The Azerbaijan State News Agency

Number of Azerbaijanis detained in Yekaterinburg reaches six

Moscow, June 29, AZERTAC

According to the Yekaterinburg court’s decision, Bakir Safarov, the sixth person charged in the case involving Azerbaijanis, has been ordered detained for 72 hours.

Local media reports that the state prosecutor declined to comment.

16:47

The Lenin District Court in Yekaterinburg has imposed a 3-day detention measure on Ahliman Ganjiyev, who was detained as a suspect.

Ganjiyev’s lawyer informed journalists that his client is barely able to move. The defense is currently working to ensure justice is served.

15:52

The Lenin District Court in Yekaterinburg has also imposed a 3-day detention measure on Shahin Lalayev, another detained suspect. The court is currently reviewing the detention measure for Ahliman Sattar oglu Ganjiyev.

Bakir Safarov is scheduled to appear before the court next.

15:05

The Lenin District Court in Yekaterinburg is holding another hearing in the case.

The fourth suspect, Shahin Mammadali oglu Lalayev, is currently having his detention measure reviewed by the court.

14:48

Ayaz Safarov has become the third Azerbaijani to receive a detention measure in connection with events from the early 2000s in Yekaterinburg. Like the other two detained Azerbaijanis, Mazahir and Akif Safarov, he has been ordered detained for 22 days.

A video broadcast by local media from the courtroom shows visible injury marks on Ayaz Safarov’s face.

13:26

Another Azerbaijani detained as a suspect, Ayaz Safarov, has been brought to the courtroom in Yekaterinburg.

13:20

The Yekaterinburg court has issued a decision to impose a 22-day detention measure on Akif Safarov, who is recognized as a suspect in the case.

12:32

The court has brought in another defendant, Akif Safarov, born in 1963, in connection with the case. According to Russian media, like other detainees, he is suspected in connection with events that occurred in Yekaterinburg in the early 2000s. The prosecution has requested a detention measure for him, and the court hearing is being held behind closed doors. Preliminary information indicates that Akif Safarov is the director of the “Kaspiy” café in Yekaterinburg. He is married and has adult children.

11:49

In the Yekaterinburg court proceedings involving nine Azerbaijanis detained with the use of force, a 22-day detention measure has been imposed on Mazahir Safarov. AZERTAC reports that he and several other Azerbaijanis are accused of contract killings. Detention measures for some of the others are expected to be decided today. The court session is attended by Shohrat Mustafayev, acting Consul General of Azerbaijan in Yekaterinburg, and Shahin Shikhlinski, head of the “Azerbaijan-Ural” public organization representing the Azerbaijani diaspora in Yekaterinburg.

11:23

On June 27, a court process began concerning nine Azerbaijanis detained with the use of force in Yekaterinburg, suspected in connection with a crime from the early 2000s. AZERTAC reports that the court is currently reviewing requests for their detention as a preventive measure.

On the morning of June 27, a special operation was conducted at more than ten residences of Azerbaijanis, resulting in several detentions, including members of the Safarov family from Aghdam. During the operation, two brothers, Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov, were killed, and several others were hospitalized.

The prosecution requested that the proceedings be held behind closed doors, a motion the court granted, after which journalists were removed from the courtroom.

The issue of detention measures for each detainee is being considered separately. In Mazahir Safarov’s case, the prosecution demanded his detention, while the defense requested house arrest. Safarov informed his lawyer that his confession was obtained through force and coercion, including threats and pressure on his family.

Farida Abdullayeva

Special correspondent

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