Thaindian News

London, Mar 9 (ANI): Prince Andrew has been revealed to have developed a ‘close friendship’ with a former Soviet republic dictatorial leader, who has been accused of torturing protesters.

Andrew, 51, is said to have forged strong ties with Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev, whose regime is said to have rigged elections and thrown political opponents in jail.

The Duke of York’s most recent visit to the oil-rich country, where he is routinely described as “the dear guest”, was in November last year.

At least two of Andrew’s visits to Azerbaijan have been entirely private, leading to speculation in the local media that he has business interests in the country, including a golf complex near the shores of the Caspian Sea.

But Buckingham Palace has strenuously denied this.

The Prince is also friendly with the president’s wife Mehriban, and her two glamorous daughters, one of whom, Leyla, is married to the son of a Russian oligarch and lives in a penthouse overlooking Hyde Park in London.

The friendship has flourished despite the fact that the president has also welcomed Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who boasted that “the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have adopted common stands on global issues”.

“They appear to have common interests and a shared sense of humour. Andrew is always laughing at Ilham’s jokes, which are usually about women,” the Daily Mail quoted a source as saying.

Azerbaijan is a vital trading partner for Britain. British companies account for 51 percent of the country’s foreign investment. Some 150 UK firms operate in the state.

“The Duke’s work in Azerbaijan focuses on oil, gas and energy security issues, all of which have great potential to deliver substantial opportunities for British companies,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

“His work there is highly valued and he continues to play a role, at the request of government, in helping to develop trade relations between our two countries,” he added. (ANI)