Proposal to Ease International Tensions by the SPL
In a troubling turn of events, the longstanding political, economic, and cultural ties between Russia and Azerbaijan have been severely strained. The catalyst for this escalation was the accidental shooting down of an Azerbaijani Airlines civilian plane by Russia near Grozny in December 2024, resulting in the tragic loss of 38 lives.
The incident has left Azerbaijan demanding a full investigation, formal acknowledgment, and compensation, but Russia has largely remained silent and insists on handling the matter behind closed doors. This unresolved tragedy continues to fuel Azerbaijani frustration and distrust towards Moscow.
The tension deepened when Azerbaijani police raided the office of the Russian state news agency Sputnik Azerbaijan, resulting in the arrest of the editor-in-chief and director on espionage charges. Footage released by Azerbaijani media showed Russian citizens accused of crimes being harshly treated and publicly humiliated by police. There have been rumours that Azerbaijan may close Russian schools within its borders.
Azerbaijani officials have highlighted what they describe as increasing Russian chauvinism, discrimination, and Islamophobia, with accusations that the Russian government is coercing migrants and non-Russians into the war effort through intimidation.
In response to these tensions, Azerbaijan has summoned the Russian ambassador, demanding a probe into the plane downing, punishment for those responsible, and compensation for victims as crucial steps to ease bilateral relations. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which he discussed the tensions, is seen as further antagonizing Moscow.
On the military front, Russia has expanded its presence in Armenia, intensifying its military base staffing in Gyumri amid rising tensions with Azerbaijan. This move forms part of a Kremlin strategy to increase military-political pressure on South Caucasus states and possibly to destabilize the regional security balance. Russia is recruiting troops both from within its borders and among local Caucasus communities.
The Commission of the Presidential Council for Human Rights (SPC) in Russia has expressed concern over these developments. In a statement posted on their Telegram channel, the SPC called for a fair investigation of human rights violations against Russian citizens and urged the Azeri side to create conditions for such an investigation. The SPC also appealed for the release of previously arrested journalists from Sputnik Azerbaijan and expressed the desire to return to the path of strategic interstate partnership based on principles of partnership, humanity, justice, and the supremacy of international humanitarian law.
Two suspects died during the investigation, one of whom died of heart failure according to the Russian Investigative Committee, while Baku claims they died from post-traumatic shock due to multiple injuries. Tensions in Russia-Azerbaijan relations escalated after representatives of the Azeri diaspora were detained in Yekaterinburg on charges of murder and attempted murder.
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova has called on her Azeri counterpart, Sabina Aliyeva, to personally oversee the situation with the detention of Russians in the country. The SPC has urged all interested ministries and agencies of Azerbaijan to assist in the release of previously arrested journalists from Sputnik Azerbaijan.
As both nations grapple with these challenges, it is crucial that dialogue and justice prevail to ensure a peaceful resolution and the preservation of the longstanding ties between Russia and Azerbaijan.
The escalating tension between Russia and Azerbaijan has extended to the realm of politics and general news, with the plane downing incident fueling distrust and demands for investigation and compensation from Azerbaijan. The arrest of the editor-in-chief and director of Sputnik Azerbaijan on espionage charges further deepens this rift, calling for dialogue and justice to preserve the longstanding ties between the two nations.
