EU official: Persecution of Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg is example of repressions against national minorities in Russia

Repressions by the Russian authorities are evident in all manifestations both in foreign and domestic policy, including in relation to ethnic minorities, Anitta Hipper, European Union (EU) official representative, told Report in Brussel.

"As a result, violence, torture and inhuman treatment occur, which leads to people's deaths," she noted.

Responding to a question about the Yekaterinburg incidents resulting in the brutal killing and wounding of Azerbaijanis and subsequent raids in other cities, Hipper highlighted that concerns about violence, torture and inhuman treatment against ethnic Azerbaijanis by Russian security forces had previously been expressed by EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko.

According to her, this fully aligns with the EU's official position.

On the morning of June 27, the Russian Federal Security Service raided the homes of Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg. During the raid, two people were killed and several others were injured. The killed Azerbaijanis are brothers of well-known journalist Seyfaddin Huseynli. They were buried in Azerbaijan’s Aghjabadi district on July 1.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued a statement on June 28, demanding an investigation and that those responsible for this unacceptable act of violence be held accountable.

Later, Russia's chargé d'affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a strong protest regarding the incidents was expressed.