From the “shadow fleet” to a London villa: how Azerbaijani businessman Azim Novruzov, linked to Tahir Garayev, helps circumvent sanctions against Russia

From the “shadow fleet” to a London villa: how Azerbaijani businessman Azim Novruzov, linked to Tahir Garayev, helps circumvent sanctions against Russia

29 апреля 2026 г.

Evgeniy Dyatlov

International media have reported on Azerbaijani national Azim Novruzov in connection with his involvement in energy trading and the oil sector, with increased attention since 2023 over potential ties to business networks linked to Russia.

Some publications associate his name with Coral Energy, a company connected to Tahir Garayev that operates in international energy trading and has been mentioned in the context of sanctions-related reporting, according to Vataninfo.az.

It is also noted that the term “shadow fleet” is an informal description often used for tanker operations allegedly involved in sanction evasion and is not a formal legal designation. Sanctions decisions are made by states and international bodies such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, and the absence of sanctions may indicate that claims have not been substantiated or do not meet legal thresholds.

According to the claims, the body said to be currently conducting an investigation regarding Azim Novruzov is the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

As for property matters, in cities such as London, official information about real estate ownership can usually be verified through state registries (for example, the Land Registry). In open official records, nothing appears regarding real estate owned by Azim Novruzov.

However, while no недвижимое имущество is listed, there is a company registration associated with his name.

The same company — ENVIROINVEST LTD — lists Azim Novruzov as a director.

According to company filings, his correspondence address is registered as a residential property in the London NW8 area.

Regarding real estate, claims circulate about a villa on Marlborough Place, London NW8, allegedly purchased in 2016 for £6.8 million, with an additional £2.2 million reportedly paid in taxes — totaling around £10 million (approximately 35 million AZN at today’s exchange rate).

2016 Marlborough Place transactions — official price data

In the UK, residential sale prices are publicly available through data derived from the Land Registry and published on open databases.

For 2016, one recorded transaction at:

- 17 Marlborough Place, NW8 0PG — £6,500,000 (27 May 2016)

Publicly available records indicate that the purchasers were listed as Azim Novruzov and Ilhama Novruzova, Azerbaijani citizens.

Another claim concerning Azim Novruzov states that the dual citizen of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom allegedly purchased a villa in 2016 on Marlborough Place, NW8 0PG, London, in his own name and in the name of his wife Ilhama Novruzova for £6.8 million.

His name has also reportedly appeared in certain sources in connection with business relations involving individuals said to manage Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” According to these reports, he maintained professional dealings with chief executives who were sanctioned by the United Kingdom and the European Union. However, although he is alleged to have facilitated the sale of Russian oil, he himself has not been placed under sanctions.

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It is also reported that the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is conducting an internal investigation.