Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 18-22 November, 2024

●   A protest demanding the release of 21-year-old Mate Devidze, detained during the dispersal of a rally against the parliamentary election results on the morning of November 19, took place last evening on Melikishvili Avenue in Tbilisi.

Initially, he and other detainees were charged with administrative offenses. However, it became known yesterday that the charges against Devidze have been reclassified. He is now accused of assaulting a police officer and faces up to seven years in prison.

●   Another detained activist, Isako Devidze, has declared a dry hunger strike in prison “in solidarity with all people detained and persecuted by the Russian regime during the protest movement,” according to a post on his Facebook page. The Tbilisi City Court had sentenced Devidze to eight days in detention the previous day.

●   President Salome Zourabichvili condemned the detentions. “Punitive measures are being taken against young Georgian activists: beatings by police officers, arrests, and threats of up to seven years of imprisonment,” she wrote on X.

●   A group of students set up tents in the courtyard of the first building of Tbilisi State University. “Our plan is a daily protest. We need to exhaust the regime [of informal ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili] and force him to announce new elections,” the organizers said.

In addition to calling for elections, they demand the resignation of TSU Rector Jaba Samushia. They are outraged that students were not allowed to strike within the university walls, and a few days later, the police and “robocops” were allowed to use the campus for the dispersal of the protest on 19 November.

●   Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel explained in her memoirs why she did not support the proposals to include Ukraine and Georgia in the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) at the 2008 summit. “The admission of a new member should increase not only their security but also the security of NATO itself. … I considered it gross negligence to discuss MAP status for Ukraine and Georgia without taking into account Putin’s perspective,” she writes in her book, excerpts of which were published by Bild.

“I thought it would be an illusion to believe that NATO candidate status would protect Ukraine and Georgia from Putin’s aggression, and that this status would be such a deterrent that Putin would accept the developments without taking any action,” added Merkel.

●  Former Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania commented on Zourabichvili’s statement of solidarity with the protests in Abkhazia, which began with demands for the parliament to reject the “oppressive” investment agreement with Russia and ended with his resignation. He said, “I highly doubt that Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has any sympathy for the Abkhaz authorities or opposition. I think she is guided by the principle: ‘the worse, the better.’ That’s why she congratulates [the opposition].”

●  Over 1.5 kg of cocaine worth $550,000 was extracted from the stomach of a South African citizen in Yerevan. The drug courier had arrived in the capital from São Paulo. The contraband was detected via X-ray, and the substances were then removed by doctors at Armenia Medical Center. The drugs, weighing 1620 grams in total, were wrapped in 117 small packets. The courier and two accomplices, Iranian nationals, have been arrested.

●  Armenian athletes won two silver and one bronze medal at the Junior European Muay Thai Championship in Kosovo. Narek Khachikyan and Artur Khachatryan secured the silver medals, while Lucy Ter-Davtyan earned the bronze.

●  The Armenian government has approved an agreement with Russia regarding the operation of the “Gazprom Armenia” training and sports complex in Yerevan. The complex will offer education based on Armenian and Russian standards, with mandatory instruction in both Russian and Armenian languages.

●  Anna Hakobyan, wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia, visited the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù children’s hospital in Rome. The hospital is treating and rehabilitating Ukrainian children affected by the Russian aggression.

●   A one-day joint exhibition of Armenian and Georgian artisans’ crafts and pottery was held in Yerevan. The exhibition, titled “Armenia-Georgia: Handmade Creations,” featured pottery, textiles, embroidery, and other handcrafted items.

● At COP29 in Baku, the Declaration on Climate Actions for Water Resources was adopted. The declaration was signed by COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev and the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, Inger Andersen.

●  A new national park is planned on the territories of Azerbaijan liberated during the Second Karabakh War, announced Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Karimov. The national park will encompass parts of the administrative territories of Shusha, Khojaly, Agdara, and Kalbajar districts.

● In Azerbaijan, marriages can now be registered online through the electronic application MyGov. Marriage certificates can be obtained at a selected issuance center.

●  The UN Climate Summit COP29 in Baku has concluded, and the city’s highways, which were closed for almost two weeks, have reopened for traffic. Bus routes have resumed, resulting in the return of traditional traffic jams in the capital.

●The Georgian Central Election Commission announced that temporary IDs for new MPs are ready and will be distributed before the first session of the newly elected parliament on November 25. Opposition parties, which won seats but do not recognize the October 26 election results, stated they will not accept these IDs.

● The Constitutional Court of Georgia has registered a lawsuit filed by the President demanding the annulment of the final parliamentary election results. The court has 30 days to review the case. According to lawyers, the new parliament cannot begin its work until the court makes a decision. “According to parliamentary regulations, the parliament cannot recognize the powers of MPs whose election legitimacy is being challenged in court.” Constitutionalist Vakhtang Menabde discusses this issue in detail here

● Protests demanding new elections continue. Last evening, several hundred lecturers and teachers gathered at the main campus of Tbilisi State University, the primary protest location in the previous days. They expressed solidarity with the students, who are the driving force behind the protests, and criticized the university administration for “restricting students’ right to freedom of expression.” For several days, TSU students have been demanding the resignation of Rector Jaba Samushia, accusing him of working for the authorities. The university courtyard, closed off by the administration to the protesting students, was used by police and special forces for their own mobilization and the subsequent violent dispersal of the tent protest on the morning of November 19. Read more here

● The European Union delegation in Georgia expressed support for the protesting youth. “Here in Georgia, young people have been at the forefront of safeguarding their rights, freedoms and their country’s EU future. We stand firmly by them, and stress the need to respect their fundamental right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly”, the delegation’s statement, issued  on the occasion of World Children’s Day, read.

● An EU technical mission to study violations in the October 26 parliamentary elections will arrive in Georgia in the coming days, according to Peter Stano, the spokesperson for the EU High Representative Josep Borrell. “Preparations are in full swing,” Stano said.

● A court fined opposition CEC member David Kirtadze 500 lari ($180) for dousing CEC head Giorgi Kalandarishvili with black paint.

The incident occurred on November 16, when the commission was about to approve the election results. During Kirtadze’s speech, Kalandarishvili cut off his microphone, prompting Kirtadze to throw paint at the CEC head. “You have taken away Georgia’s future and are pushing our country towards Russia. I can’t even call you the chairman, you are ‘dot ru’. You are a black stain,” Kirtadze said at the time.

● Baku has filed another lawsuit against Armenia at the International Court of Justice, accusing Armenia of “exploiting energy resources in Karabakh.” The suit claims that Armenia “violated Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights to energy resources” and “obstructed Baku’s access to them.” The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking compensation for these alleged damages.

●  Activists have raised the issue of the “occupation of Armenian territories in Karabakh by Azerbaijan” during a protest at European Hydrogen Week in Brussels. They oppose holding COP29 in Baku and condemn “environmental projects that displaced thousands of people from their homes in Karabakh.”

●  Nikol Pashinyan’s wife remained in the Vatican after the Prime Minister’s departure, attending a traditional audience with the Pope. Social media users noticed Anna Hakobyan greeting Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, during the event.

● There are currently 483 Armenian trucks in the electronic queue to cross the Russian-Georgian border at the “Upper Lars” checkpoint in North Ossetia. A total of 1,782 trucks are registered in the queue, according to the republic’s traffic management center.

●  Gaspar Terteryan (67 kg) won the World Military Wrestling Championship, defeating his Iranian opponent with a score of 11:0.

●  Yerevan’s New Year’s decorations will cost $1.4 million this year. Around $46,000 will be spent on the country’s main Christmas tree.

●  UN Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in Baku to participate in the closing ceremony of COP29.

●  The Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine issued a notice to its citizens, citing increased security risks reported in the media. “Consular services will not be available on November 21-22,” the embassy announced. The embassy urged Azerbaijani citizens residing in Ukraine to take appropriate safety measures.

●  “In Azerbaijan, 400 schools are in need of major repairs and restoration,” stated Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev.

●  The national football teams of Azerbaijan and Armenia will be placed in the same pot for the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw. According to the regulations, teams in the same pot cannot face each other in the group stage. The draw will take place on December 13 in Zurich, with qualifying matches set to begin in March 2025.

●  The non-stop protest on Tbilisi’s Melikishvili Avenue, which lasted almost three days, has concluded. “Continuing the protest here no longer makes sense; it no longer creates discomfort for the authorities, and we will only get tired. We have decided to disperse and rest. During the day, we will inform you of further steps,” said Zurab Japaridze, a leader of the opposition “Coalition for Change.” He promised the protest organizers would devise “something that will surprise the authorities and throw them off balance again.”

●  The overnight vigil in front of Tbilisi State University ended without incident. At dawn, police gave the protesters 15 minutes to vacate the area, then formed a human wall and slowly pushed them back onto Melikishvili Avenue. The protest participants have since dispersed, and traffic on the avenue has resumed.

●  Some of the protesters – mostly students – entered the university building overnight to demand the resignation of Rector Jaba Samushia who they accuse of being aligned with the authorities. Police is alleged to have used the university courtyard as a base for dispersing the protest the previous night.

●  The Georgian national football team lost 1-2 to the Czech Republic in the final round of the 2024 Nations League season. The Czech Republic finished first in the group with 11 points, while Georgia placed third with 7 points.

●  “The comprehensive review is still ongoing,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller at a briefing. He noted that Washington had already suspended assistance to Georgia as a result of this review. “And we will continue taking policy actions as appropriate,” he added.

●  “Over the past 12 years, we have witnessed the gradual capture of the Georgian state by the ruling party, directly supported by Russian ideas and positions. The announced election results were not a surprise, and today we can say that democracy in Georgia has ended, and it is becoming a purely autocratic regime,” said Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the Estonian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, in an interview with the Georgian edition of “Voice of America.”

●   Armenia’s Central Election Commission will verify the authenticity of signatures supporting the country’s accession to the European Union within a month. A group of pro-Western politicians and public figures submitted 60,000 signatures, exceeding the 50,000 required by law. If the Parliament does not approve the bill, Armenian legislation allows for a referendum, requiring the collection of 300,000 signatures.

●  Armenian youth fencers won four medals at an international tournament in Tbilisi, bringing home one gold, one silver, and two bronze.

●  Starting January 1, Yerevan will introduce public transport fare discounts for certain social groups.

●   The ruling party proposed gifting one million drams (approximately $2,600) to citizens who reach the age of 100.

●  A scandal has erupted at the Yervand Kochar Museum with the disappearance of seven artworks valued at around $500,000. The Kochar Cultural Foundation raised concerns about the authenticity of the remaining pieces in the museum’s state-owned collection, stating, “The legacy of Yervand Kochar is in danger.”

● “Ethnic Armenians can apply for Azerbaijani citizenship only on an individual basis. Their return is possible only in accordance with Azerbaijani laws if citizenship is granted. However, this can happen only on a reciprocal basis, meaning simultaneously with the recognition of the right of return for the indigenous Azerbaijani population expelled from Armenia,” stated Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan.

● “We positively assess the prospects of reaching an agreement on some remaining open issues in the text,” said Elchin Amirbekov, the Azerbaijani President’s special representative, in an interview with the newspaper Magyar Nemzet (“Hungarian Nation”), regarding the peace treaty with Armenia. “The main obstacle to the successful completion of the peace process is the ongoing territorial claims against Azerbaijan enshrined in the Constitution of Armenia,” he added.

●  Turkish President Erdoğan confirmed that Ankara blocked Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s plane from flying to Baku by closing its airspace.

Herzog canceled his trip to the UN climate conference in Baku due to Turkey’s stance, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronot reported earlier, citing unnamed Azerbaijani officials. Intense diplomatic negotiations involving official Baku continued for several days but yielded no results, sources told Yedioth Ahronot. Israeli ministers attending the forum arrived in Azerbaijan on commercial flights via Georgia.

●  In Azerbaijan, 46% of the population is employed in agriculture, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

●The Azerbaijani national football team suffered a crushing 0-6 defeat to Sweden in their final UEFA Nations League match away from home.

● The protest at Tbilisi State University has been dispersed. There have been clashes between police and protesters, with some arrests made. One protester was taken away by an ambulance. The dispersal of the protest, which had been ongoing for the second day demanding new elections, began early in the morning, around seven o’clock. Special forces and water cannons were mobilized at the scene, although the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not use special equipment. A representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had previously warned political leaders about the planned actions and urged them to leave the area, arguing that the protesters were insufficient to block the road. The protesters were given 15 minutes to disperse. At the time of the dispersal, several hundred people were in the tent camp. The police outnumbered the protesters significantly. The remaining protesters are now gathered on Melikishvili Street. Photo / video here

● Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili will file a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court today, citing widespread violations of voting secrecy in the October 26 parliamentary elections.

“These elections did not take place,” she declared at a special briefing yesterday, proposing her vision for resolving the current political crisis to political parties, authorities, and the public: temporarily retain the old parliament and government and prepare for new elections, which should be preceded by an international investigation into the violations in the October vote.

●  The European Union will send a technical mission to Georgia to investigate the situation in the country following the parliamentary elections. This was announced by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

“The parliamentary elections have confirmed the country’s democratic backslide under the current government. The leaders of ‘Georgian Dream’ have diverted the country from the path toward the European Union, contradicting the aspirations of the Georgian people and the country’s goal of European integration. We all want one thing – for Georgia to return to its European path. For this, the government must implement decisive changes through concrete actions,” Borrell said at a press conference following a meeting of the foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries in Brussels.

●  Another statement from the High Representative of the EU: funding intended for the Georgian government – over one hundred million euros – will now be redirected to Georgian civil society organizations.

● Official Baku commented on the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities: “The unfounded nature of several considerations in the conclusion and the fact that they do not accurately reflect the realities in the country raise serious questions about the specific approach adopted by the Committee,” stated Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The selective approach of the Advisory Committee, which focuses on the Armenian ethnic group while ignoring other ethnic groups and relying excessively on information from unknown sources without providing relevant examples, clearly demonstrates the Committee’s biased stance,” the ministry added. Earlier, the Council of Europe committee recommended that the Azerbaijani government create conditions for the safe and sustainable return of Armenian settlers to Karabakh, protect Armenian monuments, and investigate cases of their destruction.

●  The minimum wage in Azerbaijan will increase to 400 manats (approximately $235) starting January 1, 2025, announced Finance Minister Samir Sharifov. Currently, the minimum wage in Azerbaijan is 345 manats (approximately $203).

● “We do not aim to switch to a floating exchange rate in 2025,” stated Taleh Kazimov, Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. He mentioned that the projected exchange rate for the coming years is 1.7 manats per dollar in budgetary and medium-term forecasts.

●  The price of oil in Azerbaijan’s 2025 state budget is set at $70 per barrel. For 2024, the price was set at $75 per barrel.

●  Intentional and serious damage to the ecosystem will be punishable by 10 to 15 years in prison in Azerbaijan. This is reflected in a recent amendment to the Criminal Code.

Videio: COP29 guests dancing in Baku’s Icherisheher (Old City).

●  Six officials from Armenia’s judicial and law enforcement system have resigned. These include the head of the Investigative Committee, Argishti Kyaramyan; the head of the State Revenue Committee, Rustam Badalyan; the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Gnel Sanosyan; the Minister of Internal Affairs, Vage Kazaryan; the head of the Anti-Corruption Committee, Sasun Khachatryan; and the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Karen Andreasyan. Read more here

●  Aram Ashoty, Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia, said “the purges initiated by Nikol Pashinyan resemble Stalinist personnel policies”.

●  The International Organization for the Protection of Caucasian Heritage reports “the damage to another church in Karabakh”. According to their data, satellite images show that the 19th-century Tandzatap Church was damaged between October 5, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Most of the roof is said to have collapsed, along with the southern wall.

●  Andranik Ovannisian has been appointed Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE and the UN Office in Vienna, according to a presidential decree. He was previously recalled from his position as Armenia’s ambassador to Switzerland and appointed head of the diplomatic mission in Austria.

●  During a working visit to the Holy See, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a private meeting with Pope Francis. Pashinyan stated that the ongoing high-level visits between Armenia and the Holy See are intended to confirm the special intergovernmental relations between Armenia and the Vatican. He also briefed the Pope on the latest developments in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, reaffirming Armenia’s commitment to a peaceful agenda.

●  The united opposition in Georgia has launched a permanent resistance movement demanding new parliamentary elections, claiming the October 26 vote was rigged. Read more here

●  As of 10 p.m. Sunday, November 17, central Tbilisi was paralyzed by tens of thousands of protesters. More than 20 tents have been set up near Tbilisi State University. The opposition vows the protests will continue 24/7 and expand nationwide. “We’re done with marches and slogans. Time is up. We’re taking responsibility for those who gave us the most votes, those who voted for Georgia to move toward Europe. Slowly but steadily, we’ll peacefully reclaim our country. This country is ours,” said Nika Gvaramia, a leader of the *Coalition for Change*. The atmosphere in central Tbilisi remained jubilant throughout the night, with organizers providing coffee, tea, blankets, tents, and sanitary facilities, while strictly prohibiting alcohol.

●  Tbilisi State University has canceled classes at its main building on Monday due to road closures on Chavchavadze Avenue, though classes in other buildings will proceed as scheduled.

●  On Sunday evening, students joined the protests outside the parliament, declaring they do not recognize the legitimacy of the parliament elected on October 26. They presented a manifesto titled *Say No to Fake Elections and Reclaim Your Vote*, calling the elections a betrayal of democracy and Georgia’s international reputation. Signed by students from 13 leading universities, the manifesto supports peaceful protests and urges others to join.

●  EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Georgia today, second on the agenda after Ukraine.

●  Four opposition groups have sent an appeal to EU foreign ministers, urging support for the Georgian people’s “historic fight to save democracy,” said opposition leader Salome Samadashvili. She emphasized the meeting’s importance, adding, “It’s crucial Europe hears our message.”

●  David Kezerashvili, founder of the independent Georgian TV channel *Formula* and currently residing in the West, has been “arrested in absentia” in Russia. According to pro-government Russian media, the Russian Investigative Committee has accused him of fraud. Kezerashvili responded by saying he was unaware of the details but added, “It doesn’t matter. They are trying to persecute and discredit me because I am an enemy of Russian criminal authorities and their trusted agents, and I will remain so. For 12 years, Georgia’s pro-Russian government has attempted to discredit and neutralize me, launching smear campaigns both within the country and internationally. I can confidently say that all these efforts are in vain.” Kezerashvili, who served as Georgia’s defense minister during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency, was implicated in a BBC investigative report in spring 2023. The report alleged his connection to a global fraud network that swindled over a billion dollars from European citizens. Kezerashvili denied all allegations and filed a lawsuit against the BBC. Read more here

●  The situation in Abkhazia remains tense. Protesters demanding President Aslan Bzhania’s resignation have agreed to a compromise: Bzhania offered to step down if protesters vacate the presidential administration and Vice President Badra Gunba serves as interim leader. Opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba countered, suggesting a new prime minister from the opposition to prevent government abuse in upcoming elections. Shooting was reported overnight in Sukhumi, with no injuries. As of this update, Bzhania has not stepped down.

JAMnews video: This was the scene outside Tbilisi State University at 6 a.m.

●  Norwegian Minister of International Development Anne Beate Tvinnereim, in Baku for COP29, met with Gubad Ibadoghlu, a professor at the London School of Economics and Dresden University of Technology, who is currently under police supervision and house arrest (pictured). The minister asked Ibadoghlu about the restrictions imposed on him, his health, and the progress of the investigation into the charges against him. After the meeting, Minister Anne Beate Tvinnereim wrote on X:
*”I am grateful for the opportunity to meet Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu. I express deep concern for his health and the situation of other detained activists. Arrests for legitimate civil activity violate fundamental rights. Proper medical care is a humanitarian obligation.”* The minister also raised the issue of political prisoners and their conditions during a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Bayramov responded, saying that the criticism of Azerbaijan’s human rights record “stems only from insufficient information.” Read more about Gubad Ibadoghlu’s case here

●  Turkey reportedly refused permission for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s plane to use its airspace, forcing him to cancel his planned visit to COP29 in Baku. This was reported by diplomatic sources in Baku.

●  Azerbaijan will construct two solar power plants with a total value of $670 million. Agreements for financing the 760 MW capacity plants were signed between SOCAR Green, Masdar (UAE), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. One plant will be built in the Bilasuvar district, the other in Neftchala. Construction is set to be completed by 2027.

●  A wave of resignations among high-ranking officials in Armenia has led local media to speculate about an ongoing “purge.” Among those stepping down is Karen Andreasyan, head of the Supreme Judicial Council. “The reasons are clear, but I prefer not to comment on the deeper causes. I leave without scandals, bitterness, or disappointment, having held this toxic post longer than anyone else. I sincerely believe in a stronger Armenia and a just judiciary for tomorrow,” Andreasyan stated. Sasun Khachatryan, head of the Anti-Corruption Committee, has also resigned, with further departures anticipated.

●   The reasons for the resignations remain unclear. The only information available comes from the prime minister’s morning post on social media: “In light of the widespread discussions in the press and on social media, I find it necessary to inform that I have asked several high-ranking officials to step down. The reasons for this request are not personal but systemic, as I have publicly stated. At the same time, I cannot deny their contributions to the development of our statehood. I thank everyone for their efforts and for understanding my request.”

●  Overnight, Armenian truck drivers blocked the Agarak border checkpoint with Iran in protest of a sharp hike in diesel prices imposed by Iranian authorities. Under current regulations, Armenian trucks must enter Iran with empty tanks and return with full ones. Recently, Iran increased diesel prices by 50%, sparking outrage.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife, Anna Hakobyan, have departed on an official visit to the Vatican, where the prime minister is scheduled to meet His Holiness Pope Francis, according to his office.

●  Armenia’s national football team secured a 2-1 away victory against Latvia in Riga, claiming second place in their UEFA Nations League C division group. Goals were scored by Eduard Spertsyan and Artur Miranyan.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 11-15 November, 2024