Two deaths in Russian custody exposes truth of Russia’s police brutality
(MENAFN) The deaths of two Azerbaijani brothers while in Russian custody have exposed a growing diplomatic strain between Azerbaijan and Russia, signaling Baku’s efforts to challenge Moscow’s long-standing dominance in the South Caucasus region.
Officials in Azerbaijan reported that both men showed clear signs of physical trauma. Pro-government media outlets in Baku have blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged police brutality.
In a related move, Azerbaijani authorities have detained two Russian state media workers, accusing them of acting as agents for Russia’s security service, the FSB.
Relations between the two neighbors were already fragile. Last December, a tragic incident occurred when an Azerbaijani Airlines flight was downed, reportedly by a mistakenly fired Russian anti-aircraft missile, killing 38 people.
The latest dispute began last Friday during a police operation in Yekaterinburg investigating cold cases from 2001. Among those detained were the Safarov brothers, Ziyaddin and Guseyn, both originally from Azerbaijan. Both died while in custody, and several others required hospital treatment.
Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General has opened a criminal investigation accusing Russian police of torturing and intentionally causing the deaths of the brothers. An autopsy conducted in Azerbaijan concluded they died from "post-traumatic" shock due to severe beatings.
Russian law enforcement maintains that one brother died of a heart attack, while the cause of the other’s death remains unconfirmed.
In retaliation, Azerbaijan canceled a planned visit by Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and suspended all performances involving Russian artists.
Azerbaijani media linked to the government have harshly criticized Putin, comparing his leadership unfavorably even to that of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, known for sending millions to death camps.
While Putin issued an apology after the downing of the Azerbaijani plane last December, it did not appease Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, further straining the relationship.
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