Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 3-7 February, 2025

● The ruling Georgian Dream party passed restrictive amendments to the administrative and criminal codes, as well as the law on assemblies and demonstrations. All changes target penalties for citizens participating in protests and public gatherings. The process was fast-tracked, with the second and third readings held on the same day. Read more here

● The public defender has formed a medical team for Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and director of popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, who has been on a hunger strike in pretrial detention for 26 days. She is currently in Vivamedi clinic. Amaglobeli was arrested during a protest for slapping Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze after he allegedly insulted her. She faces 4 to 7 years in prison.

● Batumelebi reports that 10 police officers, including Dgebuadze, have been questioned in Amaglobeli’s case. She accused him of mistreatment and violence after her arrest, but all officers denied her claims. The investigative service previously stated it was reviewing her allegations of inhumane treatment and humiliation.

● Amaglobeli has been added to the McCain Institute’s “Freedom for Political Prisoners” initiative, which supports political detainees worldwide. The initiative includes Americans, green card holders, and dissidents held hostage by repressive regimes. Others on the list include Venezuelan opposition leader Jesús Armas, Belarusian musician Maria Kalesnikava, and Israeli-American hostages in Gaza.

● Protester Temur Katamadze has been on a hunger strike for 21 days, losing 15 kg and struggling to move. He will be unable to attend his court hearing. His lawyer says he has been unable to obtain official health updates despite multiple appeals to the Interior Ministry.

● European diplomats met with families of detained protesters. After the meeting, the Polish embassy issued a statement: “Poland expresses full solidarity with all those unjustly imprisoned for fighting for democratic values and demands their immediate release.” The embassy posted a photo of the meeting on X.

● Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze: “The U.S. Embassy, USAID, and NED acted against the Georgian state and its people. We hope this disgraceful practice will end under the new administration.”

● Georgian Dream Speaker Shalva Papuashvili: “The new U.S. administration’s revelations about the misuse of American aid are a signal for us to review our laws and protect our democracy from foreign interference. These disclosures confirm what we have long said: U.S. funds were used to create local organizations serving external interests, and even internationally known media outlets were financed from various budgets. It turns out that ‘Politico’ and others may have covered events with bias, following a specific political agenda.”

Papuashvili stated that Georgia will “literally adopt” the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) into its legislation.

● U.S. Helsinki Commission Chair, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson: “I am grateful for the meeting with the foreign ministers of the three Baltic states to discuss how we can collectively respond to Ivanishvili’s tyrannical regime. The Baltic states are a model of freedom and democracy.”

● Japanese outlet Shūkan Bunshun published an article about Bidzina Ivanishvili’s son, who is considered Georgia’s shadow ruler. It claims that “the eldest son of the pro-Putin dictator, Uta Ivanishvili, is in Japan” and was seen dining with Georgia’s ambassador to Japan, Temur Lezhava. As they parted, a man in a jacket handed him a large black bag, saying in Georgian: “Do not open it here. I hope this helps.” The full article is available on JAMnews, translated by Studio Monitor.

● Two more Georgian fighters, Davit Dvalishvili and Mamuka Beria, have been killed in combat in Ukraine.

● Two journalists have been placed in pretrial detention. Shamshad Aga, editor-in-chief of Arqument.az, received 2 months and 1 day on smuggling charges related to the “Meydan TV case.” Toplum TV host Shahnaz Beylergizi was sentenced to 3 months and 15 days in the “Toplum TV case,” facing multiple criminal charges. Dozens of journalists are already in detention on similar charges, which they call political persecution. Read more here

● In the trial of former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), Ruben Vardanyan, his lawyer Avraham Berman requested a confidential meeting with him, which the judge granted. After hearing both sides, the judge initiated the judicial investigation. The prosecutor read the indictment, stating that Vardanyan “joined and led a criminal organization created to commit serious and especially grave crimes.” The next hearing is on February 10.

● Former NKR president Arayik Harutyunyan denied claims by Armenia’s prime minister and media that psychological pressure or psychotropic drugs were used on the accused. “I am familiar with the conditions of detention, and all norms are being followed. There has been no pressure,” he said. Former NKR foreign minister David Babayan made a similar statement. The trial continues on February 7.

● Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has officially notified the U.S. of USAID’s closure in the country, citing a lack of legal grounds for its operations.

● The ministry also informed Russia of the closure of “Russian House” in Azerbaijan, stating it is not legally registered and has violated Azerbaijani laws. Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded that it is ready to take steps to register the organization in Baku and hopes for a positive resolution.

● Azerbaijani literature will be taught in Russian-language schools in Azerbaijani, announced Education Minister Emin Amrullayev. Currently, Azerbaijan’s history is already taught in Azerbaijani in Russian-language schools.

Photo: Ruben Vardanyan

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with U.S. Vice President James David Vance at the White House in Washington. They discussed Armenia-U.S. bilateral relations and regional issues, according to the Armenian PM’s press service.

● “Despite political and ethnic differences, our region has a strong tradition of religious tolerance and respect, making lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus more realistic,” Pashinyan said at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington.

● A court in Baku held another hearing for former Armenian leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The next session for ex-state minister Ruben Vardanyan is set for February 10. Trials for other detained leaders continue today, February 7.

● Armenia and Iran are working on a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani announced.

● Sobhani also addressed a social media controversy over a video showing Iranian Azerbaijanis singing in Azerbaijani in central Yerevan. “The audio in the video is unclear. Those promoting racist and nationalist slogans do not represent the Iranian people or Tehran’s official position. Some may be trying to harm bilateral relations,” he said.

● Armenian airports will speed up passenger screening with biometric equipment at entrances and new baggage scanners. Automation will increase to 98%.

● Today marks the 71st day of large-scale protests in Georgia demanding new, fair parliamentary elections to legally change the government. Another key demand is the release of over 50 arrested protesters, who face lengthy prison sentences.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has issued a statement on the condition of detained protester Temur Katamadze, known as the “flag bearer” (pictured). He has been on a hunger strike in pretrial detention for 20 days, but authorities have not yet provided information on his health. According to his lawyer, Katamadze is feeling weaker than in recent days and has lost a significant amount of weight. He told his lawyer that due to his weakness, he will not be able to attend a hearing at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals scheduled for this week.

● Public Defender Levan Ioseliani stated that a representative of Mzia Amaglobeli requested the creation of a medical council and submitted the names of specific doctors. Ioseliani confirmed that the process has already begun.

● A draft law on media control has been introduced in parliament. “Starting February 6, work will begin on a new law that will establish standards of objectivity in media and journalistic ethics, as well as define institutional mechanisms for their monitoring and protection. Foreign funding of media will be restricted,” said Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the parliamentary faction of “Georgian Dream.” Read more here

● Georgian Dream representative Tea Tsulukiani stated that after the law is passed, relevant government structures will be created or reformed. “Right now, the media accuses people of things that are not true. For example, they could say you are a giraffe, and then you have to prove that you are not,” Tsulukiani said on Rustavi 2.

● Another draft law has been introduced in parliament, described as a “direct copy of the current U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).” It is reported that the Georgian Dream government will create a fund to finance civil society initiatives, for which amendments to the “Law on Grants” will be made. Read more here

● Georgian Dream plans to pass both initiatives in an expedited manner. The Public Defender has appealed to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, requesting a legal assessment of these bills. He also urged Georgian Dream MPs to refrain from considering these projects until the OSCE’s conclusion is published. “I hope that the OSCE’s recommendations will be fully taken into account and all necessary measures will be taken to prevent negative consequences for human rights,” the Public Defender’s Office stated.

● Reporter Nikoloz Chirakadze from the online publication “Tabula” has been accused of blocking the road while covering the protests. He has been summoned for questioning.

● Eight participants in the mass pro-European protests, who face criminal charges for attempting to block a highway during a February 2 rally at the entrance to Tbilisi near Tbilisi Mall, will be released from pretrial detention on bail. The judge set bail at 5,000 GEL (approximately $1,800) for some defendants and 3,500 GEL (approximately $1,200) for others.

● Former director of the Dmanisi State Drama Theater, Lasha Chkhvimiani, has ended his hunger strike after seven days in front of the Dmanisi City Hall. “I have seen the unity of society, and with great hope, I am ending my hunger strike. Together with the strengthened residents of Dmanisi, I am joining the nationwide public protest,” Chkhvimiani said.

● Georgia’s 5th president, Salome Zourabichvili, announced that she had a phone conversation with the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French Parliament, Bruno Fuchs, and informed him about the new repressive bills proposed by Georgian Dream. “This is the ruling regime’s policy to suppress peaceful protests, change Georgia’s foreign course, and ignore two months of continuous protests and the unwavering will of the people to fight for European integration and freedom,” Zourabichvili wrote on X.

● The administration and faculty of Ilia State University have appealed to the Tbilisi City Court, requesting permission to post bail for student Alexander Gogoladze, who was arrested during the February 2 protest.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has proposed that Azerbaijan start bilateral relations from a “clean slate.” Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, he called this a “new era,” stating that “the parties have managed to agree on sensitive issues in the draft peace treaty, which is the cornerstone of future peace.”

● Lawmakers from the ruling party clashed over a casino bill, with one accusing the other of supporting the betting industry in Armenia. Hayk Sargsyan proposed a 10% tax on online casino turnover, but Babken Tunyan, deputy head of the economic affairs committee, opposed it and called for postponing discussions. Sargsyan accused him of depriving the state of over $2 million in monthly revenue. Here is an analytical review: “The gambling industry in Armenia, a 17-fold growth since 2018.”

● “The charges against former Prime Minister of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ruben Vardanyan and other former leaders held in Baku are purely political. Only sanctions will force Azerbaijan to release these prisoners,” reports international outlet Bne Intellinews.

● Employees of Yerevan City Hall have been detained, and a criminal case has been launched, announced Mayor’s spokesperson Hayk Kostanyan on social media. He did not comment on the reasons, directing inquiries to the Anti-Corruption Committee.

● “The increase in public transport fares has lowered our political party’s rating, costing us thousands of votes. But we still went ahead with it to ensure people have a comfortable transport system,” said Civil Contract MP Hayk Sargsyan. Here’s a key overview of Yerevan’s transport reform and why passengers and drivers are unhappy.

● Fourteen Armenian companies are participating in the international exhibition Prodexpo-2025 in Moscow from February 3 to 7 (pictured). In total, more than 2,100 representatives from 30 countries are attending.

● Journalist Shahnaz Beylergizi has been detained in Baku as part of the “Toplum TV case.” A search was conducted in her apartment. No further details of her detention have been disclosed yet. Here is an analysis: “The 149th year of Azerbaijan’s national press has seen the highest number of journalists arrested,” including comments from Shahnaz.

● In Aghdare (which returned to Azerbaijani control following the Second Karabakh War in 2020), ammunition belonging to illegal Armenian armed formations has been discovered, the Ministry of Defense reported. According to the statement, confiscated items include a sniper rifle, a hand-held PK-74M machine gun, a Kalashnikov-74M assault rifle, a hand grenade launcher, two night vision devices, and a silencer for an automatic rifle.

● The Baku Court of Appeal has reviewed the complaint of former Russian judge Elena Khakhalova regarding her pre-trial detention. The court replaced her arrest with “police supervision.” Khakhalova, a former judge of the Krasnodar Regional Court, was detained at Baku airport. She is accused in Russia of fraud and official forgery.

● COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev has been dismissed from his position as Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. By another decree of President Ilham Aliyev, he has been appointed as Azerbaijan’s presidential representative on climate issues.

● Labor pensions in Azerbaijan have increased by 8.1% through indexation.

● The international rating agency Moody’s forecasts that Azerbaijan’s real GDP growth will reach around 4% in 2025. In 2024, GDP grew by 4.1% year-on-year, compared to just 1.1% in 2023. The agency notes that the main driver of growth remains the non-oil sector, which expanded by 6.2% in 2024.

● Paper prescriptions will be abolished in Azerbaijan. Instead, electronic prescriptions will be introduced in all private and public medical institutions across the country, the Ministry of Health announced.

● The director of the “Vivamedi” clinic, Zurab Chkhaidze, confirmed that Mzia Amaglobeli was admitted to the clinic on the evening of February 4. The director of the popular publications “Batumelebi” and Netgazeti has been on a hunger strike for 24 days in protest against her arrest. She was detained during a rally for slapping the head of Batumi police, who had insulted her. She faces 4 to 7 years in prison. Chkhaidze told TV channel “Formula” that Amaglobeli underwent medical examinations and agreed to inpatient treatment and supportive therapy. He stated that she has not lost consciousness and continues her hunger strike. Lawyers say she is too weak to walk. Nationwide protests are demanding her release and that of over 50 other detained protesters. Another key demand is holding new parliamentary elections to legally change the government.

● French MEP Nathalie Loiseau published a joint statement from European politicians on X, calling for Amaglobeli’s release. The statement holds the Georgian government responsible for any consequences to her health and urges strong international action.

● Today, MPs from the ruling “Georgian Dream” party are expected to discuss revoking the mandates of 49 opposition MPs out of the total 150. Four opposition blocs won seats in the October elections but rejected them, citing election fraud. Three alliances—”Strong Georgia” (14 seats), “Coalition for Change” (19 seats), and “Unity – UNM” (16 seats)—formally requested their mandates be revoked, calling the parliament illegitimate. The “Gakharia – For Georgia” party (12 seats) joined the boycott but did not submit resignations.

● Criminal charges have been filed against eight participants of the large-scale protest on February 2 at the entrance to Tbilisi near “Tbilisi Mall.” The demonstration aimed to block the highway and draw attention to the ongoing protests demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of detained activists. Among those charged are opposition politician Gigi Ugulava and opposition coalition member Dimitri Bidzinashvili. The opposition party “Gakharia for Georgia” condemned the crackdown, stating that “violence and political hostage-taking by ‘Georgian Dream’ prove that their biggest threat is continuous civic protests.”

● Sentences have been handed down to two activists arrested in May 2024 during mass protests against the “foreign agents” law. Giorgi Kuchuashvili received four years in prison, while Davit Koldari was sentenced to two years and three months. Both were charged with assaulting a police officer and property damage.

● Mamuka Diasamidze, who was beaten by special forces chief Zviad Kharazishvili (Kareba) during a protest near “Tbilisi Mall,” has been fined 2,000 GEL (around $700) for “disobeying a lawful police order.” Independent legal groups are demanding Kareba’s removal and an official investigation.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) is demanding action against police violence toward journalists, saying the country has developed a culture of impunity. The latest attacks occurred during a protest in support of Mzia Amaglobeli outside parliament, where On.ge editor-in-chief Vancent Habeishvili was assaulted by police and hospitalized.

● Gela Mtivlishvili, editor of the independent outlet “Mtis Ambebi,” reported a series of attacks against him. His office car was vandalized, and later, the same individual banged on his home door. An investigation has been launched, and Mtivlishvili was called in for questioning.

● Vasili Ivanov-Chikovani, anchor of the public broadcaster’s evening news program, has been suspended. He had publicly advocated for more balanced coverage of protests. Georgia’s 5th president, Salome Zourabichvili, called it “another example of censorship and suppression of critical voices in the country.”

● Former National Bank director Giorgi Kadagidze, arrested during a protest, has been released pending trial. He is accused of disobeying police, with a hearing set for February 7. Upon release, he told “Formula” that his arrest had only strengthened his resolve to remain active.

Photo: Mzia Amaglobeli. JAMnews joins the movement demanding the immediate release of the renowned journalist and director of the popular publications “Batumelebi” and Netgazeti.

● A preliminary report on the investigation of the Azerbaijani passenger plane crash near Aktau Airport in December has been released. The report confirms external impact. Read more here

● An Azerbaijani AZAL plane was hit by fire from Russia’s Pantsir-S air defense system over Grozny Airport as it was repelling Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reported, citing Azerbaijani government sources. “Baku has fragments of a Pantsir-S missile, which were recovered from the aircraft and identified through international expertise,“ a source said.

● Journalist Shamshad Aga, head of the independent news outlet Arqument, has been detained, his friends reported on social media. He was allegedly arrested as part of the Meydan TV case, in which several staff members of the critical online platform were detained in early December. Read more here

● Azerbaijan will be represented at Eurovision this year by the band Mamagama.

Photo: Ateshgah – Temple of Fire Worshippers

● “Yerevan often does not respond to Baku’s aggressive rhetoric because it does not want to harm the peace negotiations,” Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan told *Armenpress. “We want to preserve this process and achieve peace, and that will remain our guiding principle this year,” he added.

● Armenian employment in Russia may decline this year, Central Bank Chairman Martin Galstyan said at a press conference. The forecast is based on a 2.4% drop in housing construction in Russia in 2024, with the downturn likely continuing into 2025.

● 42-year-old Levon Aronian has ranked among the top 10 chess players of 2024. “The ever-young Levon proves once again that it’s too early to count him out. His unexpected victory at the U.S. Cup earned him $90,000, and as usual, next on his schedule are the Grand Chess Tour and Champions Chess Tour,” Forbes wrote. The former captain of Armenia’s national chess team earned a total of $257,000 last year.

Photo: Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery in Gyumri

● 31 people were detained during a mass protest at the entrance to Tbilisi near Tbilisi Mall on February 2, the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed. All detentions were administrative, for disobeying police orders. Most were released on a written pledge.

● The Public Defender’s Office stated that during a meeting with the detainees, most reported mistreatment by law enforcement officers. Nine people said they were placed in minibusses after being detained, where they were “physically assaulted.” Eleven detainees had visible injuries, mostly on their faces. At least two were taken to the hospital with concussions. The ombudsman has called on the Special Investigation Service to respond. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not commented on these allegations. Despite numerous cases of severe beatings and injuries inflicted on protesters and journalists throughout the protests, not a single police officer has been detained or punished.

● The Social Justice Center of Georgia has demanded that the Ministry of Internal Affairs investigate cases of police violence during the protest in Tbilisi on February 2 and issue a statement on the grounds for detaining demonstrators. Read more here

● The government of Georgian Dream has introduced a new set of restrictions targeting participants of the mass pro-European protests, which have been ongoing for three months. Among the measures, the maximum term of administrative detention has been increased from 15 to 60 days, rallies in indoor spaces are now banned without the owner’s consent, and several other restrictions have been imposed. The head of the Georgian Dream parliamentary faction, Mamuka Mdinaradze, said the package was adopted “to counteract external forces seeking to weaken and destroy the Georgian state.” Read more here

● German Ambassador Peter Fischer: “If you’re a country that wants to join the EU and you get a sentence from Kaja Kallas like the one highlighted below, and 🇩🇪 agrees, which it does, then you have a problem. I worked hard for 🇬🇪 to get 🇪🇺 candidate status and it makes me sad.”

● British MP James McLory stated on X that he and US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson are urging the UK Foreign Office to impose sanctions on the leader of Georgian Dream, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. “The UK must act now. The violence in Georgia on Sunday proves it. Ivanishvili is an oligarch and Putin’s puppet,” McLory wrote.

● Giorgi Okmelashvili, a participant in the protests against the “foreign agents” law, has been sentenced to five years in prison. He is the founder of the advertising studio Limoni and was found guilty of assaulting a police officer. On May 13, 2024, during a protest outside the parliament building, Okmelashvili resisted police violence and struck an officer. “We are all in a Soviet circus,” Okmelashvili said while awaiting his sentence. Below you can watch a video of the court hearing

● The commander of the Georgian Legion fighting in Ukraine, Mamuka Mamulashvili, has denied allegations by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico that the legion was allegedly involved in organizing anti-government protests in Slovakia. “The Georgian Legion is part of the Ukrainian armed forces, and we have absolutely no connection to Slovakia,” Mamulashvili told Slovak media.

● Renowned Russian Orthodox theologian and philosopher Andrey Kuraev, who left Russia in 2023 due to persecution for his critical statements against the authorities, was denied entry into Georgia. Georgian archimandrite Dorotheos Kurashvili commented on the situation: “This indicates that Russia controls Georgia’s state borders. Kuraev has committed no crimes other than speaking out against the actions of the Russian authorities.”

● Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov, who is in pretrial detention in Georgia, has been denied permission to receive books in the Azerbaijani language. The administration stated that only books in Russian and English are accepted from foreign languages. Social justice lawyer Tamta Mikeladze said she would challenge this decision.

● The live broadcast director of Georgian Public Television, Kaha Melikidze, said that during the live broadcasts of Georgia’s national football team matches, the station’s management asked him to show Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze as often as possible. Speaking at a meeting of the public broadcaster’s board of trustees, he said he was “called in for a talk” after President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili appeared in the broadcast footage during one of the matches. “I was told that this was wrong,” Melikidze stated.

● Azerbaijan’s security services have neutralized a radical group linked to international terrorist organizations, according to a joint statement issued by the State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Eight suspects were killed during the operation, while six others were arrested. Read more here

● MP Hikmet Babaoğlu has responded to Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s claims that Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia received compensation for their lost property. “This is a distortion of the truth and figures. First, it was not 170,000 people, as Mirzoyan claims, but 300,000 who were subjected to Armenia’s ethnic cleansing policies. Second, this was not compensation for abandoned property. On December 7, 1988, an earthquake struck Spitak. At that time, independent Armenia did not yet exist. Azerbaijanis living in the disaster zone, like others, received some compensation from the USSR budget for rebuilding destroyed homes. However, after these funds were spent on reconstruction, the houses were seized by Armenians, and Azerbaijanis were expelled from their native lands,” – Babaoğlu said.

● Business inspections have been suspended for another year, until January 1, 2026.

● AZAL has suspended all flights between Baku and Astrakhan indefinitely due to periodic airspace closures over Astrakhan.

● A Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to London made an emergency landing in Baku due to a passenger’s deteriorating health. The passenger was hospitalized.

● The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan has decided to increase the number of Premier League teams from 10 to 12 starting next season. Additionally, the foreign player limit has been abolished—teams can now field up to 11 foreign players.

Photo by JAMnews: This morning in Baku.

● In Washington, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended a reception organized by the “Save Armenia” alliance, held a meeting with the leaders of the Armenian Assembly of America, and met with Keith Nahigian, president of the “Nahigian Strategies” agency.

● At the Armenian Embassy in Washington, Pashinyan was met with signs reading “Democracy Destroyed” and “Betrayed Artsakh” (watch video below).

● A Armenia-Saudi Arabia friendship group will begin work in parliament. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in November 2023.

● Iran has intensified diplomatic engagements with both Armenia and Azerbaijan recently “to strengthen security and maintain good relations with both neighbors,” according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

● Four Russian citizens and one Lithuanian citizen have been detained on suspicion of vandalism in the Yerevan metro, the Interior Ministry reported. They are accused of spray-painting the exterior of train cars.

● Armenian military medics are participating in exercises at a U.S. military base in Hohenfels, Germany, the Ministry of Defense announced.

● The cable car in Jermuk, damaged by Azerbaijani shelling, has reopened after 2.5 years. The reopening coincided with the Pan-Armenian Games taking place in Jermuk.

● An unprecedented mobilization of police and special forces, along with violent arrests of protesters, was implemented by the “Georgian Dream” government during the large-scale pro-European rally on February 2 near the Tbilisi Mall shopping center, on the outskirts of Tbilisi heading toward Western Georgia. Similar events later took place near the parliament, where thousands of protesters again gathered on Rustaveli Avenue. These events are part of the ongoing, third-month-long (67 days) large-scale pro-European protests across Georgia, demanding new parliamentary elections and the legal change of power in the country. Here is a photo and video report about the Sunday protest in Tbilisi.

● Public Defender Levan Ioseliani condemned the brutality of the police and excessive use of force during Sunday’s protests. The statement includes reports of the police inflicting bodily harm on a TV Pirveli operator, as well as footage showing officers insulting women, including female politicians. The Public Defender has called for the Special Investigation Service to immediately begin investigating these incidents and hold those responsible criminally accountable.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has appealed to General Prosecutor Giorgi Gabitashvili, demanding the initiation of criminal prosecution against the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Special Forces Department, Zviad Kharazishvili (known by the nickname Khareba), and his suspension from office. The statement references footage aired by TV channel Pirveli, showing Khareba kicking a detained protester.

● The 5th President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, stated: “This is terrorism in Georgia. A new wave of repression, new rules restricting the right to demonstrate, and ‘titushki’ mobs again using disproportionate force, hitting protesters in the head and face. However, protests continue.” Zourabichvili also shared a photo of TV Pirveli operator Niko Kokaya, who was beaten by the police during Sunday’s protest.

●  The Democracy Research Institute (DRI) stated that “Georgian Dream” once again unlawfully restricted the citizens’ right to assemble and express their opinion, completely disregarded the Constitution, and responded to a peaceful protest with repression. “The protest did not escalate into violence at any stage, yet several demonstrators were unlawfully arrested and subjected to physical violence and verbal abuse, including women and minors,” the statement reads. According to the organization, 23 protest participants were arrested on Sunday, February 2, including politicians, civil activists, and one minor.

● Lawyer Gvanca Gvedashvili reported that two of her clients were transferred to the hospital. According to her, they were beaten, suffered concussions, and sustained facial bone injuries.

● Michael Carpenter, former Director for Europe at the National Security Council in the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden: “Disgusting what’s happening on the streets of Georgia, with regime thugs violently beating protestors. Georgia will never join NATO or the EU with this government.”

● EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas: “The brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, journalists and politicians tonight in Tbilisi is unacceptable. Georgia falls short of any expectation from a candidate country. The EU stands with the people of Georgia in their fight for freedom and democracy.”

● One of the leaders of the opposition “Coalition for Change,” Nika Melia, stated that after he was detained during the protest on February 2, the deputy head of the police station in the Isani-Samgori district of Tbilisi, Giorgi Chokuri, kicked him. Melia mentioned that the beating could have continued, but other officers at the station restrained Chokuri.

● The Free University and the Agricultural University issued a joint statement, stating that Ministry of Internal Affairs officers unlawfully occupied their yards and invaded private property without the administration’s permission. “We believe that Georgia deserves a European future. We will win!” reads the universities’ statement.

Photo David Pipia/JAMnews

● The Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine has revealed salary amounts after more than 200 employees refused to work, demanding a wage increase. For example, a locksmith earns $1,400, an electrical welder earns over $1,500, and a conveyor worker earns up to $1,200, which are considered well-paid jobs in Armenia.

● Armenian citizen Garib Babayan was detained for an aggressive social media post about citizens singing in Azerbaijani in the center of Yerevan. A criminal case was initiated against him under the article on calls for violence and hatred. However, the court later rejected the request for his arrest. A decision was made for administrative supervision of Babayan, and his right to make public statements/messages was restricted.

● The second Pan-Armenian Winter Games have opened in Jermuk. The ceremony symbolically took place at the cable car area, which was restored after massive shelling by Azerbaijani forces in September 2022. More than 1,300 participants from 19 countries will compete in sports such as hockey, skiing, snowboarding, chess, snow wrestling, and ballroom dancing.

● “There will be no threat from Azerbaijan to Iran.” This statement was made by Azerbaijan’s presidential assistant Hikmet Hajiyev in Tehran during a meeting with Iran’s presidential advisor Mehdi Sanaei.

● Hidayat Heydarov (pictured) has been recognized as the best judoka in the world for 2024 by the International Judo Federation (IJF). Over the course of a year, Heydarov won the Olympic Games, the World Championship, and the European Championship.

● 40 days have passed since the crash of the Azerbaijani airline AZAL’s plane. The president of the airline, Samir Rzaev, along with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of the deceased crew members, honored their memory at the second Alley of Honor in Baku. More details on this tragedy  here

● The General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan has granted the request of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan for the extradition of Turkish citizen Akdy Namik Kemal, born in 1995, to face criminal charges.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 27-31 January, 2025