JAMnews reported that Baku has launched a criminal investigation against Russian security agencies following the deaths of two Azerbaijani citizens, Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov, during a police operation in Yekaterinburg, Russia on June 27. Azerbaijani officials allege that the brothers died due to torture inflicted by Russian law enforcement. Forensic reports indicated severe trauma, including brain hemorrhage and multiple rib fractures.
Separately, new evidence has emerged regarding the December 2024 downing of an Azerbaijani AZAL Embraer E190 over Chechnya. Azerbaijani media Minval published claims, including audio recordings and radar data, suggesting the Russian Ministry of Defense may have ordered the attack. The authenticity of the materials is under review.
These developments have led to diplomatic actions: both countries exchanged protest notes, and Azerbaijan conducted a search of the Sputnik Azerbaijan office, declaring its operations illegal and detaining two senior staff members. In addition, cultural events involving Russian artists in Azerbaijan have been canceled. The Kremlin has described Baku’s reaction as emotional.
Official investigations are ongoing.