Top stories in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia from 29 April-3 May, 2024

●  In Tbilisi, mass protests against the foreign agents law continue with 50-100 thousand participants daily. Besides the traditional location on Rustaveli Avenue in front of Parliament, demonstrations have also blocked Heroes’ Square, a major transport junction in the capital. Many protesters vow to continue indefinitely until the government withdraws the law.

●  Several protesters were beaten near Heroes’ Square in Tbilisi, with one hospitalized. Videos circulating on social media show a black Toyota Camry with license plate JU188DO deliberately hitting a cyclist. Passersby who came to help were attacked by the assailants who exited the car, including a man with a child.

● “Georgian authorities declined a meeting with senior US officials to discuss the strategic partnership and US assistance,” stated US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dannigan. Read more here

● White House National Security Advisor John Kirby expressed deep concern over the proposed law, warning it could suppress dissent and freedom of speech in a country with a vibrant civil society.

● UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a statement regarding police use of force against protesters opposing the “Russian law,” urging respect for freedom of speech and peaceful assembly and calling on the Georgian government to repeal the “Russian law.”

● Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström stated, “This draft law, protested by so many citizens, contradicts Georgia’s ambitions to join the EU and its candidate status. If passed, it jeopardizes Georgia’s progress towards the EU. The Georgian government should refrain from false statements and incendiary rhetoric. Candidate status for EU membership is a historic opportunity for Georgia.”

● Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said, “The situation in Georgia is deeply troubling. Latvia condemns the use of force against peaceful demonstrators. We have informed Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili that the draft law on foreign influence undermines Georgia’s aspirations to join the European Union.”

● US State Department Advisor Derek Shoul wrote on X that Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze was informed of concerns about the government’s hostile anti-Western rhetoric and support for anti-democratic legislation. “This jeopardizes Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future. The US calls on the Georgian government to maintain its commitment to this course, as desired by the vast majority of the country’s citizens.”

● US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated concerns over the ruling “Georgian Dream” party’s anti-Western rhetoric and the law passed in the second reading, threatening Georgia’s European future. “Secretary of State Antony Blinken is closely monitoring developments,” said Matthew Miller.

● Georgian students in France issued a joint statement demanding the withdrawal of the foreign agents law and condemning aggression against peaceful protesters.

● During protests against the Russian law at Heroes’ Square, law enforcement detained two well-known musicians: Sandro Kerauli, lead singer of “Kvemehi,” and musician Miho Kalandarishvili from “Bedford Falls.”

Photo JAMnews/David Pipia

● Opposition factions of the parliament invited foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations to a closed meeting, stated the secretary of the opposition faction “Ayastan,” Artsvik Minasyan. “The impression was that these individuals are not familiar with the situation in Armenia or are under the influence of false information spread by the authorities and their satellites,” Minasyan said.

● The Armenian Ombudsman deemed the use of disproportionate force by the police against demonstrators protesting the demarcation and delimitation of the border with Azerbaijan in Tavush in recent days unacceptable. Anahit Manasyan wrote that from April 22 to May 2, her staff periodically visited police stations, met with over 170 detainees, and reviewed their cases.

● In Armenia, musicians and singers are required to receive royalties from their compositions performed in restaurants, stated Nikol Pashinyan during a meeting on intellectual property issues.

● A document extending the agreement between Armenia and the United States was signed in Yerevan by the Armenian Minister of Defense and the American Ambassador. This intergovernmental agreement focuses on cooperation in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as clarified by the ministry.

● Armenian teachers without higher education will have their tuition fees covered for university, and if they refuse to study, they will be dismissed. This decision was made by the government.

● Ilham Aliyev congratulated the Orthodox community of Azerbaijan on Easter, saying that this holiday is a “symbol of revival, renewal, mercy, and kindness.”

● Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan may take place early. This was announced by the head of the Central Election Commission, Mazahir Panahov. The elections are scheduled for November this year, but due to COP29, they may be postponed, he said.

● The powers of Azerbaijani parliament deputy Ramin Mamedov have been terminated. He has been appointed chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Structures. Mamedov is known for leading the official Baku delegation in meetings with representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh, which took place in Yevlakh.

● A special working group has been established to support Azerbaijan during COP29 at the UN. This was announced by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Climate Action and Sustainable Transition, Selwin Charles Hart, during a meeting with Ilham Aliyev.

● The Director-General of the European Commission for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, is visiting Baku. He met with the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Hikmet Hajiyev. “Arrived in Azerbaijan to discuss EU-Azerbaijan cooperation on COP29, demining, and much more,” Koopman wrote on his social media. He visited Armenia before coming to Azerbaijan.

● “Baku is fully determined to achieve real results on all points of the normalization process with Yerevan,” said the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, during a meeting with the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Shvydkoi.

● In the coming days, 20 families of displaced persons will return to the village of Sus in the Lachin district, according to the Presidential Special Representation in Lachin.

● The European Union will continue to assist Azerbaijan in demining, said the EU Ambassador to Baku, Peter Michalko. “The EU highly appreciates the continuation of the peace process between Baku and Yerevan and progress in demarcating the border between the countries,” Michalko told journalists.

● Trade, economic, transit, and transport cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan were discussed by the finance ministers of the two countries. Lasha Khutsishvili and Samir Sharifov also emphasized the importance of regional partnership. The ministers’ meeting took place within the framework of the 57th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank.

● Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on consular cooperation.

● Veterans of the Second World War residing in Azerbaijan will receive a one-time material assistance of two thousand manats (approximately $1176). Widows of war participants, as well as employees of special units, individuals awarded for the defense of Leningrad, and blockade survivors, will receive one thousand manats each (approximately $588).

● The Public Health and Reform Center under the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan will launch a new mobile application with elements of artificial intelligence. SymptomChecker will allow users to self-diagnose diseases, believe in the structure. They also intend to launch another application for pregnant women, Burla xatun.

● Once again, over 100,000 people joined protests against the foreign agents law in central Tbilisi. Special forces forcefully dispersed the protest with tear gas and water cannons, injuring many with rubber bullets. The situation on Chitadze Street at the parliament’s side entrance was tense for hours. Protesters built barricades and tried to open the gates, met with gas and water jets. Most protesters stayed on Rustaveli Avenue, where it remained calm. Another group blocked embankments for hours before dispersing around five in the morning.

● The President addressed the protesters, urging them to stop attacking the gates at the entrance to parliament. “The protests must be peaceful, our main goal is the abolition of laws that lead Georgia away from the European path, and fair elections,” said Salome Zurabishvili, reaffirming her support for the protesters.

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that “protesters attempted to storm the parliament building, indicating that the protest has taken on an extremist character.” Therefore, a “red security level” has been introduced in parliament. This means that from now on, only those who receive special permission from the head of the parliamentary staff are allowed to be in the building.

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs claims that rubber bullets were not used against the protest participants. At the same time, an accusation was made that “protest participants use various items, including flammable gases and gases of unknown origin, which are not sold in any stores in Georgia.”

● Eight protest-related hospitalizations were reported by the Center for Coordination of Emergency Situations and Emergency Assistance.

● Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze held a press conference where he once again accused the opposition, non-governmental organizations, and their Western sponsors of deliberate provocations and escalation. He stated that “the government is not going to back down and will definitely pass the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, as only this will calm the country.” Read more here

● “The statement of the Patriarchate’s full support for the government, which was made on April 27, was actually not a statement of the Church or the Patriarch, or the Synod. It was a statement and position only of the public relations service of the Patriarchate,” stated Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi publicly. His appeal also said that “the controversial law demonstrates existential threats that pit the past against the future and the historical choices of people.”

● The US State Department condemned Georgia’s proposed foreign influence legislation, expressing concern over its impact on US-Georgian relations and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

● The US Helsinki Commission reiterated support for Georgia’s democratic future amid Russian influence and the ongoing election campaign.

● US State Department representatives expressed concern over Georgia’s treatment of civil society and opposition, warning it deviates from the Euro-Atlantic trajectory.

● American Senator Jim Rishi expressed concern over the foreign agents law pushed by Bidzina Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream party, warning it could derail European integration. He emphasized the need for NGOs to operate freely without government interference.

● Several prominent Georgian athletes voiced support for protesters against the foreign agents law and condemned the violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrations. Former national football team star Kakha Aladashvili criticized Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, also a former football player, calling him “a nonentity and a petty liar,” expressing shame. Futsal national team captain Irakli Todua wrote that he wants to “play for the Georgian national team, not in the CIS Cup.”

● The international hacker group Anonymous claimed responsibility for blocking the websites of the ruling Georgian Dream party and government propaganda outlet PostTV. They cited police brutality against protesters and vowed to continue targeting Georgian government online resources until the mistreatment ceases.

● The US has imposed sanctions on LLC “Lahic Energy,” operating in Azerbaijan. Washington has imposed sanctions on companies from several countries accused of aiding Russia in bypassing international sanctions.

● “Azerbaijan has provided peace through war. I believe this issue should be carefully studied,” said President Ilham Aliyev at the opening ceremony of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku.

● “Azerbaijan and Armenia clearly understand that they want peace in the South Caucasus. We will not allow another outbreak of conflict in the region,” stated Ilham Aliyev.

● Azerbaijan is conducting reservist training. One of the main goals is the mastery of modern weapons and military equipment.

● The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has reduced the discount rate from 7.5% to 7.25%.

● Baku, Astana, and Tashkent will explore the possibility of integrating their power systems by laying a high-voltage cable along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. The heads of energy ministries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of cooperation on the interconnection of the energy systems of the three republics at the Tashkent International Investment Forum.

● Azerbaijan will simplify the visa regime for participants of the SCO Summit. A special visa application process will be implemented for this purpose.

● Azerbaijan has imposed a fishing ban in all water bodies of the country from May 1 due to fish spawning. The ban will last until September 1.

● In Azerbaijan, kidney transplants are the most in-demand among organ transplant procedures, according to Ministry of Health representative Eyjana Abbasova. Currently, over 400 people are waiting in line for kidney transplants.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated in an interview with Public Television that the unresolved border demarcation issue with Azerbaijan concerning four villages could provide Baku with more grounds and opportunities for escalation than resolving it.

● 31 individuals were detained for blocking roads near the village of Kirants in the Tavush region to protest the decision to transfer four villages to Azerbaijan as part of border demarcation. They were apprehended on charges of disobeying a lawful order from authorities. Kirants is currently heavily policed.

● A video circulating online shows 96-year-old Lena Gardashyan, a symbol of resistance in the Tavush region, feeling unwell during the morning police cordon of the village. Villagers are seen reviving her after she lost consciousness.

● Arthur Sukoyan, an assistant to MP Levon Kocharyan (son of former President Robert Kocharyan), has been arrested for two months on charges of assaulting journalist David Levonyan from a pro-government publication inside the parliament.

● Armenian military medics are participating in NATO-led exercises; Yerevan has dispatched a mobile field hospital. The multinational exercises, involving military medical units from 32 countries and 7 civilian organizations, began on April 30 in Hungary and will continue until May 10.

● Iranian aviation authorities have invited Armenian partners to study the potential of local aviation organizations.

● Gas, water cannons, and, according to numerous reports, rubber bullets were repeatedly used by the authorities to disperse the multi-thousand-strong protest on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi against the “foreign agents” bill, commonly referred to as the “Russian law” in society. However, people kept returning, building barricades, and singing and dancing. The rally ended only after the special forces and water cannon vehicles were removed from the scene. A large group of participants then engaged in cleaning the avenue, gathering all the garbage into large bags.

● The world’s largest hacker group, Anonymous, voiced support for the protesters in Georgia. “To the protesters in Georgia, we have heard your plea for help. Take heart and take to your streets; you are not alone. Anonymous members stand with you and will help in your fight for democracy, freedom, and prosperity. To the Georgia police: attacking protesters will result in the release of information about all of your government officials. We will seize all your databases and email pools and dump them on the internet. This is your first and only warning. To the Dream Party, backed by Russia, remember: Georgia is not Russia, and it will never be. Expect us.”

● Chairman of the “National Movement” Levan Khabeishvili was arrested at the rally and brutally beaten by the police. His photo with a bloodied, unrecognizable face spread across all media and social networks. At the Ingorokva clinic, where he was examined, it was reported that his nasal bone was broken, but the integrity of his eye was not compromised, and his vision was preserved.

● Public defender Levan Ioseliani visited Levan Khabeishvili at the clinic. The Ombudsman’s Office stated that it would prepare the necessary documentation, send it to the investigative service, and monitor the progress of the investigation.

● The president made a sharp statement directly in the midst of the crackdown on the peaceful protest. “I appeal to the Minister of Internal Affairs to immediately stop the dispersal of the peaceful demonstration, the use of disproportionate force, violence against young people who came to the rally with bare hands. I call on the Public Defender to react promptly and to stop any unfounded and unlawful actions of the special forces. It is clear that the rally was peaceful, it posed no danger, there was no threat to order. It is regrettable that you are opposing the youth when you claim national affiliation. It is shameful that you appeal to faith but commit violence during Holy Week,” said Salome Zurabishvili.

● Archbishop of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir Zenon arrived at the rally against the “Russian law.” He told journalists: “Georgia was, is, and will be Europe.” The Georgian Orthodox Church issued a statement several days ago fully supporting the authorities, the foreign agents law, and accused the West and non-governmental organizations of “propagating sin.”

● James O’Brien, head of the US State Department’s Sanctions Coordination Office, reported having an important conversation with Georgian parliamentarians. He said he clearly conveyed to them “serious concerns about the Kremlin-inspired law and its expected negative consequences.”

● The situation in the heart of Yerevan grew tense as police detained demonstrators blocking streets in protest against the border demarcation with Azerbaijan in the Tavush region. Nearly 100 supporters of the opposition movement “National Democratic Pole” were arrested for defying police orders, according to Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

● Armenia and Azerbaijan have confirmed their participation in negotiations in Kazakhstan, with the date yet to be announced, said Aybek Smadiyarov, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

● Turkey is closely monitoring the progress surrounding the border agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, welcoming the positive developments, stated Ömer Çelik, the official spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti).

● Armenia, although a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), emphasizes the need for improved organizational mechanisms within the alliance, as stated by Ararat Mirzoyan, the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in an interview with Al Jazeera.

● An alternative proposal on border demarcation presented by the opposition failed to garner majority support in the Armenian parliament. The proposal aimed to overturn the recent decision on a designated border segment and instead initiate delineation starting from the Jermuk area. Arthur Ohanissian, Secretary of the ruling party “Civil Contract,” criticized the opposition’s proposal, claiming it aimed to trigger Russian peacekeeping deployment by allowing Azerbaijani intrusion into Tavush.

● Artsvik Minasyan, a member of the opposition parliamentary faction “Hayastan,” affirmed the alliance of Armenia with Russia, contrasting it with the alliances of other countries in the region, stating, “Yes, our allies are Russians. And yours are Turks and Azerbaijanis.”

● Tigran Akopyan, head of the Television and Radio Commission, hinted at the possibility of Armenia imposing restrictions on TikTok, similar to discussions underway in the EU and the US.

● Armenia witnessed a 40% decline in remittances from Russia in the first quarter of the year, according to the Chairman of the Central Bank.

● Yerevan marked International Jazz Day with festivities and performances, showcasing the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

● Anar Mammadli, a human rights defender, sentenced to 3 months and 28 days of preliminary detention in Baku for alleged smuggling by a group of individuals. Read more here

● Armenia and Azerbaijan confirm participation in talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The meeting date will be announced later.

● In early May, 20 displaced families will return to Shusha.

● 18 mass graves found in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, containing the remains of at least 172 individuals, with 55 identified so far.

● Baku demanded that Paris “stop interfering in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs and cease making unsubstantiated allegations against the country.” This reaction followed a statement by the head of the French Ministry of the Interior, accusing Azerbaijan of attempting to use the “Caledonian case” in response to France’s defense of Armenia.

● Baku advocates for bilateral peace talks with Yerevan for sustainable peace and stability in the South Caucasus, announced by Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

● The French ambassador returns to Azerbaijan after consultations with President Emmanuel Macron, continuing diplomatic activities.

● Azerbaijan plans to send its first group of pilgrims to Mecca for Hajj on June 4, with the last group departing on June 10, with a quota of 1,500 pilgrims and a trip cost of $5,850.

● Imported products from Iran to Azerbaijan found to contain dangerous substances, including yeast, mold, and Aflatoxin B1, according to the Food Safety Agency.

● COVID-19 cases in Azerbaijan nearly absent, with 10-15 cases reported daily, as per the Ministry of Health.

● Azerbaijani State Dance Ensemble wins first place at the international “Lezginka” festival in Khiva, Uzbekistan, receiving a souvenir and a $2,500 cash prize.

● Two Azerbaijani chess players qualify for the 2025 World Cup: Ulviyya Fataliyeva, the reigning European champion, and Gunay Mammadzade, who secured sixth place in the continental championship.

Photograph: Anar Mammadli being escorted from the courthouse

● Today, parliament will consider the foreign agents law in the second reading. Protests against this initiative by the ruling party will persist in front of the parliament building. One rally will commence at 12:00, coinciding with the start of the plenary session. At 19:00, a general gathering against the adoption of such a law is scheduled.

● The ruling party held a large-scale rally in front of parliament yesterday in support of the foreign agents law. Participants from Georgia’s regions were bussed in, causing significant traffic jams on highways and in central Tbilisi.

● During the rally, the honorary chairman of the ruling party, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, made anti-Western statements. He declared, among other things, that “during the presidency of Georgia, the country was controlled by foreign agents, but this will no longer be the case,” and laws on “foreign agents” and combating LGBT propaganda are being enacted for this purpose.

● Co-chairs of the Georgia support group in the US Congress, Congressmen Gerry Connolly and Austin Scott, expressed concern about Georgia’s initiation of the “Russian law.” They likened it to Putin’s law in Russia, warning that it leads Georgia astray.

● Writer Nino Kharatishvili questioned whether the situation resembles a script from a neighboring country, citing Russia’s suppression of dissent and labeling of individuals as agents.

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze once again aggressively spoke out against Western politicians criticizing the adoption of the “Russian law” in Georgia. “We aim for transparency, which is their European standard. The objections of those politicians who are not really European or American will definitely be overcome,” the Prime Minister said. In this context, he mentioned MEP Andrew Cubilius and Senators Jim Rishi and Jeanne Shaheen.

● The Prime Minister also suggested that achieving transparency would make it difficult for donors to finance attacks on the church in Georgia.

● Former President Giorgi Margvelashvili accused oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili of accusing the West of plotting against Georgia.

● Head of the European Bureau of Radio Liberty Rikard Jozwiak urged Georgian authorities to seize the window of opportunity, warning that Georgia is falling behind Moldova and Ukraine due to the law. He emphasized the need for timely repeal.

● Writer Lasha Bugadze framed the dilemma as Ivanishvili versus Georgia, urging resistance to save the country from repression.

● Leader of the “Girchi – More Freedom” party Zurab Japaridze criticized the authorities for portraying the West as the main threat and predicted repression post-parliamentary elections.

? A photo shows a poster urging participation in today’s protest against the foreign agents law.

● The head of the Center for Election Monitoring and Study of Democracy (SMDTM), Anar Mammadli, has been detained. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that an investigation is underway, but the specific charges are unknown. In Azerbaijan, several journalists and editors, including the leaders and reporters of the popular online publication Abzas Media, have been arrested.

● Today morning, 21 families (65 people) and 2 families (4 people) moved to permanent residences in the city of Lachin and the village of Zabukh in the Lachin district. Currently, 493 families (1,838 people) have settled permanently in Lachin, and 217 families (823 people) in the village of Zabukh.

● In the process of demarcating the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, 35 border posts have already been installed, as reported by the government.

● “The negotiations in Almaty will be exclusively between Azerbaijan and Armenia — Astana cannot mediate. Kazakhstan is merely providing a goodwill service, acting in the role of a so-called good office,” said the official spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Aibek Smadiyarov. Talks between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia will take place in Almaty. The date of the meeting has not been announced yet.

● A 20-year-old border guard, Vugar Ismayilov, was injured by a mine explosion in the Gazakh region. His left foot was amputated.

● On May 3-4, the Director-General of the European Commission for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gerhard Jan-Koopman, will visit Azerbaijan. Discussions will focus on bilateral cooperation in renewable energy and regional connectivity. Koopman will propose the establishment of a European Demining Group in Azerbaijan with representatives from EU member states. Before Azerbaijan, Koopman will visit Georgia and Armenia.

● Azerbaijani chess player Ulviyya Fataliyeva has become the European Champion. She won the continent’s championship in Rhodes, Greece.

● A group of residents from Kirants village met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The villagers are outraged by the border demarcation process with Azerbaijan. They propose handing over territory not adjacent to the village to Azerbaijan but lands farther from Kirants. After the meeting, the villagers did not delve into details, only informing the media that nothing had changed, and they were dissatisfied with the outcome.

●  Protests in support of the residents of the Tavush region, where four villages were transferred to Azerbaijan during the border demarcation process, continue throughout Armenia. Actions took place near the parliament building in Yerevan, and there was a car rally in Gyumri.

● Meanwhile, the government announced that the number of border markers on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in Tavush has reached 35. More than half of the planned work has been completed.

● The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed readiness for the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

● The Director-General of the European Commission for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations is heading to Armenia. From April 30 to May 4, Gert Jan Kupman will visit Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan to “discuss bilateral and regional cooperation and launch new initiatives.”

● A large-scale rally in Tbilisi against the law “on foreign agents” continued until four o’clock in the morning. According to estimates by metronome, approximately 120 thousand people participated.

● The Legal Committee of Parliament is currently reviewing the bill “on foreign agents” in its second reading. It has been announced that the parliament building has been placed on yellow security alert, and visitor entry is restricted.

● The ruling party will hold a rally in support of the “law on foreign agents” in front of parliament today. The rally is scheduled from 18:00 to 20:00. “Don’t let a politically and morally bankrupt political minority speak on behalf of the people,” representatives of the “Georgian Dream” addressed the public a few days ago. Read more here

● Opposition parties “United National Movement” and “Agmashenebeli Strategy” have appealed to deputies from the ruling Georgian Dream, requesting them to refuse to hear the bill.

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that former Minister of European Integration, Alexi (Buka) Petriashvili, was arrested yesterday during protests on Rustaveli Avenue. He is accused of petty hooliganism and disobeying a police officer.

● “I will eagerly await to see what sanctions America will impose against me,” said one of the leaders of the Georgian Dream, Mamuka Mdinaradze, commenting on an open letter from 14 US senators. The bipartisan group of senators sent the letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia, warning that they will support sanctions, visa restrictions, and a review of financial support for Ivanishvili’s regime if the law “on foreign agents” is adopted. Read more here

● Georgian Dream propagandist Goga Khaindrava stated: “They [the West] are mistaken in meddling with us. They should reconsider world history, see where Byzantium and other great empires are now, and where we are.”

● Leader of the Lelo party, Mamuka Khazaradze, founder of the leading TBC bank, addressed business representatives: “Now more than ever, we all need to unite and condemn the Russian law on foreign agents.”

● Former Foreign Minister Papuna Janelidze expressed: “Not only statements, but also the totality of actions that we see, all of this separates Georgia from our partners – both the EU and the USA, our strategic partners, which is most important for our development, strengthening of sovereignty, democracy.”

● The Georgian church issued a comprehensive statement in support of the law “on foreign agents” and the country’s government, while accusing Georgian NGOs and media of being funded from abroad and campaigning for many years to discredit the church, promoting LGBT lifestyles and sin.

● However, Archbishop Zenon of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir voiced support for the protesters against the law “on foreign agents,” stating: “This is a national demonstration of the power of the people for a national state!”

● Foreign Minister Ilya Darchiashvili is in Brussels, participating in discussions on the expansion of the European Union. Georgia’s relations with the European Union are highly tense; the country’s authorities have received several warnings from European leaders that Georgia’s European integration is jeopardized by the intention to adopt a law “on foreign agents,” despite large-scale protests from the population.

Photo credit: JAMnews/David Pipia/Maka Tsnobiladze

● Nikol Pashinyan and Antony Blinken discussed the implementation of agreements from the Brussels trilateral meeting on April 5 and the negotiation process between Yerevan and Baku over the phone.

● During the conversation with the US Secretary of State, the Armenian Prime Minister positively evaluated the border delimitation process with Azerbaijan, assuring that efforts will be made to address concerns of residents in Voskepar, Kirants, and Berkaber.

●  “Armenia’s closer ties with the European Union do not preclude strong bilateral relations with Russia,” stated Ambassador to the EU Tigran Balayan to Politico.

● Protests persisted across Armenia over the weekend against the decision to transfer four villages to Azerbaijan as part of border demarcation. Street blockades occurred, with models of border pillars set up in Yerevan, resembling those in the Tavush region. Youth displayed posters during the “Francophonie 2024” event at the Opera House and the Musical Comedy Theater.

● Five people died and nine were injured in a road accident in Syunik. A bus carrying Iranian tourists veered off the road and plunged into a ravine. The driver, reporting brake failure, attempted to stop the bus with the handbrake and placed objects under the wheels, but the bus rolled, crashing through a road fence.

● The Armenian Foreign Ministry head met with the Prime Minister and the Qatari Foreign Ministry head to discuss bilateral relations and the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. The Armenian minister highlighted the “Crossroads of the World” project as a significant opportunity to foster regional peace and connect the Persian Gulf with Black Sea ports.

● Early this morning, 39 families (153 people) of internally displaced persons relocated to Fizuli city for permanent residence. The city now accommodates 822 families (3,132 people).

● The return of residents to Sus village near Lachin in Karabakh will commence in the coming days, announced the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.

● Antony Blinken phoned Ilham Aliyev, who mentioned that Azerbaijan and Armenia’s foreign ministers will soon meet in Almaty. President Aliyev highlighted the commencement of border demarcation alongside delimitation. The US Secretary of State welcomed this process and raised concerns about human rights in Azerbaijan.

● Nearly all Russian peacekeeping forces have departed Karabakh. The remaining contingent will leave by the end of May, according to Reuters, citing a source in the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

● Azerbaijani military personnel are participating in the “EFES-2024” international exercises in Turkey, involving 49 countries. The exercises, held in Istanbul and Izmir, will continue until May 30.

● Two people died in an ammunition explosion in Garaagach village, Sadarak district of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.

● In Agdam region, a mine detonated under a grader, injuring driver Vidadi Huseynov’s right hand and damaging the equipment, as he inadvertently entered uncleared territory.

● A judge of the commercial board of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, 62-year-old Ilgar Dadashov, committed suicide by hanging himself at home. Dadashov, who suffered from diabetes and depression, was reported by the media.

● Diana Dymchenko, a member of the Azerbaijan national rowing team, secured a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Top stories in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia from April 22-26, 2024