Russia responds to Azerbaijani protest over deadly Yekaterinburg raid

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to a formal protest issued by Baku over a violent raid conducted by Russian security forces against Azerbaijani citizens in the city of Yekaterinburg.

Speaking to Russian outlet RBC, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the incident was linked to “criminal investigations into serious offenses committed in previous years,” and that those targeted were Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin.

Zakharova said the Russian Chargé d’Affaires in Baku, Pyotr Volokovikh, was summoned to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 28, where he “provided necessary clarifications” and assured that the matter remains under the control of Russian law enforcement.

She noted that further information would be provided by the Investigative Committee once available, stressing that the procedures are part of an ongoing investigation.

The raid, conducted by the Federal Security Service (FSB) in the early hours of June 27, reportedly targeted members of the Safarov family — Russian citizens of Azerbaijani descent originally from Azerbaijan’s Aghdam district.

According to Azerbaijani officials and community members in Russia, the operation began around 5:00 a.m. local time and was related to a 2001 murder case at a café formerly owned by the Safarov family.

The raid resulted in the deaths of two brothers, Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov, who were killed inside their home. Several other family members sustained serious injuries, allegedly from beatings during the operation. Four — Akif, Ayaz, Kamal, and Mazahir Safarov — remain hospitalised in critical condition. In total, nine individuals were detained, while dozens more were temporarily held and released.

In response, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a strong diplomatic protest and called on Russia to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible for the violence accountable.

By Vugar Khalilov