Meta removes Russia-controlled anti-Azerbaijani pages following complaint

Meta has taken down two Facebook pages that were spreading provocative and anti-Azerbaijani content, following a formal complaint from Azerbaijan’s Electronic Security Service.

The pages in question were publishing materials described as inflammatory and targeting Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports, citing Operativ Media.

Meta confirmed that the accounts had been created in and operated from Russia.

Tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan have escalated significantly following the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger plane by Russian air defences in December 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 38 people.

While Russian officials expressed regret over the incident, Azerbaijan has called for a formal admission of responsibility and appropriate compensation.

In June 2025, two ethnic Azerbaijani brothers died during a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operation in Yekaterinburg, an event condemned by Azerbaijani authorities as unjustified and leading to diplomatic protests.

After that, Azerbaijan summoned the Russian ambassador and temporarily suspended certain diplomatic engagements.

Moreover, Azerbaijani authorities conducted a raid on the office of Sputnik Azerbaijan in Baku and detained several Russian journalists.

Additionally, eight Russian citizens were arrested on various charges, including cybercrime and drug offenses.

By Aghakazim Guliyev