Russian raids target Azerbaijani families in Rostov-on-Don amid abuse claims

Law enforcement officers conducted raids in apartments of Azerbaijani families in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, reportedly beating residents and using electric shockers during the operation, actress Ruhiyya Yusifova told Qafqazinfo.

She said that during the night, a group of individuals in military uniforms forced their way into the home of her uncle, Mardan Askarov. 

“My uncle’s son was beaten without any grounds and subjected to an electric shock device. Officers detained and took away his mother, his pregnant wife with two children, and my uncle himself. They vandalised the house and damaged the property. After that, they broke into the home of my uncle’s eldest son, where force was also used against a woman and children,” Yusifova stated.

The actress added that relatives taken to a police station had their mobile phones confiscated. Most of those detained were later released, but her uncle remains in custody at the police department.

An official request has been sent to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry seeking clarification of the situation.

By Jeyhun Aghazada