Baku: Three Russian citizens have been placed on an international wanted list for allegedly inciting terrorism and violence against Azerbaijan. The Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced an ongoing pre-trial investigation into the criminal case concerning public calls for the forcible change of Azerbaijan's constitutional order, territorial integrity violations, and incitement of national hatred and enmity.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the individuals in question are Ivan Andreyevich Knyazev, a journalist and presenter on the Moscow 24 television channel; Semyon Sergeyevich Uralov, a self-proclaimed political consultant and media expert; and Aleksey Aleksandrovich Chadayev, a TV journalist and adviser to the Russian Minister of Transport. They allegedly made calls for violence against Azerbaijan during appearances on the 'Clarity of Understanding' program on the 'Semyon Uralov' YouTube channel on July 14, 2026. Further allegations include public calls to terrorism during a broadcast on the same channel on August 13, 2026, wherein they expressed views on using violent methods against Azerbaijan and targeted individuals for elimination.
In response to these incidents, the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan has initiated a criminal case under Articles 214-2, 281.2, and 283.2.1 of the nation's Criminal Code, which relate to public calls for terrorism, actions against the state, and incitement of national hatred and enmity, respectively. The Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office has been tasked with the pre-trial investigation, and arrest warrants have been issued for Uralov, Knyazev, and Chadayev in absentia, as they are currently outside Azerbaijan.
Additionally, the Prosecutor General's Office has sought international cooperation to facilitate the surrender of the suspects. The office has emphasized its commitment to taking decisive legal measures against any acts that threaten the sovereignty, constitutional order, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, in compliance with national legislation and international treaties.