Interview of Azer Badamov, Member of Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis), member of the Working Group for the Azerbaijani-Russian Interparliamentary Relations, with APA.
– How expected were the events during your visit to Russia?
– On May 4, we traveled to Russia’s Astrakhan region to participate in events organized by the Executive Power of Absheron District in connection with the anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. We were supposed to fly to Moscow and then to Astrakhan. The delegation included the head of the Absheron District Executive Power, my colleague Elman Nasirov, and myself. After completing the border control procedures normally at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow, while we were waiting for our flight to Astrakhan, officers of the Russian Federal Border Service approached me and said that there were certain issues to clarify regarding my entry into the country.
I was taken with them to a special room with a computer to check their database for investigation. After a while, the head of the service approached me with a written notice and stated that I had to sign it, as my entry into Russia had been prohibited. I was informed that I had to return. The reason stated in the notification was completely untrue. For deportation, I was taken to a designated area where I had to wait more than four hours. After that, I was sent back to Baku on a return flight.
The head of the Absheron Executive Power and my colleague, Elman Nasirov, continued their journey to Astrakhan and participated in the events.
There is a misunderstanding here. Previously, from April 17 to 20, we participated in the 30th anniversary events of the Dagestan People's Assembly. On April 17, we crossed the state border without any issues, and there was no warning about any entry ban. However, shortly after that, during our trip to attend the event in Astrakhan, I was informed in Moscow that I was banned from entering Russia and that if I entered illegally, I would be held criminally liable. These are baseless claims.
Allegations regarding the entry ban
– What was the allegation made against you?
– The notice stated that, in accordance with Articles 26 and 27 of the Federal Law of the Russian Federation "On the Procedure for Entering and Leaving the Russian Federation", I was not allowed to enter Russia. The issue cited concerns related to Russia’s security or socio-political stability.
TASS report and Azerbaijan’s position
– So, it wasn’t clearly stated which of your specific statements or actions violated the provisions of those articles?
– Until now, the Russian side has not made any official statement regarding the matter.
– TASS, citing a diplomatic source, had somewhat conveyed Russia’s position. One of the arguments was that Azerbaijan had also imposed entry bans on a number of Russian MPs, and this was viewed as a reciprocal individual ban.
– As a member of the Azerbaijan-Russia interparliamentary working group, I have always taken a positive approach toward the development of Russia–Azerbaijan relations and expressed opinions aimed at further strengthening these ties. The information disseminated by TASS is far from reality.
Official Baku has imposed entry bans on certain members of the Russian parliament due to their anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric. These individuals were banned because they made statements that undermined Azerbaijan’s statehood. I have never made any remarks against the Russian state. I merely responded to statements made by an MP who insulted the Azerbaijani people. Therefore, the arguments presented as the reason for my deportation are completely false. I reiterate that I have never expressed any negative views about the Russian state or its people.
I would very much like the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to comment on the issue and provide a proper, objective explanation to what happened. To this day, the Russian MFA has not clarified the matter.
– The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a statement regarding the incident.
– The statement released by the Azerbaijani MFA is fully justified and reflects an objective approach to the matter. I can say that this is a sign of an unfriendly step taken by Russia toward Azerbaijan.
– Will you continue your work in the Azerbaijan-Russia inter-parliamentary working group?
– If the Russian side acknowledges that there was a mistake in this decision, I will continue my work as a member of the Azerbaijan-Russia inter-parliamentary working group. Otherwise, if the ban remains in effect, it will not be possible for me to stay in this group.
Azerbaijan-Russia relations and future cooperation
– What are your thoughts on the future of Azerbaijan–Russia relations?
– In February 2022, a Declaration on Allied Interaction was signed between Azerbaijan and Russia, and cooperation between the two countries continues based on this document. However, unfortunately, actions such as this do not align with the spirit of the Declaration. Naturally, this casts a shadow over the further deepening of relations between the two countries.
The plane crash and the issue of investigation
– By the way, there is also the unresolved issue of the aircraft crash that has strained Azerbaijan-Russia relations. Over the past period, the Russian side has practically conducted no investigative actions—no arrests or detentions have been made, which has caused dissatisfaction in the Azerbaijani side. To what extent does this issue hinder the development of Azerbaijan–Russia relations?
– The plane crash and the entry ban imposed on me are not good indicators in the context of Azerbaijan–Russia relations. If our relations are to continue on the basis of mutual respect, such incidents should not occur. If misunderstandings arise, they must be investigated bilaterally and clarified. No hidden aspects should remain.
In any case, the incident involving the plane occurred on Russian territory and was committed by Russian military personnel. Russia must issue an official apology for this and provide appropriate compensation.
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