Baku's sovereign stance draws outrage from Moscow

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement in connection with the summoning of Azerbaijani Ambassador Rahman Mustafayev to the ministry on July 1.

In the statement, the ministry has stated that Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin lodged a formal protest against what Russia described as “recent unfriendly actions by Baku," Caliber.Az reports.

“Among these are the cancellation of high-level events within the framework of interstate dialogue, a Russophobic campaign unleashed in Azerbaijani media at the behest of the authorities, outrageous and unacceptable actions by Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies against the Russian news agency ‘Sputnik Azerbaijan’ and its staff, as well as the cancellation of all cultural events in the republic featuring performers from Russia, including children’s creative groups,” the statement reads.

The ambassador was presented with a verbal note demanding the immediate release of Sputnik Azerbaijan’s editor-in-chief, Yevgeny Belousov, and director Igor Kartavykh, who were detained in Baku.

Regarding the recent detention in Yekaterinburg of Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin, the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that the investigative measures taken by Russian law enforcement “were fully compliant with Russian legislation, relating to criminal investigations of serious crimes committed in previous years, including those affecting Azerbaijani citizens.”

Moscow described attempts by Baku to accuse Russian authorities of exceeding their powers as “interference in Russia’s internal affairs,” citing detailed information from the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

A reminder that on June 30, Azerbaijani authorities detained seven individuals as part of an investigation into Sputnik Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs opened a criminal case involving allegations of fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, and money laundering. Two individuals were arrested, while five others face criminal charges. The investigation remains ongoing.

Although Sputnik Azerbaijan had officially suspended its activities, it continued limited operations, which prompted the law enforcement action. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the detentions and said further information would be provided in due course.

This police operation follows a government directive aimed at balancing the presence of Russian and Azerbaijani state media correspondents in each country. Sputnik Azerbaijan, which previously employed around 40 staff, was ordered to reduce its operations accordingly. The recent measures are seen as enforcing these restrictions and asserting control over the agency’s premises.

By Sabina Mammadli