July 22, 2025 – Ankara / Baku
Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev stated that Russian authorities have not yet provided concrete information on the investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger jet near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan.
Speaking to Report during an official visit to Ankara, Aliyev said Azerbaijan has maintained regular communication with Russia’s Investigative Committee and has submitted formal written requests, but has yet to receive substantive responses.
“Since the beginning of the investigation, we’ve gathered sufficient evidence and are well informed about the circumstances of the tragedy,” Aliyev noted. “We are actively coordinating with the Kazakh side, and immediately after the crash, Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office launched a criminal case under relevant articles of our Criminal Code.”
Parallel investigations have also been initiated in Kazakhstan and Russia, as the incident involved citizens from all three countries. “That’s why we’re cooperating closely with both the Russian Investigative Committee and Kazakh law enforcement agencies,” Aliyev said.
He added that Azerbaijan has also been in contact with Brazilian authorities, as the aircraft involved was manufactured by a Brazilian company. “We hope that Russia will soon share detailed information regarding the investigation’s progress, its findings, and any steps taken to hold those responsible accountable — even though we are not claiming that the crash was caused by intentional wrongdoing,” Aliyev emphasized.
“If no answers are forthcoming, as President Ilham Aliyev has said, we reserve the right to take the matter to international courts,” he added.
The AZAL flight, operating the Baku–Grozny route, crashed on December 25, 2024, near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Of the 67 people on board, 38 were killed and 29 survived.
