In Baku, two Russian FSB agents operating under cover at Sputnik Azerbaijan detained
In Azerbaijan, a significant news development unfolded as authorities announced the detention of two individuals identified as agents of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), who were allegedly working undercover within the propaganda agency Sputnik Azerbaijan. According to local police sources, the operation took place on June 30 in the office premises of this media outlet, which is part of the Russian federal media conglomerate 'Russia Today.' As a result, law enforcement managed to arrest two Russian citizens, officially employed by the FSB but suspected of espionage activities. This incident forms part of a broader context: since February, when Azerbaijan decided to suspend the activities of Sputnik Azerbaijan, calls for parity between Azerbaijani and Russian journalists have intensified. The government aimed to balance the presence of Russian media in the country with local journalism, establishing a framework where the number of Russian journalists operating in Azerbaijan would be proportional to Azerbaijani journalists working in Russia. However, Sputnik Azerbaijan's editorial team ignored this decision and continued their operations, causing diplomatic tensions. The recent arrests come amid ongoing political conflicts, especially following the detention of over 50 Azerbaijani nationals in Yekaterinburg under unresolved criminal cases related to the 2001 murder of Yunus Pashaev. Baku publicly criticized Moscow over the crackdown, which resulted in fatalities and numerous arrests. Consequently, Azerbaijan canceled all cultural events planned by Russian institutions and suspended a scheduled parliamentary visit to Moscow. The Kremlin responded by emphasizing that law enforcement actions should not serve as reasons for diplomatic protests or political provocations.