Yekaterinburg: A preparatory court hearing has been held in Yekaterinburg concerning the case involving Shahin Shikhlinski, the head of the Azerbaijani diaspora, his son Mutvali Shikhlinski, and the Safarov brothers. The session, which was conducted behind closed doors, included the participation of the defendants and their legal representatives.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the defense lawyers have put forth a request for the case against Shikhlinski and the others to be adjudicated by a jury. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January, emphasizing the necessity to establish a jury panel for the impending jury trial.

In June, Russian law enforcement agencies conducted an operation targeting Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg. The operation resulted in the use of force, leading to the deaths of two Azerbaijani nationals, brothers Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov, due to injuries sustained. Additionally, other members of the Safarov family and several compatriots were arrested under court orders. They are facing charges related to incidents allegedly occurring in 2001, 2010, and 2011.

Following these events, Shahin Shikhlinski and his son Mutvali Shikhlinski were detained. A criminal case was filed against Mutvali Shikhlinski, accusing him of using violence against a state representative, while Shahin Shikhlinski is charged with attempted contract killing and violence against a state official.