Azerbaijani NGOs send letter to Russia’s ambassador over AZAL plane incident

The National Forum of Azerbaijani NGOs has sent an open letter to Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Yevdokimov, Azerbaijani media report.

In the letter, the NGOs criticized Alexander Bastrykin’s recent statement suggesting the criminal case into the Dec. 25, 2024 incident—when an AZAL plane was struck by missiles fired from a Pantsir-S1 air-defense and artillery system over Grozny—could be closed. The letter described this decision as “unacceptable and incomprehensible,” noting that the Azerbaijani public expects Russia’s investigative authorities to identify those responsible and impose the strictest punishment.

“The claim that the plane allegedly failed to land in Grozny due to adverse weather conditions, and the disregard of all photographic and video evidence, is an attempt to ignore the tragedy that led to the injury and death of innocent people, remains unpunished and actually encourages those who opened fire on them. The Azerbaijani public is deeply outraged and rejects this interpretation.

The letter added that Bastrykin appears to be covering up the bloody incident, which the Azerbaijani public considers a matter of national honor.

“We will not remain silent. If the Russian side believes that apologizing to Azerbaijan resolves the matter, that is a fundamental mistake. This bloody crime must be acknowledged, every perpetrator held criminally accountable, and the Azerbaijani state, injured passengers, and crew properly compensated. This is the only approach supported by international practice and universally accepted ethical standards,” the NGOs wrote.