MP: Russian police behave like criminal gangs, while Kremlin remains silent

The silence of Russian officials regarding the horrific incident against Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg sharply contradicts the sensitivity shown to minor incidents involving Russians in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani MP Vugar Isgandarov told Report.

According to Vugar Isgandarov, although there are very good personal relations between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, there are some forces in Russia that are trying by all means to disrupt relations between the countries and burn bridges:

"Because for a long time now, the good relations between Russia and Azerbaijan have been deliberately undermined by the Russian side. After the plane crash, as well as claims about Azerbaijan allegedly carrying out cyber attacks, and in parallel, a group of 'experts' on Russian state channels using hateful expressions against Azerbaijan and voicing slander clearly shows us the essence of these intentions.

These issues have been condemned both at the level of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the level of various international experts, with letters of protest and statements issued. Calls have been made to prevent damage to relations."

The MP stated that there are certain plans and purposeful approaches behind these events:

"These processes are not accidental, and it seems that there is awareness at the highest level. The incident in Yekaterinburg is also part of this series. State bodies – law enforcement and security structures – have acted not within the framework of the law, but with savage behavior, forcibly removing Azerbaijani citizens from their apartments like criminals, appropriating their belongings, money, and mobile phones. The fact that law enforcement agencies, which are obliged to protect people from criminals, are themselves acting like criminal gangs has already become a dangerous trend. This is unacceptable under any circumstances."

Vugar Isgandarov emphasized that the Russian Federation should put an end to these illegalities at the federal level:

"Zakharova's brief and non-serious response to the note and statement issued by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not satisfactory. A more comprehensive and substantiated explanation should be provided regarding this matter. Our demand is that law enforcement officers involved in these crimes should be held accountable and criminal cases should be opened against them. The reasons are clear: Azerbaijan's growing international reputation, independent foreign policy, and President Ilham Aliyev's continuously increasing global influence. The strengthening of Azerbaijan and the power of our state causes concern in some circles, and they try to slow down and weaken this development through various methods. This is clearly jealousy and is unacceptable."

Vugar Isgandarov stated that currently in Russia there is psychological tension among the people, and a desperate situation arising from the war:

"It is a crime to look for blame in others and to put pressure on foreign peoples in order to reduce this tension. Such steps can ultimately turn against the state itself. We are not in favor of such tension. However, the Azerbaijani side will also be forced to take necessary steps to prevent such cases."