KIEV, Oct. 21 ??“ Azerbaijan reacted angrily Friday to a Ukrainian court ruling that had released Azeri opposition leader from custody, suggesting the development may deteriorate bilateral relations between Baku and Kiev.

Taliat Aliyev, Azeri ambassador to Ukraine, filed a note to the Foreign Ministry, expressing regret over the release of Rasul Guliyev, whose party is to challenge the government at Nov. 6 election.