Azerbaijani police detain Russian FSB agents at Sputnik-Azerbaijan office

On June 30, Azerbaijani police conducted a special operation at the offices of Sputnik-Azerbaijan, the Baku branch of the Russian news agency RT (Russia Today).

During the raid, two employees identified as officers of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) were detained by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Earlier reports had indicated that the police were conducting a special operation at the agency’s premises, and law enforcement took full control of the office.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan later confirmed the detentions and stated that further details would be disclosed in due course.

Sputnik-Azerbaijan had officially suspended its activities some time ago; however, it has emerged that the agency continued operations and staff remained active at the office.

A police operation is underway at the Baku office of Sputnik Azerbaijan, following the agency’s earlier suspension by Azerbaijani authorities. Despite the official closure order, Sputnik Azerbaijan reportedly continued limited activities, prompting law enforcement to intervene.

This action stems from a government decision to rebalance foreign media presence, requiring parity between Russian state media correspondents in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani correspondents in Russia, currently limited to one each. 

Sputnik Azerbaijan, which previously employed around 40 staff, was ordered to reduce operations accordingly, in line with bilateral agreements. The recent police move enforces this policy and asserts control over the agency’s premises.

By Aghakazim Guliyev