Mutual protest notes between Azerbaijan and Russia

Tensions are rising between Azerbaijan and Russia. Russia has issued a protest note to Azerbaijan following an operation conducted at the Sputnik news agency's office in Baku and the detention of several employees. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Moscow, Rahman Mustafayev, to the ministry and demanded the immediate release of the Russian journalists detained in Baku.

AZERBAIJAN'S RESPONSE WAS SWIFT

According to a statement from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, during Ambassador Mustafayev's meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry, a protest note was presented to Moscow regarding the killing and severe beating of Azerbaijani citizens in Yekaterinburg. The note "strongly" protested the use of torture and degrading treatment by Russian law enforcement officers during the interrogation of Azerbaijani citizens. It was emphasized that these actions carried out by law enforcement are a violation of the Russian Federation's legislation and internationally recognized fundamental human rights and freedoms. At the same time, it was reported that the ethnic intolerance displayed toward Azerbaijanis during the organization and execution of the raids, as well as the coverage of such events in Russian media, have caused serious concern. It was stated that the illegal actions of Russian law enforcement, along with the killing and severe injury of Azerbaijanis, have caused an extremely negative reaction among the Azerbaijani public. It was demanded that Russia take urgent measures to conduct a comprehensive and objective investigation into these attacks and to punish those responsible in accordance with the current legislation of the Russian Federation.

CALL TO REFRAIN FROM INTERFERING IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS

At the same time, the note stated that the director of the Baku branch of the "Rossiya Segodnya" international news agency was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on February 12, and it was noted that there is no legal basis for the agency to operate as a branch or representative office in Azerbaijan. It was noted that an official notification was issued for the branch to cease its activities within 3 days, but despite this, the branch continued its operations illegally, staffed by Russian citizens whose accreditation had been revoked.

In this context, the note emphasized that the Russian side's reaction has no legal basis and called on them not to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs. It was reported that, unlike the practices of Russian security forces, the measures taken by Azerbaijan and the manner of their implementation were entirely legal.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In operations conducted on the morning of June 27 in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, the Seferov family of Azerbaijani origin was targeted. In raids carried out simultaneously at more than 10 addresses, two brothers named Ziyeddin and Hüseyn Seferov lost their lives. During the operation, 3 people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, and 9 people were detained.

The Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Baku was summoned to the ministry.

Following the events, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Baku, Pyotr Volokovıh, to the ministry on Saturday and conveyed to the Russian side their expectation that the incident be investigated and all perpetrators of the violence be brought to justice as soon as possible. Additionally, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture announced that all Russian cultural events in the country had been canceled.

STATEMENT FROM RUSSIA

In a statement from the Russian Interior Ministry, it was noted that the operation was carried out as part of an investigation into certain crimes committed in Yekaterinburg in previous years and was conducted with the support of the Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR) affiliated with the National Guard of Russia. While it was noted that searches were conducted at the addresses of the detained individuals, no information was provided regarding the loss of life that occurred during the operation.

News Source: İHA