By Trendsetter Tribune 
WASHINGTON — In a scene reminiscent of the infamous 2017 Sheridan Circle attack, bodyguards for Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev were filmed punching, kicking, and chasing peaceful protesters outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Aliyev was in the capital for the inaugural summit of President Trump’s Board of Peace, a new international body intended to resolve global conflicts.
The violence has triggered immediate calls for the prosecution of the security detail and sparked a diplomatic firestorm between human rights advocates and the Azerbaijani embassy.
The Clashes: “They Started Beating Us”
The altercation broke out on Pennsylvania Avenue as President Aliyev’s motorcade approached his hotel. A group of demonstrators had gathered to demand the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and to protest the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh.
- The Victims: Rahim Yagublu, 27—the son of a prominent imprisoned Azerbaijani politician—reported being struck in the jaw and kicked in the stomach. Another protester, Adil Amrakhly, suffered leg injuries while fleeing the guards.
- The Footage: Videos widely circulated on social media show men in dark suits—identified as members of the Presidential Security Service—crossing police lines to engage protesters, even as local D.C. police attempted to maintain a barrier.
- The Injury Toll: At least four protesters were treated at the scene by medics, though none were ultimately hospitalized.
The “Sabotage” Defense
The Embassy of Azerbaijan issued a statement on Friday defending the actions of the security detail, claiming they were forced to act to protect the President’s vehicle.
“The Presidential Security Service had no choice but to immediately intervene [after protesters] violently attempted to enter the protected area and took offensive actions against the Presidential vehicle. They prevented a sabotage attempt.” — Embassy of Azerbaijan Statement, Feb 20, 2026
Protesters and witnesses have vehemently denied this account, noting that the “offensive actions” consisted entirely of vocal chanting and holding signs.
Echoes of 2017: Political & Legal Fallout
The incident has drawn immediate comparisons to the 2017 assault by Turkish President Erdogan’s bodyguards. Human rights groups and members of Congress are now demanding that the U.S. government ensure history does not repeat itself regarding diplomatic immunity.
| Group / Official | Reaction |
| ANCA | Labeled the event “Sheridan Circle 2.0” and called for the immediate prosecution of the guards. |
| Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) | Demanded the DOJ ensure the “violent criminals” are not allowed to flee the country. |
| D.C. Metropolitan Police | Confirmed the incident “involved Azerbaijani security guards” but referred all further questions to the State Department. |
| U.S. Secret Service | Stated their role was limited to the “security perimeter” and protective infrastructure, not the conduct of foreign details. |
The Board of Peace Context
The violence occurred on the sidelines of the first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, which the President has hailed as “the most consequential international body in history.” During the summit, Trump personally thanked Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for their roles in a regional peace deal he brokered in the Oval Office.
The contrast between the “Peace” summit inside and the violence on the streets outside has become a major talking point for critics who argue the administration is emboldening “petro-dictators” on American soil.