LIVE: Key morning headlines from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

● Formal charges have been filed against Giorgi Chigladze, who was detained following a confrontation during a wedding at the Agarani Mamuli hotel in Telavi, in Georgia’s Kakheti region. He is accused of intentionally causing minor bodily harm. Prosecutors are requesting bail of 5,000 lari (about $1,800) as a preventive measure. The court is due to hear the case on July 21.

The incident took place on July 18, when a conflict broke out between guests at a Georgian wedding and Russian tourists. A video circulating on social media shows Chigladze striking a female tourist in the face during the altercation. According to Georgia’s Interior Ministry, the incident was preceded by insults from the tourists, who also poured water from a balcony onto the wedding guests, spat at them and damaged the musical equipment. Authorities also say Chigladze was injured by one of the tourists. His lawyers have requested a medical examination. The hotel says police had been called before the physical confrontation began.

The incident has sparked a strong political and public reaction in Georgia. While most agree that violence is unjustified, many argue that the actions of the foreign tourists should also receive a legal assessment. There have also been public calls to deport the tourists and introduce a visa regime for Russian citizens.

● Heavy rain flooded several streets in Tbilisi and disrupted traffic. Problems were reported on the Aghmashenebeli Highway, in the Gldani and Avlabari districts, and near the House of Justice. Torrential rain washed large amounts of rocks and gravel onto Tamarashvili Avenue, blocking traffic. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear the road. According to the emergency response service, no injuries have been reported.

● Severe weather also caused problems in Tusheti and western Georgia. In Tusheti, a river burst its banks, completely washing away the road surface near the bridge in the village of Shenako and destroying the road foundation. On the Kutaisi–Tskaltubo–Tsageri–Lentekhi road, near the Sakdri Bridge, flooding has forced the temporary closure of the road to all traffic.

● A court has upheld the pretrial detention of Gulbaat Rtskhiladze, who is accused of espionage. His lawyers requested his release or, alternatively, bail of 30,000 lari (about $12,000). Rtskhiladze was arrested on May 30. Investigators accuse him of cooperating simultaneously with the intelligence services of two foreign states and conducting parallel intelligence activities. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison.

● Former Prosecutor General and politician Murtaz Zodelava remains in the Vivamed clinic. He is serving a seven-year prison sentence in the so-called “October 4 case” over the attempted seizure of the presidential administration building in Tbilisi. According to the clinic, his condition is stable. Zodelava was transferred from prison to hospital last week after experiencing dizziness.

● During the first six months of the year, Tbilisi collected 11.2 million lari (about $4.2 million) in parking fines, 95% more than during the same period last year. Overall revenue from traffic violation fines increased from 96.4 million lari (about $37 million) to 148.4 million lari (about $57 million).

● During the first half of the year, Georgia welcomed about 249,000 visitors from the European Union and the United Kingdom, an increase of 23.4% compared with the same period last year. According to the National Tourism Administration, tourism revenue from these countries reached a record $335.7 million, up 21.2% year on year.

📌 By decision of the Anti-Corruption Court, the Ararat Cement company has been placed under the management of Armenia’s Ministry of Economy. The company is part of the Multi Group holding owned by Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the pro-Russian Prosperous Armenia party, who is under arrest on charges of large-scale fraud. Local media report that Ararat Cement has repeatedly come under anti-corruption scrutiny in recent years. Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said a company manager will be appointed during July. “Until then, I urge all employees to perform their duties conscientiously and responsibly so there are no grounds for dismissal or administrative or criminal liability. Everyone who knows their job well and works honestly and with discipline will keep their position,” Papoyan said.

📌 Inspections are under way at Arinj Mall, a shopping centre owned by the family of Gagik Tsarukyan.

📌 Villagers blocked the Yerevan–Yerask highway in protest over problems selling their tomato harvest. A local resident told NEWS.am that he currently has 60 tonnes of tomatoes in his fields that processing factories refuse to buy. “It’s the same every year. Nothing is resolved until people take to the streets. Last year they promised things would be better this time, but this year it’s even worse. Our tomatoes are meant for the factories, but they won’t buy them. They say they won’t be able to export the products, so there’s no point in purchasing them,” he said.

📌 For the first time, Armenia is now able to export fish and fish products to the European Union. According to the economy minister, the EU has issued all the necessary approvals and all required export procedures have been completed.

📌 Araik Harutyunyan, chief of staff to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has resigned, according to ArmLur.am. There has been no official confirmation, and the reason for his resignation has not been announced.

📌 Passengers on Yerevan’s public transport can now pay using their phones through Apple Pay and Google Pay, the city’s mayor announced.

📌 David Manukyan, a former deputy commander of the Defence Army of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Azerbaijan on terrorism charges, released an audio address from prizon. “The trial is directed not only against 15 people, but against the past and present of the Armenian people, because according to the indictment and the verdict, it dates back to the first decades of the last century. Despite all these false accusations, we continue our just struggle, refusing to allow the Armenian people and the rights of Armenian statehood to be humiliated,” the address says. Manukyan called on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to publicly state his position on the charges brought in Azerbaijan against the former military and political leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. “If there is no response from you, it will mean that you agree with these false accusations, making not only yourself but also the Armenian people complicit. It is sad that those of us here do not feel the presence of the Republic of Armenia, but this is the reality,” the address says.

● President Ilham Aliyev is on an official visit to Germany. He met with Michael Harms, Chairman of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. The talks focused on opportunities for Azerbaijani and German businesses to expand cooperation, including in conventional and renewable energy, transport and logistics, including the Middle Corridor. The sides also discussed the use of advanced German technologies in Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector.

● A delegation from the Military Police Department of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defence is visiting Ankara. The delegation held meetings with Türkiye’s defence minister, the commander of the Turkish Special Forces and the head of the Special Forces School. It also observed the training process for a personal protection unit course and visited the central command headquarters.

● Mehdi Amrakhov, the former head of the Information Technology and Statistics Department at the Ministry of Health, has been arrested during a court hearing on charges of embezzling 783,000 manats (about $460,000) in state funds. Prosecutors allege he paid salaries to fictitious employees and received kickbacks from companies that won government tenders. Amrakhov denied the charges, saying he considers himself guilty only of failing to ensure sufficient oversight. A representative of the Ministry of Health, which has been recognized as the injured party in the case, filed a lawsuit demanding compensation for the alleged losses. Amrakhov told the court he would not accept the claim because he does not consider himself guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 14 years in prison.

● The Batumi Oil Terminal in Georgia, owned by Kazakhstan’s KazTransOil, has resumed transporting aviation fuel after an eight-year break. The terminal is seen as one of the main logistics hubs for shipping JET A1 aviation fuel from Europe to Kazakhstan via the Middle Corridor (the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route). The first shipment of 10,000 tonnes has arrived in Batumi by sea and is awaiting loading onto railway tank cars for transport to Kazakhstan.

The terminal is already used for transporting crude oil, fuel oil, diesel, gasoline, various types of kerosene and other liquid petroleum products along the Middle Corridor. In the first half of 2026, cargo throughput reached 725,000 tonnes.

● Georgia and Azerbaijan have launched a bilateral system of electronic permits for international road freight transport. The same permits will also be valid in Türkiye. According to Georgia’s Land Transport Agency, the digital system will simplify administrative procedures and improve the efficiency of international transport operations. A full transition to the digital system is planned for 2027.

● Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) reported that nearly 2,000 hectares of land were cleared of mines in just one week in territories liberated from occupation by Armenian forces following the 2020 Second Karabakh War. Sappers neutralized 28 anti-tank mines, 200 anti-personnel mines and 630 unexploded ordnance. The operations were carried out jointly by ANAMA, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, five private companies and one non-governmental organization.

● Azerbaijan has presented to UNESCO a programme to strengthen the capacities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The programme includes training specialists and supporting future nominations of sites to the World Heritage List. Azerbaijan also reaffirmed its readiness to support the implementation of UNESCO’s strategy for Africa.

● Azerbaijani special forces are taking part in international counterterrorism and special operations exercises in Jordan. The scenarios include the use of drones, modern military equipment, urban combat, hostage rescue and counterterrorism operations. The exercises are aimed at improving operational capabilities and strengthening coordination among the participating countries — Jordan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Pakistan.

● A delegation led by Uzbekistan’s Prosecutor General is on an official visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of the Azerbaijani side. The two countries are expected to sign a bilateral cooperation programme between their prosecution services.

● Azerbaijan has imported an electric vehicle from Poland for the first time, worth $36,400, according to the State Statistics Committee. Most electric vehicles imported into Azerbaijan come from China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and Mexico. During the first half of the year, EV imports fell by 39% in volume and by 52% in value compared with the same period last year.

● Baku has hosted the presentation of the first historical documentary created with the help of artificial intelligence, Sultan Hasan Bahadur. The film was produced by the state broadcaster Azerbaijan Television and Radio together with the Turkish company Patik Production. Rovshan Mammadov, chairman of the state broadcaster, said the film is based on historical facts and that particular attention was paid to historical accuracy. It is the first film in a series titled Proud of Our History and tells the story of Sultan Hasan Bahadur and his mother, Sara Khatun, who is regarded as the first female diplomat of the East. The film was directed by Mecit Güven.

● Destruction and a fire occurred about 200 meters from the Azerbaijani embassy building in Kyiv when Russia launched ballistic missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital on the morning of July 19. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that one person was killed and five others were injured in the attacks.

● The body of Samad Nasrullayev, the captain of the civilian cargo vessel Atlas Bey, who was killed in a Russian drone attack off the coast of Odesa, has been returned to Azerbaijan. The Turkish-owned cargo ship Atlas Bey came under attack on July 14. There were 11 Azerbaijani citizens on board. The captain was the only fatality. His body was found on July 16 after an intensive search.

● The committee defending the rights of opposition Popular Front Party chairman Ali Karimli says the conditions of his detention have become even harsher. According to the committee, the inmate sharing Karimli’s cell is still a prisoner reportedly suffering from mental health problems and facing terrorism-related charges. The committee says the inmate makes noise throughout the night, preventing Karimli from sleeping. It also states that Karimli has long been denied visits from his family, phone calls, outdoor exercise, and access to news. In recent days, the restrictions have reportedly been tightened further: his family is no longer allowed to send him food, handwritten notes — including legal motions prepared for court — have been confiscated, and his lawyers have been prohibited from giving him written materials during visits. The committee believes these restrictions are linked to interviews Karimli gave to international media and claims they were imposed on the direct orders of the president. It is calling for the release of Karimli and all political prisoners.

Ali Karimli has been under arrest since November 2025. At the same time, party member and MP Mammad Ibrahim was also detained. Both are charged with actions aimed at violently overthrowing the government. Their arrests are linked to an investigation involving former head of the presidential administration Ramiz Mehdiyev. The opposition and international human rights organizations have described the arrests as politically motivated repression. More than 20 party members and activists are currently in prison. The latest list compiled by the Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan includes 328 political prisoners. The authorities deny that arrests in the country are politically motivated.

● About 1.3 tonnes of wild-growing cannabis plants were discovered and destroyed in a single day, the Interior Ministry reported. During the same operation, police also seized more than 3.5 kilograms of narcotic substances.

● The British Embassy congratulated Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) on its 28th anniversary. “Every hectare cleared means lives saved. We are honored to stand alongside you in mine action,” the embassy wrote on X.

● The first open-air library has opened in Shusha, in Karabakh. It will operate 24 hours a day and be open to everyone. The project was created by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the administration of the Shusha State Reserve and the companies Azercell Telekom and Aztelekom.

● Azerbaijan national team footballer Mahir Emreli is transferring from Germany’s Kaiserslautern to Poland’s Raków Częstochowa.

● FIFA referee Farida Lutfaliyeva has been appointed to officiate two matches in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Another Azerbaijani referee, Gulnura Akbarzade, will officiate one match in the same round. Lutfaliyeva will also serve as the reserve referee for the tournament final in Slovakia.

● Azerbaijan has begun importing ice cream from Brazil (0.3 tonnes worth $3,140) and South Korea (1.1 tonnes worth $12,000), according to official statistics.

● Police arrested Giorgi Chigladze after a conflict during a wedding at the Agarani Mamuli hotel in Telavi, charging him with intentionally causing minor bodily harm to a foreign citizen. A video circulating on social media shows Chigladze striking a woman in the face. She was taken to hospital. The investigation is being conducted under Article 120 of the Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. According to the Interior Ministry, the incident was preceded by public insults from foreign nationals staying at the hotel toward guests attending the Georgian wedding. The foreign nationals were also pouring water from the balcony onto the wedding guests, including the musical equipment, and demanding that people speak Russian. Chigladze’s lawyer claims the confrontation began after repeated provocations and says his client was the first to suffer injuries. The defense has requested that he undergo a medical examination. According to the hotel administration, police had been called before the physical confrontation began, while an ambulance arrived after the incident.

● Heavy rain and overflowing rivers have caused problems in several regions of Georgia. In Tusheti, near the village of Shenako, floodwaters completely washed away part of the road, destroying its foundation. Traffic has also been temporarily suspended in both directions on the Kutaisi–Tskaltubo–Tsageri–Lentekhi road near the Sakdri Bridge because of river flooding.

● A train to Batumi was delayed for about 20 minutes at Tbilisi Railway Station after security staff called the patrol police. One of the carriages was carrying family members of people arrested during the pro-European protests. They were wearing T-shirts with images of the detainees and holding placards. They refused to comply with the administration’s request to put the placards away. After a report was drawn up, the train continued its journey.

● A traditional protest march took place in Tbilisi on Saturday, from the Philharmonic Hall to the parliament building, under the slogan “Glory to the Heroes.” Participants carried the flags of Georgia, Ukraine, and the European Union. The demonstration continued outside the parliament building.

📸 Protest on the Tbilisi–Batumi train. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze

● Armenia now has the opportunity to purchase US defence technologies, Armenian Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan told Axios. “Because of the absence of peace, many potential opportunities were blocked. As soon as we begin implementing the peace programme, prosperity will come. We are strengthening our sovereignty. We are seeking greater independence for Armenia. Greater sovereignty means less dependence on one single actor,” Mkrtchyan said.

● Armenia has slightly worsened its overall result in the Government Quality Index compiled by the international Chandler Institute of Governance, ranking 64th. Georgia is ahead of Armenia in 43rd place, while Azerbaijan ranks 57th. Türkiye is in 75th place, and Russia in 78th. The top positions in the ranking are held by Singapore, Norway and Denmark. Armenia’s weakest scores were recorded in long-term vision, bureaucratic quality, logistical competence, adaptability and passport strength. At the same time, between 2025 and 2026 Armenia maintained or improved its performance in five out of seven main areas, including public finance management.

● Video recording of an armed incident in central Yerevan has been released. The footage shows a person approaching a group of people standing on the street, opening fire and throwing a grenade in their direction. A body was found at the scene, and one person was hospitalised. One person has been detained. A criminal investigation has been launched, and authorities are taking measures to identify other participants in the incident.

● An intestinal infection outbreak has been reported in the city of Byureghavan. The emergency service received 15 calls overnight and another 14 calls in the morning. Six people have been hospitalised. The main symptoms include general deterioration, fever and abdominal pain. Local residents claim the incidents are linked to poor-quality water. They have already held several protests outside the city hall, demanding that the problem be resolved.

● The Ministry of Education has announced preliminary results of the 2026–2027 admission competition for local higher education institutions. The government allocated 12,720 places, including 2,133 state-funded places. A total of 9,620 applicants were admitted to universities, including 1,875 who received free education places.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 13-17 July, 2026