Azerbaijan Cancels Cultural Events Linked to Russia Amid Violence Reports
Azerbaijan has officially canceled all cultural events associated with Russia, citing “demonstrative targeted and extrajudicial killings and acts of violence committed by Russian law enforcement agencies against Azeris,” according to a statement from the Culture Ministry. This decision follows reports of fatalities among Azeri individuals during a police operation in Russia, with details causing heightened tensions between the two nations, reports 24brussels.
The Russian Investigative Committee of the Sverdlovsk region, which includes Yekaterinburg, confirmed that two suspects died during their arrest. Authorities claimed that the detained individuals were Russian citizens. “One of the defendants died as a result of heart failure; the cause of death of the second person is currently being established,” stated committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko. She added that the group targeted by authorities was suspected of organizing a murder in 2001 and attempted murders in 2010 and 2011.
While the investigative committee reported a total of six arrests, local media indicated that at least three detainees sustained severe injuries from subsequent beatings during their detention.
In response to the incidents in Russia, the Azeri Interior Ministry launched a raid on Sputnik Azerbaijan, the local branch of the Russia Today media network, arresting two officers from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) who were employed there.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has characterized the detained individuals as journalists and summoned the Azeri ambassador “in connection with the unfriendly actions of Baku.”
These developments mark a significant escalation in the already strained diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, with both nations exchanging accusations and retaliatory measures. The fallout from this incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region and raises concerns about the treatment of Azeris in Russia.
Azerbaijan’s actions reflect mounting frustration with Russian law enforcement practices, and the situation remains fluid as both governments navigate the implications of their actions on bilateral relations.
