Azerbaijan promises justice for citizens victimised abroad “We are obliged to respond”

The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan has condemned the brutal deaths of the Safarov brothers, reaffirming the country’s commitment to pursuing justice for Azerbaijani citizens whose rights are violated abroad.

Speaking at a briefing, Ilgar Safarov, Assistant to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan on special assignments, emphasised that Baku cannot remain indifferent when the rights of Azerbaijani citizens are violated during operational activities in another country, Caliber.Az reports.

“We do not seek to interfere in the affairs of other countries. But if cruelty is shown towards Azerbaijani citizens, their rights are massively violated, or they are killed with particular brutality — this becomes our area of responsibility. We are obliged to respond,” Safarov stated.

He recalled that the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of Azerbaijan allow for criminal prosecution of crimes committed outside the country by foreign citizens or stateless persons if such actions are directed against the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the interests of the state, or national security.

“If such persons are not held accountable in the countries where the crimes were committed, we use the full range of instruments provided by international law to prosecute them. Especially since both Azerbaijan and Russia are parties to the 2002 Convention on Legal Assistance in Civil, Family, and Criminal Matters. According to its provisions, both countries have the right to conduct criminal prosecutions for crimes committed against their citizens on the territory of the other party,” the representative of the Prosecutor General’s Office noted.

Safarov also drew attention to the lack of an official position from Russian law enforcement agencies regarding the events that took place. He emphasised that Azerbaijan has results from forensic medical examinations confirming the violent deaths of Azerbaijani citizens.

“There are publications in the Russian media attempting to link the deaths of our citizens to certain illnesses. However, given the nature of the external and internal injuries found after the bodies were delivered to Baku, such explanations appear extremely unprofessional. Of course, we acknowledge that forensic medical examination in Russia is an institutionally developed field. We hope that the Russian side will provide a more substantiated conclusion on this matter,” he added.

According to Safarov, it was precisely based on the totality of these facts that a criminal case was initiated in Azerbaijan, which represents a lawful and justified measure.

On June 27, 2025, Russian law enforcement conducted a large-scale raid in Yekaterinburg targeting a group that included Azerbaijani nationals. During the operation, at least 14 people were detained, among whom 12 were Azerbaijani citizens. Reports indicate that physical force and torture were used against some detainees. Tragically, two Azerbaijani men — the Safarov brothers — died as a result of violent treatment during the raid. The incident sparked outrage in Azerbaijan, prompting calls for thorough investigation and justice. Azerbaijani authorities have initiated a criminal case and are demanding accountability from Russian counterparts.

By Vugar Khalilov