Azerbaijani embassy in Moscow working to resolve hold-up of nationals at Zhukovsky airport

The issue concerning the detention of Azerbaijani nationals at Zhukovsky Airport in Moscow Region remains under the supervision of Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Russia. 

Consular staff are currently working to resolve the matter, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The diplomatic mission also reminded that Azerbaijani citizens must register and obtain permission through the designated application at least 72 hours before arriving in the Russian Federation. However, many fail to comply, leading to such incidents. 

The statement added that those detained at Zhukovsky Airport may remain there for up to a week, as the Russian side independently arranges their return. Since no Azerbaijani airlines operate flights to Zhukovsky, and only Russian carriers fly there twice a week—on Monday and on Thursday—departure depends on seat availability. If tomorrow’s flight is not fully booked, the detained citizens, whose video has circulated online, will be sent back to Azerbaijan; otherwise, they will depart next Monday.

As a reminder, a group of Azerbaijani citizens has reportedly been held at Zhukovsky Airport in the Moscow Region for the third consecutive day, according to social media reports. 

On October 6, the passengers flew from Baku to Moscow and landed at Zhukovsky Airport. One of the passengers said that immediately after arrival, he and two other Azerbaijani nationals were detained by airport staff without explanation and escorted to the second floor of the terminal. They were placed in a locked room resembling a detention cell. Citizens from Central Asian countries are also being held in the same area. The door to the room remains locked, and the detainees are under constant video surveillance. 

The detainees have not been provided with food and are appealing to Azerbaijani authorities for assistance in resolving the situation, according to the author of the circulated video.

By Khagan Isayev