Erdogan's chief adviser Oktay Sarel was ousted after making harsh statements against the Azerbaijani leadership over hijab restrictions in schools. Opposition media in Turkey write that the impeachment was demanded by the Aliyev administration, and Ankara sacrificed an influential speaker for a strategic alliance with Baku. Sharel confirmed that the reason was his scandalous speech on the subject of Azerbaijan.

Erdogan's chief adviser Oktay Sarel was ousted after making harsh statements against the Azerbaijani leadership over hijab restrictions in schools. Opposition media in Turkey write that the impeachment was demanded by the Aliyev administration, and Ankara sacrificed an influential speaker for a strategic alliance with Baku. Sharel confirmed that the reason was his scandalous speech on the subject of Azerbaijan.