Moscow, Baku handling journalist detentions via diplomatic, law enforcement channels

Russia and Azerbaijan are maintaining diplomatic and law enforcement-level contacts in response to the recent detention of Russian journalists in Baku, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

“We are in contact with the Azerbaijani side on this matter, including through law enforcement agencies,” Zakharova stated during a press briefing, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media. 

She further added: “We are convinced that all arising issues must be resolved in a spirit of partnership, using the existing political and diplomatic channels.”

On June 30, Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies conducted a special operation at the Baku office of Sputnik Azerbaijan, a local branch of the Russian state-run media outlet. Following the operation, Igor Kartavykh, director of the agency, and Yevgeny Belousov, one of its employees, were detained.

Both individuals were reportedly arrested on charges related to serious financial and economic crimes. The Khatai District Court ruled on July 1 to place them in pre-trial detention for four months. 

The two Russian nationals are facing multiple criminal charges, including large-scale fraud (Article 178.3.1 of the Criminal Code), illegal entrepreneurship involving large-scale income (Article 192.2.2), and offences committed by an organised group (Article 192.2.3). They are also accused of laundering property obtained by criminal means on a large scale (Articles 193-1.3.1 and 193-1.3.2).

By Khagan Isayev