Azerbaijan.US
Azerbaijanis residing in Russia should clearly understand their legal status and potential risks amid growing concerns over military conscription, according to Azerbaijani journalist Elchin Alioglu, who addressed the issue in an interview with Musavat TV.
Alioglu stressed that the risks differ significantly depending on a person’s citizenship and residency status. He outlined four main categories of Azerbaijanis currently living in Russia and offered specific guidance for each.
Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin
For individuals who hold Russian citizenship, Alioglu emphasized that draft notices – including those delivered electronically – carry legal weight under Russian law. If such individuals are summoned in connection with military service related to the war in Ukraine, he advised them not to act impulsively.
Instead, they should immediately consult a qualified lawyer and, if circumstances allow, consider leaving Russia until their legal position is clarified. Ignoring draft notifications, he warned, could lead to severe legal consequences.
Dual citizens: Russia and Azerbaijan
Alioglu paid particular attention to dual nationals, noting that this group faces heightened legal complexity. If dual citizens receive informal warnings, workplace pressure, or digital notifications related to mobilization, he urged them to immediately contact Azerbaijan’s embassy or consulate in Russia.
According to Alioglu, Azerbaijani citizens are not legally obligated to participate in Russia’s military operations. However, involvement in armed conflict abroad could expose them to serious legal consequences under Azerbaijani law.
Azerbaijani citizens without Russian citizenship
Azerbaijani nationals legally residing and working in Russia – but who are not Russian citizens – are not subject to conscription under Russian law, Alioglu said. Any attempt to pressure such individuals into military service should be documented and addressed through diplomatic channels.
He advised this group to seek immediate consular assistance if they encounter threats, coercion, or irregular demands related to military participation.
Undocumented residents
The most vulnerable group, according to Alioglu, consists of Azerbaijanis living in Russia without proper legal status. Their lack of documentation significantly increases the risk of coercion and abuse. In such cases, he said, immediate contact with Azerbaijani diplomatic missions is essential.
Legal consequences under Azerbaijani law
Alioglu underscored a critical legal point: Azerbaijani citizens who take part in the war in Ukraine – on either side – could face criminal liability under Azerbaijani law.
Participation in foreign armed forces is permitted only in strictly defined circumstances, such as official state assignments or internationally sanctioned peacekeeping missions. Any involvement outside these frameworks may be classified as mercenary activity or participation in illegal armed formations.
Such offenses, Alioglu noted, carry severe penalties and are not subject to statutes of limitation.
“Even if a person returns to Azerbaijan many years later, criminal responsibility may still apply,” he warned.
A call for caution
Alioglu concluded by urging Azerbaijanis in Russia not to be misled by financial incentives or informal promises. Decisions made under pressure, he cautioned, could have irreversible legal and personal consequences.
As regional tensions persist, he advised Azerbaijanis abroad to prioritize legal clarity, personal safety, and timely consular support.
