Azerbaijani chief prosecutor expects lawful outcome in Yekaterinburg torture probe

Azerbaijani Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev has said that both Azerbaijani and Russian law enforcement authorities are investigating crimes against Azerbaijani citizens in Yekaterinburg, expressing hope that the probe will have a lawful and logical outcome.  

“Crimes against Azerbaijani citizens in Yekaterinburg are being investigated not only by the Azerbaijani Prosecutor’s Office but also by Russian law enforcement authorities,” Aliyev told journalists on October 1, Caliber.Az reports.

He emphasised that Russia is conducting a separate investigation into allegations of excessive use of force and torture against Azerbaijanis.

“We are cooperating with the Russian side on cases involving the unjustified use of force and torture. I believe this investigation will have a lawful and logical outcome,” the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General said.

On June 27, Russian security forces, including the Federal Security Service (FSB), National Guard, and Sverdlovsk Region’s Interior Ministry, conducted mass raids targeting ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg. The operation, aimed at dismantling an alleged “ethnic criminal group” linked to murders and attempted murders from 2001, 2010, and 2011, detained around 50 individuals. Among them, eight Azerbaijanis—Ayaz Safarov, Akif Safarov, Mazahir Safarov, Kamal Safarov, Bakir Safarov, Ahliman Ganjiyev, Shahin Lalayev, and Aziz Abbasov—were arrested.

The raids resulted in the deaths of two Azerbaijani brothers, Huseyn Safarov (60) and Ziyaddin Safarov (55), with Russian authorities claiming one died of heart failure and the other’s cause of death under investigation. However, Azerbaijani autopsies revealed both died from “post-traumatic shock” due to severe beatings, with injuries including multiple fractures and head trauma.

By Khagan Isayev