The Russian community of Azerbaijan strongly condemned the brutality of law enforcement agencies in Yekaterinburg

The Russian community of Azerbaijan strongly condemned the brutality of law enforcement agencies in Russian Yekaterinburg.

This is stated in the community's statement.

It recalls that on June 27 in Yekaterinburg, as a result of actions by law enforcement officers, persons of Azerbaijani origin - citizens of Azerbaijan and Russia - were killed and injured.

"The Russian community of Azerbaijan expresses deep condolences to the families of the deceased and serious concern about what happened. We strongly condemn any illegal and disproportionate actions by officials, especially if they lead to loss of life. Fighting crime is an important task, but it must be conducted strictly within the framework of the law, respecting the rights and dignity of everyone. The use of force resulting in human casualties is unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law. Against the backdrop of events in Yekaterinburg, it is particularly alarming that due to the irresponsible actions of individual representatives of the authorities, relations between states connected by allied and friendly ties are suffering," the community noted.

The statement emphasizes that manifestations of cruelty and discrimination, especially against peoples with whom Russia has historical and cultural ties, cause deep disappointment:

"We are categorically against the stigmatization of ethnic groups under the pretext of fighting crime. The substitution of concepts and the use of the term 'ethnic crime' is a dangerous precedent that undermines the foundations of equality and interethnic trust. In Azerbaijan, such cruel treatment of people is unthinkable. Here at all levels - from the state to society - Russian culture and language are respected. Russian schools, theaters, and cultural centers operate. Russian-speaking citizens feel like a full-fledged part of society. The events of recent months are forming an increasingly alarming trend. Earlier, we were shocked by the tragedy in Aktau, Kazakhstan, where an Embraer 190 passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines, operating a flight from Baku to Grozny, crashed. Citizens of Azerbaijan were among those killed and injured. So far, there have been no apologies or clear explanations from the official structures of Russia. Such silence is perceived as disregard for the human life and dignity of citizens of a friendly state. The Russian community of Azerbaijan calls for an objective and transparent investigation of what happened in Yekaterinburg. We are convinced that transparency, justice, and respect for human life should become the basis for overcoming the crisis and strengthening ties between our peoples."