Russian Bureaucracy, selectively activated mainly to protect its own interests, is beginning to reek of a pretentious formalism that, in the case of the downed Azerbaijani airliner, emits an increasingly unbearable and acrid “aroma.”
Almost half a year has passed since the plane crash, yet in a country with a great fondness for red tape, officials continue to maintain a haughty demeanor, pompously pointing to the absence of results from the official investigation.
The Russian side persistently drags out the case, deliberately creating bureaucratic obstacles, as it is deeply interested in blocking the investigation.
Let us recall that the same tactic was used in the case of the Malaysian Boeing. It is clear that all these cheap and nasty excuses, dressed up as “logical” legal formalism, are being thrown out for one purpose: to ensure that, with time, everything is quietly forgotten. Exploiting the fact that preparing an official conclusion on the results of an air crash investigation can take years, behind the brick wall it was deemed appropriate to resort to bureaucratic evasions.
But the great-power side is mistaken in counting on such a scenario, because the Azerbaijani public—known for its remarkable patience—is expecting an answer. An actual answer, not an excuse or a pitiful imitation of an apology wrapped in deceitful wordplay.
Baku will not tolerate a long-winded evasive statement from the Russian side with a bitter aftertaste—an apology that sounds ambiguous, insincere, and evasive.
The Azerbaijani state and public demand fair and timely punishment for those responsible for this tragedy. There is no point in waiting for a report, because the facts are obvious, the cause is established, and no further proof is needed. The pain cannot be softened, and the only way to ease the tension surrounding such a sensitive issue is through appropriate and timely acknowledgment of guilt. Strength lies not in denial, but in the ability to admit mistakes and ask for forgiveness. The Russian command knows the names of those who gave the order and those who carried it out.
To this day, Russia has not provided concrete information about the investigative process. Despite having the results of the preliminary investigation, the party responsible for the crash has not carried out any investigative actions against those accountable for the tragedy. No pre-trial measures have been taken, and no one has been arrested.
Reliable sources confirm that the Azerbaijani side sends monthly inquiries to Russian law enforcement authorities regarding this matter, but all these requests remain unanswered.
The public is well aware of cases in which Russia did not wait for any investigation results and brazenly interfered in investigative processes when it suited the personal interests of the ruling elite or for various other reasons. There are numerous examples of blatant disregard for domestic laws.
Moreover, Russia is a habitual violator of international law, which is why it now suffers under sanctions and various restrictions. Hence, its attempts to portray itself as a law-abiding state—while not shying away from meddling in the affairs of other countries under the guise of investigative “assistance”—appear both pitiful and laughable.
If Moscow wants to preserve even a shred of dignity and keep Azerbaijan on the rapidly shrinking list of friendly nations, it must change its tactics and stop flaunting the faint remnants of its former imperialism, tainted by the foul aftertaste of great-power chauvinism.
And so, Baku waits…
