Director of Sputnik Azerbaijan Released and Departed for Russia

The director of Azerbaijan's Sputnik agency, Igor Kartavikh, has been released and has departed for Russia. This information was provided to RIA Novosti by the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova.

Recall that Azerbaijani authorities had detained seven individuals on June 30 at Sputnik Azerbaijan (part of the "Rossiya Segodnya" media group), including the agency's director Igor Kartavikh and chief editor Yevgeny Belousov.

The "Rossiya Segodnya" media group has called the actions of Azerbaijani security forces baseless and the accusations fabricated. The editorial work has been blocked. According to the media group's press service, Igor Kartavikh's health condition raises concerns, and he requires medication, including insulin.

The press secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Kremlin is closely monitoring the news regarding the detention of Sputnik Azerbaijan and Ruptly employees. Moscow hopes to achieve the release of the detained journalists during direct communications with Baku.

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Baku has never expressed dissatisfaction with either the office of Sputnik Azerbaijan or the work of its journalists. According to her, actions against the agency have been taken for other reasons.