Translated with AI
In an interview with Al Arabiya TV, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that in 1920, the Russian army "invaded the country" and "occupied" Azerbaijan. A translation of the interview was published by the state news agency AZERTAC.
"The Bolsheviks who carried out the 1917 revolution deceived the people. Their slogans were: 'Factories and plants for the workers, land for the peasants, freedom for the people.' We created our own state, but the Bolsheviks took it from us," Aliyev said, answering a question about the Zangezur Corridor and the outbreak of the conflict with Armenia.
In the interview, the president also noted that Baku supports the territorial integrity of all countries, citing the full-scale war in Ukraine as an example. "From the first days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we have supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and continue to do so," he emphasized.
Aliyev also commented on the deterioration of relations with Russia in recent months. He stated that Azerbaijan always acts constructively and lawfully, but "will never tolerate aggression or disrespect."
The president cited the case of the Safarov brothers, who died during their arrest in Yekaterinburg in June 2025. "Two people were tortured and killed. Official reports said they died of a heart attack. Even if they committed a crime, they are human beings. They cannot be treated like this. This was an unprecedented act against our people," Aliyev stated.
According to Azerbaijani forensic examinations, the victims suffered broken ribs, multiple hemorrhages, and groin contusions. In June, Russian security forces raided dozens of ethnic Azerbaijanis suspected of murders committed between 2001 and 2011.
