Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced the release from custody in Azerbaijan and the return to Russia of Igor Kartavykh, editor-in-chief of the Kremlin-backed publication Sputnik Azerbaijan. The decision to lift the arrest was made following a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan in Dushanbe.
In July, Azerbaijani security forces detained Igor Kartavykh, editor-in-chief of the Russian state-run news agency Sputnik Azerbaijan, and editor-in-chief Yevgeny Belousov. They were accused of illegal activity and working for the Russian FSB.
In addition, eight Russian citizens were arrested on charges including drug trafficking from Iran, online trafficking of illegal substances, and cyber fraud. They reportedly remain in custody.
