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Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture announced Friday that it has canceled all Russian cultural events in the country, citing targeted violence and extrajudicial killings of Azerbaijani nationals by Russian security forces in the Sverdlovsk region.
In a statement, the ministry condemned what it described as “openly ethnically motivated violence and extrajudicial executions” carried out by Russian law enforcement against Azerbaijani citizens in Yekaterinburg. It further claimed that such incidents have become systematic in recent months.
“As a result, all concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, exhibitions, and similar cultural activities planned by Russian public or private organizations in Azerbaijan are hereby cancelled,” the statement said.
On June 27, Russian security forces conducted raids on residences inhabited by Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg. According to Azerbaijani officials, two Azerbaijani nationals were killed, several were seriously injured, and nine individuals were detained.
Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the raids were part of an investigation related to crimes committed in previous years. The operations were conducted with support from the Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR) of the Russian National Guard.
No details were provided by Russian authorities regarding the casualties.
In response, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chargé d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Baku, Pyotr Volokovıh. Azerbaijani officials conveyed their formal protest and demanded an immediate investigation, along with legal action against those involved in the acts of violence.
According to Azerbaijani press reports, the victims in the Yekaterinburg raid were brothers Ziyaddin and Huseyn Seferov, originally from Agdam, Azerbaijan. Reports state that over ten apartments associated with their family were searched simultaneously.
In addition to the fatalities, three individuals were hospitalized with serious injuries.
The relations between Azerbaijan and Russia is tense lately with Baku’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently confirmed the issuance of a diplomatic note to Russia concerning the closure of the “Russian House” (Russian Cultural Center) in Baku. Ministry spokesperson Ayhan Hacizade stated that the center, which operates under Rossotrudnichestvo, was not legally registered in Azerbaijan and was violating local regulations.
The ministry cited national legislation, the principle of reciprocity, and bilateral agreements in its decision to terminate the center’s operations.
Reports in Azerbaijani media had previously alleged that the “Russian House” was being used for espionage rather than cultural promotion.
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