Seyfaddin Huseynli: 'Our relatives in Russia are under pressure'

After a raid by the Federal Security Service of Russia in Yekaterinburg, during which two brothers of the deputy editor-in-chief of the 525-ci Qəzet newspaper Seyfaddin Huseynli were killed, his relatives living in Russia are facing pressure.

As Huseynli told Report, the tragedy has become a severe ordeal, but he feels the support of the Azerbaijani state.

"Immediately after the incident, representatives of several state structures contacted me. My relatives in Russia already feel the attention and support of the state. The Embassy of Azerbaijan, the Consulate General (in Yekaterinburg - ed.), as well as the State Committee on Work with Diaspora are keeping the situation under control," he noted.

He also said that another relative of his - Kamal Safarov was subjected to torture, and the fate of some family members is still unknown.

"Negotiations are underway regarding the release of the bodies of the deceased, but the Russian side is putting forward contrived reasons (for delaying the release of the bodies - ed.). They are trying to present what happened as criminal disputes. False information is being spread that they died of heart attacks, and in general, they are demonstrating biased behavior. Relatives, including women, children, and the elderly, are under pressure and in fear," Huseynli noted.

On June 27, FSB officers conducted a raid on homes where Azerbaijanis live in Yekaterinburg. As a result, three people were killed, and several others were detained. On June 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued a statement regarding the incident.