Azerbaijan conducts raid on Sputnik Azerbaijan office over alleged illegal financing

Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the activities of "Sputnik Azerbaijan", the local branch of Russia’s state-run “Rossiya Segodnya” news agency, over allegations of illegal financing, the ministry said on Monday.

According to official information, law enforcement carried out an operation at the agency’s Baku office on June 30 based on intelligence suggesting it had continued operations despite its accreditation being revoked in February 2025. Several individuals were reportedly detained during the search.

Earlier in the day, local media reported that police had taken control of the office after staff continued reporting for work despite the outlet’s suspension.

Authorities had previously restricted Sputnik Azerbaijan’s local broadcast and online access due to concerns over its operations. Further details are expected, the ministry added.