Yekaterinburg events reveal clear signs of a targeted campaign – Opinion
Baku, June 29, AZERTAC
“Recent events in Russia raise serious concerns. The detention of Azerbaijani citizens with extreme cruelty, the use of torture, and the linking of these actions to a crime from 25 years ago suggest a deliberate policy of intimidation targeting Azerbaijanis in Russia. Russia has recently tightened its migration policies and amended relevant laws, which is the sovereign right of any state to align regulations with its interests. However, such processes must adhere to legal frameworks and avoid discrimination. Even the strictest laws should be applied fairly and equally to all citizens,” stated Farhad Mammadov, Director of the South Caucasus Research Center, in an interview with AZERTAC.
Mammadov emphasized that the Yekaterinburg incidents deviate from legal norms and appear to be a premeditated, targeted operation. He added: “The Russian media’s coverage, particularly its focus on Azerbaijanis as a group, heightens our concerns. Tensions in Azerbaijan-Russia relations, already strained by the recent plane incident, are likely to escalate further due to this event. Clear signs of a targeted campaign are evident. Reports indicate that the torture was directly conducted by Federal Security Service representatives, despite such investigations typically falling under the purview of the prosecutor’s office or police. This raises additional questions.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded decisively, issuing an official statement and summoning a representative of the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan to lodge a formal protest. The Yekaterinburg events will undoubtedly strain the extensive and multifaceted relations between the two nations to some extent. Azerbaijan consistently protects the rights of its citizens abroad, and the steps taken in this matter reaffirm this commitment.”
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