Moscow working to release journalists detained in Baku – Kremlin

Russia is using all legal means to free its citizens in Azerbaijan, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, noting historically close ties between the two nations

Russian officials are working closely with the local authorities in Azerbaijan to secure the release of Russian citizens detained in the country, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. He emphasized that Russia and Azerbaijan must strive to maintain their historically friendly relations despite the current tensions. 

Several Russian nationals, including journalists working for the Sputnik Azerbaijan news agency, were arrested last week during a police raid on the outlet’s office in Baku. Authorities have accused the detainees, which include senior Sputnik editors Igor Kartavykh and Evgeny Belousov, of fraud and illegal business activity. Sputnik has dismissed the accusations as “absurd.”

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Peskov stated that Moscow is “in constant contact with the Azerbaijani side” and is “defending the interests of the detained Russian citizens using all legal avenues and the existing diplomatic practices.”

The spokesman said Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov and Investigative Committee head Aleksandr Bastrykin have also been in direct contact with their Azerbaijani counterparts.

Peskov underlined Russia’s commitment to maintaining its historically close relationship with Azerbaijan. “We continue to believe – and logic dictates – that Russia and Azerbaijan are and must remain close partners, allies, and countries with a common history, present, and future,” he said. 

“All problems that arise must undoubtedly be resolved in a constructive manner that reflects the spirit of our bilateral relations,” Peskov stressed.

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The arrest of Russian nationals in Baku came shortly after a Russian police raid in Ekaterinburg last week. The operation targeted an alleged organized crime group composed of Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin. Two elderly suspects died during the raid, reportedly from heart failure and unspecified causes. Azerbaijani officials have claimed the men were beaten to death in custody and have opened a homicide investigation.

Since the Russian operation, Baku has taken a series of steps viewed by Moscow as retaliatory, including the raid on Sputnik’s office. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow has condemned the arrests as “unlawful” and summoned the Azerbaijani ambassador to lodge a formal protest.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that “outside forces” may be trying to damage Russian-Azerbaijani relations. Speaking to reporters last week, she stressed that friendly ties remain essential for both nations and cautioned against efforts to escalate the dispute.