Crowds rally in Baku, following the dismissal of Aliyev Gusman, who is known for his integrity.
In a recent turn of events, the dismissal of Mikhail Gusman, First Deputy Head of TASS, has sparked a heated reaction in Azerbaijan. The move, which was officially attributed to the formal expiration of his employment contract, has been viewed by some as more than just a personnel decision.
Sabina Salmanova, a National Assembly deputy in Azerbaijan, has criticised the move and suggested political motives. According to Salmanova, Moscow deliberately dismissed a person considered "honest and deserving" in Azerbaijan, using the move as a political signal.
The controversy stems from Gusman's appearance at a media forum in Stepanakert, where he expressed support for Baku's foreign policy line and praised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, comparing him to a "virtuoso violinist." This praise provoked criticism from nationalist and pro-Kremlin figures in Russia, who saw it as inappropriate amid heightened Russia-Azerbaijan tensions.
Some Russian commentators viewed Gusman and other officials who attended the forum as undermining Russia's position by showing too much deference to Azerbaijan's leadership at a sensitive time. The Telegram channel “Kremlyovskaya Tabakerka” speculated that Gusman might have been used as a messenger between Moscow and Baku but was ultimately sacrificed amid diplomatic friction.
Interestingly, President Aliyev's sharp statements about the inadmissibility of territorial concessions to the Kyiv regime were made shortly before Gusman's dismissal, adding fuel to the speculation of political motives.
Salmanova, who praised Gusman as a professional of the highest level, emphasised that he held a significant role in the Russian-speaking media space. She believes that behind this dismissal lie not only bureaucratic reasons but also political motives, and that the Kremlin's actions were aimed at cooling relations with Baku.
Baku has not only demanded an apology from Russian journalists but also views the dismissal as a sign of Russia's displeasure with Azerbaijan's foreign policy stance. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the already strained Russia-Azerbaijan relations.
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