The Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture has cancelled all Russian cultural events following the deaths of Azerbaijanis during FSB raids in the Sverdlovsk region.
Azerbaijan completely cancels Russian cultural events on its territory, both those organized by state and private entities. The reason was the actions of Russian law enforcement officers in the Sverdlovsk region, which, according to Baku, were ethnically motivated and violent.
This was reported by the state agency “AzerTaj” with reference to the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.
The ministry said the decision was made in connection with “deliberate and extrajudicial killings and acts of violence committed by Russian law enforcement officers against Azerbaijanis,” and also in connection with the fact that such cases, according to the department, have become systemic.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also expressed its concern, in particular regarding the raids of the Russian Federal Security Service that took place on the morning of June 27 in the Sverdlovsk region. According to Azerbaijani diplomats, as a result of these searches, several Azerbaijanis were killed, some received serious bodily injuries, and nine more were detained.
“We expect from the Russian side an immediate and transparent investigation, as well as punishment for those guilty of this unacceptable act of violence,” the Foreign Ministry emphasized.
The day before, Russian media reported that more than 50 natives of Azerbaijan were detained in the Sverdlovsk region on June 27. Some of them were later released after investigative actions were carried out. According to Russian sources, the detention is connected with a murder case that took place back in 2001. It is reported that two of the detainees have died.
