Russian community of Azerbaijan calls on Russian authorities to prevent incitement of ethnic hatred

The Russian Community of Azerbaijan (RCA) has expressed its regret about the fact that "provocative forces" use the tragic incident with the murder of Yegor Scherbakov, a resident of Moscow, to put pressure on migrants in Russia, including citizens of Azerbaijan. The provocateurs' aim is to incite ethnic hatred. This was declared in the statement disseminated by the community.

"Pogrom of stores, retail outlets, excesses committed by young people, violence committed during detention of the suspected criminal that were later broadcasted on TV Channels and on the Internet had the only aim to stir up public opinion, artificially inflate the arisen situation, enhance xenophobia, and arise mutual dislike," said Mikhail Zabelin, the head of the RCA, a member of the Parliament of Azerbaijan.

In its statement, the RCA expresses its hope that "the society of Russia, the Russian people, who have always had a sense of friendliness and tolerance, will give a correct assessment of the incident, and the parliament and the government of Russia will take measures to prevent the destruction of ethnic peace and harmony in the country."

Mikhail Zabelin has reported that the statement was sent to Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs and Relations with Compatriots, and to a number of other government agencies in Russia.

Earlier, Vladimir Dorokhin, Russian Ambassador in Baku, has stated that "there is no specially organized anti-Azerbaijani campaign" in connection with the events in Biryulyovo. He has emphasized that "Russia values relations with Azerbaijan."