Aliyev Bodyguards Clash with Protesters in Washington D.C. During Board of Peace Meeting
Bodyguards protecting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reportedly attacked protesters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, February 19, 2026, while Aliyev was in town for the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. The clashes occurred outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, near the White House.
Protestors Demand Release of Political Prisoners
Demonstrators were calling for the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan when they were confronted by Aliyev’s security detail. Video footage shows the bodyguards punching, kicking, and chasing protesters, driving them away from the area near the presidential motorcade [Washington Post].
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
The Azerbaijani embassy defended its security personnel, claiming protesters had “violently attempted to enter the protected area and took offensive actions against the Presidential vehicle.” They argued that the security team intervened to protect the president and that obstructing a head of state’s vehicle constitutes a security concern [The Guardian].
Protesters, yet, offered a different account. Rahim Yagublu, 27, whose father is an imprisoned opposition leader, stated he was punched in the jaw and kicked in the stomach. Adil Amrakhli, 35, reported sustaining a leg injury while attempting to escape the guards. At least four protesters were reportedly injured [News.am] and [Caucasian Knot].
Investigation Underway
D.C. Metropolitan police referred inquiries about the attack to the State Department, which has not yet issued a comment [Washington Post]. The Washington prosecutor’s office is investigating the incident [News.am]. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the hotel was within the event security perimeter and its role was limited to providing security infrastructure for visiting heads of state [The Guardian].
Similar Incidents and the Board of Peace
The incident drew comparisons to previous confrontations involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s security detail in Washington D.C. In 2017 and 2016 [The Guardian].
Aliyev was in Washington for the first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, a body announced by Trump at Davos last month. The Board aims to address global issues, including the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction efforts, and has attracted over two dozen world leaders [The Guardian]. Azerbaijan contributed to a $7 billion relief package associated with the initiative.