Rights group slams FSB for ‘humiliating’ and ‘politically driven’ detention of Azerbaijani community leader

Russian human rights group Gulagu.net has condemned the detention of Azerbaijani diaspora leader Shahin Shikhlinsky in Yekaterinburg by FSB special forces, describing the operation as "highly unprofessional" and "humiliating".

According to Gulagu.net, FSB officers stopped a car carrying Shikhlinsky and his son Mutvaly, smashed its windows and dragged both men out at gunpoint.

Mutvaly was released at the scene, while his father was taken to the Investigative Committee for questioning as a witness and later released.

Videos published by the group show FSB agents striking the vehicle with hammers even though the occupants had unlocked the doors and were attempting to exit. One FSB officer suffered a head injury after being knocked down during the incident.

Gulagu.net claimed the operation was politically motivated and aimed at intimidating the Azerbaijani community in Russia.

The FSB and the Investigative Committee have not commented on the incident.