Azerbaijan's private broadcaster Baku TV aired a report on Friday accusing the "Russian House" in Baku of engaging in anti-Azerbaijani espionage activities under the guise of cultural and humanitarian work. The report, citing "trusted sources" without disclosing details, alleged that the Russian cultural center is fostering inter-ethnic discord and operating as a hub for intelligence activities.
In the broadcast, the anchor stated, "Unfortunately, this is no longer a 'Russian House' but a house of Russian espionage." The accusations mark an unprecedented public criticism of Russia from a private Azerbaijani media outlet, particularly given the sensitive nature of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The report comes in a context where Azerbaijani media typically avoids narratives that could strain ties with Moscow. Even in November 2024, when Azerbaijani political analyst NazakatMammadova was sentenced to 13 years in prison for alleged collaboration with Russian intelligence, the "Russian House" avoided scrutiny. Mammadova had reportedly visited the cultural center multiple times, yet it remained out of the spotlight.
The timing of the allegations has raised questions about potential political motivations. Some analysts suggest that this could be a response from President IlhamAliyev to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lack of an official apology regarding the downing of an AZAL passenger plane in Russian airspace—a diplomatic incident that has yet to be addressed directly by Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry is expected to issue a response to the Baku TV accusations on Jan. 25.
The "Russian House," operated by Rossotrudnichestvo, officially functions as a cultural and humanitarian institution. Its headquarters in Azerbaijan are located on UzeyirHajibeyov Street in Baku, with additional centers in Khachmaz and Ganja.
Notably, Sergey Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, visited Baku in early October 2024, meeting with President Aliyev and top officials from Azerbaijan’s intelligence and security services. The timing of these events and the subsequent sentencing of Mammadova have added layers of complexity to the unfolding narrative.
Baku TV, part of the pro-government Global Media Group (GMG), is a media conglomerate that includes television channels, news agencies, and publications in Azerbaijan and abroad.
While the report has sparked significant attention domestically, no official comment on the matter has been made by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service.
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