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

Axar.az reports that this is stated in the community's statement.

The statement recalls that on June 27, citizens of Azerbaijani origin - Azerbaijani and Russian citizens - were killed and injured as a result of the actions of law enforcement officers in Yekaterinburg.

“The Russian community of Azerbaijan expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and expresses its serious concern about what happened. We strongly condemn any illegal and disproportionate actions by officials, especially those that lead to the death of people. The fight against crime is an important task, but it must be carried out within the framework of the law, with respect for the rights and dignity of everyone. The use of force that causes human casualties is unacceptable in a state governed by law. Against the background of the events in Yekaterinburg, it is especially worrying that relations between states that are allied and connected by friendly ties are being damaged due to the irresponsible actions of individual representatives of the authorities,” the community said.

The statement emphasizes that the manifestations of cruelty and discrimination, especially against people with historical and cultural ties to Russia, are disappointing:

“We are categorically opposed to the stigmatization of ethnic groups under the pretext of combating crime. Changing perceptions and using the term "ethnic crime" is a dangerous precedent that undermines the foundations of equality and interethnic trust. Such cruel behavior towards people in Azerbaijan is unthinkable. Here, Russian culture and language are treated with respect at all levels, from the state to society. Russian schools, theaters, and cultural centers operate. Russian-speaking citizens feel like full members of society. The events of recent months are forming an increasingly disturbing trend. Earlier, we were shocked by the tragedy of the crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane of the "Azerbaijan Airlines" airline flying from Baku to Grozny in the Kazakh city of Aktau. At that time, Azerbaijani citizens were also killed and injured. So far, nothing has been said from the official structures of Russia. There has been no apology or clear explanation. Such silence is perceived as disregard for the lives 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 openness, justice, and respect for human life should be the basis for resolving the crisis and strengthening relations between our peoples."