I Hope the Azerbaijani Leadership Will Appropriately Address the Arrest of Citizens: Overchuk

Russia hopes that the Azerbaijani leadership will approach the situation regarding the arrest of 13 Russian citizens in Azerbaijan with understanding, and that they will soon return to their homeland. This was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk during a press conference at the Eastern Economic Forum.

Earlier today, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that the release of the 13 Russian citizens detained in Azerbaijan could be an important step toward normalizing relations between Moscow and Baku.

It is important to note that relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have deteriorated since over 50 people of Azerbaijani descent were arrested in Yekaterinburg on June 27. At least two individuals, 60-year-old Azerbaijani citizen Huseyn Safarov and his 55-year-old brother Ziyaddin, died during the actions. Baku demands accountability for those responsible.

In response to the actions of Russian security forces, Azerbaijani authorities have arrested and beaten more than 10 Russians in Baku, conducted searches at the editorial office of