Caucasian and Central Asian countries, most notably Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, are known for their dictatorial regimes, autocratic governments and multiple human rights violations towards their population.

However, by using a right combination of soft power and corruption, they were able to clean their reputation and become commercial partners to many countries. Their most powerful allies sit in the Council of Europe or Western Parliaments and choose to turn a blind eye when confronted with their abuses.

This systemic corruption and its tragic consequences show the limits of our democratic institutions in the West and are at the core of this investigation.