Azerbaijan says it has confiscated more than 1 million medical masks from several groups, including foreigners, who planned to illegally smuggle them out of the South Caucasus nation as countries around the world scramble for equipment to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The Interior Ministry said on March 9 that the smugglers, who have been detained by police, included Iranian, Chinese, and Azerbaijani nationals.
Shortages of medical masks have arisen in many countries where the deadly coronavirus has been reported since the outbreak was first detected in December in China, which has reported more than 80,000 coronavirus cases and more than 3,000 deaths linked to it.
Iran's Health Ministry reported on March 8 that COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, has killed 194 people in the country, with the number of confirmed coronavirus infections at over 6,500.
Azerbaijan Catches Smugglers Trying To Sneak Out 1 Million Medical Masks
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
The Ruble Swoons And Russia's Economy Wobbles Further
2California Connection: How A Chinese Factory's Electronics Are Fueling Russia's War
3Russian Woman Arrested In U.S. For Alleged Ties To Russian Intelligence
4Romanian Court Annuls Presidential Election, Throws Process Into Chaos
5Romanian Elections Targeted By 'Aggressive Hybrid Russian Action,' Declassified Documents Show
6NATO Agrees To Prioritize Protecting Ukraine's Infrastructure
7How Russia Prepares Children In Occupied Ukraine For War Against Their Own Country
8Taliban Orders Further Restrictions On Medical Education For Women -- Sources
9Police Force Protesters From Parliament On Sixth Night Of Tbilisi Protests
10Syrian Troops Reportedly Thwart Rebel Advance Near Russian Air Base
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
