A diplomatic dispute is unfolding between Russia and Azerbaijan after mass arrests of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg reignited historical grievances and provoked strong condemnation from Baku.
Meduza reports that Russian authorities conducted large-scale raids in Yekaterinburg on June 27, detaining around 50 individuals from the Azerbaijani diaspora as part of an investigation into a series of killings and attempted murders dating back to 2001–2011.
Two suspects, brothers Huseyn and Ziyaddin Safarov, died during the arrests due to heart complications, according to Russian media. Three others were hospitalized, with one, Kamal Safarov, reportedly in intensive care.
The regional Investigative Committee stated the arrests were part of a long-running criminal investigation targeting an “ethnic crime group.” Seven suspects were remanded in custody. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, contract killing, and attempted murder. A total of 15 individuals are implicated, including nine Safarov brothers and associates Akhliman Ganjiyev and Aziz Abasov.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the arrests, describing them as “unacceptable violence” and summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires, Pyotr Volokov, to express formal protest. Baku has demanded a thorough investigation into the actions of Russian law enforcement. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova asserted that all detainees are Russian citizens.
The fallout escalated when Azerbaijan canceled all cultural events involving Russian state and private institutions, including concerts, exhibitions, and festivals, the BBC’s Russian Service reports. The Ministry of Culture cited “extrajudicial killings and systemic ethnic violence by Russian authorities” as the reason.
Azerbaijani lawmaker Nigar Mukhammadova also announced the cancellation of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk’s planned visit to Baku.
The diplomatic rift follows years of strained relations over ethnic and diaspora issues and signals a significant downturn in bilateral ties. Azerbaijani officials warn that incidents of ethnically targeted violence in Russia are becoming increasingly frequent and systematic.
