Russia released Azerbaijani Yusif Khalilov following the return of Yevgeny Belousov

As a result of mutual agreements between Moscow and Baku, a detainee exchange took place. Russia released Yusif Khalilov, the leader of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Voronezh, in response to Azerbaijan's release of Yevgeny Belousov, editor-in-chief of Sputnik Azerbaijan.

Khalilov's detention in August was viewed by experts as an element of political pressure during a period of heightened tensions in Russian-Azerbaijani relations. One of the causes of the crisis was the December 25, 2024, plane crash, when an Azerbaijani airliner was shot down by a Russian missile.

Khalilov's release, following meetings and telephone conversations between Presidents Aliyev and Putin, indicates an improvement in the situation and a possible warming in relations between the countries.

Earlier, Igor Kartavykh, head of the Sputnik Azerbaijan editorial board, returned to Russia, and in exchange, the former director of the Satire Theater, Mamedali Agayev, was released.

Последние новости
A new criminal case has been opened against the mayor of Gyumri
Society
A new criminal case has been opened against the mayor of Gyumri
26 October 2025

Vardan Ghukasyan, the mayor of Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city by population, has been charged with new statements regarding his comments on a possible union with other states. Investigators have characterized these statements as "public calls to renounce the country's sovereignty" (Article 422, Part 2 of the Armenian Criminal Code). The defense claims the charges are politically motivated, citing international norms.

Russia released Azerbaijani Yusif Khalilov following the return of Yevgeny Belousov
Politics
Russia released Azerbaijani Yusif Khalilov following the return of Yevgeny Belousov
26 October 2025

As a result of mutual agreements between Moscow and Baku, a detainee exchange took place. Russia released Yusif Khalilov, the leader of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Voronezh, in response to Azerbaijan's release of Yevgeny Belousov, editor-in-chief of Sputnik Azerbaijan.

Germany deported Zelimkhan Khangoshvili's relatives to Georgia
Human rights
Germany deported Zelimkhan Khangoshvili's relatives to Georgia
25 October 2025

German authorities deported 48 people to Georgia, including the brother and other relatives of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a Chechen field commander and Georgian native killed in 2019.

Mehman Huseynov called the Azerbaijani president's family
Politics
Mehman Huseynov called the Azerbaijani president's family "agents of Russia."
25 October 2025

Prominent Azerbaijani opposition blogger, human rights activist, and former political prisoner Mehman Huseynov published a video with the caption: "The thief Ilham Aliyev and his family are agents of Russia. The Aliyev family has occupied our country."