Prince Andrew has developed a ‘close friendship’ with the dictatorial leader of a former Soviet republic who has been accused of torturing protesters, it emerged yesterday.
During eight visits in five years, the Duke of York has forged strong links with Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev – whose regime is said to have rigged elections and thrown political opponents in jail.
Andrew’s most recent visit to the oil-rich country, where he is routinely described as ‘the dear guest’, was in November last year, only weeks after blistering international criticisms over the conduct of parliamentary elections.
