The attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in London has brought quite strong responses both domestically and internationally. Social media users responded angrily to the occurrence and offered several theories as to who could be responsible.

Summary of the event

On August 4, 2022, Caucasus Watch reported that a group of religious radicals attacked the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom. Upon entering the embassy building, the members of the vandal group raised religious flags and shouted radical religious slogans on the balcony of the building. After the intervention of the local police, the group members were taken out of the building and detained. Embassy employees were not injured as a result of the incident. Local law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident.

A radical group from Kuwait called "Servants of the Mehdi" claimed responsibility for the attack. It presents itself as a Shia group. The group was founded in London in 2008.

International and regional reactions

"I was appalled by yesterday's attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in London," Peter Michalko, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan, tweeted. "Violence against diplomatic missions and their personnel is unacceptable. I am relieved that the embassy staff and their families are safe," he added.

Uzbekistan also strongly condemned the attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan strongly condemns the provocative attack on the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on August 4, 2022,” the ministry said in a statement. “We consider absolutely unacceptable any actions that pose a threat to the life and health of members of diplomatic missions. We call for a comprehensive investigation into this incident and bringing all those involved to justice," the statement said, adding that Uzbekistan is expressing its support for brotherly Azerbaijan in ensuring the security and protection of its citizens abroad.

The Kazakh Foreign Ministry also denounced the attack. "In connection with the attack of extremists, we consider any manifestation of violence against diplomatic missions and their personnel unacceptable. Such acts violate the foundations and norms of international law. They are subject to universal condemnation and require a thorough investigation to bring their organizers to justice. We are confident in the resilience of the Azerbaijani people and express our readiness to provide all possible support in difficult situations for the fraternal state," the ministry stated.

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili also voiced solidarity and support for Azerbaijan. This came out after Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov tweeted to thank Georgia for siding with Azerbaijan over the attack on the embassy. “Thankful to [my] colleague from Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, for expressing solidarity and support over a phone conversation on the unprecedented attack by radicals on the Embassy of Azerbaijan in London,” Bayramov tweeted. The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned the provocation against the Azerbaijani Embassy. Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili called his Azerbaijani colleague Jeyhun Bayramov and expressed his full support over the incident.

The Spiritual Board of Azerbaijan also denounced the UK-based radical group. "Azerbaijan strongly condemns the act of aggression committed against the building of the embassy in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a sense of concern and considers it a premeditated, politically motivated act of terrorism and vandalism. This event is an act of provocation against the Republic of Azerbaijan and international law in general. The fact that the radical group The Mahdi Servants Union, which clearly abuses religion, targets the sovereignty and attribute of independent Azerbaijan - the national flag, and that the action is accompanied by religious slogans and sectarian demands can be evaluated as abuse of religion and a call to hatred," the Spiritual Board said.

Another similar move of condemnation came from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). "We condemn the violent and unacceptable attack against the Organization of Turkic States’ founding member Azerbaijan’s embassy in London by radical religious groups. We call for a thorough investigation of this act of vandalism,” reads the tweet.