Russian court extends detention of Azerbaijani national Bakir Safarov

A court in Yekaterinburg has extended the detention of Bakir Safarov, one of the Azerbaijani nationals arrested on June 27 during a raid conducted by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

The court ordered that Safarov remain in pre-trial detention for 22 more days, until July 19.

His lawyer said Safarov denies the charges, and the defense plans to appeal the court’s decision.

The court is also scheduled to hear the case of another detained Azerbaijani, Akhliman Ganjaliyev, later today.

A hearing for Shahid Lalaev, the third suspect in the same case, is set for tomorrow.

All three were initially placed under a three-day detention order by the court.