Protesters in Washington say Azerbaijani president’s security attacked them outside Waldorf Astoria during visit

Incident reported near the White House during Ilham Aliyev’s Washington stop

Several protesters in Washington, D.C., said they were assaulted on February 19, 2026, by members of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s security detail during a demonstration outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, a short distance from the White House. The protest focused on demands for the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

Videos circulated online show men in suits rushing toward demonstrators and striking individuals who appear to be holding signs and chanting. The videos do not, on their own, establish the identities or official status of the men involved.

What protesters allege, and what is publicly known

Two protesters identified as Rahim Yagublu and Adil Amrakhly described being injured during the confrontation. Yagublu said he was punched and kicked; Amrakhly said he hurt his leg while running from the commotion. The accounts align with video depicting a fast-moving clash at the curbside area outside the hotel.

Local law enforcement and federal protective personnel were in the vicinity. Public statements available as of February 20 did not clarify whether U.S. officers intervened directly during the moments captured on video, nor did they specify whether any arrests were made in connection with the altercation.

Embassy statement disputes protesters’ description

A statement attributed to Azerbaijan’s embassy in the United States described the confrontation as a security incident initiated by protesters, alleging they attempted to enter a protected area as the presidential motorcade approached and engaged in hostile actions toward the presidential vehicle. The statement framed the response as protective in nature.

The competing accounts leave key points unresolved, including whether protesters crossed established security perimeters, whether force was used proportionately, and which individuals were responsible for specific acts of violence seen in the footage.

Broader context: foreign security details and U.S. public-space rules

Washington has previously seen conflicts involving foreign leaders’ security teams and demonstrators, raising recurring questions about how visiting protective details operate in U.S. public spaces and how responsibilities are divided between foreign security, U.S. agencies, and local police. Past cases have led to diplomatic friction and legal scrutiny over the limits of permissible force during protests.

Questions investigators typically examine in such incidents

• Whether demonstrators were in a lawful protest area and complied with police directions
• Whether any secured zone was established and clearly marked
• Whether the individuals using force were accredited security personnel or private actors
• Whether any participants may have protections or immunities under diplomatic rules
• What role, if any, U.S. security and police played in de-escalation or enforcement

The event remains under public scrutiny as authorities weigh video evidence, witness accounts, and jurisdictional responsibilities near a high-security corridor.

The incident occurred during Aliyev’s visit to Washington for an international meeting tied to a newly announced initiative labeled the “Board of Peace.”