11.11.2002 - Source: EurasiaNet

Dramatic rise in number of attacks against Azeris living in Russia following Moscow hostage crisis ("Azerbaijan acts to limit discrimination against Azeris in Russia") [#9657],  [ID 11368]

"Azeri leaders have noted a dramatic rise in the number of attacks committed against Azeris living in Russia following the Moscow theater hostage crisis. Some experts believe that Russia’s xenophobic reaction to the late October crisis could have a negative economic impact on the Caucasus and the Central Asian states, discouraging seasonal laborers from migrating to Russia in search of temporary jobs. [...]
Concern over discrimination against Azeris in Russia reached a critical point when on 4 November Azeri President Heidar Aliev had a hastily arranged telephone conversation that focused on this issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Later, Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas Abbasov traveled to Moscow for emergency consultations. Abbasov received assurances from Russian officials that the rights of Azeris legally residing in Russia would receive increased protection.

The worst case of violence against Azeris occurred on 31 October when a detachment of special police, or OMON, raided a suburban Moscow market where the vendors were predominantly Azeri. In the ensuing melee, one Azeri vendor, identified as Hasim Ajarly, died from his injuries. Up to 20 other Azeris were hospitalized and around 90 were taken into custody."

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