Azerbaijan-Russia Relations Strain Over Deaths in Custody and Retaliatory Arrests

Baku and Moscow are embroiled in a diplomatic and legal dispute following the deaths of two Azerbaijani citizens in Russian custody and subsequent retaliatory actions by Azerbaijani authorities.

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General, Kamran Aliyev, has confirmed that Baku has provided the Russian Investigative Committee with evidence alleging the torture and murder of two Azerbaijani citizens, Huseyn Safarov (60) and his brother Ziyaddin Safarov (55), during their detention in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This move comes as the Russian Investigative Committee is reportedly conducting its own separate investigation into the incidents.

The Safarov brothers were among approximately 50 individuals of Azerbaijani origin detained in Yekaterinburg on June 27, 2025. These detentions were part of an investigation into murders and attempted murders committed between 2001 and 2011, with Russian investigators linking the Safarovs to the 2001 murder of Yunis Pashaev, the 2011 murder of Ikram Hajiyev, and the 2010 attempted murder of Fehruz Shirinov.

According to the Russian Investigative Committee, one of the Safarov brothers died of heart failure, while the cause of death for the second is still being determined. However, Azerbaijan initiated its own criminal case on July 1, investigating premeditated murder with extreme cruelty and torture. Forensic examinations conducted in Azerbaijan, as stated by Prosecutor General Aliyev, "confirmed the fact of death as a result of torture, beatings, and severe bodily injuries." This evidence has since been handed over to Moscow.

A point of contention remains the citizenship of the deceased. While Russia considers them its citizens, Baku maintains that Azerbaijan does not recognize dual citizenship and therefore considers Huseyn and Ziyaddin Safarov to be citizens of Azerbaijan.

In a swift and strong response to the events in Yekaterinburg, Azerbaijani security forces carried out searches at the editorial office of "Sputnik Azerbaijan" (part of the "Rossiya Segodnya" media group) in Baku. The editor-in-chief, Igor Kartavykh, and chief editor, Evgeny Belousov, were subsequently arrested on charges of fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, and money laundering. Additionally, more than 10 Russian citizens were reportedly detained and beaten in Baku, with eight of them taken into custody on accusations of drug trafficking and cybercrimes. Video footage from courtrooms showed visible signs of beatings on some of these detainees.

Amidst these escalating tensions, the Kremlin has expressed its desire for a resolution. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "Logic dictates only one thing: Russia and Azerbaijan are and must remain the closest partners, allies, and countries united by a common history, a common present, and a common future."

The situation continues to unfold as both sides pursue their respective investigations and diplomatic efforts to address the serious allegations and retaliatory actions that have strained bilateral relations.