Top stories in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia from 26 February-1 March, 2024

● Another minor’s remains were discovered in a mass grave in Khojaly (pictured), bringing the total count to at least five individuals, including two minors. Learn more about the Khojaly tragedy during the first Karabakh war here

● The Azerbaijani foreign ministry condemned the European Parliament’s annual report for containing “provisions directed against Azerbaijan.” Describing it as part of a smear campaign, the ministry expressed concerns about the EU’s common foreign and security policy.

● Following the meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Berlin, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated the need for additional work on certain key issues.

● Azerbaijani foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov attended the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya, Turkey, where he participated in the panel discussion on “Institutionalization in the Turkic World: The Organization of Turkic States in the 21st Century.”

● Prime minister of Albania Edi Rama visited Azerbaijan, with the opening of Albania’s embassy in Baku expected to follow.

● ISESCO is dispatching a new mission to Karabakh to study Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, following the initial mission sent in 2021.

● Baku plans to open 10 new metro stations over the next 5-7 years.

● Azerbaijan proposes organizing language courses for migrant children using state budget funds, as outlined in the ombudsman’s 2023 report.

● Talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Berlin ended without concrete decisions on the draft bilateral peace and interstate relations agreement. Discussions will continue.

● “Armenia is ready to become a candidate for EU membership,” said Alen Simonyan, speaker of the parliament.

● Starting today, 470 out of 3,370 registered drugs in Armenia will be available only with electronic prescriptions, aiming to reduce self-medication.

● Country for Life party co-founder Mesrop Arakelyan plans to petition the Constitutional Court to ban the ruling party’s activities, citing the propagation of harmful ideas.

● Armenia’s ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan has resigned. “Recently, differences in our views on several fundamental foreign policy issues make it impossible for me to continue participating on the foreign policy front,” Marukyan wrote on social media, assuring that he will “continue to serve the state and the people.”

● Yerevan finalized the design for the Charles Aznavour monument, with David Minasyan’s composition “La Boheme” chosen for installation this fall on France Square.

● Armenia commemorates the March 1, 2008 events when 10 people were killed during protests in Yerevan after disputed presidential elections. Perpetrators remain unpunished. Read more here

● Patriarchate’s PR head Andria Jagmaidze criticized the president’s church comments, calling them questionable. Zurabishvili, at the Chatham House forum, hoped for a pro-Western stance from the Georgian Church, emphasizing “the need for a pro-Georgian and pro-European patriarch, not a pro-Russian one.”

● Exactly a year after the attempt to pass the “Foreign agents law,” dubbed the “Russian law” in Georgian society, the ruling party unveiled a new initiative reminiscent of Russian practices. Georgian Dream’s Mamuka Mdinaradze announced a bill aimed at countering what they term “pseudo-liberal ideology” and its perceived harmful effects, particularly targeting so-called “LGBT propaganda.”

● Opposition leader Mamuka Khazaradze stated that if he were president, he would pardon Mikheil Saakashvili, prioritizing the country’s development over political distractions.

● Former president Mikheil Saakashvili welcomed a resolution from the European Parliament calling for his pardon, interpreting it as “a sign of support from millions of his supporters in Georgia and Ukraine.”

● However, the ruling party criticized the European Parliament resolution assessing the outcomes of the common foreign and security policy in 2023. Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze directly accused MEP Anna Fotyga, the author of the point calling for the release of Mikheil Saakashvili. “Such resolutions damage Western relations with Georgia and are offensive. Someone is paid money, and then they pretend they are lobbying for issues, resulting in such resolutions being adopted,” Kaladze stated.

● Similar criticism was voiced by parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili. He spoke about “Saakashvili’s lobbyist team,” which included Anna Fotyga and Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who also called on the Georgian president to pardon Saakashvili.

● Prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with the Israeli ambassador to Georgia to discuss opportunities for further collaboration in various fields.

● An individual accused of murdering a 21-year-old woman in the Tbilisi suburb of Lilo has been arrested. The investigator revealed that the victim had sustained 59 wounds, and the accused attempted to flee the country.

● The National Environmental Agency reported an increase in particulate matter in the air in certain regions of Georgia, possibly due to the movement of desert dust masses from the south and southeast.

? Photo: Salome Zurabishvili and Patriarch Ilia II:

● Maya Pataridze, a former employee of the National Museum who was dismissed, won a legal battle against the museum’s new management and the ministry of culture. There’s public outcry against minister Tea Tsulukiani (pictured), accusing her of political purges and censorship. Read more here

● President Salome Zurabishvili, speaking at the Chatham House forum in London, emphasized Georgia’s European path and the challenge posed by Russia.

● Lelo party refuses to support an amnesty bill proposed by other opposition members, citing concerns about past amnesty acts under Georgian Dream’s rule. Details on what exactly the amnesty bill proposes can be found here

● The Russian military illegally detained a Georgian citizen in the occupied territory near Takhtisdziri in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone.

● Abkhazia approved a bill in the first reading to adopt the Russian ruble as its official currency.

● Nika Gvaramia, the founder of the popular independent television company “Mtavari Arkhi,” is stepping down from his position as its CEO and relinquishing his shares. Georgi Gabunia, a longtime anchor and journalist at the television company, has been nominated for the CEO position. Gvaramia has appealed to the public council of the television company to transfer his 12% stake to his wife, Sopho Liluashvili. Recently, Nika Gvaramia announced the creation of a new political platform called “Akhali” (New), which is intended to unite the opposition ahead of the parliamentary elections in October. Read more here

● Sentences have been handed down in two high-profile criminal cases. In Khelvachauri, the Achara region, a man intentionally killed his brother under aggravating circumstances. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. In Bolnisi, a husband, out of jealousy, stabbed his wife multiple times in front of his children; she died on the spot. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

● The investigation continues into another criminal case that has captured the attention of the entire society. In the Tbilisi suburb of Lilo, 21-year-old Keti Javakhishvili was murdered. She was found dead near her home on the morning of February 28. The girl sustained blunt force trauma and was thrown into a pit; eyewitnesses report that her hands were tied with wire. Local residents informed reporters that the alleged killer lived nearby and extorted money from the girl.

● Former employees of the Tsalenjikha district mayor’s office, Temur Mebonia and Besarion Dzadzamia, were arrested for bribery.

● “If we have now de facto frozen our activities in the CSTO, then if the issues are not resolved, we will do it de jure, but what remains for us?” – Nikol Pashinyan.

● Foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan conducted talks in Berlin (pictured), continuing today. Following a trilateral meeting involving the German foreign minister, discussions proceeded in a bilateral format.

● The Armenian foreign ministry lodged a protest note to the Russian Federation over violations of Russian TV broadcasting standards. Armenian Hi-Tech Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted offensive expressions against Armenian leadership on Russian airwaves, advocating for improvements or edits to the interstate agreement with Russia on mass communications.

● New resolutions of the European Parliament propose increasing the EU mission in Armenia, advocating for sanctions against Baku, and freezing new agreements with it.

● Ilham Aliyev asserts his country has no intentions to attack Armenia, dismissing them as “Mr. Macron’s insinuations.”

● “Moscow categorically rejects reproaches from Armenian authorities for the CSTO’s alleged failure to fulfill its mandate and obligations towards Yerevan during the well-known events in the region in 2021-2022,” stated Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

● “In the media in Germany, Azerbaijan is portrayed as a despotic country where freedom is allegedly not guaranteed, individuals are arrested for expressing their opinions, and a dictatorship reigns. This is an absolute falsehood, and I deeply regret it,” stated President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with Michael Harms, Chairman of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. “A deliberate attempt is made to create a very negative impression of Azerbaijan. However, this will not impede our efforts for the country’s prosperity, whether it involves restoring territorial integrity or advancing the economic agenda.”

● “If the rights of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE are not restored within a year, Azerbaijan may seriously consider withdrawing completely from the Council of Europe,” warned Ilham Aliyev.

● Negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia will continue in Berlin today, focusing on the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. “Direct dialogue, such as today and tomorrow, is the best approach to achieve further progress,” stated German Foreign Minister Annalena Bärbock yesterday.

● “The Azerbaijani serviceman lost his way due to adverse weather conditions and became disoriented,” stated the Ministry of Defense. The search for Ruslan Panakhov is ongoing. Meanwhile, Armenia reported the “neutralization of one Azerbaijani serviceman.”

● An Azerbaijani investor plans to invest nearly $98 million in Zheleznovodsk, Russia, intending to construct three sanatoriums there.

● The first-ever ultramarathon from Khankendi to Baku commenced in Azerbaijan, covering a distance of 360 km. Sixty-four athletes are participating, including individuals from Turkey (5), Mexico (4), and Moldova (1).

● Twenty families (78 people) of internally displaced persons moved to permanent residences in Lachin, while four families (11 people) relocated to Zabukh village, increasing the population of Lachin to 1,705 people and Zabukha to 808 people.

● Negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia for a peace treaty are scheduled for today and tomorrow in Germany.

● Official Baku refuted accusations regarding the events in Sumgait in 1988, calling them groundless and a distortion of historical facts. Azerbaijan accused Armenia of trying to conceal violence and the mass expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenian territory.

● Azerbaijani border guards intercepted a border violation in the Caspian Sea and detained two Iranian citizens.

● President of Kazakhstan Kamys-Zhomart Tokayev will visit Baku on March 11 to sign several documents and participate in the opening ceremony of the Kurmangazy Children’s Creativity Center in Fizuli.

● Farid Akhmedov, 45, was appointed minister of justice, replacing former minister Fikret Mammadov after the formation of a new government following the presidential elections.

● The Azerbaijani cabinet of ministers declared a seven-day holiday for the Novruz holiday from March 20 to 26.

● Azerbaijan celebrated Su Charshyanbyasi (Water Tuesday) as part of the Novruz holiday, marked by traditional bonfires in courtyards, though incidents occurred, including a car fire in Khirdalan. Photos and videos of Novruz celebrations here

● Speaker of parliament Alen Simonyan advocates for the removal of Russian border guards from Yerevan airport, expressing doubt about their ability to safeguard Armenia’s borders.

● The UN Court will conduct hearings in April regarding Armenia’s claim against Azerbaijan, with Armenia presenting new evidence of Azerbaijan’s mass crimes, according to Yeghishe Kirakosyan, the representative for international legal affairs.

● Speaker of parliament mentioned that there are currently 25 confirmed Armenian prisoners in Baku, including former leaders of the unrecognized NKR, with negotiations ongoing between Yerevan and Baku on this issue.

● Deputy prime minister Tigran Khachatryan announced that all Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh who choose to remain in the country after obtaining Armenian citizenship will receive state assistance for housing construction or purchase.

● An EU official for external relations and security policy, Peter Stano, stated that while they believe Armenia won’t face attack and threats will be neutralized, the EU remains prepared to respond to any violation of Armenia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as reported by “Armenpress”.

● Tamaz Gaiashvili, founder and director of Georgian Airways, secured a contract to transform the former ministry of communications building at the central Rustaveli avenue in Tbilisi into a hotel, casino, and shops through his company “Marili-2020,” where he holds 100% ownership. Gaiashvili and Georgian Airways have faced public criticism over the past year for numerous flights to Russia.

● The Russian World Foundation, established by the Russian ministry of foreign affairs, categorized Georgia among “relatively friendly countries for Russia.” South Ossetia tops the list of “friendly countries” (considered by the UN as an occupied territory of Georgia), followed by Belarus and Abkhazia (also UN-designated occupied territories). Azerbaijan and Armenia were listed as “neutral/friendly countries.”

● The OpenTalks.AI Forum is scheduled for March 6-7 in Tbilisi, with sponsorship and partnership from the NGO “Chislovo,” initiated by Russian president Vladimir Putin from 2018-2023. Additionally, key partners include Russian banks and sanctioned companies such as VTB Bank, Sberbank, MegaFon, Rostelecom, etc.

● President Salome Zurabishvili is in London to address a conference at Chatham House, focusing on Eastern Europe’s evolving dynamics amid the Ukraine conflict and internal/regional conflicts.

● Mikheil Saakashvili stated, “Over 100,000 signatures have been collected for my release, reflecting public discontent and the desire to restore normalcy in our country.”

● Two employees of the Tsalenjikha district mayor’s office (Western Georgia) were charged with receiving a large bribe by a group of individuals. This information from the prosecutor general’s office garnered particular attention in society because Tsalenjikha is the only one of Georgia’s 64 municipalities where an opposition representative became mayor following the October 2021 elections. All the others have been led by representatives of the ruling party since 2014. Here is a story with photographs about Tsalenjikha, which began to be called the “Georgian island of freedom” after those elections

● Ticket sales delay for the Georgia-Luxembourg European Championship playoff qualifying tournament in Tbilisi resulted from record website demand, according to TKT.GE.

? Marina Khatiashvili’s family faced eviction from their central Tbilisi apartment due to long-standing bank debts. Amid protests, about 20 people were detained. Khatiashvili claimed to have repurchased the apartment for $90,000 in an interview on Formula TV. Read more here

● The possible commission of an official crime due to the damage inflicted on the renowned ancient Gelati complex in Western Georgia during restoration in 2021-2022, as reported by the non-governmental organization Center for Social Justice. The investigation revealed irreversible damage to the paintings on the walls of Gelati.

● Former public defender Nino Lomjaria announced that she has no plans to establish a new political party, either independently or in collaboration with others. This comes after Nika Gvaramia, the former director of the Mtavari Arkhi TV channel, proposed a political alliance with Lomjaria, who is popular among the pro-Western segment of society, to participate in the parliamentary elections in October. Read more here

● Georgian UFC mixed martial arts fighter Merab Dvalishvili vehemently denied ever testifying against Georgian boxer Avtandil Khurtsidze. Dvalishvili refuted what he described as absurd accusations aimed at tarnishing his reputation. Khurtsidze was sentenced to ten years in prison by a New York court in 2018 for racketeering and fraud but was released early last April. Both athletes reside in the USA. In 2017, 27 members of a migrant syndicate from post-Soviet countries were arrested in the USA, with 15 of them being Georgian.

● Russian activist Maxim Ivantsov reported being denied entry into Georgia. Ivantsov, the head of the non-governmental organization Frame, sought to collect signatures in Tbilisi to support the registration of Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin as an opposition candidate in the upcoming Russian presidential elections in March.

● UNICEF expert Guga Beselia highlighted that approximately 15% of Georgia’s population is addicted to gambling, which is seven times higher than the European average. He attributes this issue to the lack of a unified policy in the country regarding gambling addiction.

● Starting from March, China will implement a visa-free regime for Georgian citizens.

● The upcoming meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Berlin on February 28-29, following the agreement reached during the trilateral meeting in Munich, as announced by the press secretary of the Armenian FM, Ani Badalyan.

● Armenian foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s upcoming working visit to Turkey on March 1 to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

● Discussions about the possible visit of the president of Ukraine to Armenia. Although there is no official confirmation or denial, a deputy from the ruling party emphasized the importance of receiving Zelensky in Yerevan, regardless of Russian opinions, stating that Armenia’s interests are paramount.

● A rally held by the youth wing of the “Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun” in Washington “To commemorate the Armenian pogroms in Sumgait and Baku”, accompanied by posters advocating “for the protection of Artsakh” (Karabakh).

● A physical altercation between Armenian political scientists Suren Sahakyan and Areg Kochinyan after a debate on Public Television, leading to both participants filing police reports against each other.

● The announcement by Yerevan mayor Tigran Avinyan regarding the privatization of the historic Kond quarter, one of the oldest districts in the city. Mayor Avinyan stated that the cost per square meter in this area ranges from 139,000 to 214,000 drams (approximately $340-525), with plans for future urban development projects.

● Today, Azerbaijan celebrates “Su Charshyanbyasi” (Water Tuesday), marking the first of four Tuesdays leading up to the spring holiday – Novruz.

● “Yerevan has only one way out – to accept all the conditions of Baku and abandon territorial claims against Azerbaijan,” stated Ilham Aliyev during his address in Khojaly.

● Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the president, announced plans to erect a memorial for the victims of the Khojaly tragedy along the Khojaly-Askeran route, consisting of several sections.

● Azerbaijani foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed concern over tensions created on the border by the actions of the EU mission, citing an incident where an Azerbaijani serviceman was injured due to the violation of Azerbaijani borders from the mission’s control zone.

● The head of the Hungarian Parliament delegation urged the PACE Chairman to reconsider the resolution rejecting the ratification of the Azerbaijani delegation’s powers. This appeal aligns with similar requests made by the heads of delegations from Serbia, Turkey, and Georgia.

● Avaz Zeynalli, the head of Xural Internet television, was sentenced to 9 years in prison on fraud charges following his arrest in 2023. Read more here

● Azerbaijan is implementing a system where complete information about purchased meat can be obtained via a QR code. This system, currently in the testing phase, will provide details such as the origin of the animal, age, slaughterhouse address, and dates of slaughter and shipment to retail chains.

● Today, Azerbaijan solemnly remembers the victims of the Khojaly tragedy, which occurred on the night of February 26, 1992. During the Khojaly massacre, 613 civilians lost their lives, with the fate of 150 of the 1,275 hostages still unknown. The parliament of Azerbaijan, alongside more than ten other countries worldwide, has recognized the Khojaly massacre as a “genocide.” Here you can read a chapter dedicated to this tragedy from the book “Black Garden” by British journalist Thomas de Waal

● “The Khojaly genocide stands as the worst massacre of innocent civilians in Europe since World War II, shrouded in the silence and indifference of the international community,” remarked Hikmet Hajiyev, a presidential aide, on social media.

● Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are set to revive the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline, with a capacity of 5 million tons per year to the Georgian port of Supsa. Kazakhstan aims to transport up to 3 million tons of its oil annually via this route.

● The period of preliminary arrest for journalist Nargiz Absalamova has been extended for another three months in connection with the Abzas Media case. Absalamova was one of six employees arrested on charges of smuggling committed by conspiracy. These arrests, which international human rights activists view as politically motivated, have been strongly denied by all involved. Learn more about the Nargiz Absalamova’s case here

● Germany has extradited Marwood Vagifzadeh, an Azerbaijani sought internationally by Baku. Vagifzadeh faces accusations of large-scale misappropriation, embezzlement, and official forgery dating back to 2021 during his tenure as a loan officer for World Telekom.

● In observance of Ramadan, Azerbaijan will observe five consecutive days off from April 10 to 14, with the holiday itself falling on April 10 and 11 this year. The country’s cabinet of ministers has rescheduled the day off from April 6 to the 12th to ensure uninterrupted holidays.

● Azerbaijani Qarabag will face German Bayer in the UEFA Europa League’s Round of 16. The first leg will kick off on March 7 in Baku.

● Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly preparing for a visit to Armenia, according to Armenian resource factor.am. The Armenian Foreign Ministry stated that information regarding high-level visits will be provided in due time.

● Bishop Mushegh Babayan, chairman of the Church Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church, stated that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin maintains its position on the resignation of Nikol Pashinyan, emphasizing the ongoing difficulties in the country. Previously, church representatives had advocated for the prime minister’s early resignation.

● Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko informed reporters that Minsk has not received any official statements regarding Armenia’s withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Lukashenko also expressed calmness towards Nikol Pashinyan’s announcement about Yerevan’s “freezing” of its participation in the organization, stating that “the CSTO will not collapse without Armenia.”

● The Armenian men’s basketball team secured victory over the Albanian team with a score of 84:79 in a World Cup qualifying match held in Yerevan.

● Ten publishing houses showcased their new books and bestsellers at a prominent vernissage in the center of Yerevan.

● February 25 marked Georgia’s commemoration of another anniversary of the Soviet occupation, with state flags lowered across the nation. The first Georgian Republic was declared on May 26, 1918, lasting until February 1921. Following weeks of conflict, the Red Army entered Tbilisi on February 25, 1921.

● “The upcoming parliamentary elections in October will witness a significant battle against dark forces opposed to Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and European future,” stated president Salome Zurabishvili at an event held at her residence in honor of the anniversary of the Soviet occupation of Georgia.

● On the second anniversary of the onset of Russian aggression in Ukraine, Georgia’s president, prime minister, and ministry of foreign affairs issued statements reaffirming support for Ukraine.

● Recent amendments to the electoral code fail to align with OSCE and Venice Commission recommendations, potentially eroding trust in the Central Election Commission, as highlighted in a report from the international pre-election monitoring mission organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

● According to the report from the international pre-election monitoring mission, young people perceive a lack of viable alternatives within the current political landscape, potentially leading to decreased participation in elections. Disillusionment with the country’s political spectrum, particularly among young citizens, is echoed in the findings of the Ebert Foundation’s study “A portrayal of the average Georgian youth in 2024.” Read more here

Top stories in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia from February 19-23, 2024