# Secret Appointment at ANAS: Is Isa Habibbayli Bringing Back "Mehtiyev's People"?

The President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbayli, has made a decision that could provoke serious resonance in the scientific community. Aynur Gunashli - a figure considered particularly close to former Presidential Administration Head Ramiz Mehdiyev - has been appointed to the responsible position of Deputy Head of the Science and Education Department in the Presidium.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this is stated in information provided to the nocomment.az portal.

According to the obtained data, at the meeting where this issue was discussed, a strict directive was issued: to keep information about the appointment in the strictest secrecy and prevent its leak to the press.

It should be noted that during the period when the Academy of Sciences was effectively managed by Ramiz Mehdiyev, Aynur Gunashli played one of the key roles in the apparatus. She is credited with preparing documents marked "top secret," as well as active participation in structural reforms and mass staff reductions.

Experts and ordinary employees interpret this step by the current ANAS president unequivocally - as a demonstration of loyalty and devotion to Ramiz Mehdiyev.

However, the scandal was not limited to just the appointment. At the same meeting, Academician Isa Habibbayli gave an urgent order to the Director of the Nasimi Institute of Linguistics, Nadir Mammadli. The essence of the order was to ensure a "green corridor" for Aynur Gunashli so that she could defend her dissertation in the shortest possible time.

Nadir Mammadli, fulfilling the leadership's instructions, placed Aynur Gunashli first on the defense list at the Dissertation Council, despite the fact that more than 100 dissertation candidates and doctoral students have been waiting in line for defense for years. This decision provoked a storm of indignation: a serious conflict arose, escalating into a loud scandal and even physical confrontations (a fight) between outraged staff and administration.

Notably, the Director of the Institute of Linguistics, Nadir Mammadli, is also among the leaders personally appointed by Ramiz Mehdiyev. While other appointees from the "Mehdiyev era," such as Abbas Seyidov (Institute of Archaeology) and Mammad Aliyev (Central Scientific Library), were relieved of their positions, Mammadli manages to keep his seat, which raises many questions.

It should be recalled that among the individuals brought to ANAS by Ramiz Mehdiyev and appointed to high positions were Eldar Amirov and Seyfal Hasanov. Later, during reforms, Amirov and Hasanov were dismissed, and the position of ANAS Apparatus Head was eliminated as an unnecessary bureaucratic unit.

Moreover, Ramiz Mehdiyev's former assistant, Eldar Amirov, was subsequently arrested by law enforcement agencies.

The editorial board notes that it is ready to publish the official position of all persons mentioned in this material to ensure objectivity.