Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 10-14 February, 2025

● The European Parliament has approved another critical resolution on Georgia. The document was supported by 400 MEPs, with 63 voting against and 81 abstaining. The resolution does not recognize the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream government, calls for sanctions against its affiliated elite, and demands the release of arrested protesters. The list of individuals recommended for EU sanctions has been expanded. According to the resolution, “the resolution of the current political and constitutional crisis in Georgia can only be achieved through new parliamentary elections.” The document also discusses political prisoners, including the head of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaglobeli.

● In response, Georgian Dream declared that “it is now completely impossible to take the European Parliament seriously.” The party claimed that the resolution is the work of the deep state. “Either the deep state will destroy the European Union, or the EU will somehow find the strength to break free from its influence,” the party’s political council stated.

● The National Bank of Georgia issued a statement expressing outrage over its president, Natia Turnava, being included in the list of individuals targeted for EU sanctions. The bank claims this is “a classic example of political pressure on an independent financial regulator.” It also emphasized that the European Parliament’s resolution is purely advisory.

● Lawyers for Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, have appealed to the court to revoke her pretrial detention. Her lawyer, Giorgi Khimshiashvili, called the entire case against her unlawful but stated that “the main priority now is to secure Mzia’s release from custody.” Amaglobeli was arrested during a protest for slapping the head of Batumi police after he insulted her. She faces a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years. She has been on a hunger strike for over 30 days and has been transferred to a hospital.

● Today, the 5th president, Salome Zourabichvili, will participate in the Munich Security Conference, particularly in the panel discussions “Georgia in Focus” and “Russia’s Hybrid Tactics.” Zourabichvili plans to meet with European leaders, the US delegation, and representatives of the Georgian diaspora in Munich.

● Batumi activist Temur Katamadze (pictured) has been on a hunger strike in pretrial detention for 28 days. Despite multiple requests, documents regarding his health condition were only provided yesterday, said Nona Kurdovanidze, head of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA). “Only minimal medical checks, such as blood pressure measurement, have been conducted, and Temur refuses to go to a clinic. He asked for his letter to be delivered to the Patriarchate and said he wants to be baptized and become a Christian,” Kurdovanidze stated.

● The opposition party For Georgia has claimed that instead of helping to uncover the truth about the attack on party leader Giorgi Gakharia, Sheraton Batumi, where the incident took place, is cooperating with the regime and persecuting activists who are protesting against its alleged destruction and concealment of evidence, including CCTV footage.

● The news agency Turan has announced the suspension of its activities. Additionally, the number of employees at Sputnik Azerbaijan and BBC Azərbaycanca will be reduced to a minimum (one person).

● Today, the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan will hold a meeting to present and approve the final results of the municipal elections. The elections took place on January 29, with 1,874,810 voters participating, resulting in a turnout of 31.45%.

● Azerbaijan has filed a lawsuit against Armenia in the Hague Arbitration Court based on the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. “After liberating its territories from occupation, Azerbaijan uncovered horrifying evidence of Armenia’s environmental destruction. This country failed to protect habitats and species in one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots,” the statement said.

● The trial of former state minister of the separatist regime in Karabakh, Ruben Vardanyan, continued in Baku. He has been officially charged with multiple offenses, including torture, mercenarism, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other crimes.

● The appeal of Toplum TV journalist Shahnaz Beylergyzy, who was detained in connection with the case, has been rejected. The court upheld the pretrial detention measure. The well-known journalist was arrested on February 5 and is accused of smuggling, along with other detained Toplum TV employees. They all deny the charges and claim political persecution for their critical journalistic work.

● Nearly 1.898 million Russian and Ukrainian citizens have arrived in Azerbaijan between March 2022 and the end of 2024, according to data from the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan.

● Azerbaijan’s only collective farm is being transformed into an agro-park. The Nikitin Collective Farm in the village of Ivanovka has changed its legal status to become a joint-stock company, Ivanovka Agropark. The collective farm was originally established in 1936.

● Armenia celebrated Trndez – the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation. According to tradition, a bonfire is lit in the evening, accompanied by dances and circle games for children and young people. Lovers jump over the fire while holding hands; if they manage not to let go, it is believed they will have a happy and prosperous life together. Newlyweds are showered with wheat and hemp seeds, a ritual meant to bring them abundance and well-being. This ritual is also performed for women wishing to become mothers.

● The Paris City Council unanimously adopted an appeal titled “On the Concerning Condition of Former Nagorno-Karabakh Leaders Detained by Azerbaijan.” The council highlighted concerns about their detention, fabricated charges, and staged trials.

● Former Prime Minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Ruben Vardanyan, has refused the lawyer assigned to him, Azer Magerramov, stating that only his contracted attorney, Avraham Berman, will represent him, according to Azerbaijani media.

● Iran’s Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani visited Armenia’s first president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, at his residence, where they discussed the current state of Armenian-Iranian relations.

● Opposition MP Gegham Manukyan has submitted a request to the head of the National Security Service demanding that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan be punished for his accusations against the opposition. The prime minister recently claimed that the opposition was involved in orchestrating a “staged performance” by Iranian Azerbaijanis in Yerevan’s Republic Square, where they sang the song “Karabakh“ in Azerbaijani. “One of the goals of this action was to create problems in Armenia-Iran relations,” Pashinyan stated.

● “Any cargo transported through Armenia must go through a certain procedure. It may not be a full inspection, but there must be some form of control,“ said ruling party MP Arman Yeghoyan when asked about Azerbaijan’s transit of goods through Armenian territory. This refers to the potential unblocking of regional transit routes, with Baku insisting that Armenia should not control Azerbaijani shipments passing through its land.

● Armenia and the UAE will begin recognizing each other’s driver’s licenses. The memorandum on mutual recognition applies to tourists and all short-term visitors. Those relocating permanently will be able to obtain a local license through a simplified process without exams.

Photo: Armenia celebrated Trndez – the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation

● Today, the European Parliament will vote on a draft resolution titled “On the Deterioration of the Political Situation in Georgia.” The resolution was authored by five political groups in the European Parliament, with a total of 57 MEPs supporting it. The draft describes Georgia as a “state captured by the illegitimate regime of Georgian Dream” and directly mentions the family members and close associates of the party’s leader, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. It calls on the Council and EU member states to impose sanctions on Ivanishvili, his elite circle, corrupt financial figures, propagandists, and enablers of the repressive state apparatus. Additionally, the resolution urges the EU and its institutions not to recognize the legitimacy of the one-party Georgian Dream parliament, its appointed government, and president, calling for an immediate halt to violent repression against protesters, political opponents, and journalists. The draft resolution refers to Salome Zourabichvili as the only legitimate president of Georgia and the representative of the Georgian people. Read more here

● The Portuguese Parliament has adopted a strongly critical resolution on events in Georgia, introduced by the Liberal Initiative party. “Following an electoral process marked by gross violations and organized vote manipulation, the current government formed by Georgian Dream has demonstrated a departure from European values and an alarming shift toward authoritarian methods. Brutal repression of peaceful protesters, arbitrary detentions of political opponents, and abuse of power are clear examples of this transition to authoritarianism,” the resolution states.

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed a lawsuit against journalist Alexander Keshelashvili from the publication Publika (pictured). On the night of November 29, he was reporting during a protest near the parliament when he was detained by masked special forces officers and brutally beaten for some time. He was then taken to a police station, where he was charged with petty hooliganism and disobedience to law enforcement (under the administrative code). Keshelashvili refused to sign the detention report. Later, he was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery on his nose. The Special Investigative Service has launched an investigation into the violence against him. To date, no law enforcement officer has been held accountable. An administrative hearing is scheduled for February 25.

● Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament, Michael Roth: “I congratulate Armenia on this historic decision and important step toward the European Union. I hope that the EU will not only offer kind words but also actively support Armenia. We must not surrender Georgia and Armenia to Russian imperialism.”

● “Last year, a thug from Assad’s regime called me an enemy of the state—now Assad is in Moscow, and Syria is free. This is the fate of all brutal dictators—Ivanishvili, Said, Maduro—take note,” wrote Joe Wilson, Republican congressman and former chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, on X.

● Republican Senator Roger Wicker has been appointed chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission. “I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner in both chambers to ensure a just resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine, strengthen the NATO alliance, and create an international order that serves our national interests. In the South Caucasus, Armenia and Azerbaijan have a chance to reach a lasting peace agreement after decades of violence and instability. Democracy in Georgia is at a crossroads, as the Georgian Dream party seeks to steer the country toward Russia and away from its chosen path of Euro-Atlantic integration,” Wicker said upon taking office.

● NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance is closely monitoring developments in Georgia and is concerned about the situation. “I have previously made a statement regarding the election results in Georgia, as well as our desire for Georgia to remain on the path toward the European Union and NATO, in line with our shared values such as democracy, the rule of law, and human rights,” Rutte said.

● For Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the European Parliament’s resolution mentioning sanctions against high-ranking officials of Georgian Dream is “worthless as straw.” He called the document, which discusses the decline of democracy and the deterioration of the media environment in Georgia, a “frivolous project” and claims that “the country is governed democratically.”

● Lawyers for the arrested Mzia Amaglobeli, director of Batumelebi and head of Netgazeti, are filing a motion in court today to overturn the pretrial detention measure against her.

● “Violence against peaceful protesters in Georgia is unacceptable, and Sweden supports sanctions against Georgian Dream,” said Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard while presenting Sweden’s foreign policy statement for 2025. “The actions of the Georgian government contradict the values and principles on which the European Union is founded. The October parliamentary elections were characterized by an uneven playing field, deep-rooted polarization, and pressure and threats against voters. At the same time, we must continue to support democratic and pro-European movements in Georgia,” the Swedish foreign minister stated.

● The Armenian parliament has passed a bill in the first reading to initiate the process of joining the European Union. A total of 63 deputies—all members of the ruling faction—voted in favor, while 7 voted against. The opposition bloc “Hayastan” chose not to participate in the vote, while the second opposition faction, “I Have Honor,” voted against it. Read more here

● A lengthy dispute over the canceled concert of Russian rapper Snoop Dogg, which was supposed to take place in Yerevan in September 2023, has finally been resolved. He has returned his fee, according to Armenpress, citing the Competition Protection Commission. The funds have been transferred to the concert organizer. Most of the sold tickets had already been refunded to buyers, and the process of returning the remaining money to the rapper’s fans is ongoing.

● The Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF) intends to seek the prosecution of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The CCAF claims that “Azerbaijan’s military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh led to the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians and the loss of their centuries-old cultural heritage.” The council demands that the court’s prosecutor, under Article 15 of the Rome Statute ratified by Yerevan, take the following actions:

• Recognize sufficient grounds for investigating crimes against the Armenians of Karabakh from 2020 to 2023.
• Submit the issue of the ICC’s territorial jurisdiction over the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) to the court’s pre-trial chamber.
• Issue an international arrest warrant for Ilham Aliyev and all those involved in crimes in NKR between 2020 and 2023.

● Levon Kocharyan, a deputy from the opposition “Hayastan” faction, called Speaker Alen Simonyan’s statements immoral after he said that “Karabakh Armenians should have stayed in their homeland and fought.” The deputy, son of Armenia’s second president—who is considered pro-Russian—stated: “The authorities keep crossing new lines of immorality. First, they drove the negotiation process into a dead end, leading to war. Then, in the presence of Erdogan and Aliyev, they abandoned Nagorno-Karabakh. And now, they are blaming a people exhausted by blockade and hunger for not staying and fighting during yet another Azerbaijani aggression.”

● The National Security Service has uncovered a case of illegal migration from Armenia to Europe, resulting in the arrest of two individuals (one under house arrest). Intelligence services discovered that the owner of a travel agency operating in Yerevan and an employee of the same company forged documents for a resident of Tavush Province for €3,300, facilitating her departure from the country.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused the opposition, which is considered pro-Russian, of staging a “scripted performance” involving Iranian Azerbaijanis in Yerevan’s Republic Square, where they sang the song “Karabakh” in Azerbaijani. “One of the goals of this action was to create problems in Armenia-Iran relations. It had nothing to do with Azerbaijan. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out that opposition representatives paid them, asked them to sing, and posted the video online to create tensions between Armenia and Iran,” Pashinyan said.

● President Ilham Aliyev sees opportunities for normalizing relations between Baku and Washington. “We remember the time when Donald Trump was the head of the United States, and our relations developed very successfully, unlike the past four years, when they completely deteriorated due to the unfair and dishonest approach of the Biden administration toward Azerbaijan.
We expect these four years, which we consider lost years in U.S.-Azerbaijani relations, to become history, and we will resume cooperation,” he said in an interview with the Chinese television channel CGTN.

● The “Russian House” in Baku is vacating its premises. Yesterday, inscriptions were removed from the building’s facade, and part of the interior has already been taken out. The Russian agency for cultural cooperation previously announced the suspension of its operations following a request from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. A comment on this topic on JAMnews: “When and how will the tension between Azerbaijan and Russia end?”

● A court hearing on the case of former prime minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Ruben Vardanyan, will take place in Baku today.

● A passenger train will begin operating between Baku and Tbilisi starting in April 2025, according to local media citing a government source. International passenger transport has been suspended for several years, and Azerbaijan’s land borders have remained closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Georgia’s prime minister expressed gratitude for the resumption of passenger trains on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route. “During my visit to Azerbaijan, we discussed this issue with President Ilham Aliyev, and I would like to personally thank him for his attention to our country. Of course, it is fundamentally important to have high mobility between two friendly nations so that as many people as possible can travel,” said Irakli Kobakhidze.

● “Azerbaijan can consider Somalia as a gateway to the emerging markets of Africa, particularly in trade and logistics,” said Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following his meeting with Ilham Aliyev in Baku.

● Seven individuals on an international wanted list have been extradited from Russia to Azerbaijan. They are accused of committing crimes under the relevant articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code.

● A large drug smuggling attempt from Iran has been prevented in Nakhchivan. Authorities discovered 101.4 kg of liquid methamphetamine hidden in the fuel tank of a truck transiting to Turkey through the Julfa customs checkpoint. Additionally, 4.771 g of marijuana was found and confiscated during a personal search of the truck driver. An investigation is underway.

● The organizing committee of the 3rd CIS Games held a meeting to discuss preparations for the event. The games will feature competitions in 23 sports and will take place in Ganja and six other Azerbaijani cities from September 28 to October 8, 2025.

● Today marks the 77th day of continuous pro-European protests across Georgia. Last night, as every night before, thousands of people once again blocked Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi and stood in front of the parliament with the same demands: holding new, fair parliamentary elections and releasing over 50 arrested protesters.

● A petition has been launched demanding the release of Mzia Amaglobeli, the head of the popular publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She was arrested during a protest in Batumi for slapping the local police chief and now faces a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years. Mzia has been on a hunger strike for 25 days and has been transferred to a hospital. “This is not just Mzia’s fight, it is a fight for all unlawfully detained prisoners, for freedom of speech, and for Georgia’s future,” the petition states. You can sign the petition here

● MP Nino Tsilosani from Georgian Dream referred to Formula TV journalist Guram Rogava, who was brutally beaten by special forces while covering the November 29 protest, as “not the right person.” Rogava suffered a broken neck and several facial fractures, but Tsilosani dismissed the incident as “a sad but insignificant case that does not give anyone the right to come to parliament and ask MPs meaningless questions.”

● Three masked individuals attacked Lasha Gabitashvili in Tbilisi. He had previously been involved in a scandal in Abu Dhabi with Georgian Dream MPs, calling them traitors while filming their conversation. The next day, he was assaulted and beaten at a hotel restaurant, leading to the attackers’ arrest. During yesterday’s attack, Gabitashvili suffered a concussion. He believes the assault was premeditated and a continuation of the previous incident.

● Georgia’s 5th president, Salome Zourabichvili, will participate in the Munich Security Conference. Before departing, she met with media executives, NGO representatives, and civil activists. Zourabichvili stated that she intends to “inform world leaders about the situation in Georgia, where a dictatorship has been established, and a Russian-style regime reigns. There is a risk that Russia could win, marking the first such defeat for the West.”

● The Social Justice Center warns that misogynistic and sexist culture and rhetoric have intensified within the police force. “The harassment of women participating in peaceful protests has taken serious forms and extends beyond standard repressive police practices. In recent weeks, women have increasingly become targets of attacks by police and masked security officers at various protests, suffering physical and psychological violence,” the statement reads.

● Saba Skhvitaridze, who was arrested during pro-European protests and accused of injuring a police officer, testified in court that he was subjected to violence while in police custody. Skhvitaridze stated that he was insulted and threatened with rape.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association is urging the Ministry of Internal Affairs to immediately provide information on the health status of prisoner of conscience Temur Katamadze. The Batumi flag-bearer, arrested during pro-European protests, has been on a hunger strike in pre-trial detention for 26 days.

● The Georgian Dream government has created the State Grant Management Agency to provide budgetary support to NGOs. Around $7 million in equivalent local currency has been allocated for this purpose. More details here.

● Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin once again cited Georgia as an example of “Western efforts to destabilize the South Caucasus” and praised the Georgian Dream party for resisting these efforts. Read more here

● The investigative service of the Ministry of Finance reported the arrest of a foreign citizen for distributing counterfeit money via ATMs in Tbilisi, totaling $2,800. The charge carries a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years.

Photo by Davit Pipia/JAMnews, portraits from the massive pro-European protests:

● The Russian agency for cultural cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) in Baku has announced the suspension of its activities at the request of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The signage with the name of the “Russian House” has already been removed from the building. The official reason cited is the lack of registration as a legal entity and serious violations of Azerbaijani law. Prior to this, local media had conducted a campaign against the “Russian House,” accusing it of espionage. Here is an analytical review: “When and how will the tension between Azerbaijan and Russia end?”

● Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested these developments. “A disinformation campaign against the ‘Russian House’ in Baku continues on social media, aimed at undermining Russian-Azerbaijani relations. False materials are being spread, calling for participation in some sort of rally in support of the Russian House. The leadership of Rossotrudnichestvo has denied any involvement in the appearance of these materials. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges people not to fall for such provocations and to ignore obvious fakes.”

● “Armenia’s military buildup poses a direct threat to Azerbaijan’s security. Under recently signed military contracts, Armenia is acquiring offensive weapons capable of striking Azerbaijani territory over long distances,” Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

● Another court session was held in Baku to review criminal cases against former leaders of the separatist regime in Karabakh. The presentation of the resolution part of the indictment continued. The trial will resume on February 14.

● In Azerbaijan, members of a group that organized illegal gambling through social media have been arrested. The investigation found that more than 40 people were involved in the criminal network. Using Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian mobile numbers, they created numerous social media pages to attract citizens to participate in online gambling on foreign websites. The turnover of bank accounts used by the network members exceeded 10 million manats (over $6 million).

● The remains of an Indian tourist who went missing three years ago in Azerbaijan have been discovered in the Zagatala region. Police found his carry-on luggage, bank cards, mobile phone, and other personal belongings.

● Azerbaijan’s State Security Service has extradited Azer Baghirov from Jordan. He is accused of treason, allegedly providing assistance to foreign intelligence services.

● The speaker of parliament believes that negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan have not reached a deadlock, despite Baku remaining unresponsive for the past three months. Alen Simonyan also considers Russia’s mediation in negotiations with Azerbaijan unlikely. “Past experience has left many bad memories. Let’s recall Azerbaijan’s aggression in September 2022 and the CSTO’s position on this matter,” Simonyan said.

● Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh during a working visit to discuss the expansion of defense cooperation between Yerevan and New Delhi, as well as regional and international security.

● The trial of arrested former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continued in Baku. The next hearing is scheduled for February 14.

● “Three presidents are on trial in Baku, one in Yerevan—it’s as if they’re working in sync,” said former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan during his court hearing. He is accused of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order on March 1, 2008, when 10 people were killed during the dispersal of mass protests following the presidential election. In his remark, he was also referring to the ongoing trial in Baku against the leaders of the unrecognized NKR, which he called a “staged performance.”

● “Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is preparing the ground for new concessions to Azerbaijan,” claimed Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a representative of the opposition party Dashnaktsutyun.

● Director and producer Ruben Mkhitaryan has announced his candidacy for mayor of Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city after Yerevan. “The current authorities should not succeed here,” he said in a video message, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with other candidates who share his views.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the plenary session of an artificial intelligence summit, where he held brief discussions with international partners. In particular, during a conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, they exchanged views on the further development of Armenia-EU cooperation.

● During a parliamentary discussion on the bill to initiate Armenia’s EU accession process, opposition bloc MP Garnik Danielyan compared the ambition and feasibility of the project to his personal desire to meet Monica Bellucci. “Just because I want something or you want something doesn’t mean it’s possible. There is an objective reality,” Danielyan said.

● The 75th day of continuous pro-European protests was tense. Hundreds of police officers were once again deployed near the parliament in Tbilisi after a long absence. They attempted to prevent thousands of demonstrators from blocking the central Rustaveli Avenue, as they do every evening. The avenue was eventually blocked, but several clashes with the police occurred (video below). Arrests have been reported, including opposition politician Levan Gogichaishvili, a member of the “Gakharia – For Georgia” party. Read and watch more here

● In Kutaisi, a court ruled to fine each of the nine participants in a rally supporting journalist Mzia Amaglobeli 5,000 GEL (almost $1,800). The rally took place on January 24 near the home of Judge Malkhaz Okropirashvili, who had rejected the appeal of the arrested journalist to change her pretrial detention measure. Read more here

●  ISSA has published a survey examining public sentiment and assessments in Georgia three months after the October 2024 parliamentary elections. The opposition considers the election results fraudulent and has refused to work in parliament. Since then, large-scale protests demanding new, fair elections have taken place across the country. According to the survey, most citizens view the current situation as a political crisis and blame “Georgian Dream” for it. 86.3% of respondents support Georgia’s accession to the EU, while 74.2% favor NATO membership. Additionally, 67.1% find the ruling party’s decision to halt European integration until 2028 unacceptable. Full details here.

● The Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into “attempted sabotage and the activities of organizations under foreign control aimed at harming Georgia’s state interests.” The State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are involved in the investigation. Potential charges carry prison sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years. Authorities have not disclosed who is under suspicion. However, it was announced that the investigation follows a request from the proxy civic movement “United Neutral Georgia,” whose leaders accused all four opposition parties that entered parliament in October—yet refused to recognize the election results—of “espionage and attempts to overthrow the constitutional order.”

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of “Georgian Dream” and a group of ministers are in Dubai, attending the World Government Summit from February 11 to 13. The summit aims to develop strategies for global progress over the next decade. Delegations from 140 countries and more than 80 international organizations are participating. Billionaire Elon Musk is expected to speak at the event.

● The bill to begin Armenia’s accession process to the European Union has been included in the agenda of the upcoming parliamentary plenary session scheduled for February 11-14.

● A meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Emmanuel Macron took place at the Élysée Palace (pictured). The leaders of Armenia and France discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, including the prospects for implementing joint programs in the fields of economy, infrastructure, road construction, energy, education, tourism, and other sectors.

The discussions also covered the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and the unblocking of regional communications within the framework of Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative.

● The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, continued in Baku. He protested the composition of the court, claiming that the panel of judges was biased in pursuing criminal prosecution against him. However, his appeal was dismissed due to “insufficient evidence of judicial bias.” In the next hearing, formal charges will be presented against Vardanyan.

● Workers at the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Plant have ended their strike. The plant’s management and the striking workers reached an agreement to increase wages by an average of 20%.

● Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani discussed the implementation of joint programs in economic, cultural, and transport sectors. Khachaturyan conveyed his congratulations to the people and leadership of Iran on the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, wishing them success and prosperity.

● Residents of Yerevan’s “Pobeda” district blocked one of the city’s entrances, leading to a brief scuffle with the police. The protest stems from the fact that authorities have not formalized the ownership of houses and land plots in the area for several years. As a result, residents can use the properties but cannot engage in any legal transactions. This situation also affects landowners in the “North-South” highway zone, as these territories have been designated as areas of priority public interest for the construction of an unfinished highway section.

● “Azerbaijanis have desecrated the graves of participants of the 44-day war in the Stepanakert memorial complex. The paving stones and stone vases placed near the tombstones have been vandalized,” reported the website monumentwatch.org.

● A Russian network has been exposed in Azerbaijan, according to the Qafqazinfo news outlet. The names mentioned include Ramiz Mehdiyev (former head of the presidential administration), Abulfaz Garayev (former minister of culture), Azad Rahimov (the late former minister of youth and sports), and Elmar Mammadyarov (former foreign minister). “The network was managed through an intelligence representative appointed from Moscow and sent to Azerbaijan,” the report states.

● Azerbaijan has banned Russian State Duma deputy Nikolai Valuev, a member of the ruling party, from entering the country. “The offensive statements and threats against Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people made by the Russian deputy are completely unacceptable,” the Foreign Ministry stated. Valuev had called for the persecution of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia on social media. Previously, deputies Konstantin Zatulin and Vitaly Milonov were also added to Azerbaijan’s list of persona non grata.

● In Baku, the trial of Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the separatist regime in Karabakh, continued. The judge announced the involvement of new interpreters in the legal proceedings. Neither the prosecution nor the defense objected. However, Ruben Vardanyan, citing the rejection of his previous motions, accused the panel of judges of being biased in the criminal prosecution against him and protested the composition of the court. His lawyers supported the protest.

Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, stated that such a protest must be justified, but the defense failed to present concrete evidence of judicial bias, so the protest should be dismissed. The head of the Cabinet of Ministers’ office, Rufat Mammadov, representing the victims, along with other plaintiffs in the case, also requested the court to reject the protest. After deliberation, the court ruled to leave the protest without consideration. The session continued with the prosecutors presenting the operative part of the indictment.

● Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Iran, Ali Alizadeh, posted on X: “In Yerevan, in the Azerbaijani Tepebashi Mosque, built in the late 19th century, tourists are being offered alcoholic beverages. During the years of occupation, Armenia completely destroyed and desecrated all our mosques in Karabakh. Now, it is insulting an Azerbaijani mosque in Yerevan. The international community and organizations must take action to stop this vandalism.”

● Preparations have begun in Baku for the construction of a Catholic church dedicated to Saint John Paul II. As part of the preparations, design and cost estimation documents are being developed, with a budget allocation of 655,000 manats (approximately $385,000).

● The 74th day of the nationwide pro-European protest ended on Sunday with another massive rally in front of the parliament in Tbilisi. The demands remain unchanged: new, fair parliamentary elections to legally change the government and the release of over 50 arrested protesters.

● Activists have announced a protest on February 18 under the slogan “Till the end!” It coincides with the birthday of Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s de facto ruler. Protesters plan to gather at 8:00 PM on Rustaveli Avenue to reaffirm their commitment to fair elections, the release of political prisoners, and a free country.

● Another protest is set for February 25, marking the anniversary of the 1921 Soviet invasion of Tbilisi. Organizers stress the importance of a large turnout to oppose any repetition of that history.

● A March 7 rally has also been announced, marking the 100th day of continuous protests. Activists demand an end to what they call an “occupation regime” and vow to resist any attempt to usurp power or establish a dictatorship.

● The interior ministry has listed nine protesters who will be penalized for violating assembly rules, including journalist Gela Mtivlishvili and singer Nino Katamadze. They face fines of 5,000 lari ($1,800) or up to 60 days in jail for participating in a January 26 protest outside a judge’s home over the detention of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.

● The Federalist Party held its founding congress with 325 delegates. Giga Bokeria was elected party chairman, and his wife, Tamar Chergoleishvili, was chosen to lead the Tbilisi branch. The congress also selected 22 candidates for the political council.

● Salome Samadashvili, a leader of the opposition alliance “Strong Georgia,” criticized the party “Gakharia – For Georgia” for keeping its parliamentary mandates while boycotting the legislature. Three other opposition parties that won seats in October elections have relinquished their mandates, making parliament’s ability to function legally uncertain. “Georgian Dream” holds 89 seats, while “Gakharia – For Georgia” has 12.

●  Two central districts of Tbilisi, Vake and Saburtalo, lost gas supply due to damage to the main pipeline. The cause of the incident remains unknown.

Photo David Pipia / JAMnews

●  Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Bulgaria have agreed on the draft text of a four-party memorandum of understanding on green energy transmission cooperation during a deputy ministers’ meeting in Istanbul.

●  The Central Election Commission dismissed a complaint regarding the results of the January municipal elections. The complaint, concerning three polling stations in the Shabran-Khachmaz district (Ragimli municipality), alleged deliberate falsifications in the documents. However, the commission could not reach the candidate who filed the appeal and deemed the complaint unfounded.

●  A new bus route has been launched from Mingachevir to Shusha (Karabakh). A one-way ticket costs 5.5 manats (about $3.3), with stops in Khojaly and Khankendi (both in Karabakh).

●  In January 2025, six children from shelters in Azerbaijan were placed in foster families, while two were assigned to guardians. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection also reported preventing 21 children from being placed in specialized institutions and reintegrating 14 children back into their families.

📸 The first snow of the season was spotted in parts of Baku on Sunday night. However, social media users called it just a “preview” since the capital did not see a significant snowfall.

●  Armenia and Azerbaijan held a meeting on missing persons at the border. Representatives from both countries’ commissions on prisoners of war, hostages, and missing persons participated, agreeing to continue bilateral discussions.

●  Georgian law enforcement expelled 37 foreigners from the country in January, including Armenian citizens, according to Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

●  Armenia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case based on reports from the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine about strike calls by a group of employees. The case was initiated under Article 460, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (arbitrariness). Read more here

●  A man smashed the side window of Bus No. 31 during a dispute over fare payment (video available). He was taken to the police station, and a criminal case was opened.

●  Evdokia Esayan, a 100-year-old resident of Krasnodar and a WWII home front veteran, has been awarded the “80 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War” medal by the Russian president.

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