Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 16-20 June, 2025

●  “Anti-American Georgian Dream leader Ivanishvili has perverted the country’s anti-corruption bureau through his puppet Razhden Kupraahvili to crack down on pro-America free Georgians Nino Evgenidze, Eka Gigauri, Mariam Kapanadze, Keti Khutsishvili, and Baia Pataraia. He is pulling out all the stops to ban America and ensure Chinese dominance of the country,”— U.S. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson reacting to the first applications of Georgia’s repressive “foreign agents” law. As part of the law’s implementation, the Anti-Corruption Bureau was reported to have already requested information from several prominent Georgian NGOs regarding their 2024 grants, including confidential personal data about project beneficiaries. The Bureau’s head, Razhden Kuprashvili, has dismissed these reports as disinformation.

●  Meanwhile, another NGO has received official notice that it is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. According to a statement published by the Social Justice Center, the Bureau is petitioning the court for unrestricted access to all information related to the organization’s activities. The Center argues the investigation is legally groundless and an explicit attempt to interfere with the work of an independent organization, aiming to paralyze it and force it into silence.

● “We state clearly and unanimously: no one will be left alone in this fight. The ideological and institutional pressure on civil society is a direct replica of the Russian model. We will not surrender Georgia’s future to Ivanishvili’s regime or to the authoritarian systems of Putin and Lukashenko. We fight together — for each other, for our beneficiaries, and for a free Georgia. We do not live and will not live by Russian rules.”— Nearly 50 Georgian NGOs declared they would refuse to comply with the “foreign agents” registration law, which came into force in late May. Read more here

●  The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, arrested during pro-European protests in January. The resolution describes her detention and prosecution as politically motivated and part of a “systematic attack by the Georgian Dream regime on democratic institutions, the opposition, independent media, civil society, and judicial independence.” The resolution was supported by 324 MEPs, with 25 against and 87 abstaining. It calls for the repeal of repressive laws, including the “foreign agents” law (FARA), the release of all political prisoners, and greater support for independent media and civil society. The Parliament also criticized the inaction of the EU Council and Commission and renewed its call for sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders responsible for democratic backsliding. Read more here

●  U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Jim Risch: “The Georgian Dream government’s passage of draconian laws and its weaponization of the justice system against its political opponents is outright unacceptable. The government is making a huge mistake taking the country further from a future its people want and closer to that of a one-party totalitarian state.    The U.S.-Georgian relationship is based on our shared values and interests, which the current government has repeatedly rejected. Instead, Georgia’s current government has made an alarming turn toward China and Russia, whose authoritarian-style of government they increasingly emulate.”

●  ”Meanwhile, in Georgia, the regime has turned a once-thriving democracy into a repressive authoritarian state, with the full support and encouragement of Russia and China. The US ambassador recently resigned. It’s time to work with our European friends to impose consequences,”— wrote Michael Carpenter, former Senior Director for Europe at the U.S. National Security Council under President Joe Biden, on X.

●  Hackers from Anonymous have expressed support for the pro-European protests in Georgia, now continuing for over 200 days. In a video message, the group promised to stand with those fighting for freedom and warned the ruling party of potential cyberattacks:
“Step down or we will dismantle your networks piece by piece. Your crimes against the Georgian people will be exposed.”

Photo: David Pipia / JAMnews

● A verdict is expected today for seven journalists arrested in the “AbzasMedia case.” They are accused of smuggling and other crimes, and the prosecutor has demanded sentences of 11–12 years in prison for each of them. All the journalists deny the charges and claim they are being persecuted for publishing critical materials about the authorities and for investigating corruption. At the final court hearing before the verdict on June 11, the lawyers stated that all their clients are completely innocent and that not a single charge had been proven in court. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling for an end to the political persecution of journalists. “Their expected sentences will testify to the suppression of independent media in Azerbaijan. Up to 20 journalists are currently under arrest on similar charges, and the international community must make it clear to Azerbaijan that it will not be business as usual if the country continues the mass arrests of media workers,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator.

● The trial has begun for Azer Gasimli, political scientist and director of the Institute for Political Management, who has been in custody for over six months. However, his family and lawyers say they were not informed. He was brought before the judge with a state-appointed lawyer. According to Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani service, Gasimli objected during the hearing and demanded the presence of his own lawyers. As a result, the preliminary court hearing was postponed to June 25. Azer Gasimli was arrested on December 8, 2024, and charged with extortion with threats or use of violence. He denies the charges and links his arrest to critical publications about the authorities.

●  Over 600 Azerbaijani citizens in Iran have appealed to their government for help returning home. Of those, 180 have already crossed into Azerbaijan. Thousands of requests have also been received in Baku from citizens of 77 countries seeking evacuation from Iran, and conditions are being created to help them cross the border. This was announced by foreign ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizadeh. He said that Russia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and many other countries expressed deep gratitude to Azerbaijan for assisting in the evacuation of their citizens from Iran.

● Hungary and Bulgaria have temporarily relocated their embassies from Iran to Azerbaijan.

● Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took part in the opening ceremony of the “Azerbaijani Quarter” in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. “Fate gave us the opportunity to witness the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from 30 years of occupation. Today, every corner of Karabakh, liberated under the command of president Ilham Aliyev, is part of a united platform for reconstruction,” Erdoğan said. He expressed hope that “a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will give new momentum to development and reconstruction efforts in the region.”

● Erdoğan posted a lyrical message about Azerbaijan on X: “We are two states of one nation, who gave their lives for the same independence, children with one heart. Can the heart be separated from the soul, or Turkey from Azerbaijan?”

● Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement in parliament sparked discussion in Azerbaijani social media: “There was much talk that we lost Nagorno-Karabakh. I’ve thought a lot about this, and my conclusion is: we didn’t lose Nagorno-Karabakh; we gained the Republic of Armenia.” He said that “for many years, the Karabakh issue was used as ‘handcuffs’ to prevent Armenia’s development.” “Our country is developing, and now I am more optimistic about its future than ever,” Pashinyan said.

● “New reservoirs are planned on the territories of Azerbaijan liberated in the second Karabakh war to improve water supply in the region,” said water resources agency representative Ilham Guliyev, according to pro-government outlet Report.

● The trial of former leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continued. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government, and other serious offenses. According to pro-government agency AZERTAC, the court questioned former “NKR army deputy commander” David Manukyan about the mining of previously Armenian-occupied territories in Azerbaijan. He said that during the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s, “mines were stored at the highest level and distributed to each military unit, with specific points designated for each mine.” He also stated that the paramilitary unit “Brave Squad,” which fought in Karabakh, was formed by the Armenian ministry of defense. Manukyan confirmed that full military supplies for the “army” came from Armenia.

AZERTAC also reported that a secret document dated September 25, 2020, signed by “deputy chief of staff of the unrecognized regime’s army Kamо Vardanyan,” was presented in court. The document is titled “Order on decision to conduct fire destruction of enemy settlements.” It includes a list of about 70 Azerbaijani settlements, including the cities of Ganja, Mingachevir, Naftalan, and districts and villages of Beylagan, Aghjabedi, Yevlakh, and Barda. The document states the order was to be executed by September 28, 2020.

The trial will continue on June 20.

● Azerbaijan’s top three trading partners in January–May 2025 were: Italy (25.46% of total trade turnover, a 21.1% increase compared to the same period last year); Turkey (11.66%, a 4.7% decrease); and Russia (10.31%, a 24.2% increase). They are followed by China, Germany, and the United States.

Photo collage from the Abzas Media website. The prosecutor in Azerbaijan is seeking 12-year prison sentences for journalists arrested in the AbzasMedia case: the outlet’s director Ulvi Hasanli, journalist Hafiz Babaly, and Farid Mehralizade, a journalist with Radio Liberty detained in the same case. Eleven years have been requested for editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi, coordinator Mahammad Kekalov, and journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova. 

●  In Yerevan, parents of missing servicemen attempted to block a street but were prevented by police. Protesters are demanding the reinstatement of National Security Service (NSS) Chief Armen Abazyan, claiming he was directly handling issues related to prisoners and the missing, and all negotiations with the Azerbaijani side went through him. They fear that without him, this sensitive process could stall. On June 18, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a decree dismissing Abazyan from his post. No specific reason was given, with Pashinyan simply stating that Abazyan “deserves a rest.”

●  Detained businessman Samvel Karapetyan will receive the necessary assistance as a Russian citizen and entrepreneur, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. “We need to understand exactly what’s happening there,” she said. Karapetyan was arrested in Yerevan on charges of making public calls to overthrow the government. He claims his detention is linked to his public support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, which he says has recently come under pressure from the authorities and Prime Minister Pashinyan personally.

●  Armenia’s already limited flow of investment could decline even further if the government proceeds with plans to take over Electric Networks of Armenia, said former Prime Minister Grant Bagratyan. He added that he cannot recall a single precedent of such a move throughout the history of the Third Republic. Earlier, Prime Minister Pashinyan announced that the company, owned by a holding linked to the detained Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, would be transferred to state ownership.

●  Armenia is among the evacuation routes proposed by Georgian authorities for their citizens leaving Iran, the Georgian embassy in Tehran reported. The plan involves the “Norduz/Agarak” border crossing between Iran and Armenia.

●  The Armenian Red Cross has set up a first aid station in Agarak for those arriving from Iran (pictured below). Both foreigners and Armenians are among the incoming travelers, who receive medical care after long hours on the road, as well as consultations on various issues.

●  Opposition MP Levon Kocharyan said he was unable to board a flight at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport because NSS border guards delayed him. The son of Armenia’s second president said in a social media post that security officers held him for around 30 minutes without explanation, and by the time they let him through, the plane had already departed.

●  The town of Dilijan will host its first-ever international cooking competition — the International Contest of Chefs Dilijan 2025. Chefs from nine countries have already arrived.

● The car of opposition MP Garnik Danielyan was vandalized, he reported on social media. The windshield and mirrors were smashed, but no theft was reported. Danielyan has contacted law enforcement and is still trying to understand what happened.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan: “Armenia is now more ready than ever to face international and regional challenges.”

● “Implementation of the ‘Russian law’ has begun,” several Georgian NGOs have declared, after receiving a request from the Anti-Corruption Bureau for detailed information on grants received since 2024. The requested data reportedly includes beneficiaries’ personal IDs, bank account details, health information, photo and video materials, and more. In a joint statement, NGOs asserted: “We will not betray the trust of the citizens under our protection, even if it leads to our persecution or arrest. The authorities’ aim is clear — Ivanishvili wants to destroy Georgia’s free civil society, as did the Bolsheviks in the 1920s and Putin and Lukashenko in recent years. We refuse to live under Russian-style laws, tolerate sabotage of Georgia’s European future, and we will continue our fight to defend the rights of the Georgian people.”

● Anti-Corruption Bureau Chief Razhden Kuprashvili has accused the NGOs of spreading disinformation. “We are not exceeding our authority. We request documents only to assess the proper use of grants. Personal data will be protected,” he said. Kuprashvili added that the Bureau will directly inform international partners about the investigation and emphasized its goal as “uncovering hidden political activities disguised as civil society work.”

● Georgia’s ruling party cabinet chief says OSCE/ODIHR observers will not be invited to October’s municipal elections. “It would be excessive to burden OSCE/ODIHR with our local elections,” said Irakli Kobakhidze, responding to a British embassy call urging Georgia to invite international observers and implement earlier ODIHR recommendations for the 2024 parliamentary elections. He noted that OSCE/ODIHR traditionally observes only parliamentary — not municipal — polls in Georgia.

● The OSCE/ODIHR states that, apart from 2014 — when they were unable to observe Georgia’s local elections due to budgetary constraints — the upcoming vote will be the first election to which they have not been invited.

● Kobakhidze also claimed, “Our approval rating is higher than before the last elections — and we will win in all 64 municipalities.” He accused the opposition of being demoralized, riven by internal conflict, and facing inevitable defeat.

● “Georgian authorities are copying the Belarusian and Russian models,” said MEP Ljudas Mažylis during European Parliament hearings on media freedom in Georgia. He urged stronger pressure on those “gradually usurping power” and proposed personal sanctions. The hearings focused on the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, who has been detained for 150 days. She is accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer — by slapping a police officer during a protest in Batumi, a charge her lawyers argue is politically motivated. Agamglobbeli faces up to seven years in prison.

Other MEPs also spoke out:

• Lena Schilling (Germany):

“Mzia Amaghlobeli is Georgia’s first and only journalist-political prisoner. Her arrest is based on political charges. I attended her hearing — it was persecution, not justice. Her case is an attack on press freedom. She has become a symbol of resistance and the struggle for Georgia’s democratic and European future… …We are here to support her and all those fighting for a free, European Georgia.”

• Dainius Žalimas (Lithuania):

“In Georgia we see a clear assault on the rule of law, independent media, and civil society. The ‘Georgian nightmare’ is pushing the country toward autocracy. A one-party system cannot coexist with pluralistic democracy. We have repeatedly called for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the organization of new, free, and fair elections. That is the only path to restoring democracy.”

• Małgorzata Gosiewska (Poland):

“Democracy in Georgia is fading. The Georgian Dream government is ruthlessly cracking down on protests and attacking independent media. Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested for her courage — for refusing the regime’s agenda. Her hunger strike is a desperate cry for freedom… …Georgia, once aspiring to EU membership, is becoming a satellite of Moscow. We cannot stand by.”

• Tobias Krämmer (Germany):

“The Georgian Dream party fears a free press like a vampire fears sunlight. Oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili is hiding in the shadows, afraid of the people, unable to emerge from Putin’s influence. But Georgia is not Russia. A free society is the most powerful weapon against tyranny. We demand that the Georgian authorities end political persecution and let the people choose their future.”

• Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania):

“Firm sanctions are needed against the regime. Its agents fear sanctions, and that is our leverage. We must no longer ask them to return to the EU path — they have already chosen the Kremlin, deceiving their own people. The only solution is new, honest elections. There are almost no independent media left in Georgia — only state propaganda like Sputnik.”

● Meanwhile, Batumi City Court has once again found Mzia Amaghlobeli guilty of placing a sticker on a police station during a protest rally, imposing a 1,000-lari fine (approx. $360). This is the second conviction related to that incident — an earlier fine of 2,000 lari (approx. $720) had already been imposed for the same act.

● Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs seized 298 kg of heroin, ICB Deputy Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze announced at a press briefing. The cargo—valued at around 85 million lari on the black market (over $30 million)—entered Georgia from Armenia via the Guguti checkpoint, en route to Europe via Batumi. It was packed in 600 plastic containers disguised as bricks. A Georgian driver has been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

● Russian billionaire of Armenian origin Samvel Karapetyan has been arrested by court order for two months. He is accused of publicly calling for the seizure of power — a charge his lawyers call politically motivated and unlawful. The defense intends to appeal the ruling. The billionaire himself says that he “cannot be forced off course or made to abandon his principles.” He links the developments to his public support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, whose leadership was sharply criticized by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. “A small group, having forgotten the thousand-year history of the Armenian Church, has attacked not only it, but the Armenian people as a whole. I will fight for the sacred values of the Armenian people with all my strength, wherever I may be and whatever may happen. I will not allow anyone, under any pretext or for any reason, to encroach upon our sanctities,” he had stated earlier. Shortly afterward, security forces searched his house in Yerevan. Clashes broke out between the authorities and Karapetyan’s supporters, and several people were detained.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced his intention to nationalize the Electric Networks of Armenia — a key energy company that is part of Karapetyan’s Tashir Group. “All those who are forcing people to attend rallies will be fired,” he said. “Let them not complain later. Employees who cooperate with law enforcement and provide concrete testimony will not be fired — we have sufficient means to protect them. Those who refuse to participate in protests will not suffer either — after nationalization, they will continue working peacefully,” said Pashinyan. The day before, the Public Services Regulatory Commission fined the Electric Networks of Armenia 10 million drams (over $25,000) for “technical and commercial violations.”

● Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, commenting on the situation around Russian businessman Karapetyan — who is accused of calling for the overthrow of the government — said: “I would like to quote Nikol Pashinyan: in 2018, during a rally in Yerevan, he said the following — this is a direct quote: ‘The authorities must unconditionally and without preconditions recognize the victory of our revolution and refrain from any attempts to remain in power. We demand the unanimous and unconditional capitulation of the Republican Party of Armenia,’”.

● Throughout the night, the relatives of missing persons remained on Baghramyan Avenue near the parliament building. They are demanding the reinstatement of Armen Abazyan, saying he was responsible for handling the issue of missing persons and prisoners, and that all negotiations were conducted through him. Parents fear that his removal will derail the process. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed the director of the National Security Service Armen Abazyan amid searches at the residence of Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, reports News.am. According to the newspaper Graparak, Abazyan was dismissed because he refused to carry out an order from Prime Minister Pashinyan.

● The administration of Turkish President Erdoğan has announced Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s first working visit to Turkey, scheduled for June 20. The Armenian Prime Minister confirmed the visit, saying that a joint statement would be made in Istanbul, but its contents would not be disclosed in advance.

● Tbilisi doubts the quality of Armenian brandy: Yerevan proposes sending samples for testing to a third country. Yesterday, 33 trucks with brandy entered Georgia, although Georgian colleagues had promised to allow 50 through, said Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan during a parliamentary session. Yerevan believes that since the brandy is destined for Russia, it should not be inspected for quality in Georgia — which serves only as a transit country.

●  President Putin told journalists that trade turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan increased by 7 percent in 2024. “This is a good indicator. We have solid projects — ‘North-South’ and several others in logistics, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. We’re ready to fill the Baku shipyard with our orders,” said Putin in response to a question from Azerbaijan’s state agency AZERTAC at a briefing during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

●  Putin also emphasized the importance of the issue of the Caspian Sea’s shallowing. “This issue was raised by Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, and I responded immediately. The problem is certainly of major, if not global, concern. The governments of Russia and Azerbaijan are working together on this. What’s important is to act persistently and continuously.”

●  Baku hosted an international ombudsmen symposium on “Strengthening the rule of law: the role of ombudsmen and national human rights institutions,” with participation from 15 countries.

●  A criminal case has been opened over the embezzlement of monetary prizes awarded to winners of 52 sports competitions, especially intellectual games, totaling over 871,000 manats (around \$500,000) from 2006 to 2023. Former head of Baku’s youth and sports department Ragif Abbasov and the department’s finance chief Eldeniz Gulamov are accused. They have not been arrested yet. Reports say the accused submitted fake reports showing prize distribution, but in reality, winners received only certificates while the money was pocketed. The article of the criminal code on large-scale embezzlement carries a sentence of 10 to 14 years.

●  Samvel Karapetyan, an influential billionaire and head of the Tashir Group, who was arrested in Yerevan the day before, has been on Azerbaijan’s international wanted list since 2021 for alleged smuggling of weapons and ammunition into Karabakh. He is now charged with public calls to seize power. Armenian media suggest the charges may be linked to his campaign against prime minister Nikol Pashinyan amid a broader confrontation between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

●  Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency (MEDIA) issued a protest against Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov’s remarks. “Defending his close friend — Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan — who was detained by Armenian law enforcement, Solovyov repeatedly used the term ‘Artsakh,’ accused the Armenian authorities of ‘giving away Artsakh’ to Azerbaijan, and warned Armenians that they will ‘face the same fate.’ These remarks distort historical facts, promote bias, and reflect Solovyov’s long-standing hatred towards Azerbaijan. Such destructive statements on a state TV channel contradict the spirit of friendly relations between our countries and Russia’s official position. We strongly condemn these hateful remarks, which violate journalistic ethics and moral standards, and expect an apology,” MEDIA stated.

●  “Azerbaijan is facing a new wave of disinformation,” said the Azerbaijani parliament’s temporary commission against foreign interference and hybrid threats. “Monitoring has shown that anti-Azerbaijani campaigns are being conducted on social media platforms — Telegram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube — by groups operating from neighboring countries and serving foreign interests. Their aim is to mislead parties in the conflict and the international community, damage Azerbaijan’s growing influence, and harm its relations with friendly states,” the statement reads. It adds that some supporters of these campaigns are ethnic Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijani citizens. “The commission is closely monitoring these actions in coordination with relevant state agencies.”

●  The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia, Jeyhun Bayramov and Sergey Lavrov, held a phone call to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict and matters of bilateral and regional cooperation.

●  Imprisoned activist and member of the Workers’ Table trade union confederation, Elvin Mustafayev, is reportedly suffering health problems. He told his lawyer that he has had severe ear pain for 10 days. The lawyer submitted a request to the justice ministry demanding urgent medical care. Mustafayev was sentenced to three years on drug possession/distribution charges and is expected to be released in August 2026. He denies the charges and claims political persecution for criticizing the authorities. He has been on hunger strike since early May and has been held in solitary confinement since May 6 with no contact allowed with his family. A request has also been made to transfer him to a high-security prison for the rest of his sentence. Authorities claim he is acting as an opposition figure inside prison, filing baseless complaints and threatening staff. His family says he is being punished for publicly supporting other political prisoners, including opposition leader Tofig Yagublu, who was sentenced to 9 years. Officials have not commented.

●  Azerbaijan may allow gambling on artificial islands built near Baku. Currently, all gambling is banned in the country. Local media report that amendments are being considered in parliament to issue licenses to legal entities with supervisory approval. There is speculation that the changes are linked to an ambitious project by president Aliyev’s former son-in-law, Emin Agalarov, who recently spoke about his dream to open a casino in the Sea Breeze entertainment complex in Baku. Read and watch more here

●  A major pipeline break on the Oguz-Gabala-Baku water system has left Baku and several nearby cities and villages without water. Emergency repair works are ongoing around the clock. The water supply company says partial restoration is expected by this evening.

●  Azerbaijan and the Maldives have mutually simplified visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports, allowing them to stay visa-free for up to 90 days.

Photo by JAMnews: in Baku on National Salvation Day

● Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition party Akhali, who is now in prison for refusing to testify before a parliamentary commission investigating the actions of the previous government, has received a new summons. “The so-called parliament of the Ivanishvili regime has, for the second time, summoned political prisoner Nika Gvaramia to appear before the so-called investigative commission. Our position remains unchanged — we refuse to play by the regime’s rules, to legitimize its mechanisms, or to cooperate with a commission that in reality serves to betray national interests and rewrite history,” the party said in a statement posted on social media.

For the same reason — refusal to cooperate with the commission — Zurab Japaridze, leader of Girchi — More Freedom, and Irakli Okruashvili, former defense minister under Saakashvili, also remain in pre-trial detention.

●  Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the opposition party Lelo, has also been summoned again by the parliamentary commission. He stated that he does not intend to comply this time either.

●  A delegation from the Russian state-owned energy company Rosseti, led by CEO Andrey Ryumin — who is under EU, UK, Canadian, and Swiss sanctions — visited Georgia on a working trip. According to the company, the delegation met with representatives of Georgia’s largest electricity provider Sakrusenergo (jointly owned by Rosseti and the Georgian government, each holding a 50% stake), as well as with officials from the Ministry of Economy. It says the discussions focused on network reliability and investment projects. Georgian authorities have not commented on the visit.

●  The Russian state outlet Russia Today reports that a criminal case has been opened in Russia against Georgian musician Irakli Getsadze. According to RT, the case was initiated following a complaint from Andrey Zgonnikov, chairman of the “Council of Fathers of Russia,” who contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs alleging “insult to state symbols of the Russian Federation.” It is known that during his performance at the Tbilisi Open Air music festival, Getsadze simulated urinating on the Russian flag.

●  Former minister of regional development and infrastructure in the Georgian Dream government, Maia Tskitishvili, has stated that she was informed in advance about plans to install a checkpoint near the village of Chorchana, close to the administrative boundary with breakaway South Ossetia, back in 2019. “I was aware that it was necessary to install a checkpoint and build a road, as there was a risk of territorial seizure and intensifying borderization,” Tskitishvili told journalists after being questioned by the Prosecutor’s Office. She had been summoned as part of an investigation into opposition leader Giorgi Gakharia, who is accused of ordering the checkpoint’s construction in the conflict zone in 2019 — when he served as interior minister — without coordinating with other agencies. According to the prosecution, this “almost triggered an armed confrontation” with Russian forces stationed in the area.

Tskitishvili is the only former senior official from Georgian Dream to publicly question the prosecution’s position. “Borderization processes have been ongoing for many years, and the interior ministry acted in response to real threats on the ground,” she emphasized. Gakharia’s party considers the case politically motivated and aimed at weakening him as an opposition leader.

●  The opposition-leaning TV channel Formula has accused the National Agency of Public Registry of violating the law and infringing on its rights. According to the channel, it submitted an application on June 1 to register changes to its director and supervisory board. The process was initially suspended, but Formula submitted all requested additional documents on June 10. Under the law, registration should have been completed by the next working day — yet it has not been finalized. As a result, the channel says, its operations have been hampered. The agency has not commented.

●  Georgian Dream will submit a legislative proposal to parliament seeking to dissolve the National Security Council. If approved, its functions will be transferred to the government.

●  The EU Council and the European Parliament have agreed to revise the mechanism for suspending visa-free regimes with third countries. Their joint statement says the changes will allow the EU “to better respond to situations where visa-free travel is abused or works against the Union’s interests.” More on how this may affect Georgia: https://jam-news.net/will-eu-suspend-visa-free-travel-with-georgia/

●  The International Press Institute (IPI) has released a highly critical report on the media environment in Georgia. The report states that the government, associated with oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, is strengthening authoritarian tendencies — one of the clearest signs of which is systematic pressure on the media through arrests, fines, censorship, and other restrictive measures.

● The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will soon cease its operations in Azerbaijan, according to the Azerbaijani State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons. The statement emphasized that the commission had cooperated with the ICRC office for many years. The ICRC has not commented on the situation.

According to the commission, 3,984 Azerbaijani citizens went missing during the first Karabakh war in the 1990s. Of those, 1,702 were later found alive or confirmed dead. Six people remain missing from the second Karabakh war. Official Armenian data states that 777 Armenian citizens went missing during the first Karabakh war, and 215 during the second in 2020. Previously, Transparency International, Erasmus+, and several UN agencies ceased operations in Azerbaijan. Accreditations of correspondents from BBC News, Bloomberg, Voice of America, and Russia’s Sputnik were also revoked.

● Due to the Iran-Israel conflict, hundreds of Azerbaijani citizens are trying to leave both countries. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada reported that the Azerbaijani embassy and consulate in Iran have received around 500 requests, and over 60 people have already crossed the border. In Israel, Azerbaijani citizens are traveling to neighboring Egypt and Jordan. “Necessary arrangements have been made for 34 of our citizens to cross from Israel into Jordan,” said Hajizada. Authorities are also reviewing over 1,200 requests from citizens of 51 countries seeking to leave Iran via Azerbaijan’s land border.

● Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a phone call with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The main topic was growing concern over regional security in light of the Iran-Israel confrontation.

● Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili is on a visit to Turkey. At a joint briefing with Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, they announced that a trilateral meeting of the parliamentary heads of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will soon take place. Papuashvili noted that the meeting, originally scheduled for 2023, had been postponed due to the major earthquake in Turkey, but the parliaments are now ready to resume this format.

● On June 20, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will visit Turkey at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan told reporters that “this will be the first visit of an Armenian leader to Turkey at this level. It carries historical significance and marks an important step in the development of direct relations between the two countries.”

● The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Armenian citizen, continued. He is charged with torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other offenses. According to AZERTAC, victims and their legal successors testified in court, describing killings and violence committed by Armenian forces against Azerbaijani civilians. Forensic reports on the victims were also read out. The next hearing is scheduled for June 24.

● Russian billionaire and Tashir Group owner Samvel Karapetyan has been detained in Yerevan. Law enforcement searched his home. The official reason for the detention has not been announced, but it came shortly after an interview in which Karapetyan voiced support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has recently come under criticism from the authorities — particularly from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. “A small group of people, having forgotten Armenia’s millennia-old history and Church, have launched attacks on the AAC,” Karapetyan had said. Afterward, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan posted a harsh message on social media, vowing to “rein in the debauched clergymen” and their “debauched benefactors.”

● Last night, Karapetyan’s supporters began gathering outside his home. A scuffle broke out between them and law enforcement. Later, the protesters moved to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime. Karapetyan’s nephew, Narek Karapetyan, said the family is prepared for any turn of events.

● Russian TV host and propagandist Vladimir Solovyov expressed support for Karapetyan, claiming he is under “unprecedented pressure from a corrupt, vile, and worthless government that betrayed the history of Armenia, surrendered Artsakh, and everything sacred in the fate of the Armenian people.”

In response, Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said: “This TV freak seems to think he has the right to insult the head of state with vile language, call on the Armenian people to act against a legitimately elected government, play on emotions, and spew this cheap nonsense in a pitiful theatrical wrapper — and still believe he can just say ‘this is not interference’ and that’s the end of it?”

● Moscow is closely watching the situation around Russian citizen Samvel Karapetyan, “who is facing threats of arrest in Yerevan under strange pretexts.” This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova in a comment to RIA Novosti. “We will provide him with the necessary support to ensure that all his legal rights are upheld,” she said.

● The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin sharply condemned the authorities’ actions, calling the persecution of Karapetyan politically motivated. “We call on the Armenian authorities to immediately cease these unlawful actions,” the statement read.

● Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, expressed gratitude on behalf of Iran to the Armenian government “for condemning Israel’s aggression.

● China is considering Armenia as one of four land evacuation routes for its citizens leaving Iran. According to the Chinese embassy in Tehran, Chinese authorities are urging citizens to leave Iran promptly, citing risks of both air and land border closures.

●  Armen Abazyan has been dismissed as head of Armenia’s National Security Service. His deputy, Andranik Simonyan, has been appointed acting head.

● The Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament confirmed that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will visit Ankara at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

● A 90-year-old man in Yerevan sat for the mathematics entrance exam alongside some 5,000 applicants. According to Khachanush Grigoryan, spokesperson for the Assessment and Testing Center, the elderly man applied through the standard procedure without specifying a particular university or major. It is not yet known whether he passed.

● On day 201 of the ongoing pro-Western protests, demonstrators gathered once again on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, this time calling on the United States to fast-track the adoption of the MEGOBARI Act and to impose sanctions on Georgia’s ruling party.

In early May, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the MEGOBARI Act, a bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on officials and supporters of Georgian Dream involved in corruption, violence, or intimidation aimed at obstructing Georgia’s European integration. The proposed sanctions include visa bans and asset freezes. The bill must now be reviewed by the Senate and, if passed, will be sent to U.S. President Donald Trump for signature.

● U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a co-author of the MEGOBARI Act, wrote on social media:
“After 200 days of brave protests by the Georgian people, Georgian Dream’s tactics are growing even harsher… I remain committed to ensuring that individuals are held accountable, including through passage of the bipartisan MEGOBARI Act.”

● Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wyatt Toehlke visited Tbilisi and held talks with Georgian Dream representatives. Following the meeting, the U.S. Embassy stated: “The United States continues to review its approach to Georgia to advance American interests. We have made clear what steps the Georgian government must take to show it is serious about improving relations with the United States.” In contrast, Georgia’s Foreign Ministry portrayed the meeting in wholly positive terms: “It was noted that Georgia is an important partner of the United States. The sides discussed regional and global security challenges, and emphasized Georgia’s vital role in ensuring peace and stability in the region.”

● Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the opposition party Lelo – Strong Georgia, has unveiled a new strategy ahead of the municipal elections scheduled for this fall. He is proposing the formation of an independent civic platform — a kind of protest headquarters — through which nonpartisan, independent candidates would be selected. These candidates, Khazaradze says, should be supported by other opposition forces with their resources. Khazaradze emphasizes that Lelo is not seeking mandates and is ready to make any concessions for the sake of a united opposition platform — including giving up its own party number or joining a common list.

The initiative’s goal, according to him, is to make Georgian Dream “ineffective” at the local level and to win in cities, towns, and municipalities. The party’s key demands — snap parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners — remain unchanged.

One of the most hotly debated issues in Georgian politics right now is whether the opposition should participate in the municipal elections at all. Many parties have refused, citing the illegitimacy of the 2024 parliamentary elections and their boycott of parliament. They argue that taking part would legitimize the ruling party. Others, including Lelo, view a boycott as a losing strategy and counterproductive stubbornness.

● On June 23, Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the For Georgia party and a former prime minister, is once again scheduled to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission. According to the commission’s chair, Tea Tsulukiani, Gakharia is being summoned for further questioning in connection with the construction of a checkpoint in the village of Chorchana, near the administrative boundary line with the breakaway region of South Ossetia, in 2019. At the time, Gakharia was serving as Minister of Internal Affairs, and there are claims that he ordered the checkpoint without full coordination with state institutions — a move critics say led to the loss of control over part of the territory and risked triggering an armed conflict. Gakharia insists the checkpoint was necessary in response to increased activity by Russian forces and the frequent detention of Georgian citizens. He maintains that all steps were coordinated with the EU monitoring mission and relevant ministries. Notably, Gakharia became prime minister soon after the Chorchana incident. Today, Georgian Dream claims his promotion was due to pressure from the so-called “deep state,” a force the party says it was not yet strong enough to resist at the time.

● Villagers in Kasakh (central Armenia) blocked the Ashtarak–Yerevan highway, demanding authorities resolve the community’s transportation problems (video below). Police intervened to clear the road, during which an officer shoved a journalist from 24news as she questioned the use of force against protesters. The officer has since been dismissed.

●  Deputy foreign ministers of Armenia and Turkey — Vaahan Kostanyan and Burcu Birci Ekinci — met in Ankara. According to Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.

●  Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed ongoing communication with Armenian citizens stranded in Israel. Efforts are underway to assist them, and updates will be provided as the situation develops. Seventeen Armenian tourists were stranded in Bethlehem amid the Iran–Israel escalation. The group arrived in Israel on June 10 and was scheduled to return on the 17th, but flights were canceled. They are currently staying in a hotel.

●  Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s agricultural watchdog, reported that 78 out of 80 flower shipments from Armenia in June violated import regulations. Since the start of 2025, 43% of Armenian cargo has failed to meet phytosanitary standards.

● A Defense Ministry vehicle overturned in Armenia’s Lori province. One servicemember sustained minor injuries, the ministry said.

● 41 Azerbaijani citizens, including family members of embassy staff in Iran, have returned to the country via the land border, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada. He said that the Azerbaijani embassies and consulates in Iran and Israel are reviewing hotline requests from citizens and taking necessary measures, but did not specify how many such requests have been received. Iran borders Azerbaijan, and in recent days, hundreds of foreign nationals have been evacuated from Iran through Azerbaijani territory. Baku has allowed this as an exception – its land borders have remained closed since spring 2020, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

● Due to the ongoing military tensions between Israel and Iran, the large-scale Azerbaijan-Iran business forum, previously scheduled for June 18 in Baku, has been postponed indefinitely.

● Imprisoned journalist Polad Aslanov told the ombudsperson during a visit about unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and a psychologically distressing situation in the cell where he has been held since 2019. Convicted of treason and sentenced to 16 years, later reduced to 13, Aslanov denies the charges and links his imprisonment to his journalistic work. The ombudsperson has not commented on the visit, but Aslanov’s wife said three inmates sleep on the floor under others’ beds, that he suffers health issues without medical care, and that he is being kept in the same cell with a prisoner who supported the accusations against him.

● Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov is on a visit to Belarus.

● An international conference titled “New World Order: Geopolitical Aspects and Global Challenges” is underway in Shusha, Karabakh. The event is organized by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party.

● Speaking at the conference, Presidential representative in the Shusha district Aydin Karimov recalled that the city was “liberated from Armenian occupation” during the 2020 Second Karabakh War. He said that over 20 historical monuments, including 5 mosques, have been restored, new hotels, museums, and recreational sites are opening, a modern clinic is now operating, and a new school has nearly 200 students. Over 25,000 people visited Shusha in the first 10 days of June alone, according to the pro-government outlet AZERTAC. Karimov said the most significant project is the construction of residential complexes, each including dozens of apartment buildings.

● Today marks 200 days of continuous pro-European protests in Georgia. Last night, hundreds once again blocked Rustaveli Avenue near parliament in Tbilisi under the slogan “The people decide.” Their demands remain the same: to bring the country back on the path to EU integration, hold new parliamentary elections to legally change the government, and release those detained during the protests.

● A major rally was also held again in Batumi, in front of the Constitutional Court, with the same demands.

● A protest took place in Telavi, Kakheti, in support of 21-year-old activist Mate Davidze, sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for allegedly assaulting a police officer during pro-European protests. He denies the charge and says it’s politically motivated. Protesters marched under the slogan “Let’s seek light in the darkness.” Mate’s aunt, sister, and grandmother addressed the crowd: “We love you, Mate. You’ll be with us soon—just like all prisoners of conscience.”

● A large march is planned across Tbilisi and other cities on June 19 in support of independent media. “By protecting media, we protect freedom,” says the organizing group, Observers.

● Activist Albi Kordzaia has been released after serving a 10-day sentence for “insulting” ruling party MP Tea Tsulukiani. He was detained after protesting outside her home following her controversial remark that national hero Giorgi Antsukhelidze “was senselessly sacrificed for someone’s PR.”

● “Opposition sentiment in Georgia—especially in Tbilisi—is very strong. Overall, opposition support is at 66%, and Georgian Dream’s is around 25%,” said sociologist Iago Kachkachishvili, citing ISSA polling. He warned that unless opposition parties unite ahead of municipal elections in October—agreeing on a joint mayoral and majoritarian candidate—they risk losing even in Tbilisi.

● French journalist and photographer Marilys Vignoles was denied entry to Georgia without explanation. “I visited Georgia twice—before and after the rigged elections—and openly supported the people’s fight for freedom. I’ve hired a lawyer to appeal the ban and have launched a new project to tell the stories of Georgians living in exile,” she wrote.

● Estonia’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the arrest of another opposition leader, Nika Gvaramia of the Coalition for Change. “The EU must act immediately,” the statement said.

● Eter Liparteliani became the first Georgian woman to win a judo world championship. Competing in the 57kg category, she won all five matches, including a final bout against Japan’s Momo Tamaoki.

● Renowned Georgian plastic surgeon Zura Kekelia was arrested in Vienna, accused of running an unlicensed home clinic. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Austrian media report that a woman developed sepsis following a chin augmentation performed in unsanitary conditions, with photos showing procedures carried out in his apartment.

● Citizens of Portugal, the Philippines, Finland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and other countries – including embassy staff – were evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan through the “Astara” land checkpoint, according to the pro-government outlet Report (pictured below). This was an exception, as all of the country’s land borders have remained closed since spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After completing customs procedures, the evacuees were transported by bus to the airport in Baku.

● Fourteen Russian scientists who had participated in a Russia-Iran conference under the BRICS framework (which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia) were also evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan, Interfax reported. It had previously been reported that a large group of Russian citizens had been evacuated via Azerbaijan, including those working in Iran’s oil sector and their families, as well as Russian artists on tour — among them the entire Tchaikovsky Grand Symphony Orchestra.

● “It is impossible for any country to use Azerbaijani territory against a third country, including neighboring and friendly Iran,” said foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. A statement from Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry expressed concern about the situation around nuclear facilities following Israel’s operation on Iranian territory.

● Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev criticized Armenia’s proposed regional transit project “Crossroads” and compared it to the “Middle Corridor” project supported by Azerbaijan. That includes the “Zangezur corridor” — a potential land route that could connect Azerbaijan to its exclave, Nakhchivan, via Armenian territory. Yerevan insists it will control the segment on its territory, while Azerbaijan believes the route should be fully extraterritorial.

Speaking at the GLOBSEC–2025 forum in Prague, Hajiyev said: “This is not a beauty contest between corridors. We are investing in infrastructure that serves the interests not only of Azerbaijan but also of European business. If the EU is ready to join the process — great. Regardless of the EU’s position, we will continue working with regional countries. As for Armenia’s initiative and attempt to portray itself as part of a ‘transport crossroads’ — it’s too little, too late. Azerbaijani territories were under Armenian occupation for decades; the conflict is now resolved. But for corridors to function fully, one key condition is required — security and stability. Armenia can be part of regional infrastructure and transport discussions. But we have expectations. Armenia blockaded Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region for 30 years. Now we expect real steps toward openness from Armenia. I know our Armenian colleagues are irritated by the word ‘corridor.’ Call it whatever you want — ‘route,’ if you prefer. But the first step must be a reliable transport connection with Nakhchivan. Once that link is created, it will open new opportunities for Armenia itself. We want to see Armenia become part of the regional logistics and transport system.”

● Journalist Ulviyya Ali, arrested in the “Meydan TV case,” says investigators responded to her report of abuse only 23 days after she reported it. “On May 7, I was physically assaulted by three officers from the Baku city police department for refusing to provide passwords to my computer and phones. They also threatened me with rape. My lawyers and family immediately filed complaints with relevant agencies and the ombudsman, requesting a medical examination. But an investigator and expert only came on May 29. There were no conditions for an MRI or CT scan. The expert simply wrote down my words in a notebook and left,” Ulviyya wrote from the detention center. She added that she saw the founder of “Yoldash Media,” Ahmed Mammadli, in the corridor of the detention center — he had been arrested the same day and also reported abuse. “His face was swollen. This means the forensic examination was deliberately delayed so that visible injuries would disappear. All this reflects systematic human rights violations,” she wrote.

● Azerbaijan marked National Salvation Day. Here is the context. Thirty-two years ago, national leader Heydar Aliyev (father of the current president) returned to power, becoming Azerbaijan’s first president. On June 15, 1993, he announced a new strategy for the country’s statehood. “Heydar Aliyev saved the Azerbaijani people, the state, and the nation from disintegration and preserved its independence and sovereignty \[…] Under the leadership of president and supreme commander-in-chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani army has fulfilled the great leader’s legacy by liberating historically Azerbaijani lands that had been under Armenian occupation for 30 years and implementing UN resolutions,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

● On June 15, Azerbaijani airline AZAL launched its first direct flight from Baku to Turkey’s new international airport in Cukurova, located between the cities of Adana and Mersin.

Photo by Report

● Four people were injured in a tornado in the town of Aparan, according to the local medical center’s director Hayk Shmavonyan. Three adults and one child sustained moderate or minor injuries; there is no threat to life. The tornado damaged 21 buildings, 19 cars, 3 trucks, toppled 15 trees and 8 power poles (photo below).

● A hurricane tore the roof off the small Aghababyan Wines factory in the village of Kokhb, Tavush region. About 600 sq m of insulation was damaged, the production area was partially flooded, dozens of wine bottles were smashed, and grapevines were uprooted.

● The office of the Armenian newspaper “Alik” in Tehran was damaged in Israeli strikes, according to editor Aram Shahnazaryan, cited by Pastinfo. The explosion hit a site just a few buildings away. Until repairs are completed, the paper will only be published online.

● Former prefect of Yerevan’s Shengavit district, Razmik Mkrtchyan, has been arrested, local media report. He resigned on June 10 after police searches and corruption allegations, citing “personal reasons” on social media. No official confirmation yet.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 9-13 June, 2025