Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 2-6 February, 2026

● Five former leaders of the former unrecognized “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” have been sentenced to life imprisonment in Baku (pictured). Ten other Armenian citizens received various prison terms. They were charged with war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow state power, and other serious crimes. The trial lasted more than a year and began in January 2025.

According to the state news agency AZERTAC, those sentenced to life imprisonment are former “NKR president” Arayik Harutyunyan, former “commander of the Karabakh army” Levon Mnatsakanyan, former “deputy commander of the NKR army” David Manukyan, former “speaker of the NKR parliament” David Ishkhanyan, and former “NKR foreign minister” David Babayan.

Former “NKR presidents” Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison. It was stated that this was due to their age: under Azerbaijani law, people over 65 cannot be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Garik Martirosyan and David Allahverdyan were sentenced to 18 years.

Levon Balayan was sentenced to 16 years.

Vasiliy Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Kazaryan were sentenced to 15 years.

Some of those convicted partially admitted guilt earlier, while others stated that they do not accept the charges at all.

● Several international human rights organizations have expressed serious concern over a letter sent from detention by MeydanTV journalist Aysel Umudova. She wrote that on December 6, 2024, while in custody, she was subjected to sexual harassment and ill-treatment by police officers. The statement was signed by Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 Europe, the International Federation for Human Rights, the World Organization Against Torture, the Campaign to End Repression in Azerbaijan, and others. The statement notes that Umudova’s letter recalls what previously happened to journalist Ulviya Ali, who said that on May 5, 2025, after her arrest, a police officer threatened her with rape. The signatories call on Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release journalists, drop all politically motivated charges against them and other political prisoners, and investigate allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and sexual harassment.

Authorities did not respond to Umudova’s letter published last December until public reactions followed. The Interior Ministry denies allegations of ill-treatment in custody.

Both journalists were arrested in the “MeydanTV case.” Along with at least 20 other imprisoned journalists, they are accused of smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, and other crimes. However, they themselves and independent observers say the charges are politically motivated.

● Donald Trump called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan “really good leaders.” Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Trump again spoke about his role in resolving several international conflicts. Referring to progress in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, he said: “They are two really good leaders. All they knew was fighting. They fought for many years. But we settled it fairly quickly.”

● Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov spoke about Azerbaijan’s decisive role in global supply chains, including international transit routes such as the “One Belt, One Road” initiative and the Middle Corridor, at the “New Silk Road” forum during the World Government Summit in Dubai. Sharifov said that last year:

• • Cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor increased by 11%, and along the North–South corridor by 12%.
• • Following modernization of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, annual capacity reached 5 million tons.
• • Container traffic at the Port of Baku increased by 40%, exceeding 107,000 containers.

Sharifov highlighted the strategic importance of the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), saying it has the potential to carry 865,000 tons of cargo by 2040 and create reliable land connectivity between Europe and Central Asia. He also called on Central Asian and South Caucasus countries to cooperate on digitalizing border crossings and harmonizing customs procedures.

● The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) allocated €81 million in 2025 to finance 10 projects in Azerbaijan. The bank’s total project portfolio in the country amounts to €906 million, with 40% directed to the private sector. Currently, 36 projects are active.

● President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the third anniversary of the Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The letter notes Azerbaijan’s contribution to reconstruction efforts in the province and its active involvement in establishing an “Azerbaijani quarter” there. “I am confident that Azerbaijani–Turkish unity and strategic alliance, based on the philosophy of ‘One nation, two states,’ will serve regional stability, security, and sustainable development,” Aliyev wrote.

● Ukrainian Ambassador Yuriy Gusev and Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anar Aliyev discussed expanding a program for recreation and rehabilitation of Ukrainian children in Azerbaijan. “The program was launched in 2022 and has already helped hundreds of our children recover their health during Russia’s full-scale invasion in hospitable and brotherly Azerbaijan,” the ambassador wrote on social media.

● Azerbaijan will support the construction of a children’s inclusive center in the Ukrainian city of Irpin, Ambassador Yuriy Gusev said.

● Azerbaijan firmly adheres to the “One China” policy and does not recognize Taiwan’s independence, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said in an interview with the Chinese outlet Global Times. He stressed that this position reflects Azerbaijan’s commitment to international law and its strategic partnership with Beijing.

● Azerbaijan is launching large-scale international campaigns to promote its tourism potential, according to the tourism agency’s 2026 marketing plan. The plan covers more than 30 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In particular:

• • Advertising will air on leading international TV channels such as CNN and Euronews, as well as regional and national broadcasters.
• • Outdoor advertising is planned in Russia and Turkey.
• • Targeted campaigns will run on social media and online platforms: Weibo, WeChat, Douyin, and RED for China; Snapchat for Gulf countries; Yandex and Telegram for Russian-speaking audiences.
• • In cooperation with Google, Expedia, and other international booking platforms, special campaigns will promote gastronomic and wedding tourism.
• • Participation in major global tourism fairs and forums will be expanded.
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● Sentences have been handed down in Baku against former officials of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). Five people were sentenced to life imprisonment: former president Arayik Harutyunyan, former parliamentary speaker David Ishkhanyan, former foreign minister David Babayan, former commander of the NKR Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, and his deputy David Manukyan. Former NKR presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison. Another seven ethnic Armenians received various prison terms.

● Former state minister of the unrecognized NKR, Njde Iskandaryan, wrote on social media: “Pashinyan and Aliyev received the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for 2026. A bright hall, smiles, magnificent speeches. And meanwhile in Baku, former presidents and military-political leaders of Karabakh are on trial—a reality that sharply contrasts with the celebratory picture. All hostages must be released immediately.”

● The political initiative “Wings of Unity” also issued a statement on the matter: “The sentences imposed on Armenian Christian prisoners in Azerbaijan pose a threat to the future of Armenia as well. These ‘sentences’ concern not only the lives and dignity of these individuals, but also the security, dignity of the Armenian people, and the future of Armenia.”

● “Armenia, as a sovereign state, has the right to balance its policy. Armenia is not trying to change its foreign policy course, is not going to replace one vector with another, is not going to side with anyone or work against anyone,” Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said at a briefing in Moscow. During the visit, he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko.

● Alen Simonyan said at a meeting with Sergey Lavrov: “Armenia does not believe it should withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Union (led by Russia) or from the Customs Union. We think we can jointly find a solution that will benefit both sides.”

● Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan: “Our colleagues in the European Union constantly force a given country to make a choice—either with us or with them. This is their persistent logic, applied for more than 20 years across the post-Soviet space. I hope that Armenia fully understands what lies behind this. The European Union and European NATO members have openly declared war on Russia with the aim of inflicting a ‘strategic defeat.’ We would like narratives that sow distrust, or even hostility, not to dominate or prevail in the public space of our countries.”

● An agreement on trade in services and investments was signed in Abu Dhabi between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates. The document was signed by the ministers of economy and trade in the presence of the Armenian prime minister and the UAE president.

● Donald Trump called the Armenian prime minister and the Azerbaijani president “very good leaders” during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. “All they knew how to do was fight each other. They fought each other for many years—that’s all they knew. But we settled it pretty quickly,” Trump said. He also repeated his claim: “During the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, President Putin called me and said, ‘I worked on this for 10 years to end this war. How did you do it?’ I did it.”

● Human Rights Watch stated that despite declared commitments, Azerbaijan has taken no meaningful steps to ensure the right of Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 to return safely and with dignity, or to restore their property rights.

● A parliamentary commission in Armenia issued a negative opinion on an opposition-drafted statement concerning political prisoners. The draft claims that Armenia currently has more than 60 political prisoners who, according to the opposition, have been prosecuted for political reasons.

● A group of opposition activists held a protest outside the National Assembly building. Participants brought photographs of clergy, political and public figures, and bloggers facing criminal prosecution. Posters also featured images of members of the military-political leadership of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic who were sentenced in Baku the previous day.
“Freedom of speech is criminalized in Armenia. People who oppose the current authorities end up in prison. The international community must give a clear assessment of all this,” said Garnik Danielyan, an MP from the opposition Armenia bloc. The Armenian opposition is largely seen as pro-Russian.

● 71 residents of Armenia who have turned or will turn 100 years old this year will receive a one-time payment of 1 million drams (approximately $2,600) in 2026. The government decision says this is meant to “symbolically express gratitude and respect for people who have devoted 100 years of their lives to family, state, homeland, and society.”

● The Batumi Drama Theatre has canceled the premiere of the original play DARK WEB by director Gega Gagnidze. In a statement, the theatre’s management said the director allegedly planned to carry out a “subjective political act” during the premiere.
“Bringing politics onto the stage goes beyond art; the theatre categorically distances itself from the politicization of theatrical space,” the statement said.

Theatre directors in Georgia are appointed by local authorities. According to the playbill, DARK WEB reflects on violence and cruelty dominating the modern digital world and explores the causes and motivations behind violence. A poster supporting well-known actor Andro Chichinadze, who was arrested during pro-European demonstrations, is posted on Gagnidze’s website.

● Prosecutors have brought additional charges against Russian activists Anton Chechin, Artem Gribul, and Sergey Kukharchuk (pictured), who are currently in detention. They were arrested while taking part in pro-European protests. The new charges are related to the fact that they played cards in their cell, which are considered prohibited items. This offense carries a possible prison sentence of three to five years.

● The pro-government satellite party “United Neutral Georgia” said it believes Georgia’s constitutionally stated aspiration to join the European Union should be reconsidered. Party leaders said they are ready to discuss changes in foreign policy with the ruling Georgian Dream party. Read more here

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgian Dream said that public discussion of any topic is possible, but Georgia’s constitutional goal of EU membership is not subject to debate.

● Local media report that authorities have begun mass blocking of bank accounts belonging to participants in anti-government protests who were fined for blocking roads. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian service reports it has documented at least 20 such cases through Facebook posts. According to the individuals involved, on the morning of February 5 they received notifications from banks that their accounts had been frozen at the request of the National Enforcement Bureau. It later emerged that the reason was unpaid administrative fines issued during protests last year. Activists say they were previously unaware of these fines, claiming Georgia’s Interior Ministry had not informed them.

● Another arrest has been made in a criminal case against Sphere Holding. Prosecutors detained Sophiko Petriashvili on charges of large-scale embezzlement. Earlier, company founder Givi Tsuleiskiri and the director of Sphere Invest, Giorgi Murusidze, were arrested on fraud charges. According to prosecutors, Tsuleiskiri and Murusidze transferred large sums of money from 244 citizens into the company’s bank accounts but failed to fulfill their obligations and fraudulently misappropriated up to 12 million lari (approximately $4.5 million).

● Georgia’s ambassador to the United States, Tamar Taliashvili, met with representatives of the U.S. State Department and discussed the importance of restoring the strategic partnership.

● The outlet I-fact reported, following an investigative report, that the sanctioned tanker Silvar entered Georgia’s Black Sea Kulevi terminal for the first time. The Maritime Transport Agency denied the claim, stating that the vessel operates fully legally and has insurance, classification, and an identified owner.

● The United Arab Emirates will begin financing the education of Georgian students at universities in the country starting this year, according to Georgia’s Ministry of Education.

● Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze said there are plans to regulate the number of pharmacies on the same street, noting that excessive concentration increases costs and contributes to higher prices.

● In the eastern Georgian city of Gardabani, a man killed his wife, then surrendered to police and confessed to the crime. An investigation is underway.

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. The award is presented to leaders who have made a significant contribution to strengthening dialogue. Full details here.

● “For almost 40 years, we never saw the words ‘peace,’ ‘Armenia,’ and ‘Azerbaijan’ together. That is why what happened in 2025, and what is happening now, is incredible,” Nikol Pashinyan said at the award ceremony. He stressed that although the award is given to the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, it belongs to both peoples. “Incredible things happen when there is faith, commitment, vision, and wisdom. I believe the peace agreement was signed because Armenia and Azerbaijan realized that the conflict must end now—otherwise it would never end, bringing new suffering to both countries and peoples,” he said.

● Ilham Aliyev said at the ceremony that “our countries fought for more than 30 years, and now for six months they have been living in peace and learning how to live in peace.” “After the Washington summit (with the participation of Donald Trump in August last year – JAMnews), we are building cooperation and putting an end to the long-standing conflict,” the Azerbaijani president said.

● Thomas de Waal, a researcher at the Carnegie Center and Caucasus expert, said: “I think the TRIPP transit project will be implemented; work is already underway and, most likely, the railway will be restored.” Speaking on the program Force Factor, de Waal said that “Baku and Yerevan simultaneously decided to abandon the implementation of the November 9, 2020 statement” (signed together with Russia to end the Second Karabakh War – JAMnews). “They feared that Russia would use that agreement as leverage over both Armenia and Azerbaijan. And the most convenient place in the world to abandon it was the White House. So the sides decided to turn this project from a Russian one into an American one,” de Waal said.

● Another eight railcars of grain were sent from Russia to Armenia in transit through Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani media reported. The total weight of the cargo is 560 tons. Overall, 20,660 tons of grain have already been shipped from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan.

● The Armenian–Turkish border will open to third-country nationals in March, former Turkish MP Garo Paylan wrote on X. “The duration of the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process depends on the steps taken by Turkey,” Paylan said.

● Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan has left for an official visit to Moscow. A meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled for today.

● Armenia has entered the ranking of countries most dependent on imports. In the World Bank ranking, Armenia placed 25th. According to 2024 data, the import-to-GDP ratio stood at 76%.

● Due to problems with obtaining electronic signatures required for employment contracts, the Armenian government is proposing new amendments to the Labor Code, said Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan. From January 1, 2026, employment contracts in Armenia must be concluded exclusively in electronic form. This requires citizens to have an electronic signature, which can only be obtained with an ID card. As a result, queues have formed to obtain ID cards. Even with an ID card, activating the signature requires contacting mobile operators, creating additional difficulties. In response, the ministry has decided to introduce a new ID card system.

●  Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan were awarded the prestigious Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. The prize was granted to both leaders “in recognition of their consistent efforts to promote peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, cooperation, and stability in the region.”

The award was also presented to Afghan activist and women’s rights researcher Zarqa Yaftali and the Palestinian organization Taawon. The awards were presented by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

●  “The six months since the Washington Summit — where the leaders of both countries, together with President Donald Trump, announced peace initiatives — have been very important for the development of our relations. We have not only lifted restrictions on cargo transportation from Azerbaijan to Armenia, but also started exporting oil products to Armenia,” Ilham Aliyev said at the award ceremony.

●  “This ceremony is not just a celebration of peace. It is also confirmation by both Armenia and Azerbaijan that the page of conflict has been turned,” Nikol Pashinyan said during the ceremony.

●  Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev wrote on X: “History in the making between Azerbaijan and Armenia! Winning the peace!”

●  Many world leaders congratulated the laureates, including Pope Leo XIV. “Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan inspire hope in a world where walls are often built instead of bridges. By choosing the difficult path of solidarity over indifference, they have shown that even the most deeply rooted divisions can be overcome through concrete action. Their work proves that the light of fraternity can triumph over the darkness of fratricide […] Let us continue working together so that fraternal love becomes a shared solution for all,” the Pope said in his message.

●  Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan held an expanded meeting followed by a bilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi. They discussed the implementation of the TRIPP transit project involving U.S. companies, agreed to continue — and, where possible, expand — bilateral trade and economic cooperation, welcomed mutual visits by civil society representatives, agreed on the need to broaden confidence-building measures, and committed to maintaining contacts to support bilateral normalization.

●  Another freight train carrying Russian grain — eight cars weighing a total of 560 tons — departed in transit to Armenia from the Khyrdalan railway station in Azerbaijan. The train will pass through Georgia.

●  Journalist Ulviya Ali, arrested in the “Meydan TV case,” has been named a laureate of the 2025 Free Press Awards, established by Free Press Unlimited, in the “Most Resilient Journalist” category.
According to FPU, Ulviya has produced more than 500 reports and articles for Voice of America over the years, covering human rights issues in Azerbaijan, and continued working despite prolonged political repression and personal risks. The organization notes that even while held in a Baku detention center, she continues to write, document human rights violations, and interview other political prisoners. The second laureate is Sudanese journalist Al-Miqdad Hassan, who received the “Newcomer of the Year” award.

Ulviya Ali was arrested on May 7, 2025, in connection with the Meydan TV case. She was initially charged with smuggling, with additional charges later added. Like others arrested in the case, she denies the accusations and says she is being prosecuted for her journalism.

●  Journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli), also arrested in the Meydan TV case, said he will refuse to attend a court hearing scheduled for tomorrow, February 6. His relatives told the media that he cited alleged violence against him during a previous court hearing, after which prosecutors claimed no violations had been found.

On December 22, during a court session in the Meydan TV case, Nurlan Libre cut his arms in protest against what he described as unlawful arrests. He was restrained, handcuffed, forcibly removed from the courtroom, and later placed in solitary confinement for two days. At a January 16 hearing, he announced a hunger strike, which he continues. Libre was arrested in February last year. In total, 12 journalists are currently under arrest in the Meydan TV case.

●  Parents of journalists Sevinc Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova — sentenced to 9 and 8 years respectively in the AbzasMedia case — say they fear for their daughters’ safety following reports of abuse by the head of the Lankaran penitentiary complex against other inmates. “They were transferred in September to the penitentiary complex in the Gurumba settlement in Lankaran, where women had never been held before — only men,” AbzasMedia director Gunel Safarova, who lives in exile, told Meydan TV. Parents say video calls have become impossible due to an alleged lack of internet access, and that complaints to state bodies have gone unanswered. They also say they were unable to secure a meeting with the ombudsman.

Seven journalists arrested in the AbzasMedia case were sentenced on June 20, 2025. They were convicted on charges including currency smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and other offenses. All deny the charges and say they are being punished for investigative journalism exposing corruption.

●  The European Union will require official documentary proof that gas supplied to Europe via Azerbaijan and Turkey is not of Russian origin. This is stipulated in a regulation adopted on February 2 by the European Parliament and the EU Council.
The regulation mandates that all EU member states fully stop consuming both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas from Russia no later than November 2027. It also calls for strict verification of gas transported through the Strandja 1 hub on the Turkish-Bulgarian border from Azerbaijan and Turkey. Failure to comply may result in heavy financial penalties and criminal liability.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Azerbaijan has become one of Europe’s key gas suppliers. In 2025, exports to 12 European countries reached 13 billion cubic meters, with plans to increase to 17 bcm. Azerbaijan has previously stated it purchases limited volumes of Russian gas exclusively for domestic needs.

●  The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates discussed prospects for developing a strategic partnership and regional security issues in Abu Dhabi.

●   Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are working on a $10 billion investment package for joint projects between businesses in both countries, Uzbekistan’s ambassador Bakhrom Ashrafkhanov told the pro-government outlet Report. He added that bilateral trade is expected to reach $1 billion.

●   Strong winds accompanied by snowfall toppled 37 trees in Baku. Unstable weather is expected to continue until February 7.

● “I raised concerns with the Minister for the Middle East about Iran potentially evading sanctions through businesses in Georgia,” UK Conservative MP Mark Pritchard said in the House of Commons. “Whilst I accept there are legitimate business ties between Georgia and Iran which have existed for centuries, it is right that any allegations of Iranian sanctions busting through Georgia are fully investigated by the Georgian government.

Iran is losing influence in the region and Georgia needs to avoid being used as a route for illicit Iranian regime goods to reach the Black Sea, which would not be in Georgia’s national interest,” Mark Pritchard writes in social media.

● In response, Georgian Dream parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused members of the UK House of Commons of corruption. “I hope they took enough money to have a good dinner, buy something for their families, and gain some personal benefit. They are corrupt—they take money for such statements,” he said.

According to a recent Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty investigation, thousands of Iranian companies are registered in Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia. The report notes that around 700 Iranian firms are registered at the same address in Tbilisi, while about 800 Iranian companies are registered in a village with a population of roughly 100 people—raising questions about possible sanctions evasion and suspicious business activity.

● Parliament fast-tracked and passed in third reading a legislative package on reforming general and higher education. Key changes include:

• • Reduced autonomy for educational institutions;
• • Private universities will no longer receive state grants;
• • School education will last 11 years instead of 12;
• • A “one city, one faculty” principle for state universities;
• • Plans to introduce unified textbooks and ban mobile phones in schools.

● The Representative Council (Senate) of Tbilisi State University (TSU) opposed the authorities’ decision to merge it with the Georgian Technical University, stating that the initiative is not backed by research and threatens the autonomy of both universities.

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgian Dream said that “the actions of the previous government (during the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili – JAMnews) led to the politicization of universities.”

● Ruling Georgian Dream MP Archil Gorduladze said that most foreign financial inflows into the country would be treated as grants and could be received only with government approval. Organizations that do not engage in activities threatening the country’s sovereignty would receive such approval, he said.

● The Georgian Dream government has introduced a new legislative initiative: refusing to recognize an elected government could become grounds for criminal liability. More details here.

● According to the Human Rights Watch 2026 report, the human rights situation in Georgia has significantly deteriorated over the past year. The organization accuses the government of systematically restricting civil society, independent media, and peaceful protests. More details here.

● Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili described EU criticism of Georgia as “contentless” and said that “it is the Brussels bureaucracy itself that is damaging relations.” According to her, Georgia and the European Union are strategically necessary for each other, but cooperation is currently “stuck” due to political distrust and differing views. Read more here

● Georgian Dream Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Brendan Hanrahan in Washington. The sides reportedly discussed resetting U.S.–Georgia relations, the importance of renewing the strategic partnership, and ongoing regional processes.

● Starting May 1, Tbilisi City Hall will add lung cancer screening to its free disease screening program. The fully funded program already includes screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, and thyroid cancers.

● A meeting in an expanded format between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is currently taking place in Abu Dhabi.

● Israel and Azerbaijan have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence. Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office reported that the document was signed by Erez Askel, head of the National AI Directorate, and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, in the presence of Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister said cooperation with Azerbaijan would help strengthen Israel’s leadership in the field. He also conveyed warm wishes to President Ilham Aliyev and said he was looking forward to welcoming him on a visit to Israel.

● Azerbaijan’s defense ministry leadership is on a working visit to the UAE. Meetings were held between Azerbaijan’s defense minister and the UAE’s minister of state for defense affairs, as well as between the chiefs of general staff of both countries. The importance of the joint exercises “Peace Shield–2026” held on February 2–3 was also highlighted.

● The presidents of Azerbaijan and the UAE observed joint operational and tactical military exercises in Abu Dhabi.

● SOCAR Energy Ukraine, a subsidiary of Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas company, has opened support centers in the Kyiv region amid an energy crisis caused by Russian airstrikes during severe морозs. The centers, called “resilience hubs,” provide affected residents with free uninterrupted electricity, heating, and food. SOCAR plans to open similar centers at all its facilities and in other regions of Ukraine.

● Residents of Azerbaijan sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including energy equipment: 17 generators of various capacities, four portable power stations, and three heat guns. The equipment will be used to quickly restore electricity and heating in regions affected by Russian strikes. Ukraine’s ambassador Yurii Husiev expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan’s leadership and people on social media.

● On February 5, court proceedings will continue in Baku in criminal cases against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes—including planning and waging aggressive war—genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and other serious crimes, according to the Baku Military Court.

● Multilateral political consultations were held in Baku between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Serbia, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Serbian State Secretary Nevena Jovanović.

● China has launched a new freight route linking Nanchang with Baku via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route through Kazakhstan. Xinhua reported that the first train departed on Monday carrying marble products, cotton fabrics, wallpaper, and other goods to the Baku International Sea Trade Port. The new route reduces delivery time from 50 days to 18 and cuts long-distance maritime logistics costs by 15–20%.

● Two more activists of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) have been detained. Orkhan Bakhishli has been placed under administrative arrest for 30 days on charges of hooliganism and disobeying lawful police orders. The whereabouts of Elmar Farzaliyev are unknown. The party claims there is information that Farzaliyev was forcibly injected with drugs, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani service.

More than 20 party members are currently under arrest, including APFP leader Ali Karimli. Although various charges have been brought against them, the party says the arrests were politically motivated. According to human rights defenders, a total of 340 political prisoners are currently held in Azerbaijani prisons.

● India’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, has arrived in Baku and assumed his duties. From 2019 to 2022, Kumar headed India’s diplomatic mission to Madagascar and the Comoros.

● Indian airline IndiGo has suspended flights to Baku, Tbilisi, Almaty, and Tashkent until February 28 due to the situation surrounding Iran. Several European carriers, including Lufthansa and Air France, have suspended or altered Middle East flights since January 23 amid serious concerns over airspace safety linked to the possibility of a U.S. military strike on Iran. Germany advised national airlines to avoid Iranian airspace until February 10, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a similar warning.

● A serious shortage of veterinarians has been reported in some regions of Azerbaijan, particularly in livestock farming, according to Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov. “The average age of veterinarians in the country has already exceeded 60. This means the shortage will only worsen. I can say with full confidence that every young person studying veterinary medicine will be guaranteed employment in both the short and long term,” the minister said.

● The Interior Ministry reported a successful operation against hackers involved in online loan fraud. Two suspects were detained. They created phishing copies of official bank websites and posted ads on social media offering loans at allegedly favorable interest rates. Victims shared bank card details, CVV codes, and one-time passwords. Stolen funds were transferred to illegal online casinos and other financial platforms before being withdrawn. About 500 people were defrauded of roughly 400,000 manats (about $240,000).

● The number of flights between Israel and Azerbaijan will double to 28 per month from the current 14 amid growing interest from Israeli tourists, according to The Jerusalem Post. The number of Israeli tourists visiting Azerbaijan increased by 139% last year compared to 2024. The surge followed Azerbaijan’s opening of its first overseas tourism office in Tel Aviv in 2022.

● The most popular travel destinations for Azerbaijani citizens in 2025 for leisure and entertainment: Turkey (+12.1%), UAE (+2.2%), Russia (–58.5%), Georgia (–14.6%).

Photo by Report: SOCAR Energy Ukraine has opened support centers for residents in the Kyiv region

● A meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has begun in Abu Dhabi.

● Another shipment of Russian grain has arrived in Armenia via Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani media report. Armenian authorities have not yet officially confirmed the information.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Indian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Anil Chauhan. Issues of further cooperation in defense and security were discussed.

● A separate meeting with Anil Chauhan was also held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

● Armenian authorities plan to involve Russia in reconstruction work on border railway sections in Ijevan, on the border with Azerbaijan, and in Akhurik, on the border with Turkey, Infrastructure and Territorial Administration Minister David Khudatyan said at a press conference. The South Caucasus Railway Company, which operates Armenia’s railway system, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Russian Railways. The relevant agreement was signed in 2008 for 30 years, with the option of a 10-year extension. Read an analysis here

● Construction of the 400-kV Armenia–Iran power transmission line is about 85% complete and is expected to be commissioned in 2026, Khudatyan said. He noted the real possibility of synchronizing energy systems not only with Iran but also with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, which would “mutually increase stability for all participating countries.”

● Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty. They discussed projects addressing the needs of refugees displaced from Karabakh and efforts to strengthen peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including humanitarian issues.

● Armenia was welcomed as a founding member of the Council for Peace (on Gaza), according to a social media post. The organization was officially established on January 22.

● Former President Serzh Sargsyan rejected Prime Minister Pashinyan’s claim that CSTO membership prevents Armenia from purchasing weapons from other countries. “We bought and received weapons not only from CSTO member states but also from Western countries. We purchased arms from China and others. That did not prevent us. A bad dancer always finds something in the way,” Sargsyan said.

● Laurent Wauquiez, on behalf of the France–Armenia Friendship Group, will submit a resolution to France’s National Assembly calling for the immediate release of Karabakh political leaders detained by Azerbaijan. The resolution reaffirms France’s support for the Armenian population of Artsakh forcibly displaced from their ancestral land and urges the international community to demand Azerbaijan guarantee their right to safe return and release Armenian detainees.

● A video circulating on social media allegedly shows a citizen being beaten at Yerevan police headquarters to extract testimony. The Interior Ministry said the officer’s authority has been suspended and an internal investigation launched.

● Armenia should ban the distribution of foreign TV and radio content that calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, promotes violence and cruelty, or interferes in domestic political life, High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan said during parliamentary discussions on amendments to the Law on Audiovisual Media.

● Relatives of fallen servicemen staged a protest outside the presidential residence in Yerevan, demanding an apology from President Vahagn Khachaturyan for thanking Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (pictured). The protest followed Khachaturyan’s remarks in Davos, where he thanked the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for their political will. Protesters held placards reading “Thanks in Davos, answers in Yerablur” and “Thanking Aliyev is a real disgrace.”

● The impact of gasoline imports from Azerbaijan on prices in Armenia will become visible in January inflation figures, Central Bank Governor Martin Galstyan said.

● Russian dollar billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, under house arrest, has been hospitalized on charges of calling for the overthrow of state power. His lawyer said Karapetyan is receiving treatment for COVID-19 and pneumonia and is recovering.

● Statements by Samvel Karapetyan’s son claiming that “there will be no dissatisfied women in a strong Armenia” have sparked controversy beyond the country. The UK’s Telegraph published a critical article, and the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women called the remarks sexist, saying they constitute discrimination, a violation of dignity, and social harm. Read more here

● Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan have lost their measles-free status following a surge in cases in 2024, the World Health Organization reported.

● On the first day of the spring session, the ruling party “Georgian Dream” parliament passed in the first reading two bills that provoked strong criticism from society and from the country’s Western partners. These are amendments to the “General Education” law and a strict package of restrictions on virtually any foreign funding. According to the amendments:

• Almost any foreign funding is equated with a “grant”;
• Grants can only be received with government approval. Criminal liability for violation carries up to 6 years in prison;
• Employees of organizations with more than 20% of income from abroad are banned from party membership;
• The criminal code adds an aggravating circumstance: laundering money for political activities will result in 9 to 12 years in prison.

Read more here

● During a hearing, the ruling party MP Levan Machavariani proposed introducing liability for those who “do not recognize the legitimacy of the elected government” and “claim that the country is controlled by an occupying force,” or make similar statements and/or urge others to do so.

● “Over the past five years, Georgia has become the fastest-growing economy in Europe. According to IMF forecasts, Georgia is among the top 10 countries in the world by economic growth rate,” said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of “Georgian Dream,” speaking in Abu Dhabi during the “Future of Investments” session at the World Government Summit 2026. He cited political stability and peace in the country, despite a difficult regional situation and the war in Ukraine, as key growth factors. Kobakhidze also highlighted low tax rates, an efficient tax system, and simple bureaucracy, creating favorable conditions for investment.

● Kobakhidze also emphasized low corruption levels and effective economic management. He noted that according to international indexes, Georgia is a leader, surpassing 8–9 EU countries and ranking first in the region on this indicator.

● The so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” court sentenced Georgian citizen Giorgi Baramidze, a member of the opposition National Movement, in absentia to 6.5 years in prison for participating in fights on Ukraine’s side. The Russian Prosecutor General called Baramidze a Ukrainian mercenary and put him on the international wanted list.

● Georgian Technical University protested against reports by pro-government TV channels Rustavi-2 and Imedi. The university management categorically denies the claims that learning conditions are unsatisfactory and infrastructure does not meet academic standards. The Technical University demands apologies.

● On February 2, a US Air Force Lockheed C-130J-30 Super Hercules cargo plane landed at Tbilisi International Airport, marking the second time in the past week that an American military aircraft arrived in Georgia.

● Parliamentary Majority Leader Irakli Kirtzkhalia stated that the OSCE decision to investigate human rights violations in Georgia and activate the “Moscow Mechanism” is “another example of a foreign country interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs.” Here are more details about this OSCE decision, supported by 23 countries. 

● According to official statistics, in January this year, compared to the previous month, inflation was 1.2%, and the annual inflation rate was 4.8%. Geostat data show that prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 10.6% compared to last year, contributing 3.55% to annual inflation.

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that in the past 24 hours, 45 people connected to the “criminal world” were arrested in Tbilisi and other regions. Another 15 will face charges, some in correctional facilities and some in absentia, including three so-called “thieves-in-law.”

Video by Mariam Nikuradze. The 433rd day of non-stop pro-European protests in Tbilisi, demanding that the country return to the path of European integration

● The Legal Affairs Committee of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party approved draft amendments to the Law on Grants in the first reading. Committee chair Archil Gorduladze said that any organization registered abroad but largely operating in Georgia would be required to obtain government approval before issuing a grant. The draft defines a grant as any financial resources, including technical assistance in the form of technologies, specialized knowledge, skills, expertise, services, or other forms.

The Criminal Code would also be amended to introduce criminal liability for funding lobbying or political activities abroad. “Speaking on behalf of Georgia on issues related to Georgia is exclusively the authority and prerogative of the Georgian government. Even the president of Georgia requires government consent when speaking on the international stage,” Gorduladze said. Strict restrictions are also being introduced on party activities. Read more here

● Business organizations will face criminal liability if they engage in political activities, Archil Gorduladze said.

● Money transfers sent by migrants to their families will not be considered grants and will not lead to criminal liability, Gorduladze emphasized.

● Georgian Dream parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili, commenting on the tougher Law on Grants, said: “It does not matter where the funding comes from—Russia or the West. The only distinction that matters is Georgian funding versus all other funding.”

● Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty warned Georgian Dream that the proposed amendments to the Law on Grants threaten civil society freedoms and urged lawmakers not to adopt them. Read more here

● The de facto authorities in Tskhinvali have accused local activist Tamar Mearakishvili of cooperating with Georgian security services. Mearakishvili, who was deported to Tbilisi after her arrest, said she is ready to travel to Tskhinvali and take part in court proceedings on the charges against her. “I will prove in court that I am right, on one condition: that the trial be open to all journalists and the public, and of course that I be allowed access to a lawyer. If you are confident, if you are right, accept this proposal,” Mearakishvili said. At the same time, officials in Tskhinvali said they would identify and prosecute “all accomplices” of Mearakishvili. Read more here

● Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he will attend the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 3–5. His delegation includes the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, economy, justice, education, and the head of the government administration.

● Deputy Education Minister Zviad Gabisonia held meetings with the leadership and faculty of Georgian Technical University (GTU) and Tbilisi State University (TSU) regarding the planned merger of the two institutions. The decision has sparked mass protests by TSU professors and students. Details of the talks were not disclosed, though the GTU rector called the meeting “very productive.”

● Tbilisi State University faculty oppose the merger, with 62 professors strongly rejecting it and demanding a public discussion.

● The opposition party “Gakharia for Georgia” rejected a debate format proposed by the ruling party on the pro-government TV channel Rustavi 2, calling it “a farce and propaganda.” The party said it is ready to debate Georgian Dream directly, without the participation of its satellite parties.

● The United States plans to prosecute Avtandil Kalandadze, the Georgian captain of the tanker Marinera, part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The vessel, sailing under the Russian flag, was seized in the North Atlantic on January 7 and escorted to the coast of Scotland’s Moray region. According to the US Embassy in London, two crew members remain in custody after their lawful arrest for violations of US law and will be transferred to the United States for trial. The remaining 26 crew members have disembarked and are being repatriated under standard UK immigration and legal procedures.

● Laura Thornton, director of global democracy programs at the McCain Institute, told InterpressNews that Georgia’s absence from the itinerary of the US vice president’s visit to the South Caucasus is “not just a diplomatic detail, but a signal that the Georgian Dream government is seen in Washington as an isolated and politically insignificant partner.” Read more here

● Zaza Shatirishvili, a propagandist and philosopher linked to Georgian Dream, published a new letter claiming that US President Donald Trump is “more a warmonger and provocateur than a dove of peace.” He argued that “Europe, controlled by the deep state, will eventually fall under corporate rule” and be drawn into the Russia–Ukraine war.

● Trialeti TV, a regional broadcaster in eastern Georgia, announced the suspension of its satellite broadcasting, citing pressure from the tax authorities.

● Russian sources report that 40-year-old activist Alexander Korovnikov was found dead in Tbilisi. Korovnikov had moved to Georgia from Russia after the start of the war in Ukraine. The cause of death is currently unknown.

● Georgia’s National Food Agency inspected 20 veterinary clinics in Tbilisi and found expired medicines and critical violations in eight of them.

● Armenia is ready to continue military-technical cooperation with India, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said during a meeting with India’s Chief of Defence Staff in Yerevan. Papikyan praised the current level of defense cooperation, while General Anil Chauhan expressed readiness to launch new joint projects. According to Armenian media, the two countries have signed arms contracts worth $1.5 billion in recent years.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will attend the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ceremony for 2026 in Abu Dhabi on February 4. The award has been granted to both Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijani media report that Aliyev will also attend the ceremony. Pashinyan’s press secretary did not comment on whether a meeting between the two leaders will take place in Abu Dhabi.

● Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it assumes that Armenia’s policy of diversifying its foreign relations does not imply scaling back cooperation with traditional allies or reorienting toward blocs seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. The ministry said relations with Armenia are based on a solid legal framework confirming their allied status. It added that Armenia benefits from membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union and remains a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization with all associated rights and obligations.

● Vagif Khachatryan, one of four ethnic Armenians previously detained in Azerbaijan and transferred to Armenia in January, has been discharged from hospital. His daughter, Vera Khachatryan, told NEWS.am that his condition is satisfactory, though further medical examinations are needed.

● A court upheld travel bans on Gyumri’s first deputy mayor Avetis Arakelyan, while pretrial restrictions on Karapet Gukasyan were changed to house arrest. The house arrest of Artem Mkrtchyan was replaced with a travel ban. All are accused of involvement in mass unrest in Gyumri during the arrest of Mayor Vardan Gukasyan in October last year on bribery and corruption charges.

● The Geghard Foundation reported damage to the Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin Church in Karabakh, saying vandals smashed at least one khachkar in the churchyard and damaged icons.

● The Prime Minister’s Office denied rumors that a gay pride parade is being planned in Yerevan. Pashinyan’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan called such claims “one component of hybrid attacks.”

● Presidents of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, Ilham Aliyev and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held talks in Abu Dhabi. A document was signed on the sale by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company of part of its non-controlling stake in the Southern Gas Corridor company. A letter of intent on defense cooperation was also signed. The establishment of sister-city relations between Baku and Abu Dhabi was discussed. The presidents expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations based on strategic partnership, according to a press release.

● Milli Majlis has approved amendments to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Two new articles were added: Article 3-1, establishing a representative office of the President of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan, and Article 28-1, setting rules for dissolving the local parliament (the Supreme Majlis). The president may now dissolve it at the request of 31 deputies or if the body is unable to fulfill its constitutional duties for insurmountable reasons.

Experts say the most significant change is the amendment to the Constitution’s preamble, which removes references to the Moscow and Kars international treaties that had previously formed the legal basis of Nakhchivan’s autonomy. The Moscow Treaty was signed in March 1921 and the Kars Treaty in October 1921. The Constitution now states only that the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is an integral part of Azerbaijan.

● Nine journalists arrested in the “ToplumTV case”, on charges of smuggling and other financial crimes, demanded that Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and Head of the State Tax Service Orkhan Nazarli be summoned to court for questioning. The request was denied. The journalists are accused, among other things, of evading more than 79,000 manats (about $46,000) in taxes. They reject the accusation and demand a public explanation of how this amount was calculated.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani service, at a court hearing on February 2, State Tax Service specialist Nasimi Suleymanov, who prepared the expert opinion, testified that he had not personally conducted an audit but based his conclusions on materials provided by the investigation.

ToplumTV founder and media lawyer Alasgar Mammadli said he has been a taxpayer for 25 years, has never violated tax rules, has never delayed filing tax returns, and has even paid taxes in advance. He noted that he worked as a media law expert on service contracts with several international organizations. “The law does not require such contracts to be registered. I paid taxes on the income received under these contracts and provided proof of this,” Mammadli said.

Journalist Farid Ismailov asked the tax expert to present evidence of tax evasion. Without providing specific proof, the expert repeated that he relied on materials supplied by the investigation. The trial in the “ToplumTV case” will continue on February 9.

● Shafahat Imranov, deputy military prosecutor of Azerbaijan, has been appointed prosecutor of Baku’s Absheron district. His name was prominently linked to the 2017 Terter case involving the mass torture of servicemen accused of treason, in which 11 people died and 452 were recognized as victims. 13 people were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 4 years and 10 months to 13 years, but no senior officials were held accountable. The military prosecutor at the time, Khanlar Valiyev, was later appointed a judge of the Constitutional Court. Relatives of the servicemen who died as a result of torture say the real perpetrators have escaped punishment. Read more here

● Russia’s Foreign Ministry commented on the detention of Russian citizens arrested in Azerbaijan last summer. “The swift release and return home of all Russian nationals detained in Baku on June 30–July 1, 2025, is an unconditional priority. So far, two journalists from Sputnik Azerbaijan—Kartavykh and editor-in-chief Belousov—have returned home (in October 2025). Eleven people remain in custody at a Baku pretrial detention center. Various options for their release are being explored. The latest consular access was granted on December 30, 2025,” the ministry said.

● SOCAR and Japan’s Yokogawa Electric Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding in Baku to explore cooperation opportunities.

● Education and Science Minister Emin Amrullayev is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

● ANAMA reported that in January, 37 anti-tank mines, 337 anti-personnel mines, and 1,364 unexploded ordnance items were neutralized in territories reclaimed after the second Karabakh war. A total of 1,738.3 hectares were cleared.

● The 11th Azerbaijan Youth Forum is being held in Baku, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

● New rules for importing mobile phones have come into force: one new phone per year may be imported duty-free (previously once a month), with a value of up to $800. Customs duties of about 36% apply to any excess, or to the full value of additional phones imported within the same year.

● Facebook continues to grow in popularity in Azerbaijan, becoming the most used social network with a 28.88% market share. YouTube ranks second at 22.62%, followed by Instagram at 21.11%, whose popularity has declined significantly over the past year. Pinterest is next with 10.99%, also seeing a drop in users. X ranks fifth with a 6.96% market share and has recorded growing user interest over the past year. The data comes from a Statcounter report.

● “Azerbaijan is concerned about the situation in the region and is ready to contribute to easing tensions. Baku supports resolving such issues through negotiations and mutual understanding,” President Ilham Aliyev said during a phone call he initiated with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

● Another freight train carrying Russian grain has transited through Azerbaijan en route to Armenia (via Georgia). The train consisted of 25 railcars with a total cargo volume of 1,746 tons. Since Azerbaijan lifted its ban on cargo transit to Armenia for the first time in more than 30 years of conflict at the end of last year, 285 railcars carrying a total of 19,900 tons of Russian grain have passed through.

● Armenia’s Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan declined to comment on reports that sugar imports from Azerbaijan may soon begin. He also refused to answer questions about the possible involvement of prominent Armenian businessman and former MP Samvel Aleksanyan in the imports. “At present, only one type of product is imported from Azerbaijan to Armenia—gasoline,” Papoyan said.

● Anar Huseynov, an activist of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), has been administratively sentenced to 30 days in detention on charges of disobeying police and minor hooliganism. The party considers the case fabricated and politically motivated. More than 20 APFP activists are currently under arrest, including party chairman Ali Karimli. Although various charges have been brought against them, the party says all arrests are politically motivated.

● Joint operational and tactical exercises titled “Peace Shield – 2026” involving servicemen from Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates are taking place in Abu Dhabi on February 2–3. The exercise plan includes identifying and neutralizing illegal armed groups operating in mountainous terrain, restoring control over a seized vessel, freeing hostages, evacuating the wounded, preventing sabotage in populated areas, and conducting firefighting operations.

● Over the past two years, nearly 11,000 open-heart surgeries have been performed in Azerbaijan. The sharp increase is directly linked to the introduction of the mandatory health insurance system, said Ramil Aliyev, chairman of the Azerbaijan Society of Cardiovascular Surgery. He also noted that a series of heart transplants from deceased donors is planned this year, and an official patient waiting list has already been established. Azerbaijan carried out its first such transplant—the first in the Caucasus—on October 31, 2025.

● Youth Day is being celebrated in Azerbaijan today.

PHOTO: On the coast of the Caspian Sea near Baku. Photo by JAMnews

● A delegation of the Indian Armed Forces, led by Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, is on an official visit to Armenia that was not announced in advance. The Armenian Defense Ministry has confirmed the delegation’s arrival but provided no further details. Earlier media reports said Armenia is among the world’s three largest buyers of Indian defense products, alongside the United States and France.

● A freight train of 25 railcars carrying Russian grain has been sent in transit through Azerbaijan to Armenia. The total cargo volume is 1,746 tons. The train will pass through Georgia before arriving at the Dalarik station in Armenia.

● On January 31, a sentence was due to take effect against former Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan, who had been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for aiding and abetting large-scale fraud. However, on the same day it was announced that she had been included on an amnesty list and was therefore released from punishment. Poghosyan served as culture minister from 2012 to 2016, during the presidency of Serzh Sargsyan. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, she assisted a criminal group in the illegal appropriation of 300 square meters of land allocated for a music school.

● “No woman in Armenia should remain unsatisfied,” said Sarkis Karapetyan, the son of Russian dollar billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, during a podcast. Samvel Karapetyan is currently under arrest on charges of calling for the overthrow of the constitutional order. In response, the podcast host joked that implementing such an initiative would require creating a “Ministry of Sex,” to which Karapetyan replied that “demographic issues cannot be solved without sex.” The discussion sparked a major public scandal. Karapetyan later said he was addressing a taboo but crucial topic, noting that while Armenians often talk about external threats, they overlook internal ones. He cited sociological data showing rising levels of drug addiction, depression, and gambling addiction, saying, “Our nation is collapsing from within.”

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan performed for the first time in Yerevan with his musical group “Varchaband,” playing the drums during the concert. The band includes two vocalists, a pianist, a saxophonist, and a guitarist. The name “Varchaband” combines the first two syllables of the Armenian word varchapet (“prime minister”) with the English word “band.” Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan commented that not a single dram from the state budget was spent on the concert, saying it was funded by party resources.

● St. Sarkis Day was celebrated in Armenia. The holiday is also considered the Day of Youth Blessing and is often referred to as the Armenian Valentine’s Day. According to tradition, on the night before St. Sarkis Day, young people eat salty flatbreads and then refrain from eating or drinking, believing they will dream of their future spouse.

● Today, the parliament controlled by Georgian Dream begins reviewing a package of amendments to several laws that would further tighten restrictions on foreign funding entering the country and on political party activities. The amendments cover seven laws and will be considered in a first reading by the Legal Affairs Committee. More details on the amendments here.

● Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said he is ready to take part in media debates on any topic, including education reform, “even with those who ignorantly criticize the reform.” More on the reform here

● Education Minister Givi Mikanadze responded to protests over the announced decision to merge Georgia’s two oldest universities—Tbilisi State University and the Georgian Polytechnic University. He said the goal of the reform is to adapt public universities to market demands. After the merger, similar programs will be consolidated and resources allocated in a way that will not harm teaching staff. More details here

● Students at Tbilisi State University, who are protesting the decision to merge it with the Georgian Polytechnic University, have appealed to Kobakhidze, saying they are ready for debates on any channel and in any format, including live broadcasts. They say they have specific questions that require answers.

● U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson has once again accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of allowing Georgian ports to be used for Putin’s “shadow fleet.” “Ivanishvili’s puppet regime is turning Georgian ports into a playground for Putin’s shadow fleet. Turning off AIS trackers to move blood oil is complicity in war crimes,” Wilson wrote on X.

● Parliament is also discussing a package of measures that would make the Legal Aid Service accountable to the prime minister. The service is currently fully independent, but the amendments would give the prime minister the authority to appoint and dismiss its director and would significantly change the service’s status.

● The State Security Service’s training center has been transformed into the Academy of State Security. Officials say this is “an important step in strengthening Georgia’s state security system and adapting personnel training to modern challenges.” The academy has been granted the status of a higher education institution and will offer a one-year master’s program focused on physical, tactical, firearms, and psychological training. Admission will require a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent academic qualification. Tuition will be free of charge.

● A sharp deterioration in weather conditions is expected in western Georgia on February 3–4, with heavy precipitation, strong winds, and sea storms rated at 3–4 points. In high mountain areas, heavy snowfall, blizzards, and avalanches are expected, with possible road closures.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 26-30 January, 2026