At least 13 Russian citizens being detained in Baku met with the Russian consul. Among them are the head and chief editor of “Sputnik Azerbaijan”. The initial charges are fraud, illegal business, and the legalization of property obtained through criminal means.
Among the Russian citizens detained in Azerbaijan on July 1 are the head of “Sputnik Azerbaijan” Igor Kartavikh and the chief editor Evgeny Belousov. Local media are calling them “FSB agents”. The Baku court has detained them under charges of “fraud” and other allegations.
Later, the court decided to imprison 8 more Russians. Most of them are representatives of the IT sector, and they are currently under investigation.
The Russian consul held a 3-hour meeting with the detained compatriots. Their condition and legal protection were discussed.
These events are occurring against a backdrop of escalating tension between Russia and Azerbaijan. On June 27, the death of two Azerbaijanis detained in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg at a police station led to sharp protests in Azerbaijan.
