Turkish-Azerbaijani federation condemns ethnic violence in Russia, urges full investigation

The deputy head of the Federation of Turkish-Azerbaijani Friendship Associations (TADEEF), Serdar Ünsal, has strongly condemned the recent deadly incidents in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region involving members of the Azerbaijani community, calling for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.

Ünsal emphasised that the unlawful actions by Russian law enforcement, which resulted in the death and injury of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, must be addressed with urgency, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“Suspects in any crime must face the law, not become victims of law enforcement brutality. The actions of the Russian authorities, including torture, are unacceptable,” he stated, raising concerns that the crackdown on Azerbaijani diaspora members may have been politically or ethnically motivated.

Ünsal did not rule out the involvement of radical elements or the Armenian lobby, and recalled past expressions of hostility and hatred towards Turks and Azerbaijanis in Russia.

He stressed that the Azerbaijani diaspora, numbering in the millions, holds the same rights as any other group in the Russian Federation.

“Ethnic-based pressure is unacceptable in any state,” Ünsal said, urging the international community and human rights organisations to take an active role in the investigation.

“If lawlessness is ignored, such tragedies will continue and escalate,” he warned, extending condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Azerbaijani nation.

To recall, on June 27, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) conducted raids on the residences of the Azerbaijani Safarov family, resulting in the deaths of two brothers, Huseyn Safarov (an Azerbaijani citizen) and Ziyaddin Safarov (a Russian citizen), severe injuries to several others, and the detention of nine individuals, most of whom were Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin.

The raids occurred around 5:00 AM, involving FSB officers and the Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR). The Safarov family, originally from Aghdam, Azerbaijan, and engaged in the restaurant business (owning the “Kaspi” restaurant), was targeted. The operation was described as violent, with reports of beatings, torture with electric shocks, and degrading treatment, such as forcing detainees to “eat mud” in transport vehicles. 

Two to five deaths were reported, though only the deaths of Huseyn and Ziyaddin Safarov were consistently confirmed. Nine individuals, primarily from the Safarov family, were detained, with some hospitalised due to serious injuries (e.g., Akif, Ayaz, Kamal, and Mazahir Safarovs). Over 50 Azerbaijanis were reportedly detained in total, though exact numbers vary.

By Khagan Isayev