The Republic of Cyprus has initiated extradition proceedings against 45-year-old Rashad Sultanov for alleged espionage activities targeting British interests.
- The Republic of Cyprus has initiated extradition proceedings against 45-year-old Rashad Sultanov for alleged espionage activities targeting British interests.
British authorities are investigating Sultanov in connection with offences linked to the Akrotiri Bases, which house the Royal Air Force (RAF). The case against him was formally lodged at the Limassol Criminal Court, where he faced serious charges, including the alleged surveillance of the “Andreas Papandreou” air base in Paphos.
Following a request from British officials, the Attorney General of Cyprus opted to suspend the local case against Sultanov and pursue his extradition. This decision was enacted last Friday, leading to Sultanov’s immediate re-arrest based on the British request.
Rashad sultanov: Ongoing Legal Proceedings
A hearing is scheduled for today in Limassol, where Sultanov will present his defence through his lawyer, Efstathios Efstathiou. The implications of this case are significant, given the nature of the allegations.
Connections to Iranian Intelligence
Reports suggest that UK authorities believe Sultanov has ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Allegations indicate he may have taken visual material from inside British military installations and transmitted it to his handler, identified as Elsad Elsin Hajiyev, an Azerbaijani-Iranian national wanted under an international arrest warrant.
Hajiyev is purportedly the mastermind of a network gathering intelligence on behalf of Iran, and Sultanov is believed to be one of his recruited agents. This connection raises serious concerns about breaches of national security.
Surveillance Allegations
In addition to the espionage charges, British authorities allege that Sultanov was involved in monitoring the frequency of British fighter jet flights, relaying this sensitive information to Hajiyev. If found guilty of these serious offences in the UK, he could face up to 14 years in prison.
Developments Since Arrest
Since Sultanov’s arrest on June 21, 2025, British authorities have shown considerable interest in the case. Following his detention, journalists from the UK travelled to Cyprus seeking insights into the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
In November 2025, it was reported that the UK, through Eurojust, requested the establishment of a Joint Investigation Team with Cyprus to further probe the allegations against Sultanov, highlighting the UK’s keen interest in the matter.
Legal Appeal and Defence Strategies
Sultanov’s defence team has already indicated plans to challenge the extradition. On May 31, 2026, his lawyer filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights, contending that Sultanov is unlawfully detained and that his rights have been violated under the European Convention on Human Rights. This appeal is part of a broader strategy to contest the extradition while a separate legal remedy is also pending within Cyprus.
