactivation) in the Mediterranean.
Ahmadzade may not have personally carried out the concealment of the vessel, but he is known to have transferred responsibility to third parties immediately after the registration. This raises a critical legal and ethical question:
Who was instructed to hide a UK-sanctioned oligarch’s property — and who complied?
Therefore:
- All CEOs and executive officers of Maddox DMCC,Oilmar DMCC, its subsidiaries, and other proxy companies under Ahmadzade’s control must be summoned for formal testimony and questioning.
- Legal proceedings should be initiated to determine whether any parties knowingly aided in the concealment of sanctioned assets — which would constitute a violation of UK and EU sanctions law.
- If necessary, Interpol and Europol should be engaged to assist with cross-border inquiries.
This is not merely a bureaucratic matter — it is a question of national security, financial integrity, and the credibility of Western sanctions enforcement.
By enabling or ignoring such actions, companies based in Cyprus, UAE, Turkey, Romania, and even the UK may have indirectly contributed to sanctions evasion on behalf of a hostile power.
Despite being a British passport holder, Adnan Ahmadzade is now accused of using his UK citizenship to provide legal cover for Alekperov’s assets and to facilitate oil trade on behalf of Russian state-linked oil majors such as Lukoil, Tatneft, Sibur, Surgutneftegaz, and others.
Shadow Fleet Possibly Larger Than Russia’s Own
While Western powers have focused on addressing Russia’s so‑called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers that may bypass sanctions, some industry observers suggest that Adnan Ahmadzade’s network could be more extensive and integrated into Western supply chains.
This network is reported to operate through various front companies, including Maddox DMCC
Operating behind front companies such as:
- OILMAR DMCC (UAE)
- Caspian Logistic Solition (UAE) CLS
- Caspian EPC Company
- Azerbaycan Chemikal Company AZCHMCO
- Caspian RailRoad Company CRC
- Baku Hovsan International Trade Sea Port OJSC
Baku Hovsan International Trade Sea Port OJSC carries out cargo transportation operations with Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.”
- One Touch Logistik oil trade company
- PACE group of Companys
- Blue Mile
“When watching the video about CLS, we see similar companies again among its partners, for example, Oilmar Ship DMCC.
“However, the company Oilmar Ship DMCC was named, alongside SOCAR Trading, Maddox DMCC among those implicated by the Albanian police in the smuggling of 22,500 tons of Russian petroleum products. In order to verify the accuracy of this information, I have shared here the links and video reports from Albanian television and media outlets
According to the Albanian Police , OilMar DMCC ,Maddox DMCC (a UAE -registered company) linked to Socar Trading ,Almedia (Turkey) was involved in bypassing the embargo on Russian oil and secretly channeling it into Europe.
According to the documents, behind these structures stand Socar Trading , through subsidiary companies such as Oil Mar Shipping DMCC (Dubai), Maddox DMCC, and Almedia (Turkey).
Just three days ago, the same group, Maddox DMCC,Oilmard DMCC and SOCAR Trading attempted to deliver Russian oil to Spain at the port of Tarragona, a case that was likewise blocked by the Spanish authorities. Alkagesta has recently also been registered in Albanian territory, within the free zone of Porto Romano, where it holds an identification code with the Tirana Customs Office and has been granted a storage contract.
The vessel Grace Felix, which was blocked by the Port Authority of Durrës on Sunday afternoon, appears to have used the same scheme. According to the tracking conducted by the authorities, this vessel was supplied by the ship FIDAN, which on January 20 was loaded at the port of Novorossiysk, Russia.”**
click and watsch clip
Caspian EPC Company: The Ural Oil Transit Link in Hovsan Port
In addition to maritime smuggling and falsified European shipments, investigators have uncovered a key logistical node in the operation: the Caspian EPC Company, based in Azerbaijan.
Sources confirm that Lukoil and Ural-grade Russian crude oil — under international sanctions — was delivered via tankers into Azerbaijan’s Hovsan port on the Caspian Sea, and then injected into the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which exports oil to global markets under the guise of Azerbaijani-origin crude.
The delivery and handling of this oil were reportedly carried out through Caspian EPC Company and CLS , a logistics contractor with deep ties to Adnan Ahmadzade’s business empire.
This maneuver not only violates international sanctions on Russian oil, but also undermines the integrity of the BTC pipeline, which is used by multiple Western energy companies and governments who assume the oil they receive is free of restricted origin.
The blending of Ural oil with Azerbaijani crude could expose SOCAR and the entire BTC export mechanism to serious legal, financial, and reputational risks — especially if European and American clients unknowingly purchased Russian oil as “clean” product.
https://haqqin.az/news/360669 Eynulla Fatullayev, a well-known journalist with close ties to the Azerbaijani authorities, has indirectly confirmed this fact, stating that Adnan Ahmadzade, through a Caspian Logistics Solutions he had previously registered in Dubai, transported Russian oil to the Hovsan port on the Caspian Sea in Baku, from where it was injected into the Baku–Ceyhan pipeline.Possible Grounds for Detention. Unofficial reports suggest that the case is connected with the contamination of oil in July 2025.
It is said that the contamination was detected during the delivery of a tanker to one of Baku’s terminals, on board of which hazardous organochlorine compounds were discovered.
The key questions are: under what conditions did SOCAR accept this tanker, and who within SOCAR bears responsibility for technical oversight? The degree of accountability of SOCAR’s senior management in this matter is also being called into question.
About the Company
Caspian Logistics Solutions is a company owned by Ahmadzade, established in 2018 after his departure from SOCAR Trading Geneve.Company headquarters are located in Dubai.
The company is engaged in railway, maritime, and road freight transportation, as well as integrated logistics solutions for the shipment of dry cargo.
Among its partners are the Hovsan port and several logistics companies operating in Azerbaijan.
When Adnan Ahmadzada established a company in Dubai, he was still serving as an official of SOCAR (the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan). According to Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Combating Corruption, public officials are strictly prohibited from engaging in entrepreneurial activity. In addition, Article 10 of the same law expressly forbids close relatives from holding positions within the same institution.
Despite these legal restrictions, during his tenure at SOCAR, Adnan Ahmadzada registered companies under his name in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, acquired real estate in the UK, UAE, Spain, and other jurisdictions, and purchased luxury vehicles. Furthermore, while serving as CEO of SOCAR Trading in Geneva, he violated anti-corruption principles by facilitating the appointment of his brother, Khayal Ahmadzada, to a position within SOCAR Trading’s Geneva office, responsible for LNG sales meneger. Khayal Ahmadzada later played a direct role with Turab Musayev in the controversial gas agreement with Malta.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Khayal Ahmadzada also owned private companies and properties in Switzerland. This raises a critical legal question: under Swiss and UK law, notaries are obliged to conduct due diligence on the source of funds when property transactions occur and to raise warnings in cases where politically exposed persons (PEPs) or their relatives may be involved in money laundering. How, then, did the competent authorities in Switzerland and the UK fail to notice that Adnan and Khayal Ahmadzada—both salaried officials of SOCAR—were acquiring assets far beyond the scope of their declared income? At the time, the maximum official salary at SOCAR did not exceed 1500-5,000 AZN (approximately 750- 2,500 € ).
Recommended Legal Action – Caspian EPC Included
Given the direct involvement of Caspian EPC Company in transporting sanctioned Russian crude:
- This company, its board, and any affiliated operators must be added to the scope of the UK/EU investigation.
- Financial records, maritime logs, and port registry data from Hovsan terminal must be subpoenaed.
- The company’s communications with SOCAR departments, OILMAR ,SOCAR Trading and Maddox DMMC could be subject to audit to determine whether there are any indications of conspiracy or sanctions evasion.
…Ahmadzade channeled millions of barrels of Russian oil into Europe via false certificates, claiming origin as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, or Libya. In most cases, the actual origin was Russian Ural crude.
These operations were facilitated during his time at SOCAR, where he allegedly opened doors for Russian oil to infiltrate Azerbaijani infrastructure and be exported as “clean” barrels under different names.
Among the most important assets are:
Both ships are linked to illegal or undeclared cargo transfers, with specific accusations of “dark fleet” activity.
Documented Incidents: Albania, Spain, Romania
- Albania: In a high-profile case, 22,500 tons of Russian diesel were seized at Porto Romano. Albanian authorities named Maddox DMCC and OILMAR as the companies behind the smuggling operation.
Voluntary Surrender or Strategic Escape?
Though local reports in Azerbaijan say that Adnan Ahmadzade was “arrested” recently, credible sources suggest he voluntarily surrendered to avoid international extradition and prosecution. His decision came just as UK and EU authorities intensified investigations into his involvement in illicit oil trading and sanctions evasion.
The Call to Action: Time for Western Enforcement
This case has become a litmus test for the credibility of Western sanctions regimes.
Despite being a UK citizen, Adnan Ahmadzade allegedly:
- Sheltered assets of a sanctioned Russian oligarch (Lukoil’s Alekperov)
- Actively facilitated exports of Russian oil into EU markets during wartime
- Operated an independent shadow fleet larger than many state-run entities
- Built a global network with links to Russia, Azerbaijan, UAE, Turkey, Albania, and Romania
It is now urgent for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and allied countries to accelerate joint investigations and impose criminal and financial penalties on every participant in this transnational network.
Failure to act will not only embolden other sanction violators — it will signal to the world that Western laws can be bypassed with the right passport and enough shell companies.
Final Word
What we are witnessing is not just a breach of oil regulations or business ethics. This is a sophisticated geopolitical operation, fueled by deep corruption, cross-border proxies, and regulatory loopholes.
The Ahmadzade network is not a footnote — it is a textbook example of how modern financial and logistical systems are weaponized to serve aggressor states. The longer this is allowed to continue, the more fragile the global sanctions framework becomes.
Prepared by investigative sources. Confidential. September 2025.
A reliable source informs us that SOCAR’s oil reservoirs located in Romania have not been filled with Azerbaijani Azeri Light crude oil. This was not always the case. Instead, smuggled Russian oil has been transported by tankers and injected into SOCAR’s reservoirs.
This method was considered safer because the oil was stored in state-owned facilities, and from there it was sold to Europe using falsified documents.
During the transfer operations, tankers frequently disabled their GPS systems and carried out ship-to-ship transfers. Moreover, when questioned by the media, involved parties remained silent and refused to provide answers.
All these activities must be thoroughly investigated by Europol and UK law enforcement agencies.
“Adnan Ahmadzada’s brother, Khayal Ahmadzada, who works at SOCAR Trading in Geneva, has also been heavily involved in these affairs. He too is among those who should be arrested, along with his circle. The next article will provide the facts. Stay tuned …”
It remains unclear how Khayal Ahmadzada was able to afford the properties registered in his name. A formal complaint will be submitted to law enforcement authorities regarding this matter.”
“Observers note that with the official salary he receives from SOCAR Trading Geneve , in Switzerland Khayal Ahmadzada could hardly afford more than a bicycle — raising serious questions about how he has financed his properties.”
This analysis is based on open-source intelligence, public records, and documented sanctions violations. All allegations require formal investigation by appropriate authorities.
EURO ASIA NEWS INTERNET NEWSPAPER 