Azerbaijan has halted activities of “Russian House” in Baku according to local media reports on Thursday, following accusations of espionage. This is being described as an escalation of tensions between the two countries.
According to reports, Baku has sent a diplomatic note to Moscow “officially informing about the termination of Rossotrudnichestvo agency's activities in Azerbaijan”.
Rossotrudnichestvo declares itself as “a leading Russian agency whose main mission is to strengthen Russia’s humanitarian influence in the world.” The organization also has offices called “Russian House” in up to 71 countries worldwide.
Commenting on the closure of “Russian House”, an undisclosed source said to media that “Azerbaijan doesn’t need any external assistance, especially when it is provided based on non-transparent schemes, and organization’s structure has clearly espionage nature."
Earlier in January, a privately owned Azerbaijani television channel, Baku TV aired a report accusing the Russian House in Baku of engaging in anti-Azerbaijani espionage activities under the announced cultural and humanitarian work. The report which alleged that the Russian cultural center was acting as an intelligence hub, particularly stated: “Unfortunately, this is no longer the ‘Russian House’ but a house of Russian espionage.”
On January 27, Azerbaijani Ambassador Rahman Mustafayev was summoned to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Russian side emphasized the unconditional importance of building relations between Russia and Azerbaijan in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance, based on the Declaration signed at the highest level on February 22, 2022, in the national interests of both states.
In this regard, concern was expressed over a series of recent anti-Russian publications in Azerbaijani media, as well as the disinformation campaign against the ‘Russian House’ in Baku. The baseless nature of these accusations was underscored,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
An online magazine Intelligence Online called Rossotrudnichestvo a “Russian soft power agency” that is “a highly versatile tool in Russia's public relations armoury that has close links with the intelligence services.”
The agency’s head, Yevgeny Primakov, is a grandson of Yevgeny Primakov, former Russian Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, who was “a Soviet and Russian spy and politician,” according to Wikipedia.
The United Nations has described footage of the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis as deeply disturbing, urging a thorough investigation and reaffirmin...
The foreign ministries of Armenia and Iran held political consultations in Yerevan, according to official statements....
Italy aims to begin testing a delayed cable car project in January as it seeks to ease transport pressure at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics,...
Storm Goretti has brought gale-force winds, heavy snow and freezing temperatures to parts of northern Europe, causing widespread power outages, flight...
Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, stresses importance of public order in Syria, deepening Türkiye-Indonesia cooperation, discusses Gaza and ...
The controversial closure of the criminal case concerning the tragic crash of AZAL flight 1, which was shot down by Russian air defence systems last year while approaching Grozny, has uncovered a crucial new detail, according to Minval Politika.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are engaged in discussions about the potential export of various products from Armenia to Azerbaijan, as confirmed by Armenia's Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan.
Azerbaijan has dispatched a new rail shipment of petroleum products to Armenia, marking a continued resumption of trade following the lifting of long standing transit restrictions.
Georgia is set to impose a transit fee on the second shipment of petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia, according to Armenian media quoting a statement from Karen Ayiryan, Director of Mega Trade on Thursday (8 January).
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in Tehran and across at least 28 cities in a wave of anti-government demonstrations, now entering their twelfth day.
Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, stresses importance of public order in Syria, deepening Türkiye-Indonesia cooperation, discusses Gaza and regional developments
The controversial closure of the criminal case concerning the tragic crash of AZAL flight 1, which was shot down by Russian air defence systems last year while approaching Grozny, has uncovered a crucial new detail, according to Minval Politika.
The foreign ministries of Armenia and Iran held political consultations in Yerevan, according to official statements.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are engaged in discussions about the potential export of various products from Armenia to Azerbaijan, as confirmed by Armenia's Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has urged the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to “do its part for national unity” amid ongoing clashes with Syrian government forces in the country’s northwest
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment