Azerbaijan Suspends All Cultural Events with Russia Over Alleged Extrajudicial Killings
Azerbaijan has canceled all planned cultural events hosted in collaboration with Russian state and private entities following the deaths of two Azerbaijani citizens during police raids in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The Culture Ministry of Azerbaijan announced the decision on June 29, citing the killings as ethnically motivated and unlawful actions. The Foreign Ministry confirmed that the incident happened during an investigation into an unsolved 2001 murder, resulting in nine detainees and several injuries during the raid.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry stated that Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov died during a raid conducted by Russian authorities. The government called the killings ‘ethnically motivated public and deliberate unlawful actions’ and described the actions as having ‘recently taken on a systematic nature.’ The official cause of death was not immediately known.
In a statement to Azerbaijani public broadcaster ITV, Sayfaddin Huseynli, the brother of the deceased, claimed that the two men were tortured to death ‘without any trial or investigation, despite their innocence.’ His comments, widely reported in Azerbaijani media, have further escalated tensions between the two countries. Azerbaijan’s state media also reported that the government had canceled a planned visit by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, stating that ‘the country does not consider it appropriate under the current circumstances for Overchuk or any other official representative of Russia to visit.’
The incident has added to growing tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia, which have worsened in recent months. The dispute dates back to the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane by Russian forces in February, which killed 67 passengers and sparked an international outcry. Azerbaijani lawmakers have consistently blamed Russia for the February cyberattack, and President Ilham Aliyev has not participated in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow since May, signaling a significant shift in diplomatic relations.
Amid these tensions, Ukraine has sought to build stronger ties with Baku. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Azerbaijan in May, and in February, Aliyev’s office announced it was delivering $1 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the form of electrical equipment to support the country’s energy grid under attack. Similarly, Armenia, a historic ally of Moscow, has also effectively severed relations with the Kremlin, having formally signed a law to begin its country’s accession process to the European Union. This move has further widened the rift between Russia and its neighbors in the Caucasus.
The ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Russia, along with the broader geopolitical situation in the region, has significant implications for regional stability. As Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its ties with Ukraine and seek alternative partnerships, the future of its relationship with Russia remains uncertain.