The Azerbaijani authorities have decided to reduce the number of employees at the Sputnik Azerbaijan editorial office from 40 people to one.

According to sources, the staff reduction is part of measures aimed at balancing the number of representatives of state media of both countries. Now the number of employees of Sputnik Azerbaijan will correspond to the number of correspondents of the Azerbaijani state agency Azertaj in Russia, where one journalist works. Similar measures may be applied to other foreign editorial offices, such as BBC News Azərbaycanca. 

The situation around Sputnik Azerbaijan has escalated following an incident involving threats against one of the agency's employees. According to local media, the journalist faced pressure and threats after publishing material that caused a wide public outcry. There have been no official comments from the Azerbaijani authorities on this matter. 

Experts note that tensions between Baku and Sputnik have been growing for several years now. The agency has repeatedly come under fire for publications that were considered biased or contrary to state policy in Azerbaijan. 

The decision by the Baku authorities is also connected with the strengthening of control over the country's information space. In recent years, Azerbaijan has been actively working to create a protected media field to prevent external influence and the dissemination of unconfirmed information.