Azerbaijan cancels all Russian-backed cultural events

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture has announced the cancellation of all cultural events organised by Russian state and private institutions across Azerbaijan. 

According to the ministry, this step comes amid "demonstrative, targeted, and extrajudicial killings and acts of violence" by Russian law enforcement against Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg on ethnic grounds, Caliber.Az reports.

“Taking into account the demonstrative, targeted, and extrajudicial killings and acts of violence committed by Russian law enforcement against Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg on ethnic grounds, as well as the fact that similar incidents have recently become systematic, all cultural events, including concerts, festivals, performances, exhibitions, and others, scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan under the auspices of Russian state and private institutions are being canceled,” the Azerbaijani Culture Ministry said. 

Citizens who have purchased tickets for these events are advised to contact the relevant points of sale or online platforms to request refunds.

The announcement follows a law enforcement operation conducted on the morning of June 27 in Yekaterinburg, targeting over ten apartments inhabited by Azerbaijani residents. The Safarov family, originally from Agdam, suffered significant losses during the raids. Two brothers, Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov, were killed, while many Azerbaijanis were detained and several others hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the operation.

By Sabina Mammadli