Scandal in Russian-Azerbaijani Relations: Baku Cancels Russian Events in Azerbaijan

Coordinated events between Russia and Azerbaijan, both state and private, are being cancelled. This was reported by the Azerbaijani APA agency, citing the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.

"Considering the deliberate killings of Azerbaijanis by Russian law enforcement agencies in the Sverdlovsk region, as well as the violent actions based on their national identity, and the fact that such incidents have recently become systematic, cultural events planned in Azerbaijan with Russian participation, including concerts, festivals, performances, exhibitions, etc., are being cancelled," the ministry announced.

Baku did not specify how long this ban will remain in effect.

Recently, the Russian Federal Security Service conducted a special operation in Yekaterinburg, during which two Azerbaijanis were killed and several others were arrested. The victims were suspected of having connections to a murder that occurred in 2001.

In response, Baku summoned Russia's temporary chargé d'affaires Pyotr Volokov to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday to file an official complaint.

It is noteworthy that on the morning of June 27, law enforcement officers carried out an operation in Yekaterinburg to arrest several dozen Azerbaijani citizens. According to Trend, searches took place in more than ten apartments where Azerbaijanis resided. Overall, according to Ura.ru, security forces arrested over 50 individuals, some of whom were later released.