High-Level Talks Between Azerbaijani and Russian Prosecutors Amid Escalating Tensions

The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that Russia’s chief investigative official maintains consistent communication with Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general amidst rising tensions over the recent arrests of citizens from both countries.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed journalists that «Chairman of the Investigative Committee [Alexander] Bastrykin is in ongoing contact with the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan.» Peskov noted that they are addressing «challenging matters» during their discussions, without providing further details.

These comments come as diplomatic relations become increasingly strained following the deaths of two Azerbaijani men during a Russian police operation in Yekaterinburg last week, which was followed by the detention of Russian nationals in Azerbaijan.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan initiated a criminal investigation into what it termed the «brutal and intentional murder» of the two Azerbaijani men, alleging that Russian police inflicted «torture and serious physical harm» during their arrest and subsequent detention.

In Russia’s Sverdlovsk region, authorities apprehended six ethnic Azerbaijani men in connection with unsolved murders of Azerbaijani businessmen that occurred in Yekaterinburg in the early 2000s.

In what appears to be a retaliatory measure, Azerbaijani authorities detained seven individuals affiliated with the Kremlin-supported media outlet Sputnik and eight additional Russian citizens on charges related to drug trafficking and cyber offenses. Court images revealed some of the detained Russians with visible injuries.

Peskov stated that Moscow has taken note of «all the details» in videos featuring the arrests and pledged to protect Russian citizens.

«We will safeguard the rightful interests of our citizens through diplomatic measures and will utilize all means at our disposal,» he affirmed.

On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijan’s ambassador to raise concerns over the arrests, accusing Baku of «intentional actions aimed at undermining bilateral relations» and «interfering in Russia’s domestic affairs.»

Peskov also criticized a conversation on Tuesday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, wherein Zelensky expressed support for Baku.

«Of course, Ukraine will do everything it can to incite Azerbaijan into taking emotional steps,» Peskov remarked. «Russia has never posed a threat to Azerbaijan.»