Violent Confrontation Erupts at Peace Summit Venue
WASHINGTON — Tensions flared in downtown Washington, D.C., on Thursday when security agents accompanying Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev engaged in a physical confrontation with demonstrators outside a luxury hotel. The clash occurred against the backdrop of a major international gathering convened to launch a new global peace initiative hosted by U.S. former president Donald Trump.
Video circulating on social media showed members of Aliyev’s security detail reportedly punching and kicking protesters, driving them away from the Waldorf Astoria hotel where Aliyev and other world leaders were staying. Demonstrators were voicing demands for the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and highlighting concerns over human rights abuses.
Protest Leaders Describe Brutal Response
Among those injured was activist Rahim Yagublu, the son of a jailed Azerbaijani political figure, who said he was struck in the face and torso as guards confronted the crowd. Another protester, Adil Amrakhly, suffered facial injuries and reported lasting pain after the incident. Medical personnel assessed demonstrators onsite, though none were admitted to hospital.
Organisers of the protest, including American-based Azerbaijani exiles, insisted their rally was peaceful and aimed solely at drawing attention to political repression in Aliyev’s homeland. They rejected claims by Azerbaijani officials that protesters attempted to breach a secured area or posed a threat to the presidential motorcade.
Summit Spotlight Overshadowed by Outcry
The altercation took place as international representatives met to inaugurate what U.S. political allies are calling a global “Board of Peace,” an initiative focused initially on stabilising conflict zones and coordinating reconstruction efforts, particularly in Gaza. The summit drew leaders and delegates from numerous countries gathered to pledge support and funding.
U.S. authorities, including the Secret Service and local police, acknowledged their presence but deferred responsibility for managing the clash and verifying the exact sequence of events. The incident has revived debates over the role of foreign security forces in U.S. cities, drawing parallels with prior violent run-ins involving diplomatic protection units.
