Azerbaijan sentences eight Russian nationals detained during Moscow-Baku conflict to up to four years on ‘drug smuggling’ charges An Azerbaijani court has sentenced eight Russian citizens to prison, with sentences ranging from three to four years, for large-scale drug trafficking. These detentions occurred during a period of strained relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, which began after an AZAL passenger plane crashed due to Russian air defenses. The crisis escalated with retaliatory detentions of diaspora members and random Russian citizens.

• Eight Russian citizens were sentenced to prison in Azerbaijan for drug trafficking.
• Sentences ranged from three to four years.
• The detentions took place amid a diplomatic crisis between Russia and Azerbaijan.
• The conflict originated from an AZAL plane crash and involved retaliatory detentions.
• Previous sentences for cyber fraud and money laundering were also handed down to other Russian citizens.