Russian authorities later confirmed that Sterligov was detained for three hours at a border checkpoint at Azerbaijan’s request. Sterligov is wanted by Baku for violating two criminal code articles — open calls aimed against the state and illegal crossing of the state border.

Sterligov told Moscow Speaking Radio that he knew nothing about the Azerbaijani investigators’ intention to question him in Moscow.

"I still don’t know about this intention by the Azerbaijani investigators,” he said on air with Moscow Speaking Radio.

Earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan had said that an investigative team from the ministry and the country’s attorney general’s office had traveled to Moscow to question Sterligov.

The Russian businessman said that he plans to consult Russian law enforcement officials regarding the matter.

"Whatever advice the RF [Russian Federation] services will give me, since I’m an RF citizen, I’ll do as they say,” Sterligov said, according to TASS Russian news agency. "I [also] need to consult with lawyers.”