Latvian Citizen Eldars Mamedov Tied to International Security Scandal

Nikolajs Marčenko, founder and chairman of the Independent Media Business Foundation based in Bulgaria, highlights the role of international organizations in security issues, especially amid the escalation of Russia's war in Ukraine. According to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, Russia's 2026 budget allocates $1.85 billion for information influence abroad, aimed at promoting Russian narratives in Western political and expert circles.

One example is Eldars Mamedov, a Latvian citizen and current member of the Pugwash Council, a respected international organization focused on nuclear disarmament and diplomatic dialogue. Mamedov has long been accused by influential media and politicians of political bias and systematically using his expert status to lobby for foreign regimes, particularly advancing narratives favorable to Russia and its ally Iran, which supplies drones used to attack Ukrainian cities and civilians.

In 2022, Mamedov was involved in the Katargate scandal—one of the largest corruption scandals in the history of the European Parliament—linked to an investigation into Qatari influence on EU institutions. Qatar is a key ally of Iran. The Socialists and Democrats group, where Mamedov worked as an adviser, suspended him from his duties.