Russia extends custody of Azerbaijanis detained after Yekaterinburg raids

A Russian court has extended the detention of several Azerbaijani citizens who were arrested during a large-scale security operation in the city of Yekaterinburg on June 27.

The court hearings, held behind closed doors, resulted in a three-month extension of pre-trial detention for the group, until October 19, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The individuals — identified as Mazahir, Ayaz, Akif, Bakir, and Kamal Safarov, along with Ahliman Ganjayev, Shahid Lalayev, and Aziz Abbasov — are facing charges related to alleged criminal activity from 2001, 2010, and 2011.

Representatives from the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Yekaterinburg attended the proceedings, although members of the media were not permitted access to the courtroom.

The arrests were part of a coordinated operation carried out by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the Investigative Committee, and the National Guard (Rosgvardiya). More than 10 Azerbaijani nationals were detained during early-morning raids on their homes.

Serious human rights concerns have been raised following reports that the detainees were subjected to torture while in custody. Two Azerbaijani citizens — Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov — reportedly died as a result of mistreatment, while others sustained injuries.

By Vugar Khalilov