Escalating Tensions Between Russia and Azerbaijan: Reciprocal Arrests and Citizenship Revocation

Elshan Ibrahimov

Tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan have sharply escalated following a series of incidents, including the revocation of a prominent Azerbaijani diaspora leader's Russian citizenship and reciprocal arrests of citizens from both countries. The diplomatic strain appears to stem from a recent police operation in Russia related to a long-standing murder case.

The latest development saw Elshan Ibrahimov, Chairman of the National-Cultural Autonomy of Azerbaijanis in the Moscow region, stripped of his Russian citizenship on June 28, 2025. Videos circulating on social media reportedly show Moscow police summoning Ibrahimov to a district department and confiscating his Russian passport. According to APA, the reason cited for the deprivation of citizenship was "actions posing a threat to the national security of the Russian Federation." Ibrahimov has stated he will provide a full explanation upon his return to Azerbaijan in the coming days.

The current diplomatic friction intensified after a significant police raid in Yekaterinburg on June 27, connected to a murder case dating back to 2001. During the operation, two Azerbaijani brothers, Huseyn and Ziyaddin Safarov, died. Russian law enforcement agencies reported that one brother succumbed to a heart attack, while the cause of the other's death is still under investigation. However, the Azerbaijani side conducted a re-examination of both bodies and subsequently announced that the brothers had been beaten to death.

In a swift response to these actions by Russian law enforcement, Azerbaijani authorities detained seven Russian citizens in Baku. These individuals face various charges under the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, including fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, and obtaining large amounts of income. Russian media, however, reported a higher number of detainees, stating that 10 individuals, including tourists and businessmen, were arrested.

Amidst the escalating tension, both Moscow and Baku have exchanged diplomatic notes, signaling the seriousness of the situation. Further incidents have compounded the strain: on July 3, "Kommersant" reported the detention of Vagif Suleymanov, an Azerbaijani known as "Vagif Bakinsky" and "Diplomat," in Moscow for allegedly violating Russian residence rules. Additionally, the "Baza" Telegram channel indicated that another Azerbaijani criminal authority, identified as Zaur, was detained in Orenburg, accused of holding a high position in the criminal underworld.

The situation remains fluid as both nations navigate this period of heightened tension, with Elshan Ibrahimov's impending statement expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding his citizenship revocation.