Russian Police Search for Azerbaijanis Wanted in Connection with Armenian Youth's Murder

A 22-year-old Armenian man was killed following a street brawl in the city of Belorechensk, Russia, while another participant sustained injuries. Both youths were taken to the city hospital with knife wounds, but one of them did not survive. The second victim is currently hospitalized and continues to receive necessary treatment, according to КП-Кубань.

Preliminary reports indicate that on the evening of February 28, 2021, a group of young men met near a café on Gogol Street in Belorechensk to resolve a domestic issue that had arisen the day before. A dispute occurred during which one man stabbed another in the chest and a third individual in the abdomen. After the attack, the perpetrator fled the scene.

A criminal case has been opened regarding the murder of 22-year-old Arthur Sarukhanyan (Article 105, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Russia) and the attempted murder of the deceased's 31-year-old acquaintance (Article 30, Part 3 and Article 105, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Russia). Currently, investigative actions and operational-search measures are being carried out, and the investigation is ongoing.

Investigators have not officially commented on the possibility of ethnic hatred being a factor. However, Ruben Madelyan, the head of the local Armenian community in Belorechensk, stated that there are no signs of interethnic conflict. Azerbaijani community representative Afghanoglu Alazov told "Region Online" that he is ashamed of how representatives of his nation have acted. "This should not have happened. He has disgraced the nation, and I apologize on his behalf," Alazov remarked.

Currently, two Azerbaijani individuals are wanted in connection with murder and attempted murder charges.