Russia's Interior Ministry has banned the former ambassador of Azerbaijan to Belarus, Moldova and Pakistan, Isfandiyar Vaհabzade, from entering the country for 50 years after his “Russian pigs” phrase.

The Ministry said Vahabzade made public statements on the Internet, "inciting ethnic hatred."

Vahabzade said in a TV interview earlier that leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky and his nation "stink like pigs." He also called the politician "an old donkey." “I worked for you in Iran, I know what Russian pigs do. They are doing nonsense, they stink. Your stench is already spreading to the whole world,” the ex-ambassador said.

Zhirinovsky said he would pursue criminal proceedings against Vahabzade.