Luciano Legal Consulting & Analytics

Our Heritage: Justice as a Tradition

The pursuit of justice is embedded in the genetic code of our family. Luciano is the great-grandson of the renowned philanthropist Haji Mamish, who restored the historic Juma Mosque in Shamakhi. Built by Abu Muslim in 743 AD, this sanctuary stood as the first residence of Islam in Azerbaijan.

Following the devastating earthquake of 1902, the mosque lay in complete ruin. Haji Mamish and his son, Haji Osman, took on the mission of its rebirth: they donated their entire financial fortune and provided every single stone from their own quarries**, fully securing the sanctuary’s restoration. The project was led by Azerbaijan’s first academically trained architects, Ziver-bey Ahmedbeyov and Józef Płoszko.

Contribution to World Culture

Haji Mamish was a patron of the arts. He was among the select honorary guests at a reception hosted by the famous Mahmud Agha in honor of Alexandre Dumas (père). This event is vividly described by the French classic author in his book “Le Caucase”.

Furthermore, Haji Mamish financed the construction of the first theater in Azerbaijan (Shamakhi, 1858).

Humanism Without Borders

A testament to his humanity occurred during a pilgrimage to Mecca. In an Arab country, Haji Mamish witnessed the brutal beating of a Jewish slave. Without hesitation, he purchased the suffering man, saving him from death and granting him his freedom. Haji Mamish bought a camel equipped with a palanquin for the wounded man and took him under his care. The freed man completed the pilgrimage with him, converted to Islam, and returned with his benefactor to Shamakhi (Gushchu village), where he was given a house, land, and was accepted into the family. This act stands as proof that for our family, humanity has always transcended nationality and religion.

Honor and Principles

In 1920, when the Red Army occupied Azerbaijan, the communists began confiscating private property. In a final act of protest against the occupiers, Haji Mamish paid gold coins to local partisans (abreks) to burn down his entire estate, refusing to let his property fall into the hands of the enemy.

Public Activity: After completing his service in the special forces, Luciano created the country’s first national social network to ensure information security and published sharp political satire.

Confrontation with the “Kremlin’s Viceroy” His active stance placed Luciano on the “blacklist” of Ramiz Mehdiyev (1995–2019) — the all-powerful “Grey Cardinal” and handler of Russia’s spy network in Azerbaijan.

• The Family Conflict: Origins of the Stand

  In 1995, the powerful official Mehdiyev destroyed the career of Luciano’s father, Aga Mamishov. The conflict arose from a principled stance: Aga Mamishov categorically refused to allow Mehdiyev to embezzle state assets and the property of ordinary citizens during the privatization process.

  Aga Mamishov was a distinguished civil servant, whose impeccable service was recognized at the highest level—he was personally awarded orders, medals, and state honors by President Heydar Aliyev.
  

  The retaliation for refusing to participate in corruption was severe. Using threats of violence against his son, Mehdiyev illegally seized the family estate—a 50-hectare farm located in the most picturesque foothills of Shamakhi. Today, this prime asset is valued at tens of millions.

• Justice Served: On October 14, 2025, Ramiz Mehdiyev was arrested for high treason.

  The Creation of the First National Social Network (2008)

  In 2008, Luciano initiated the creation of Azerbaijan’s first national social network. At that time, the Russian platform ok.ru held significant sway over Azerbaijani society. Luciano characterized this influence as “hybrid warfare” waged by Russian intelligence against Azerbaijan, publicly condemning the authorities and accusing them of inaction.

  Together with his associates, he launched the country’s first independent social media platform. To demonstrate to the government that their intentions were purely patriotic—aimed at shielding the state from Russian influence rather than undermining it—he named the network destek.az, which translates from Azerbaijani as “Support.” The underlying message was clear: “We support our country, our people, and our statehood against foreign influence.”

  Luciano successfully rallied representatives of the arts, culture, and the country’s elite to the platform. The network gained rapid traction, featuring a messenger, a news feed, and functionality that was advanced for its time. Prominent public figures began establishing their presence on the national network.

  However, just a few months later, as the network began to expand its geography, it was targeted. The platform was completely destroyed, the entire database was wiped, and the domain was blocked by unknown perpetrators.

  Marka.Az and Investigative Journalism

  Following the destruction of the social network, Luciano launched his own news portal, Marka.Az, where he began publishing exclusive interviews and breaking news. He was the first in the Azerbaijani media landscape to introduce the practice of validating sources with video evidence—an innovation specifically praised by the former Minister of Education and Luciano’s close friend, Professor Firudin Jalilov.

  Luciano published an explosive exclusive interview with a man named Eyvaz, who revealed how he carried out secret assignments for Abulfaz Elchibey in 1990, on the eve of the January tragedy in Baku. This served as confirmation that the provocation was organized by Elchibey—who a year later became the President of Azerbaijan and plunged the country into a civil war. Luciano has always considered him, and continues to consider him to this day, a recruited KGB agent. He identifies Elchibey as the primary cause of the tragedies that befell Azerbaijan following its independence.

  However, the portal ultimately shared the fate of the social network. The site was destroyed, and the domain was, by some “miracle,” re-registered to a stranger’s name; to this day, it remains unused.

Chronicle of Risk (2012–2014):

• Defense of the Mosque (2012)

  Luciano stood against the distortion of the historic 8th-century sanctuary. This site held profound personal significance as a family relic, having been restored by his great-grandfather, Haji Mamish.

  The Consequences: An assassination attempt was orchestrated against him. Luciano was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a concussion, a severe comminuted fracture of the nose, and multiple other grievous injuries. The persecution did not stop there: just a few days later, his apartment came under gunfire.

• Civil Courage: Defending a Legend (January 2013)

  In January 2013, Luciano stood up to defend the Secretary of the Union of Cinematographers and People’s Artist, Rasim Balayev — an icon often hailed as the “Azerbaijani Alain Delon.” The actor was facing a fabricated criminal investigation.

  Luciano organized a protest rally, triggering an immediate backlash. He faced severe personal pressure directly from the powerful Head of the Presidential Administration, the “gray cardinal” Ramiz Mehdiyev, who demanded the event be cancelled. However, Luciano refused to yield or be intimidated by the most influential figure in the government. His unwavering stance led to a victory: the criminal case against the cinema legend was suspended, and only after justice was served was the protest called off.

  During that tense period, the renowned Azerbaijani poet and publicist Murad Kohnagala wrote the following regarding the phenomenon of Luciano’s untouchability: “Many wonder why Luciano has not yet been arrested. They will never arrest him, because they understand perfectly well that in prison, he would start a riot. They will kill him!”

• Battle Against Oligarchy: Saving the “Alley of Martyrs” (2013)

  For Luciano, this battle was deeply personal. Buried in the “Alley of Martyrs”—which powerful officials planned to demolish to build a hotel—was his close childhood friend, who had been killed by Russian snipers in Karabakh.

  

  In 2013, Luciano stood alone against the system to protect the memory of his friend and other war heroes. The mastermind behind the demolition plan was the Minister of Emergency Situations—an oligarch whose activities are detailed in dozens of US diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks.

  Defense Strategy: Luciano obtained a covert audio recording of the Deputy Mayor of Shamakhi confirming the corrupt plan and exposed it at an urgent press conference.

  The Impact: Following the exposure, Luciano faced severe persecution (“a hunt”). However, through strategic tactics, he managed to escalate the issue directly to the President. The demolition was halted immediately, and President Ilham Aliyev personally ordered the full restoration of the memorial instead.

  WikiLeaks References: 06BAKU362 | 06BAKU411 | 06BAKU1327 | 06BAKU1367 | 07BAKU533 | 07BAKU886 | 08BAKU81 | 09BAKU188 | 10BAKU127

• “The Valley of Russians”: Released a documentary exposing Russia’s geopolitical interference.

• Defense of Rights Defenders: Physically blocked an illegal search of Leyla Yunus’s apartment (Knight of the French Legion of Honor).

In September 2014, under imminent threat of arrest, Luciano left Baku.

Luciano operates on the global stage, utilizing international law mechanisms to hold state systems accountable.

ICC Lawsuit: War Crimes in Chechnya As part of an international group of lawyers led by Said-Emin Ibragimov (President of the International Association “Peace and Human Rights”), Luciano participated in preparing a lawsuit for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

The lawsuit targeted Russia’s top military and political leadership, charging them with war crimes, crimes against humanity, launching two illegal military invasions of Chechnya, and the genocide of the Chechen people. This marked the first historical precedent where the ICC accepted a case filing against the Russian Federation.

The Ali Batayev Case: Luciano played a key role in the campaign to protect Ali Batayev, a Chechen refugee who held a 60-day hunger strike in a deportation prison.

During a visit to Ali Bataev. Administrative Detention Center (ZAA), Zurich.

Humanitarian Intervention While Ali Batayev was held in isolation and denied basic rights, Luciano personally secured his access to medical examinations and provided him with mobile communication, restoring his contact with the outside world and legal defense.

Political Victory Luciano organized a series of rallies in collaboration with the “European House of Peace” and addressed two personal letters to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset. President Berset officially replied to the appeal. Just days after receiving the President’s response, Batayev was released from detention.

International Impact This case set a precedent. As a result of the campaign, Amnesty International issued a bulletin calling on European countries to halt the deportation of North Caucasus natives to Russia.

Supreme Court Precedent (2023)

The Attack: A group of 21 Russian citizens residing in three European countries, supporters of the Putin regime, filed a complaint with the Swiss Office of the Attorney General against Luciano. They accused him of “incitement to hatred” due to his active support for Ukraine.

The Process: The Attorney General’s Office dismissed the complaint, ruling that Luciano’s actions did not constitute a crime.

The Appeal: The accusers appealed this decision to the highest authority—the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.

The Verdict: The Supreme Court finally rejected their appeal, fully vindicating Luciano and establishing an important legal precedent.

The Defense: Throughout this process, Luciano Shirvani was defended by Daniel Schütz, one of Switzerland’s most famous attorneys.

Success in Migration Law Luciano has helped secure refugee status for dozens of families in Switzerland, France, and other EU countries, successfully preventing the illegal deportation of numerous migrants.

The Minister’s Case (2019) Luciano conducted an independent journalistic investigation into a tragedy from 1992: the shooting of a residential house resulting in the death of a family.

• The Strike: He brought the key witness (the senior investigator) onto a live broadcast.

• Principles:

  The mastermind behind the house explosion, former Minister of Internal Affairs Iskander Hamidov, attempted to negotiate a “deal” through dozens of intermediaries. He persistently asked for just one phone call.

  Luciano’s response was categorical:

  “I do not conduct negotiations in the shadows, especially with killers of women and children. If he has something to say to me, I am ready for a dialogue, but only on live broadcast, in front of the people.”

  This investigation sparked a massive public reaction. Hamidov attempted to justify himself, but failed. On February 26, 2020, he died of a stroke.

• Result: The historical truth was proven publicly.

Strike Against the Mafia: Coverage in “Der Spiegel”

Luciano exposed a powerful criminal network in Europe involved not only in illegal human smuggling but also in infiltrating agents of authoritarian regimes into the EU under the guise of refugees. This investigation was prominently featured in the renowned German magazine “Der Spiegel”.

Operation in Germany: The evidence provided by Luciano formed the basis of a major operation by the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei). The raid involved 180 officers searching 13 properties. As a result, dozens of Azerbaijani and German nationals involved in the scheme were arrested.

Threats and Protection: During the investigation, Luciano faced severe pressure, receiving numerous threats, including threats of liquidation. The situation escalated when one of the gang leaders repeatedly traveled to Switzerland. Due to the imminent danger, the Swiss police placed Luciano under state protection.

Justice: As part of this high-profile case, Luciano provided witness testimony at the Swiss Office of the Attorney General following an official request from the German prosecutor’s office.

Literary Creation: Poetry and Publicism

Luciano is a writer, publicist, and poet who has mastered the art of words. He is the author of sharp satirical articles and over 700 poetic works in various genres. A special place in his oeuvre is occupied by the complex classical meter of Eastern poetry—Aruz.

Triumph in Milan (2013) Luciano’s poetry has received recognition at the highest European level. One of his poems was set to music and performed on the stage of the legendary Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan. The premiere took place under the direction of Professor David Gualtieri with the participation of the Vladimir Delman Choir.

Circle of the Chosen Luciano’s creative path was paved through close friendship and mentorship with great masters of literature. He developed his craft alongside the National Poet Fikret Goja, the renowned playwright Vagif Samedoglu, and the great poet and master of the Aruz genre, Haji Elemdar Mahir.

International Publication In 2013, an anthology of Azerbaijani poetry was published in Italy for the first time. This prestigious collection included 10 poems and one mini-poem by Luciano, translated into Italian.

A Personal Stand Against Political Revenge

In October 2021, the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, returned to his homeland and was immediately arrested. Instead of the rule of law, he faced inhumane treatment and psychological torture behind bars. For Luciano, this was not just a political event—it was a call to action to defend a friend and a reformer.

Immediate Action: The Embassy Protest

On October 21, 2021, shortly after the arrest, Luciano launched an active defense campaign. He held a solo picket in front of the Georgian Embassy, covering the building’s entrance with “Free Misha” posters. From this symbolic location, he recorded a video appeal to the citizens of Georgia, condemning the government’s actions and calling for solidarity.

The Price of Resistance During his imprisonment, Mikheil Saakashvili undertook several hunger strikes to protest his mistreatment. The longest lasted 51 days (October–November 2021), bringing him to a critical condition. Despite this, the pressure from the authorities continued.

January 4, 2023: Solidarity Over Celebration On his own birthday

January 4, 2023, Luciano organized a rally in the center of Bern. This demonstration united the Georgian, Ukrainian, and Chechen diasporas, along with Swiss human rights activists, in a powerful show of support.

Explaining why he chose this day for a protest, the founder stated:

“I cannot celebrate my birthday while my friend Mikheil Saakashvili, whom I consider a brother, is being subjected to torture and is fighting for his life.”

Our Ongoing Mission We continue to join global actions and work with international institutions to demand justice. Defending Mikheil Saakashvili is defending the values of On freedom and dignity against authoritarian revenge.

Action Beyond Words: Humanitarian Mission

Luciano’s work in protecting human rights extends far beyond courtrooms; he is present wherever people are most in need of help and protection.

Voice of Truth at Bundesplatz (March 19, 2022)

A historic day. The square in front of the Federal Palace was packed, with Switzerland’s political elite and Western ambassadors in the front rows. The event culminated in a joint address by Swiss President Ignazio Cassis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Immediately following the heads of state, Luciano Shirvani took the stage. Broadcast live on national TV (SRF), looking straight into the eyes of Europe’s top diplomats, he was unafraid to break protocol.

First, he delivered a stinging rebuke:

“European politicians remind me of an ostrich burying its head in the sand. But hiding will not save you.”

He then voiced the most critical demand of the time — to immediately close the sky over Ukraine — and ended with a stark warning:

“If you do not stop Putin in Ukraine, they will come here — to Europe. War will knock on your doors too.”

Humanitarian Hub in Bern (2022). Immediately after the war began, Luciano co-organized an information point at the Bern train station and managed a charity shop. For over a year, this initiative operated daily, providing refugees not only with free clothing and essentials but also with primary legal aid.

Missions Under Fire: Kyiv (2023) In 2023, amidst the intense bombing of Kyiv, Luciano visited Ukraine twice on humanitarian missions. These trips into a high-risk zone demonstrated his personal commitment to supporting those in mortal danger.

1. The Hadji Mamish Charity Association Goal: To fund the higher education of the daughters of heroes who died in wars.

Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev: “By educating a girl, we educate a nation.”

2. Project “Water for Life” (Artesian Wells in Africa) Lack of clean water is a critical threat to over 190 million children in Africa. Luciano aims to organize the construction of artesian wells to provide sustainable access to drinking water in the most affected regions.

• The Philosophy: “As a native of the Caucasus, I feel a profound moral duty to bridge the historical divide between our continents. This is not just charity; it is an act of brotherhood and restoration of human dignity. Every child, regardless of where they are born, deserves the right to life and clean water.”