Azerbaijani ombudsperson urges accountability for killings, torture in Russia

The Azerbaijani Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), Sabina Aliyeva, has sent an official letter to her Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, as well as to the Commissioner for Human Rights in Sverdlovsk Region, Tatyana Merzlyakova, in connection with the violence and torture inflicted on Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, which resulted in the brutal killing of five individuals and injuries of varying severity to several others.

As reported to Caliber.Az by the Ombudsperson’s Office, the letter states that this horrific incident constitutes a gross violation of human rights and freedoms, particularly the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture. It also represents a breach of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Russia is a party.

The letter includes a request for the Russian Human Rights Commissioner to take the case under her supervision, ensure a comprehensive, objective, and transparent investigation of the incident, hold those responsible accountable, and provide legal and psychological support to the victims’ families. It also stresses the importance of systemic oversight and preventive measures to avert such serious violations in the future.

Sabina Aliyeva expressed hope that the legal and institutional steps to be taken by the Russian side will provide a fair legal assessment of the incident and offer stronger protection for the rights of foreign nationals in the Russian Federation.

By Vugar Khalilov