Spokesperson: Russia in talks with Azerbaijan over detained citizens’ return

Russia and Azerbaijan are holding detailed discussions on the swift repatriation of Russian citizens detained in Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on October 30.

Speaking to Russian media, Zakharova noted that “relevant agencies of both countries are engaged in substantive dialogue aimed at ensuring the earliest possible return of Russian citizens to their homeland.”

She added that two Russian journalists had already returned to Russia earlier this month — Igor Kortavykh, head of the Sputnik Azerbaijan news agency, who came back on October 19, and editor-in-chief Yevgeny Belousov, who returned on October 25.

Earlier this week, Baku’s Sabail District Court extended the pre-trial detention of several Russian nationals by a further three months following a request from investigative authorities.

On October 28, a court in Baku extended the detention of eight Russian nationals accused of involvement in organised crime.

Lawyer Elchin Sadigov said that the Sabail District Court has prolonged their pre-trial custody for another three months from November 1.

The group is suspected of trafficking drugs from Iran, distributing narcotics online, and engaging in cybercrime.

Azerbaijani authorities detained the suspects in July during an operation targeting organised criminal networks involving Russian citizens.

By Aghakazim Guliyev