Fact Check: "Russia's Investigative Committee confirms two deaths during police raids."
What We Know
Recent reports confirm that two Azerbaijani citizens, identified as Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov, died during police raids conducted by Russian authorities in Yekaterinburg. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stated that these deaths occurred during operations targeting individuals of Azerbaijani descent, which they described as "demonstrative targeted and extrajudicial killings" based on ethnicity (AP News). The Russian Investigative Committee later acknowledged the deaths, indicating that one victim's death was attributed to heart failure, while the cause of the second death was still under investigation (The Moscow Times).
The Azerbaijani government reacted strongly, canceling all cultural events involving Russian institutions and summoning the Russian chargé d’affaires in Baku to demand accountability for the killings (AP News). Eyewitness accounts from family members describe the raids as brutal, with claims of torture and extrajudicial actions taken against the victims (Novaya Gazeta).
Analysis
The confirmation of the deaths by Russia's Investigative Committee lends credibility to the claim that two individuals died during the police raids. However, the context surrounding these events is crucial. The Russian authorities characterized the raids as part of an investigation into an "ethnic criminal group" linked to past crimes, suggesting a law enforcement rationale for their actions (The Moscow Times). This framing raises questions about the legitimacy and conduct of the raids.
The Azerbaijani government's response, including the cancellation of cultural events and diplomatic protests, indicates a significant diplomatic fallout and suggests that the Azerbaijani authorities view the actions of Russian law enforcement as racially motivated and unjustified (AP News). Eyewitness accounts alleging torture and extrajudicial killings further complicate the narrative, as they challenge the official justification provided by Russian authorities (Novaya Gazeta).
The reliability of the sources varies; while the AP and The Moscow Times are generally reputable news organizations, the context provided by family members and local reports may contain biases stemming from emotional responses to the events. Nonetheless, the convergence of reports from multiple credible sources supports the assertion that the deaths occurred during the raids.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "Russia's Investigative Committee confirms two deaths during police raids" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The deaths of Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov have been confirmed by Russian authorities, and the surrounding circumstances suggest significant controversy and diplomatic tension between Azerbaijan and Russia. The evidence indicates that these deaths were not only acknowledged but also sparked a strong reaction from the Azerbaijani government, further validating the claim.
Sources
- Azerbaijan cancels Russian events over the killings of 2 ... AP News
- Azerbaijan Cancels Russian Cultural Events Amid Fallout ... The Moscow Times
- Russian security forces carry out raids against Azerbaijani ... Novaya Gazeta
