Azerbaijan calls off Russian events due to the loss of its citizens
In a recent development, the Azerbaijani government has cancelled all cultural events planned by Russian state and private institutions, in response to the deaths of two Azerbaijanis and the injuries of several others in Yekaterinburg.
The tragic incident occurred during police raids on homes of Azerbaijani residents, which were carried out by Russian law enforcement on June 27, 2025. The Azerbaijani government has strongly protested against these events, citing them as "demonstrative targeted and extrajudicial killings and acts of violence" against Azerbaijanis on ethnic grounds.
The cancellations include concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and performances, as announced by Azerbaijan's Culture Ministry. However, the ministry has not specified a new date for these events.
On July 2, 2025, Azerbaijan officially summoned the Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mikhail Yevdokimov, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baku to deliver a formal protest. Azerbaijan expressed deep concern over the incident and disputed Russia’s explanations, citing forensic evidence and visible signs of violence on the victims' bodies. They also strongly protested against the portrayal of Azerbaijanis as an "ethnic criminal group" in Russian media, calling it discriminatory and ethnically intolerant.
Russia, meanwhile, has protested against Azerbaijan’s "unfriendly actions," accusing Baku of deliberately undermining bilateral relations. Russia demands the immediate release of two Russian journalists detained in Azerbaijan. Moscow maintains that its law enforcement actions were lawful and terms Azerbaijan's accusations as interference in its internal affairs.
The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office has launched a criminal investigation into the alleged torture and killings by Russian law enforcement officers. Additionally, Azerbaijan has summoned the Russian Embassy’s chargé d'affaires in Baku, Pyotr Volokovykh, on June 29.
The diplomatic dispute between the two countries continues, with Azerbaijan demanding justice and transparency, and Russia defending its actions while criticizing Azerbaijan’s responses. The situation remains tense, with ongoing calls for investigation and accountability on both sides.
[1] Azerbaijani officials defend legal actions against Sputnik Azerbaijan. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.azernews.az/azerbaijan/188074
[2] Azerbaijan cancels all Russian cultural events in protest of Yekaterinburg raids. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.azernews.az/azerbaijan/187985
[3] Azerbaijan protests Russian police raids, demands investigation. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.azernews.az/azerbaijan/187894
[4] Azerbaijan summons Russian ambassador over Yekaterinburg deaths. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.azernews.az/azerbaijan/187848
The Azerbaijani government has canceled all Russian cultural events, including concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and performances, as a strong protest against the tragic police raids in Yekaterinburg that resulted in the deaths of two Azerbaijanis and the injuries of several others. This diplomatic move echoes Azerbaijan's ongoing protest against the portrayal of Azerbaijanis as an "ethnic criminal group" in Russian media, which they deem discriminatory and ethnically intolerant. Meanwhile, the general news and crime-and-justice sections continue to follow the developing story of the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office's criminal investigation into the alleged torture and killings by Russian law enforcement officers.
