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Trial begins for group of Russian citizens detained in Baku

03 April 2026 13:02 (UTC +04:00)

The trial of members of a group of Russian citizens detained in Baku, Sergey Sofronov, Anton Drachev, Dmitry Bezugly, Dmitry Fedorov, Aleksandr Vaysero, Valery Dulov, Aleksey Vasilchenko, and Ilya Bezugly, has begun, APA reports.

At today’s hearing held at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Firdovsi Aliyev, personal details were clarified.

The accused Anton Drachev filed a motion stating that his place of residence is known and requested that the pre-trial detention measure chosen against him be replaced with house arrest.

Defense lawyer Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, representing defendant Ilya Bezugly, filed a motion to terminate the criminal case, or alternatively, to release the accused under house arrest.

The defendant also stated that he suffers from severe arrhythmia, which could result in death.

Other defense lawyers also requested the termination of the criminal case, or alternatively, that their clients be released under house arrest.

Defendant Sergey Sofranov stated that he had come to the country as a tourist and had no connection to the criminal case, requesting that the case be terminated.

After deliberation, the court announced its decision. According to the decision, the motions were not granted. The criminal case has been referred for trial, and the hearing has been scheduled for April 10.

Note that Sergey Sofronov, Anton Drachev, Dmitry Bezugly, Dmitry Fedorov, Aleksandr Vaysero, Valery Dulov, Aleksey Vasilchenko, and Ilya Bezugly were detained as a result of an operation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs related to the transit and circulation of narcotic substances from Iran, as well as cyber fraud. A pre-trial detention measure was chosen against them by the decision of the Sabail District Court on July 1 last year. The accused have been formally charged under Articles 234.4.1 and 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code.