Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 28 July-1 August, 2025

●  The final court hearing in the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli (pictured below), founder and director of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, will be held today. She has been in pretrial detention for six months after slapping a Batumi police chief who had insulted her. Amaghlobeli is charged with assaulting a police officer and faces 4 to 7 years in prison. Human rights advocates argue that a slap, which caused no harm, is neither assault nor a criminal offense. Leading international press freedom organizations have rallied around Amaghlobeli’s case. A European Parliament resolution calls for her “immediate and unconditional release and the dropping of all politically motivated charges.” The Parliament expressed “deep concern about the sharp deterioration of Amaghlobeli’s eyesight in detention” and urged “immediate access to medical care.” The case has also been accepted for review by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Hundreds of activists and concerned citizens are traveling to Batumi from Tbilisi and other cities to support her. Here’s more on Mzia’s case.

●  Human Rights Watch reported a sharp decline in Georgia’s human rights situation over the past three years. In a report submitted to the UN, the organization accused authorities of persecuting and intimidating activists, restricting freedom of speech and assembly, and discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It noted that since spring 2024, Georgia’s ruling party has passed a series of laws incompatible with the country’s international human rights obligations. The dissolution of a special investigative service for crimes by law enforcement was described as a step backward. HRW urged Georgian authorities to repeal repressive laws, investigate attacks on activists and journalists, ensure equal rights for women and LGBTQ people, and release “all those unjustly detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.”

●  Vice Speaker of Parliament Gia Volski from the Georgian Dream party called the report politically biased and accused HRW of “showing loyalty to criminals and ignoring violence by anti-government protesters against law enforcement officers.”

●  Georgia and Turkey have expressed readiness to fully launch freight transport via the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway. This decision followed a visit to Tbilisi by a delegation led by Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu. It was noted that modernization of the Georgian section of BTK was completed in 2024, increasing the railway’s capacity from 1 million to 5 million tons per year. Discussions also covered major infrastructure projects, including railway upgrades, the East–West highway construction, development of the Anaklia deep-water port, and a new international airport in Tbilisi.

●  Construction of the Anaklia deep-water port’s maritime infrastructure is on schedule, said Zurab Sichinava, director of Anaklia Sea Port LLC. Belgian company Jan De Nul, which won the international tender, is carrying out the work. The first stage of construction—engineering surveys and detailed design—is nearing completion. According to Sichinava:

• • Up to 80% of rock material for breakwaters has been delivered.
• • Production of concrete “X-blocks” for a temporary pier, set to finish by October, has begun.
• • An onsite concrete plant and processing equipment are operational, reducing logistics time and speeding up construction.
• • Design of the first 650 meters of breakwater is complete.
• • A GPS system for construction monitoring and equipment for wave and water turbidity measurement are being installed.

• The second stage – seabed dredging – will begin in September–October with specialized equipment, expected to finish by May 2027. At that time, a 1,400-meter breakwater and deepened water area will be operational.

The government promises to complete phase one of the project by 2029, enabling the port to handle 600,000 containers annually. This landmark project for Georgia and the region was stalled for nearly a decade after a Georgian-American consortium was removed for allegedly failing obligations. Last year, the government announced that 49% of the port’s shares would be acquired by a consortium of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) and Singapore’s China Harbour Investment. The investment agreement has yet to be finalized, with no explanation for the delay.

●  The ruling Georgian Dream party officially nominated current mayor Kakha Kaladze as its candidate for the upcoming municipal elections in October. The nomination event was attended by the party’s honorary chairman and oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, considered Georgia’s shadow ruler. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze presented Kaladze’s candidacy, calling him “a champion in both the literal and figurative sense: he brought top-level victories to Georgia, is a politician, patriot, exemplary family man, friend, and ally.” Kaladze named two slogans he plans to lead with if elected for a third term: “Tbilisi – a city of responsibility and a city of opportunities.”

●  The European Court of Human Rights has opened proceedings against Georgia and Ukraine over the situation at the Verkhny Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border, where around 100 Ukrainian citizens have been held for over two months in a basement under harsh conditions. Reports say one man attempted to slit his throat after border guards refused to let them buy water at duty-free shops. These individuals had served prison sentences in Ukraine on territories later occupied by Russia. After completing their sentences, Russia deported them and left them at the Georgian border. Most lack documents, and both Georgian and Ukrainian authorities have refused them entry. The European Court has demanded that both countries, by August 6, provide detailed information on the detainees’ living conditions, access to assistance, and actions by Ukrainian authorities to ensure their right of entry.

●  Armenia’s Environment Minister Ambartsum Matevosyan and the UN’s Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Françoise Jacob, discussed organizational matters for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-17), which will be held in Armenia in October 2026. “I am confident that our joint efforts will help host the conference at a high level and have a lasting impact on the global environmental agenda,” Matevosyan said.

●  “Armenia has never discussed, is not discussing, and will not discuss any transport communication options passing through its territory that are incompatible with the country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction. On the contrary, if these principles are respected, Armenia is open to discussing different formulas for operating regional transport routes and is interested in reaching an agreement,” said Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokesperson for the Prime Minister.

She posted this on social media amid active media discussion of a reported US proposal to give an American company control over a road that would connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenian territory. Baku has for years demanded the opening of such a road, calling it the “Zangezur Corridor,” but insists on extraterritorial status, meaning Armenia would have no control over the section of the route on its land. Armenian authorities say they are ready to provide a road but not a “corridor,” which would mean losing sovereignty. Experts view the US proposal as a possible way to resolve this dispute. Official details have not been disclosed, raising concerns in both society and expert circles.

In this context, the spokesperson stated: “Territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of Armenia certainly cannot be delegated. Business management of railways, pipelines, and power lines can be.”

●  Armenia has developed a new export development strategy aimed at increasing exports by 70% by 2030. The plan outlines 5 key directions and 50 measures, including creating a competitive environment, improving infrastructure and logistics, supporting exporters, and expanding markets. Export volumes are expected to reach $16.9 billion annually, with $10.3 billion coming from services (including information technology) and $6.6 billion from goods.

●  The price of liquefied gas, widely used in Armenia as vehicle fuel, continues to rise. While in mid-July prices were reported to have increased by 20–25%, they have now risen by almost 70%. In July, the increase was attributed to Armenian trucks facing long waits at Georgian customs. Now, the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition explained the price hike as being caused by higher purchase costs, logistical issues in Georgia, seasonal border delays, and a significant surge in demand exceeding supply.

●   “Actions by the Azerbaijani side to dismantle in Karabakh a monument to Ivan Aivazovsky – an outstanding Russian artist of global renown – are regrettable and deeply unacceptable,” said Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation, as quoted by TASS. Konstantin Zatulin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, issued a stronger statement, calling it “an example of vandalism encouraged at the state level.”

Armenian media published these Russian officials’ statements along with Baku’s response. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said: “The bust of the Armenian-born artist Ivan Aivazovsky (Hovhannes Ayvazyan) was illegally installed by Russian peacekeepers without Azerbaijan’s consent. This showed disrespect for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. Russian officials must understand that if anti-Azerbaijani actions and statements continue, a review of the imbalance in relations between the two countries cannot be ruled out.”

●  The Matenadaran Research Institute and Museum of Ancient Manuscripts will soon acquire another exhibit. A renowned Austrian company has put up for auction a unique 13th-century manuscript written by medieval Armenian theologian Sarkis Shnorhali, titled “Interpretation of the Seven Ecumenical Writings.” The purchase will cost Matenadaran €93,000.

●  Armenian weightlifters achieved strong results at the Junior European Championships currently taking place in Madrid. Harutyun Oghanesyan, competing in the over 94 kg category, won the European champion title with a total of 346 kg. Grigor Kazaryan, competing in the up-to-84 kg category, also became European champion with a total of 338 kg.

●  Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizadeh criticized comments by Russian presidential envoy Mikhail Shvydkoy, who expressed outrage over the dismantling of a bust of Russian artist of Armenian origin Ivan (Hovhannes) Aivazovsky in Karabakh (pictured below). “The bust was illegally installed by Russian peacekeepers without Azerbaijan’s permission on its territory; this was a sign of disrespect by Russia,” Hajizadeh said.

“Mr. Shvydkoy’s claims about an alleged ‘cancellation’ of Russian culture in Azerbaijan are another lie. Azerbaijan has Russian theaters, Russian-language schools, and publications in Russian, while Russia has no theaters, schools, newspapers, or magazines in Azerbaijani. Despite this disparity, we do not claim that Azerbaijani culture is being ‘canceled’ in Russia. However, Russian officials must know that if their anti-Azerbaijani actions and statements continue, adjustments to this imbalance cannot be ruled out,” Hajizadeh warned.

“Mr. Shvydkoy recently visited Azerbaijan’s territories liberated from occupation, including Shusha, and saw the vandalism of Azerbaijani monuments by Armenian separatists, as well as the destruction across Azerbaijani lands. Yet he did not have the courage to condemn these acts,” he added.

Hajizadeh also expressed concern that Russian news agency TASS used the separatist name “Stepanakert” for the Azerbaijani city of Khankendi in Karabakh: “This is an insulting step against Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity […] We expect an apology and corrections from TASS. Otherwise, measures may be taken against TASS operations in Azerbaijan as provided by law.”

The spokesperson also demanded that Russian authorities “stop distorting Azerbaijani toponyms and labeling our territories with names used by the former fabricated separatist regime. If such cases repeat, Azerbaijan will also start referring to many settlements in Russia by their original names,” Hajizadeh said.

●  Pro-government Azerbaijani media have been publishing ideas for a “parity response” that Baku could deliver to Russia, where officials and state media use separatist names for Azerbaijani cities and regions.

“One could recall the Soviet-era ‘Stepanakert’ to name Azerbaijan’s Khankendi, trying in a fevered imagination to dispute Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Then we could recall the German city of Königsberg. Founded in 1255 by the Teutonic Order, it remained a truly European and German city until Soviet forces captured it in April 1945, annexed it to the USSR, and renamed it Kaliningrad in 1946. The name Königsberg means ‘Royal Mountain’ in German and reflects its German heritage. Similarly, Khankendi means ‘Khan’s village’ in Azerbaijani, pointing to the area’s historical significance. But what meaning do ‘Stepanakert’ and ‘Kaliningrad’ carry other than to immortalize long-gone Bolshevik bandits? Maybe Azerbaijan should also start calling Kaliningrad by its original German name? Or perhaps Moscow should rethink its foolish attempts to dispute historical justice,” wrote the pro-government outlet Report.

State news agency AZERTAC said it expects an apology from Russian TASS and a correction of “Stepanakert” to Khankendi. Otherwise, AZERTAC plans to “start using the historical names of Russian cities – Kaliningrad (Königsberg), Orenburg (Orynbor), Volgograd (Sarysu), Grozny (Solzha-Gala), Novorossiysk (Sudzuk-Kale), Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Toyohara), Yuzhno-Kurilsk (Furukamappu), Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi), Izhevsk (Izhkar), the Volga River (Itil), and many others.”

●  “Iran itself is to blame for failing to establish relations with brotherly and neighboring Azerbaijan,” said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Iranian media. Pezeshkian stressed the importance of unity in the Muslim world, particularly between neighboring countries with shared religious values. “I visited Azerbaijan recently. It’s a country close to us and a brotherly nation. How is it that we cannot travel there, make alliances, while Israel can? I must ask myself: what is my mistake? Why couldn’t I establish friendly and healthy ties with my brothers and sisters, but Israel could? This means the blame lies with us,” Pezeshkian said.

●  Today marks Azerbaijan Alphabet and Language Day. The date is linked to the decision to exclusively use the Latin alphabet in the country, which took effect on August 1, 2001. From 1940 to 1990, Cyrillic was used in Azerbaijan. The shift away from it began with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and by 1992, a Latin-based alphabet had been developed and partially adopted.

●  “The Azerbaijan Journalists’ Network has started filming a documentary about the revival of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur following the historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020,” reported the pro-government outlet Report. The crew has already filmed in Aghdam, Shusha, Khojaly, and Khankendi, with upcoming shoots in Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Lachin, Kalbajar, and Zangilan districts. The project received a grant from the NGO State Support Agency.

●  The trial of a group of former leaders of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continues. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempting to overthrow state power, and other serious offenses. According to state agency AZERTAC, yesterday’s session heard testimonies from victims of landmine explosions in areas around Karabakh that were heavily mined by Armenian forces and later liberated during the Second Karabakh War in 2020. The trial resumes today.

●  Today, the ruling Georgian Dream party will officially nominate current Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze as its candidate for the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for October, according to the party’s social media posts.

●  Nine Western countries (US, UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine) have imposed sanctions on more than 230 representatives of Georgian Dream, with 138 publicly named and the rest subject to anonymous travel bans or visa restrictions, according to information released by Transparency International-Georgia.

●  Kazakhstan and Turkey have agreed to increase cargo transportation via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway route. The signed intergovernmental document aims to develop the Middle Corridor and boost its competitiveness. The countries agreed to establish regular rail services between Kazakhstan and Turkey and expand freight capacity for shipments between China and Europe/Africa in both directions. Customs and administrative procedures will also be simplified to speed up cargo transit. Middle Corridor participants plan to implement electronic, paperless documentation and digital tools for tracking containers and rolling stock.

●  The opposition Strategy Aghmashenebeli party has published an eight-point action plan. Its main goal is to unite opposition forces and organize coordinated protests. Party leader Giorgi Vashadze has been sentenced to eight months for refusing to cooperate with a parliamentary temporary commission set up by Georgian Dream to investigate actions of the previous government during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency.

●  Georgian Dream parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili is attending the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. In his speech, he stated that “Georgia is among the countries whose democracy has suffered from imposed foreign political interference.”

In the Svaneti’s mountains, Georgia. Photo by JAMnews

●  A ministerial-level meeting between Syria and Israel will take place today in Baku, according to The Times of Israel and AFP. Israel’s Minister of Strategic Planning Ron Dermer and Syria’s Foreign Minister Asad al-Shibani are expected to attend. The main topic is expected to be security, particularly in southern Syria.

●  Former German Bundestag member Eduard Lintner (pictured below) has been given a nine-month suspended sentence by a Munich court in the so-called “Azerbaijani bribery case,” AFP reported. He was accused of bribing elected officials to influence decisions in favor of Azerbaijan in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Investigators say that in 2016, Lintner, a PACE member since 2010, received several million euros through 19 shell companies. He allegedly passed part of these funds to other assembly members to secure favorable decisions. Lintner claimed it was “normal lobbying,” but the court rejected this argument.

The court also ordered the confiscation of about €110,000 from the heir of former Bundestag deputy Karin Strenz, allegedly received from Lintner. According to the verdict, in 2014, Lintner agreed that Strenz would vote in Azerbaijan’s interests in PACE in exchange for around €7,500 per month.

A separate case concerns another former Bundestag member, Axel Fischer, who headed the German delegation to PACE and chaired the European People’s Party group. He is accused of extorting money from MPs. Proceedings against two other defendants were dropped after they paid fines. German PACE deputy Frank Schwabe stated on X that the verdict “proves systematic bribery of deputies by Azerbaijan and large-scale planning and organization of corruption.”

●  The family of Ulvi Hasanli, director of the popular outlet Abzas Media, sentenced to nine years in prison, is demanding his transfer to a medical facility. He has been on hunger strike since July 20, lost 10 kg, and experienced fainting spells. The penitentiary service has not commented. Hasanli and other Abzas Media staff were convicted of smuggling and other serious crimes, which they deny, claiming political persecution for critical reporting. International human rights groups and Western politicians call them political prisoners and urge Azerbaijani authorities to release them along with over 30 other detained journalists.

●  Exiled blogger Gabil Mammadov has been sentenced in absentia to 16 years in prison for allegedly inciting mass unrest and other anti-state activities. Mammadov denies the charges, calling them politically motivated. On July 28, another exiled blogger, Imamedin Alimanov, received an eight-year sentence on similar charges, which he also rejects.

●  “Azerbaijan and Armenia have reached a real ceasefire, Azerbaijan fully controls its territories, and a peace treaty draft is ready and agreed upon in good faith. Moreover, Baku has proposed to initial the document. However, key steps are still needed for its signing,” wrote Zaur Ahmadov, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, in an article for Norway’s Geopolitica. He outlined three main points:

“The main obstacle is that Armenia’s Constitution still contains wording with territorial claims against Azerbaijan, particularly regarding Karabakh. This is incompatible with mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Armenia claims these provisions are meaningless, but our experience shows otherwise. The Constitution has already been used to justify unlawful political ambitions.”

“The second issue is the outdated OSCE Minsk Group format, which facilitated Karabakh negotiations in the early 1990s but achieved no tangible results in over 30 years. Modern talks should be conducted directly—as they are now—without third-party mediation.”

Regarding the Zangezur Corridor (a proposed route connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia’s Syunik province), Ahmadov wrote: “This route will connect East and West, North and South, becoming a crucial link bringing the region closer to Europe. Azerbaijan is already building its part of the infrastructure, and if Armenia is ready to join, the doors are open.”

“Azerbaijan is ready for peace. Now the country awaits decisive steps from Armenia,” Ahmadov concluded.

●   “Mines on liberated territories continue to pose a danger to both people and animals,” wrote presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev on X, reporting that an anti-personnel mine recently injured a dog, requiring emergency surgery. “Since 2020, mines planted by Armenia have claimed the lives of over 400 Azerbaijani civilians and soldiers. Remaining buried for years, they also cause soil erosion and destroy local vegetation,” Hajiyev said.

●  Serbian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dragan Vladisavljević said: “Serbia expects to sign an intergovernmental memorandum on cultural cooperation with Azerbaijan for 2025–2029. Belgrade values the teaching of the Serbian language at Azerbaijan’s University of Languages (ADU). This year, several Serbian applicants have applied for Heydar Aliyev international grants to pursue higher education in Azerbaijan. Tourism between the two countries is still below expectations. The visa-free regime already facilitates travel, but a direct flight between Baku and Belgrade could give a real boost. We also need to organize familiarization tours, as our nations still know little about each other’s culture and nature.”

●  Starting August 2, Azerbaijani natural gas deliveries to Syria will begin via Turkey. According to pro-government outlet Report, the deal resulted from the July 12 meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Syria in Baku.

●  Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR held talks with Japan’s Itochu Corporation on oil field exploration and development, renewable energy projects, and introducing advanced industrial technologies. Preparations are also underway for the next session of the Azerbaijan-Japan intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

●  The share of Azerbaijan’s non-oil and gas sector in GDP grew from 61.6% in 2021 to 67.8% in 2024, the Ministry of Economy reported.

● Families of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijani prisons have been informed that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will no longer be able to visit them. “The last visit was in June; there were no visits in July. At the request of Azerbaijani authorities, the ICRC office in Baku will soon cease its activities,” Zara Amatuni, head of communications programs of the ICRC delegation in Armenia, told Radio Liberty’s Armenian service. Relatives said this was the only international organization regularly visiting the prisoners. Through the ICRC, they received information about the prisoners’ health, sent essential items, and communicated via video calls. According to official data, 23 people are currently held in Baku’s prisons. Their communication with families is now handled by Azerbaijani state agencies, limited to occasional phone calls.

● Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova: “We hope that regional countries, including Azerbaijan and Armenia, understand the risks of deepening cooperation with NATO. Everywhere NATO appears, confrontation grows, tensions rise, and words like ‘peace,’ ‘stability,’ and ‘normalcy’ are forgotten. Instead, a Western-imposed ‘new normal’ emerges. NATO does not seek equal partnerships with post-Soviet states. It aims to seize resources, pit countries against each other, ignite conflicts, and act like typical colonizers and imperialists. Everyone knows well how this ends.”

● Tehran University and the Iranian news agency IRNA hosted a discussion on “Iran-Armenia Relations: Transition to a New Regional and Global Order.” Professor Mohammad Jafar Javadi Arjmand of Tehran University said that relations between Armenia and Iran should be based on a national security document, calling it insufficient that ties with Armenia in recent decades have been shaped only by current issues.

● “Armenia needs investment, especially in road infrastructure, and Iran can invest in Armenia’s transit infrastructure,” said Habibollah Malakoutifar, head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s research department, during the same discussion. In his view, Yerevan and Tehran should make use of Armenia’s transit potential, which requires completing the Armenian section of the North-South highway.

● “After the border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the situation has become safer for us,” said Arsen Agababyan, head of the enlarged Noyemberyan community, to Armenpress. “Previously, the risk of residents and travelers being shot was high, but now the situation has changed. There is now a border zone controlled by border guards rather than regular army units. Our territories have never been as safe as they are now,” he said.

● “Yerevan has not rejected the US proposal to unblock regional communications but will not accept initiatives that bypass Armenian laws,” Armenian Parliament Vice Speaker Ruben Rubinyan told a local outlet. Washington proposed that Yerevan and Baku allow an American company to manage a road linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenian territory. Analysts viewed this as a possible compromise to resolve the long-standing dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Baku demands unrestricted access, calling the route the “Zangezur Corridor,” while Yerevan has long said it is ready to unblock communications but refuses to grant a “corridor,” which would mean losing sovereign control of its own territory. Rubinyan reiterated that Armenia will not consider initiatives that violate Armenian law.

Regarding the stalled peace treaty, whose text has already been fully agreed upon, Rubinyan said: “This is due to a lack of political will in Baku. Yerevan has already addressed all of Azerbaijan’s concerns and completed all steps on its part.”

● Russian media report that Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has recalled honorary consul Narek Spartakyan from Yekaterinburg, citing his disagreement with the Armenian authorities’ positions on two issues: worsening relations between the government and the senior clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the arrest in Yerevan of Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, accused of calling for a coup.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Spartakyan’s tenure as honorary consul has ended without specifying the reasons. Spartakyan told Russian media that he “will remain in Yekaterinburg and continue supporting the Armenian community.”

More details about the confrontation between the authorities and the church – here.

Details of the charges brought against Samvel Karapetyan – here.

● French outlet Le Figaro published an article on the “pink cities of the world,” stating there are only five: Yerevan, the French cities Toulouse, Albi, Montauban, and Jaipur in India. The article explains that Yerevan’s distinctive color comes from the stone traditionally used in building construction. “The title ‘Pink City’ was given in the 20th century. Architect Alexander Tamanian, tasked with planning the city in the 1920s–1930s, decided to make it a symbol of urban harmony, widely using pink tuff stone in the main avenues and central squares,” the article says.

●  Cartu Bank, founded by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili (considered the shadow ruler of Georgia), has filed a lawsuit against opposition TV channel Pirveli. Cartu is seeking a ban on being referred to as Ivanishvili’s bank or “the oligarch’s bank.” The channel reports that the lawsuit claims Cartu has no connection to Ivanishvili. Currently, Cartu Bank is owned by the Cartu International Charity Foundation. This foundation was also established by Ivanishvili, and his son, Uta Ivanishvili, is listed in recent documents as the beneficial owner.

●  Gia Volsky, the first deputy speaker of parliament from Georgian Dream, accused the opposition of “trying to destroy the country.” “They are acting like an extremist group. Certain circles have developed a plan aimed at fueling revolutionary processes in Georgia, which goes against the interests of society. The topic of ‘parliamentary election fraud’ is being artificially pushed into the public agenda as part of attempts to destabilize the country. The upcoming local elections in October will clearly show which side the Georgian public supports,” Volsky said.

●  Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed prospects for increasing Kazakh oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

●  The government plans to expand and renovate a border crossing with Russia due to deported Ukrainian citizens from Russia who are trying to enter Georgia but cannot do so because of invalid documents. For more than two months, dozens of Ukrainians have been living at the “Upper Lars” checkpoint. They sleep in shifts in the basement of an unfinished Georgian terminal where there are no beds. More on this issue here

●  A court has ordered pre-trial detention for Luka Kurtanidze, a former Georgian Dream MP and well-known wrestler. He was arrested for physically assaulting his ex-wife, an offense punishable by up to five years in prison.

●  In Abkhazia, a Georgian citizen was arrested and extradited to Russia on claims that he was “illegally present” in Abkhazia.

At the Dry Bridge street market in Tbilisi. Photo: JAMnews

●  “A major campaign against Armenia has begun. A hybrid war has been launched,” wrote parliament speaker Alen Simonyan (pictured below) on social media. He claims that Russian-speaking bloggers and well-known figures are being recruited to “spread lies” and create a false impression of Armenia. He attached a screenshot showing topics they are instructed to write about: 1) criticism of Prime Minister Pashinyan, 2) support for Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, arrested in Armenia on charges of inciting seizure of power, 3) support for the Catholicos amid tensions between the Armenian authorities and the patriarch. “They think they can buy everyone. They will buy our free people for cash and turn them into slaves. Prices vary, the currency is Russian rubles. The ultimate goal is to turn Armenia into a stronghold controlled by oligarchs who are Russian subjects,” said the speaker.

●  “Syunik will become the gateway to Armenia’s future development if we manage to open these gates,” said Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan about Armenia’s southern border region. He explained that this refers to opportunities that will arise from unblocking regional communications. “Our ‘Crossroads of Peace’ project is very well received internationally and is highly attractive,” he stressed. Khachaturyan also said that the Armenian authorities intend to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan soon.

●  Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan stated that the emergency ruling by the arbitration court in favor of Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan may not be enforced. Karapetyan, a billionaire, owns Electric Networks of Armenia. Frequent power outages and other issues caused public outrage, leading parliament to pass amendments allowing possible nationalization. The Stockholm Chamber of Commerce arbitration ordered the government not to “confiscate” the company, appoint a temporary manager, or amend its charter. Karapetyan’s family declared victory in court, but the minister clarified that such emergency rulings “do not have to be enforced if they contradict public order.” She added that no nationalization procedure exists in Armenia: “If it ever comes to that, the owner would be compensated.” Read more here

●  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Armenia and other regional neighbors have great potential for cooperation. “Tehran urgently needs to improve relations with its neighbors. If we strengthen these ties, sanctions will become ineffective. Delegating powers, especially in border provinces, will encourage local authorities to expand cooperation with neighboring countries,” he said.

●  “If Donald Trump truly wants to claim credit for achieving peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, this must happen by persuading Ilham Aliyev to abandon his ambitions of creating the ‘Zangezur Corridor,’” wrote former Armenian ambassador to the US Grigor Hovhannisian in The Washington Times. The road would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave. The diplomat argued that there are no global precedents or UN provisions requiring a country to relinquish control over its own territory to link separate parts of another state.

●  The Anti-Corruption Court upheld the prosecutor general’s lawsuit to revoke the property rights of the company “Soglasiye-Armenia” to a plot of nearly 3,000 square meters in central Yerevan’s Northern Avenue. The court returned the land, owned by the head of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan, to city ownership. The prosecution said the privatization was illegal. The company linked the ruling to Abrahamyan’s recent statements calling for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation and criticizing the government’s policies.

●  Armenian athletes achieved success at the European Running Target Shooting Championship in France. Armenian team member Hovhannes Margaryan won a gold medal in the men’s individual event and set a world record. The men’s team won bronze, while the women’s team secured silver.

●  UNICEF’s office in Azerbaijan will cease operations on September 3, announced the organization’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Irina Mazur. UNICEF will continue cooperation with partners in Azerbaijan through its regional office and headquarters, she said. Social media users commented that Azerbaijan already has a high child mortality rate and that UNICEF’s departure may worsen the situation.

Since March, Transparency International, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Erasmus+ student exchange program have halted activities in Azerbaijan. According to pro-government sources, authorities also plan to close three more UN offices: UNDP, UNFPA, and UNHCR. The state-run APA news agency stated that “Azerbaijan has evolved from an aid recipient to a country contributing to the global agenda and sees no effectiveness in working with outdated organizations given new regional and global realities.” Commentary on these decisions here.

●  US Senator Jeanne Shaheen called for the release of Farid Mekhralizade, a Radio Free Europe journalist sentenced to nine years in prison in Azerbaijan. “This is a mockery of justice. He was unjustly imprisoned for reporting on the government’s economic and energy policies. He must be freed. Journalism is not a crime,” Shaheen wrote on X. In June, she announced plans to highlight imprisoned journalists from US-supported independent media every week. Mekhralizade is one of seven journalists detained in a criminal case against AbzasMedia. They received sentences ranging from 7.5 to 9 years on charges including currency smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, and tax evasion. They deny the accusations, stating they were punished for investigative reporting exposing corruption. Local and international human rights organizations condemned the sentences as political repression targeting critical voices. At least 30 journalists and activists remain jailed in Azerbaijan under similar charges.

●  “Moldova is open to concluding a long-term gas supply agreement with Azerbaijan. This has become possible after the start of Azerbaijani gas transportation to Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan route,” Moldova’s Energy Minister Dorin Jungietu told the pro-government outlet Report. “Our goal is to allow every consumer to independently choose a supplier, and we encourage new, reliable players to enter the market. Azerbaijan has already proven itself a trustworthy energy partner,” Jungietu said.

●  Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan highlighted the importance of opening a road linking Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia’s territory, known in Azerbaijan as the Zangezur Corridor. Baku demands that the road be extraterritorial, while Yerevan insists it will not give up control over the route on its own territory. Azerbaijani media quoted Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan during a meeting with residents of Syunik, near the border between the two countries: “If we can open Syunik’s gates—meaning the 43 km stretch of this road on Armenian territory—the future will offer us great opportunities for development. Our goal is to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan soon,” Khachaturyan said. Azerbaijani media cited his remarks during a visit to Syunik, near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border: “If we can open Syunik’s gates, meaning the 43 km of road on Armenian territory, the future will offer us great development opportunities. Our goal is to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan soon,” said Khachaturyan.

●  The International Front for Decolonization (FID), founded in Baku, criticized the Bougivale Agreement signed in July in France, which outlines the future of Kanaky (New Caledonia), a French territory seeking independence. The agreement proposes a new political model where Kanaky remains part of France but gains autonomous status as the “State of New Caledonia,” with dual citizenship (French and Caledonian) and gradually increasing powers in defense, security, and other areas. The agreement requires approval via a 2026 referendum. FID argued that these terms are insufficient and recalled the killing of 14 Kanaks by French police during pro-independence protests in May 2024. “The concept of ‘shared sovereignty’ does not fully realize the right to self-determination, which is enshrined in the French Constitution and UN General Assembly resolutions. New Caledonia must become a sovereign state,” the group stated, urging France to adhere strictly to international law and self-determination principles.

International experts often note that the activities of FID and the Baku Initiative Group—advocating independence for regions suffering from French and Dutch colonial policies—are partly a response to these countries’ long-standing support for the self-proclaimed “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” established by ethnic Armenians in the 1990s but dissolved and reintegrated into Azerbaijan following the Second Karabakh War in 2020. Read more here

●  The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, a former state minister of the now-defunct self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Armenian citizen, continued. He is accused of torture, mercenary activities, war crimes, terrorism, and other offenses. According to the pro-government outlet AzerTac, “testimonies of victims and relatives of those killed during Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani lands were heard during the session.” The next hearing is set for August 5.

Photo JAMnews

●  A parliamentary delegation from Georgian Dream is visiting China (pictured below). According to official information, the visit includes “strategic meetings with representatives of the ruling Communist Party of China focused on Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor and deepening cooperation with Beijing.” The previous visit to China by Georgian Dream representatives took place in January 2024, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling party.

●  US Congressman Joe Wilson commented on the visit: “The anti-American Georgian Dream party is once again paying homage to Communist China, which it calls a ‘model superpower.’ The MEGOBARI Act is essential for securing access to trade via the Middle Corridor and critical minerals, as well as helping the people of Georgia preserve their hard-won freedom.”

●  Lithuania has imposed visa sanctions on 10 more Georgian citizens, banning their entry into the country. The updated list, published on Lithuania’s Migration Department website, includes four judges, two prosecutors, two MPs, the head of the Adjara regional government, and the head of the anti-corruption bureau. In total, the website now lists 112 Georgian citizens subject to visa restrictions.

●  Activist Tamar Kuratishvili was fined 5,000 lari (about \$1,850) for coloring the water in the fountain in front of parliament red during a June 20 performance. She and other participants aimed to remind the public of the June 20, 2019 events, when Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov sat in the parliament speaker’s chair, sparking mass protests that police brutally dispersed using special equipment and rubber bullets. Dozens were injured, and two people lost their sight. In memory of the events, activists also unfurled a banner reading, “We remember what you did.” The fine cited “the release of hazardous substances into the water.” Kuratishvili claims she used natural food dye and plans to appeal the fine in court.

●  The ruling Georgian Dream party confirmed that incumbent mayor Kakha Kaladze will be its candidate for Tbilisi mayor in the October municipal elections. Kaladze had earlier stated he intended to seek a third term. He has been mayor since 2017 and was re-elected in 2021. Georgian Dream plans to officially present mayoral candidates for upcoming city elections soon. A significant portion of the opposition has announced a boycott, demanding new fair parliamentary elections first. Two opposition parties that will participate have not yet named their mayoral candidates.

●  A new border checkpoint will be established on the Georgia–Armenia border. The project was discussed during a bilateral interagency meeting in Yerevan. Acting head of Georgia’s Customs Department Mikhail Chokoshvili said the new checkpoint is necessary due to a significant increase in cargo traffic across the border. On Georgia’s side, road repairs leading to the Armenian border have also begun.

●  The Media Development Agency (MEDIA) has once again issued a warning about the widespread circulation of fake videos on social media, allegedly showing state officials (pictured below). These deepfake videos often depict high-ranking Azerbaijani officials apologizing to Russia. “This is blatant manipulation aimed at misleading public opinion. We urge society to rely only on information from official sources,” the agency stated.

●  Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev discussed prospects for developing bilateral relations and implementing agreements reached at the heads-of-state level with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian. Iranian media reports that Ahmadian plans to visit Azerbaijan.

●  Iranian Foreign Ministry representative Ismail Baghaei: “Tehran supports accelerating the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. (…) Iran also consistently supports expanding transport routes. However, such development should not lead to geopolitical changes in the region. Another problematic issue is the involvement of external players in the region, which does not serve its development and security,” Baghaei said, as reported by Iran’s Tasnim agency.

●  Sevinj Vagifgizi, editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, along with journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova—sentenced to nine and eight years respectively—announced they are ending their hunger strike in support of Ulvi Hasanli, the imprisoned director of the outlet, who remains on strike. The journalists said they stopped their protest to avoid further distressing their parents, some of whom have been hospitalized. They urged Hasanli to stop as well, citing his mother’s poor heart condition. The journalists were accused of smuggling and other serious crimes, which they deny, calling the prosecution retaliation for their critical reporting. International human rights organizations and many Western politicians consider them political prisoners and demand the release of Abzas Media journalists and over 30 other detained media workers.

●  Serbia and Azerbaijan are preparing to sign a memorandum on building a gas power plant near the Serbian city of Niš. In an interview with pro-government outlet Report, Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović said the project “has already been included in Serbia’s new energy strategy as one of the priorities. We value Baku’s support on territorial integrity issues and energy cooperation, which has already delivered tangible results. This includes diversifying natural gas supplies and signing long-term contracts for importing Azerbaijani gas,” the minister said.

●  The Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations and the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue signed a memorandum of understanding in Rome to promote interfaith dialogue.

●  The 8th meeting of the Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on economic and humanitarian cooperation was held in Baku.

●  “Over one million hectares in Azerbaijani territories liberated after the Second Karabakh War remain mined. Since the end of hostilities in fall 2020, 243 mine explosions have been recorded, killing 70 people and injuring 330,” said Elnur Gasimov, representative of Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), at the international “Towards a Mine-Free World” conference in Malaysia. Since the beginning of this year alone, more than 200,000 hectares have been cleared, with 37,655 anti-personnel mines, 21,992 anti-tank mines, and 143,010 unexploded ordnance neutralized. Experts estimate full demining in Azerbaijan could take around 20 years and cost about \$25 billion.

●  At the same conference, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Malaysia Irfan Davudov appealed to the international community for political, financial, and technical support for the country’s demining efforts.

●  The trial of former leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continues. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempted coup, and other serious offenses. According to state agency AZERTAC, the court heard detailed testimonies from victims and witnesses about incidents during the First Karabakh War (1992–1994), the Second Karabakh War (September 27–November 9, 2020), known in Azerbaijan as the Patriotic War, as well as kidnappings, injuries, and beatings during numerous post-2020 incidents. The trial will resume on July 31.

●  Organizers of a fraud network assisting applicants during university entrance exams have been detained. The State Security Service reported a successful operation following a complaint from the State Examination Center. According to Report, applicants were provided with hidden kits containing micro earpieces, micro cameras, mini-phones, routers, and other equipment. A criminal case has been opened, and the entrance exam results of some applicants have been annulled.

●  A large number of professions have been added to the list of those eligible for preferential pensions, including gold room controllers, operators and controllers working in ore processing, crushing, transportation, enrichment, and metallurgy.

●  Iranian Foreign Ministry representative Esmail Baghaei: “We support accelerating the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, considering it a step toward strengthening stability in the region. Delaying the signing could lead to increased tensions.”

●  Baghaei also stated that Iran supports the unblocking of roads in the region but stressed that this process must not violate the territorial integrity of states. “This is not in the interests of peace and security. Iran is closely monitoring the situation as it is directly linked to our national interests,” he said. The discussion concerns a road through Armenia that would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan. In Baku, it is referred to as the “Zangezur Corridor.” Azerbaijan demands an extraterritorial road that Armenia would not control. Yerevan responds that it is ready to open the roads but insists on maintaining sovereignty over its own territory.

●  Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to demand the provision of an extraterritorial corridor through Armenia’s territory, opposing the positions of Tehran and Yerevan. Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu said: “Work continues on the Zangezur Corridor from the Azerbaijani side, which will connect our country with the Far East and the Turkic world via a shorter route. We will also begin work on our side this year. Armenia and Azerbaijan are negotiating, and once they reach an agreement, we will ensure this corridor passes through this territory.”

●  In an interview with the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, also touched on the unblocking of communications: “Overall, such routes would benefit the entire region. If Armenia is ready, we would gladly develop the Trans-Caucasus transport corridor together.” He reiterated Baku’s preconditions for signing a peace treaty: amending Armenia’s constitution and dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group. Yerevan interpreted his statements as political pressure aimed at “controlling Armenia’s domestic agenda and turning the peace deal into capitulation.” Read more here

●  The Ministry of Defense stated that reports circulating in media and social networks about Azerbaijani troops capturing positions near the city of Jermuk are false. Defense Ministry spokesperson Aram Torosyan urged people to “refrain from spreading misinformation.”

●  Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, arrested for publicly calling for the seizure of power, wrote another letter from pre-trial detention. Previously, he announced the creation of a new political force in Armenia. Now he says his team will consist of professionals: “We will open a new, long-awaited, and desired page of our history in our own way,” the businessman’s letter says. The phrase “in our own way” (in Armenian, “mer dzevov”) was the same expression he used in the interview that led to his arrest. In that interview, he commented on the escalating tensions between the authorities and the church, expressing support for the church: “If Armenia’s political forces fail to handle this situation, we will have to intervene in the campaign against the church in our own way.” The movement he leads is now also called “Mer Dzevov.”

The leader of the new political force will be Karapetyan himself, his nephew Narek Karapetyan told reporters. Earlier, many assumed that his brother Karen Karapetyan would lead the movement. This is because Samvel Karapetyan holds dual Armenian-Russian citizenship and, under Armenian law, cannot hold high-ranking government positions.

●  The Investigative Committee reported that the preliminary investigation into the criminal case against former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and former Minister of Environment Artsvik Minasyan has been completed. Ohanyan illegally built a private house on a protected natural area. Minasyan was aware but presented the private property as an investment project of the ministry, thus legalizing the seized land. “The actions of these high-ranking officials caused significant harm to the legitimate interests of society and the state,” the statement said. The case will soon go to court. Read more here

●  The preliminary investigation into the criminal case against Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan has been completed. “In a TV interview, M.A. stated that he repeatedly suggested to two former Armenian presidents \[Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan] to carry out a military coup through his like-minded generals in the army, police, and national security service. Thus, using the media, he made public calls aimed at seizing power and violently overthrowing the constitutional order,” the Investigative Committee reported. The case has been sent to the prosecutor and will go to court once approved. Read more here

●  From July 28 to August 15, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is on vacation. On the first day of his leave, he actively posted on social media about the massive participation of citizens in celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration (Vardavar), which involves water-splashing rituals. Many traveled to Lake Sevan and other leisure areas. Pashinyan wrote that “there is no tension, apathy, or hatred in society,” despite opposition claims. In another post, he stated that living conditions in Armenia have improved by about 50%: on July 27 alone, “more than 50,000 people were at Lake Sevan.” He added that “restaurants in Yerevan and across the country are always fully booked” and that “trips by Armenian citizens to EU countries have increased significantly.” According to him, this shows that people are now spending amounts they previously could not afford.

In a third post, he praised government reforms in law enforcement: “160,000 people were in public spaces on Sunday, with over 50,000 at Lake Sevan alone. These figures reflect our reforms in the Interior Ministry. \[…] People with criminal mindsets no longer dominate our country and cannot spoil the positive atmosphere,” he said.

●  In September, exhibits from the Louvre’s collection will be displayed at the History Museum of Armenia. Famous artworks will be brought to Yerevan “with full security measures,” French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies announced. Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan said: “We view this cooperation not only as a major cultural event but also as an effective means of strengthening our museums professionally.”

Photo: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with his wife Anna Hakobyan

●  Alex Raufoglu, Washington correspondent for Foreign Press USA, wrote on social media that three U.S. senators – Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Marquise Mullin – were misled by lobbying groups into believing that the MEGOBARI Act would sanction all of Georgia. Earlier, Raufoglu reported that these senators were delaying the passage of the MEGOBARI Act in the Senate.

The MEGOBARI Act envisions U.S. sanctions against officials of Georgian Dream and their allies involved in corruption, acts of violence, and intimidation aimed at obstructing Georgia’s European integration. Sanctions would include visa bans and freezing of overseas assets. Details of the MEGOBARI Act here.

●  A large protest took place in Tbilisi near the hotel where Russian fencers are staying for the ongoing World Championship in Georgia. Activists set off firecrackers and displayed a banner reading: “You’re not welcome here! Fireworks today, ‘Grads’ tomorrow.” The protest also occurred near the Sports Palace where competitions are held. Russia has 25 athletes participating, with local media reporting that 17 of them hold military ranks. Olympic champions Sofya Velikaya and Yana Egorian were campaign proxies for Vladimir Putin in presidential elections.

●  The Russian Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Georgia posted a statement on Facebook saying they are closely monitoring “Russophobic actions” against Russian athletes at the fencing championship in Tbilisi. They said they “expect relevant Georgian authorities to take necessary measures.”

●  The Georgian Institute of Public Opinion and Business Research GORBI (often described as pro-government) conducted a poll commissioned by pro-government TV channel Imedi. When asked which party they would vote for if parliamentary elections were held this week, the majority chose the ruling Georgian Dream with 56.2%. The rest of the votes were distributed as follows:

• • Lelo – For Strong Georgia: 10.7%
• • Gakharia for Georgia: 10%
• • Coalition for Change: 9.5%
• • United National Movement: 7.5%
• • Girchi: 3.2%
• • Alliance of Patriots of Georgia: 1.8%
• • Others: 1.1%

●  Former Deputy Minister of Defense Giorgi Khaindrava, former head of the ministry’s procurement department Vladimir Gudushauri, and a close relative of the then-minister of defense (identified as “V.M.”) have been arrested. According to the State Security Service, they are accused of colluding to illegally embezzle Ministry of Defense funds in an especially large amount, causing damages of at least 1,333,728 GEL (about $600,000). They face 7 to 11 years in prison.

●  The verdict for Giorgi Akhobadze, a doctor and participant in pro-European protests, will be announced today. He is charged with a drug-related crime, which he and human rights advocates deny, calling it politically motivated. He faces 8 to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.

●  Former ruling party MP and freestyle wrestler Eldar Kurtanidze has been detained on charges of domestic violence and violating a restraining order, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Local media report that the arrest followed the circulation of a social media video showing violent actions against his ex-wife, Khatuna Makaradze.

●  Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani reiterated support for Armenia’s position on unblocking regional communications. “Iran opposes border changes, which would inevitably occur if Baku gains a 42-km corridor through Armenian territory. Azerbaijan demands an extraterritorial ‘Zangezur corridor’ to connect to its Nakhchivan exclave, which Armenia would not control. If Yerevan agrees to Baku’s demand, Iran would lose its border with Armenia, which is unacceptable,” Sobhani said. According to him, Armenia’s southern Syunik region, bordering Azerbaijan, is a “red line” for Iran. “Armenian authorities assured us they will not allow violations of territorial integrity under the guise of unblocking. Iran fully supports this stance. Territorial integrity cannot be subject to manipulation. If such actions become normalized, it will set a dangerous precedent under international law,” he added.

Armenian authorities have long stated they are ready to unblock roads but will not give up sovereign control of their territory.

●  “The so-called ‘Zangezur corridor’ is not aimed at regional integration, economic stability, or people’s welfare. On the contrary, it is a plan to block Iran by land, posing a threat to Iran’s national unity and territorial integrity,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader and former foreign minister.

●  On Sunday, Armenia celebrated Vardavar, one of the main holidays of the Armenian Apostolic Church — the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Its roots, however, date back to pre-Christian times. It is believed that water splashed on people during Vardavar brings good luck, so anyone soaked cannot take offense and should even thank the person for the greeting. The weather also favored water festivities, with temperatures in Yerevan reaching +37–40°C in recent days. More on the holiday in JAMnews video.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated the nation: “Vardavar is an essential holiday of the real Armenia. It celebrates the natural desire to live, enjoy life, be happy, and guides us deep into our roots. Vardavar is a hymn to our martyrs who gave us the opportunity to live, to rejoice, and to build an eternal state. We will not miss this chance. Happy Vardavar!”

●  A fire in the Khosrov Reserve has been contained, and emergency mode has been established, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported. The affected area covered 1 hectare. Firefighting involved rescue and eco-patrol services, police, reserve staff, and local residents, with the Defense Ministry helicopter also engaged.

●  From January to June, the 1,000 largest taxpayers contributed over 986 billion drams (\$2.5 billion) to the state budget — \$225 million more than last year, according to the State Revenue Committee.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on social media a new record for registered jobs in Armenia, calling it “historic.” In June 2025, there were 796,473 registered jobs. “I love you, working people of Armenia, creating results for the good of your state,” Pashinyan wrote.

●  The Sevan Startup Summit 2025 has concluded (pictured). This major tech event has been held annually in Armenia since 2016, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech representatives from different countries. Its goal is to find new solutions for developing Armenia’s business environment and economic growth. “Developing a startup culture is crucial not only for Armenia but for the global tech ecosystem. We will continue implementing programs to strengthen this ecosystem and position Armenia as a promising hub for investors and tech companies,” Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan wrote on social media.

●  “Baku expects Moscow to take responsibility for the Azerbaijani passenger plane shot down over its territory during the Baku–Grozny flight. We know how it happened; it’s no longer a secret,” said presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev in an interview with Berliner Zeitung, according to the pro-government outlet Report. “There have been no fundamental changes in Russian-Azerbaijani relations, but in recent months there has been a sense of misunderstanding and growing tension. Incidents can happen between neighboring countries. To resolve them, ensuring justice is important,” Hajiyev said.

●  Germany can make a significant contribution to economic transformation in the South Caucasus, said presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev in an interview with Berliner Zeitung. “Germany has high authority in the region. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently visited Baku and is highly respected in Azerbaijan. So, Germany could do more not only in peace policy but especially in the economic transformation of the South Caucasus. We expect German companies to be more active,” Hajiyev said.

●  Hikmet Hajiyev also commented on reports of a possible U.S. company’s involvement in controlling part of the potential Zangezur Corridor, which would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia. Baku insists the road must be extraterritorial, while Yerevan maintains it will not relinquish control over it. “Whether Armenia cooperates with U.S. companies is their business. We are focused on our own efforts, expanding transport links and establishing contacts with all our neighbors — Georgia, Iran, and Russia. Overall, such connections will benefit the entire region. If Armenia is ready, we’d like to jointly develop the Trans-Caucasus transport corridor,” Hajiyev said.

Earlier, Spanish outlet Periodista Digital reported that Armenia had accepted a U.S. proposal to create the Zangezur Corridor, but Yerevan later denied it.

●  “A new wave of revanchism is emerging in Armenian society, with attempts to challenge the current status quo. Signs of ideological indoctrination among Armenian youth promoting confrontation and new wars are visible. Azerbaijan finds this unacceptable,” said Hikmet Hajiyev. In his view, Armenia’s government should focus on instilling the idea of peace in its society. “An important step toward ending all this would be amending Armenia’s constitution to remove its territorial claims against Azerbaijan,” Hajiyev said.

●  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: “In foreign policy, we prioritize strengthening relations with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Persian Gulf coastal states. Iran will expand relations with BRICS members, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union (led by Russia). In this process, we will coordinate our actions with Russia, China, Europe, and other countries.”

●  The Milli Majlis (Parliament) has approved legislative amendments tightening conditions for NGOs’ operations and increasing fines and penalties for violations. Previously, NGOs needed government approval to receive grants; now this also applies to service contracts. Lawyer Samed Rahimli told Meydan TV that “this amendment completely eliminates the possibility of working under service contracts, which remained the only way for NGOs to earn income after foreign grants were banned in 2015 without prior government approval.” “These legal changes violate Azerbaijan’s international obligations and the constitutional right to freedom of association,” Rahimli said.

●  Georgian Education Minister Givi Mikanadze visited Baku. Discussions included an initiative to open a joint STEAM Education Center in Tbilisi, offering a multidisciplinary approach combining science, technology, arts, and mathematics. During the meeting with Azerbaijan’s Education Minister Emin Amrullayev, they agreed to resume the joint working group on education and culture starting in August. Mikanadze invited his Azerbaijani counterpart to visit Georgia.

●  The Georgian-Azerbaijani Youth Forum is taking place from July 22 to 28 in Quba, Baku, and Sumgayit. Ninety students are participating, exploring the cultures of both countries. The next stage of the forum will be held in Georgia.

●  At the State Flight Academy in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine, a memorial exhibition has opened honoring Azerbaijan’s national hero Aleksandr Kalyaninov. He was the co-pilot of the Azerbaijani passenger plane shot down by Russian air defenses near Grozny last December. Of the 67 people on board, 38 died. According to the investigation, the pilots’ professional actions prevented an even greater tragedy. The academy staff initiated the permanent exhibition, supported by Ukrainian MP Roman Hryshchuk and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine. Over 60 Azerbaijani cadets are currently studying at the academy.

Photo by Zulfugar Karimov

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 21-25 July, 2025