Azerbaijan seeks international arrest of three Russians over alleged calls for violence

Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General's Office has declared three Russian citizens wanted internationally. The individuals include Alexei Chadaev, an advisor to the Russian transport minister; Ivan Knyazev, a host on the Moscow 24 channel; and political consultant Semen Uralov. The announcement was made by the agency APA, citing the prosecutor's office.

According to the investigation, on July 14, 2026, during a broadcast on Uralov's YouTube channel titled 'Pure Understanding,' all three allegedly called for violent actions against Azerbaijan. The charges also include advocating for the forceful alteration of Azerbaijan's constitutional system, violation of its territorial integrity, and inciting inter-ethnic hatred. A court has issued arrest warrants in absentia for them on charges including public calls for terrorism, encroachment on territorial integrity, and inciting national enmity.

In a related development, the head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Moscow, Bakhtiyar Hasanov, was reportedly deported from Russia. He was taken from a migrant detention center and sent back to Azerbaijan.

Maria Zakharova, the official representative for Russia's Foreign Ministry, stated that Moscow would ensure the protection of the three Russians' interests if needed. She asserted that their statements, which led to the accusations, do not represent Russia's approach to its relationship with Azerbaijan. This statement comes despite Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently declaring that relations between Baku and Moscow had fully normalized.