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

● Georgian designer Demna Gvasalia is becoming the creative director of Gucci. This spring, he will step down from his role as creative director of Balenciaga, a position he has held since 2015. “I am excited to join the Gucci family. It is an honor for me to contribute to this house, which I deeply respect and have long admired. I look forward to writing a new chapter in Gucci’s incredible history together with Stefano and the entire team,” Gvasalia stated in Demnagram. “Demna will bring something special to Gucci. His approach to defining fashion today is truly unique, and that is exactly what Gucci deserves and needs for the future. We agree that Demna is undoubtedly one of the best creative directors of his generation,” said Gucci CEO Stefano Cantino.

● The State Theatrical University has confirmed that Rector Giorgi Shalutashvili has agreed to reinstate students who were expelled for participating in a strike demanding his resignation. “Based on requests from students, faculty, and staff, as well as in the interest of the university, the rector has decided not to apply the most severe disciplinary measure against the students,” the statement reads.

● According to Studio Monitor, the Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a case against the fraudulent call center A.K. Group. The real estate of its executives and employees has been seized. These measures were taken after the group’s activities were exposed in an international journalistic investigation involving Georgia’s Studio Monitor. Reports indicate that over the past three years, Georgian fraudsters have deceived more than 6,100 people, stealing at least $35.3 million. Read more here

● The Batumi City Court has completed hearings in the case of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of the popular publications “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti.” She participated in the trial remotely. The final verdict will be announced on March 18.

● The V-Dem Institute, based at the Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg in Germany, has described Georgia as an “electoral autocracy” in its 2024 report on the quality of democracy worldwide. The situation in the country is compared to Indonesia, where, according to the report, democracy also collapsed in 2024. “By the end of 2023, Indonesia was already considered a ‘gray zone.’ In the case of Georgia, we believe that the 2024 parliamentary election year marked the most significant decline in democratic conditions since the country’s independence. From this point forward, Georgia has turned into an electoral autocracy. A typical feature of autocratization is that the deterioration happens slowly and gradually, making it difficult to detect at first,” the report states.

● The French National Assembly has passed a resolution in support of Ukraine, which also mentions Georgia. The resolution condemns Russian interference in the affairs of the European Union and neighboring countries, particularly in the elections in Moldova, Georgia, and Romania. Regarding Ukraine, the main focus of the resolution, the authors call on the European Union, its member states, and NATO to continue and increase military, political, and economic support for Ukraine in its struggle for survival against Russian aggression.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has called a new legislative amendment passed by the ruling “Georgian Dream” party “illegal and incompatible with human rights.” The amendment allows police officers to detain individuals preventively based solely on their suspicions. In a detailed analysis, GYLA explains how this provision contradicts European human rights standards and violates the rights to freedom and personal security.

● The European Union has published its 2024 report on Georgia’s business environment. According to the report, Georgia faces serious political instability, a labor shortage, and currency exchange rate volatility, which could hinder long-term economic stability. The report highlights the country’s severe labor shortage, leading to annual revenue losses for businesses. High emigration rates and inadequate education programs further exacerbate the problem. Read more here

● The Tbilisi City Court has found 10 people guilty of money laundering and smuggling drugs into Georgia as part of an organized group. Reports indicate that the group was established in 2022 by a foreign citizen.

📸 Photo: Demna Gvasalia

● “Armenia has accepted Azerbaijan’s proposals on the two remaining unresolved points of the peace agreement text, and the negotiation process is complete,” said Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. These two points include the mutual renunciation of international claims against each other and a ban on the deployment of third-country representatives on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry emphasizes that there are two conditions for signing the agreement: • Amendments to the Armenian Constitution to eliminate claims against Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity; • The dissolution of the non-functioning OSCE Minsk Group. Since the 1990s, this group, led by Russia, the US, and France, facilitated negotiations on the Karabakh conflict. More details here

● The announcement was also confirmed by Armenian Foreign Minister Alen Simonyan: “The peace agreement is ready for signing. Armenia is ready to begin consultations with Azerbaijan on the date and location of the signing.”

● French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the peace treaty text. “There are now no remaining obstacles to signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which should pave the way for lasting peace in the South Caucasus,” he stated in a post on X.

● The foreign ministries of Austria, Spain, Estonia, and Latvia also issued statements of support, expressing hope that “the announcement of the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan will lead to the conclusion of a final peace between the two countries.”

● In Baku, the trial continues against former leaders of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), who are accused of war crimes, terrorism, violent seizure of power, and other offenses. Local media reported the statements made in court by Arkadi Ghukasyan, who was the “president” of the NKR from 1997 to 2007:

• The NKR budget was financed by Armenia. These funds were called “credits,” but they were interest-free and indefinite.

• Goods produced in Karabakh were sold in Armenia and exported abroad through Armenia.

• All appointments for the positions of “defense minister” and “army commander-in-chief” were coordinated with the Armenian leadership. In general, all security matters were jointly managed with Armenian authorities.

• Residents of the NKR were issued Armenian passports with a special series, allowing them to travel to Russia and other countries.

The next court hearing is scheduled for March 14.

● The Milli Majlis has sent letters to international parliamentary organizations explaining the context of the trials against the former leaders of the self-proclaimed “NKR.” According to local media, the letters state that “Azerbaijan is facing attempts to discredit the judicial process through a deliberate smear campaign. The accused are responsible for war crimes, ethnic cleansing, torture, and acts of genocide committed during Armenia’s 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Attempts to present them as ‘prisoners of war’ and demand their release are a deliberate distortion of the process. In Armenia, no one has been prosecuted for crimes against humanity. Moreover, Armenian authorities continue to glorify individuals involved in war crimes, which contradicts international legal norms.” The letters are accompanied by the report War Crimes in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan and Armenia’s Responsibility, which has been adopted as an official document by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, among other documents.

● These letters were sent in response to the European Parliament’s resolution adopted on December 13, titled The Illegal Detention of Armenian Prisoners, Including Political Leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, and Fabricated Trials Against Them in Azerbaijan. More on the resolution here

● Hikmet Hajiyev, head of the foreign policy department of the Azerbaijani presidential administration, commented on the European Parliament’s resolution: “Armenia and its patrons are mistaken if they believe they can influence Azerbaijan’s will through any resolutions. For full peace in the region, the issue of compensation must also be addressed. Using modern methods, a detailed assessment has been conducted of the damage caused by Armenia during its 30-year occupation, including destruction and looting of our material and cultural heritage.”

● The prosecution is demanding 10 years in prison for former diplomat and activist Emin Ibrahimov. He was arrested in July last year on charges of stabbing a person during an altercation. Ibrahimov categorically denies the accusations, claiming that he is being punished for his critical statements against the government. Read more here

● The 12th Global Baku Forum is ongoing from March 13 to 15. Its main theme is Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities. The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and is held under the patronage of President Ilham Aliyev. Participants include current and former heads of state and government, ministers, parliamentarians, representatives of international organizations, UN officials, scholars, and experts from around the world.

● The peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan is ready to be signed, as confirmed by the foreign ministries of both countries. Armenia has accepted Azerbaijan’s proposals on the two remaining disputed articles of the draft peace agreement: (1) the mutual renunciation of international claims against each other and (2) a ban on the deployment of third-country representatives on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border.

● Following the announcement that the text of the peace agreement had been fully agreed upon, journalists asked Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan whether this meant that EU observers would cease their current mission on the Armenian side of the border after the treaty is signed. Pashinyan responded: “The text of the peace agreement does not contain a single word or clause about EU observers. It refers to a ban on the deployment of third-country representatives on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. This means that once the peace agreement comes into force, neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan should station third-country forces, with all the consequences that follow from this.”

● “There are now no obstacles to signing the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which should pave the way for lasting peace in the South Caucasus,” the French president wrote on the social media platform X.

● Nikol Pashinyan: “Armenia must seize the historic opportunity to establish relations with Turkey; this chance should not be missed.” The prime minister made this statement in an interview with Turkish journalists who were on a three-day visit to Yerevan. Pashinyan also said:

▪️ There is currently a direct dialogue between Armenia and Turkey. Diplomatic representatives remain in direct contact with each other.

▪️ The Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire is an indisputable truth in Armenia and among Armenians, and it cannot be challenged. However, international recognition of this fact is not among the country’s foreign policy priorities.

▪️ Yerevan is considering dialogue with Turkey on the Syrian track, taking into account the factor of the Armenian community.

● “Turkey does not see any preconditions for discussing the mutual opening of embassies in Yerevan and Ankara. However, a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku will be the key to resolving many issues,” said Akif Kılıç, an advisor to the Turkish president and head of the negotiation team with Armenia.

● Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, who is under arrest in Azerbaijan, has ended his hunger strike on the 23rd day. His family released an audio message in which he stated that “the hunger strike was not just a protest, but an attempt to draw attention to the injustice of this ‘trial’ and to show the price that would have to be paid by all those who would have been happy to stay and live here rather than leave.”

● The Court of Appeals rejected the request to place journalist Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova) under house arrest in the “Meydan TV case.” “Aytaj attended the hearing, reaffirmed her innocence, and said her arrest was due to her journalism. She called the smuggling charges baseless,” her lawyer stated, vowing to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Six Meydan TV employees remain jailed, along with Baku School of Journalism deputy director Ulvi Tahirov, Arqument.az editor-in-chief Shamshad Aghayev, journalists Nurlan Libre and Fatima Movlamly. None plead guilty, claiming persecution for their work. In total, around 30 journalists and activists are imprisoned on smuggling charges.

● Opposition figure Tofiq Yaqublu plans to start a hunger strike in protest against his recent nine-year prison sentence. His daughter Nigar Khazi shared his statement on Facebook: “This is an outright crime against me. I was jailed for a year and three months on false charges, illegally. Now, the judge has announced Ilham Aliyev’s verdict. […] Accusing me of fraud is disgraceful! I choose death over being released at 75.”

● The National Council of Democratic Forces, of which Yaqublu is a member, condemned his sentencing as a “political-legal farce” and an act of “vengeance and personal hostility” from the authorities. Human rights groups estimate that Azerbaijan currently has over 350 political prisoners, ranking second in Europe for repression after Belarus.

● Albanian President Bajram Begaj arrived in Azerbaijan for the 12th Global Baku Forum.

● WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will also attend the forum.

● EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Georgia crisis Magdalena Grono discussed Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization in Ankara, thanking Turkish officials for an “open and constructive exchange.” She noted talks covered regional cooperation benefiting the South Caucasus, Turkey, Central Asia, and the EU.

● Azerbaijan and North Macedonia signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports.

● “In recent years, the number of children born with anemia in Azerbaijan has risen by 65%, and with thalassemia by 86%, due to continued consanguineous marriages,” said State Committee official Taliya Ibrahimova, as reported by state agency APA. Such marriages were legally banned in June last year. Here are stories, a video survey, and an analysis of this issue.

● In Khankendi, Karabakh, authorities are demolishing a building that once housed the leadership of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Pro-government outlet Caliber reports that Azerbaijani officials had used it in recent years, but it was deemed beyond repair. A new building will replace it.

Photo by JAMnews: At a market in Baku

● Yerevan is waiting for Ankara to take steps toward opening the border, said Armenia’s special representative for normalization with Turkey, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan, in an interview with Turkey’s NTV. “Armenia is ready for full normalization, and if Turkey has the political will, this can be achieved quickly,” he stated.

● The three-day visit of Turkish journalists to Armenia was funded by Armenia’s state budget, said Gor Tsarukyan, head of the Public Relations and Information Center, to Tert.am. The journalists, invited by the Armenian side, included representatives from 10 Turkish media outlets, both pro-government and opposition. The initiative aims to present Armenia’s approach to establishing lasting peace and normalizing relations.

● Mané Tandilyan, leader of the “Country for Life” party, ended her hunger strike in support of Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, after being persuaded by his wife and sister. She also developed serious health issues. Vardanyan remains imprisoned in Baku, facing charges including an attempted coup, war crimes, and terrorism.

● At the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin, Vardanyan was urged to end his hunger strike and continue fighting for his right to freedom. The statement condemned the trial of detained Armenians as a violation of international law, citing torture and inhumane treatment.

● For the first time, Armenia’s national team has qualified for the Euro 2026 finals in a team sport.

● Rescuers found the body of a tourist caught in an avalanche on Mount Aragats. He was among a group of nine, eight of whom survived.

● The bipartisan MEGOBARI Act, which proposes large-scale sanctions against those responsible for undermining democracy and persecuting protesters in Georgia, has been introduced in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The bill also includes provisions for easing visa regulations between the U.S. and Georgia, as well as expanding economic and security cooperation if the Georgian government returns to a democratic path. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the U.S. president. Neither Trump nor anyone from his inner circle has yet stated their position on the political standoff in Georgia between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding new parliamentary elections and a legitimate transfer of power.

● Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze: “We started talking about the deep state because we have directly encountered this problem. It is a serious challenge, both for us and for the whole world. The U.S. president has openly declared a fight against the deep state. We are following these processes and wish Donald Trump success. We will make a statement once we see that the deep state has been defeated. This will affect us, and we will see it in our own lives.”

● Businessman Giorgi Chikvaidze was arrested in the courtroom. A former ally and now an opponent of Georgian Dream’s honorary chairman and Georgia’s unofficial leader Bidzina Ivanishvili, Chikvaidze is accused of embezzling a large sum of money. He claims the charges are politically motivated and says he has evidence linking Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream to Russian intelligence services. Read more here

● “As evidence in the group violence case against detained pro-European protesters, authorities are using audio and video materials taken from social media. The legality of obtaining these materials has not been proven—there is no court order or even a prosecutor’s directive for their seizure,” said Eka Gigauri, executive director of Transparency International Georgia, along with human rights program manager Sandro Baramidze and former Public Defender Nino Lomjaria at a joint briefing. They argue that “all these materials are inadmissible as evidence and cannot be relied upon for a conviction. The charges in this case are entirely fabricated and politically motivated.”

● On March 14, a verdict is expected in the case against former President Mikheil Saakashvili for illegally crossing the border. The investigation began on October 1, 2021. At that time, Saakashvili had been absent from Georgia for eight years, having been convicted in absentia on multiple criminal charges. Unexpectedly, he posted a video from Batumi at night, announcing he had secretly entered Georgia. He was arrested the next day. Four others – Elguja Tsomaia, Zurab and Shalva Tsotsoria, and Giorgi Narimanidze – are also charged in the case but have been released on bail.

● A verdict is also expected soon in another criminal case against Saakashvili and former state security service chief Teimuraz Janashia. They are accused of embezzling 9 million lari (around $3 million) in public funds. The case is widely known as the “jacket case” because it involves state-funded purchases of six jackets for Saakashvili, other clothing, luxury hotel stays, and official dinners. Read more about all the criminal cases filed against Mikheil Saakashvili here

● Three Georgian citizens were illegally detained by Russian forces in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone near the village of Plavismani in the Gori district. The State Security Service reported that one detainee has been released, while negotiations involving international organizations are ongoing for the others.

● Businessman David Kezerashvili, co-owner and primary financial backer of the independent TV channel Formula, has transferred his 26% stake to the channel’s co-founders. Currently, 38.25% of Formula belongs to Mikheil Mshvildadze, 32.25% to the channel’s director Zuka Gumbadze, 25% to Formula Freedom, a company founded by the channel’s employees, and 2.25% each to Irakli Saginadze and Giorgi Liponava.

● Another car fell into the Mtkvari River from the Metekhi Bridge in Tbilisi—the second such incident in a week. The driver, who was alone in the vehicle, managed to escape (video below).

● Former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Ruben Vardanyan, protested against the panel of judges overseeing his case at his latest court hearing in Baku. Like his previous motions, this request was denied. He once again refused to answer questions during the trial.

● Armenia is interested in obtaining observer status in BRICS, said Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. BRICS is an alliance of ten countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. It was established in 2009 at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in Russia.

● Armenia is interested in purchasing Indian weapons, Mirzoyan stated during his visit to New Delhi. He emphasized that Yerevan prioritizes defense but that these purchases are not directed against the interests of third countries.

● During his visit, Mirzoyan also discussed the issue of Indian labor migrants with his counterpart. He noted that the number of Indian migrants coming to Armenia has significantly increased in recent years, and this area requires regulation.

● Elmira Karapetyan won silver at the European Shooting Championship in Croatia. The Armenian athlete placed second in the 10m air pistol event after setting a European record, according to the Armenian Shooting Federation.

● Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to Turkish journalists for the first time. The content of the discussion is not yet known.

● An avalanche on the northern peak of Mount Aragats has injured several people. The injured were hospitalized with assistance from emergency response teams. Eight of the nine group members have been found, and search efforts for one missing climber are ongoing.

● A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has drafted a bill proposing a ban on exporting spare parts for President Ilham Aliyev’s aircraft until economist Gubad Ibadoghlu is released. This was reported by American journalist Alex Raufoglu. Ibadoghlu, a former research fellow at the London School of Economics, was arrested in 2023 on charges of counterfeit money distribution and spreading extremist materials. He claims he is being persecuted for exposing corruption in state enterprises. In February, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize. Read more here

● Civil activist Rauf Heydarov, who marked March 8 with a solo protest in Baku holding photos of imprisoned female journalists (pictured), has been sentenced to 30 days of administrative detention. Journalist Ulvia Ali reported this on Facebook, adding that he has been unreachable since. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet commented on his arrest. The detained journalists include Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gassimova from AbzasMedia; Aynur Elgunesh, Aytaj Tapdig, Aysel Umudova, and Khayala Agayeva from Meydan TV; and independent journalist Fatima Movlamly, who was arrested in the Meydan TV case. They are all accused of smuggling, which they strongly deny, calling the charges retaliation for their work and criticism of the authorities. Read more here

● Another hearing took place in the trial of Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. He is accused of torture, war crimes, terrorism, attempting to overthrow the government, and other offenses. According to Azerbaijani media, Vardanyan again objected to the judges hearing his case, but his protest was rejected due to a “lack of sufficient grounds.” He was questioned about landmine placement in Azerbaijani territories, arms transfers, and Armenia’s involvement, but once again refused to answer.

● In Baku, Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev met with ICMP Director-General Kathryne Bomberger. Pro-government outlet Report cited the prosecutor’s office, stating that discussions focused on locating those missing due to Armenia’s military aggression. According to Azerbaijani officials, 3,983 Azerbaijanis remain missing, but Armenia has not provided information. Bomberger expressed ICMP’s readiness to support the creation of a missing persons database, legal framework development, expert training, and the construction of modern laboratories.

● “Azerbaijan stands out for its significant geopolitical position and is becoming an attractive partner in supplying natural gas and renewable energy, which small countries need,” said North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova at a press conference following her visit to Baku. She announced that a bilateral cooperation agreement is expected to be signed. “This means Azerbaijan will help with our gas supply and create opportunities for economic collaboration,” she added.

● “Azerbaijan is a reliable strategic partner and ally,” said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a press conference following Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov’s visit to Astana.

● At the same press conference, Bayramov thanked Kazakhstan for facilitating negotiations on normalizing Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. However, he stated that “Armenia still maintains territorial claims against Azerbaijan and harbors revanchist sentiments, which remain obstacles to lasting peace between Baku and Yerevan.”

● Tbilisi State University lecturer Giorgi Chrtsvadze announced that he has been dismissed from his job. In a Facebook post, Chrtsvadze, an associate professor of private law at the university’s Faculty of Law, wrote that his firing was due to his active participation in the protests, which have been ongoing across Georgia for the fourth consecutive month.

● Civil activist Nika Narsia has been fined for the 15th time—this time 5,000 GEL (about $1,800)—for participating in street blockades during large-scale protest actions. In total, he has now accumulated fines amounting to 75,000 GEL (approximately $18,000).

● Several professors from the Theater University have called on the rector to suspend the decision to expel ten students who participated in a prolonged sit-in protest in the university lobby. The day before, police forced the students to leave the protest site, after which the rector sent them a notification of fines and expulsion. “Give young people the opportunity to continue their studies. We find it unacceptable to resolve issues with students by involving the police,” the professors stated.

● Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party “For Georgia,” expressed support for the students. “Young people and students have always been symbols of the fight for freedom, and that is why they have always been subjected to repression. ‘Georgian Dream’ and [oligarch] Ivanishvili are expelling students from universities for standing up for their country. We opposed a powerful force in the past, and we are resisting again today. We support the young people fighting for Georgia!” Gakharia declared.

● “Georgian Dream” plans to toughen penalties for drug-related crimes, including those involving cannabis and precursors for its production. The ruling party will introduce amendments to eight different laws, including the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offenses, and laws on organized crime and terrorism.

● Giorgi Bachiashvili, former personal financier of Georgian oligarch and informal ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been sentenced in absentia to 11 years in prison. Bachiashvili was found guilty on two counts: embezzlement of a large sum of money and money laundering. Last week, Bachiashvili fled Georgia, stating that he did so after receiving information about a “real threat” to his safety. Now speaking from abroad without disclosing his location, he is threatening to release compromising materials on Ivanishvili.

● Under any reasonable interpretation of the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which the Georgian government is planning to introduce, media and NGOs should not fall under its scope. However, the ruling party “Georgian Dream” is pushing for this law precisely to gain control over them, according to the Social Justice Center (SJC). The SJC emphasizes that in the U.S., FARA does not regulate the transparency of funding sources for independent civic and media organizations, but rather the activities of agents working for hostile foreign powers. Read more here

Photo: rally in Tbilisi in support of Theater University students:

● Prominent opposition politician Tofig Yagublu has been sentenced to 9 years in prison (pictured). A member of the National Council and Musavat Party, he was arrested in December 2023 and charged with fraud and using forged documents. During the trial, Yagublu insisted his arrest was politically motivated. Read more here

● The State Security Service has detained Nijat Guseynov, an employee of the State Tourism Agency. He is reportedly accused of passing information to Transparency International Azerbaijan, which was recently forced to leave the country over its “hostile stance toward Azerbaijan.” His case is believed to be linked to a March decree criticizing agency head Fuad Nagiyev. Several high-ranking officials have already been dismissed.

● The trial of former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has resumed. On trial are Araik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. They are all Armenian citizens accused of war crimes, terrorism, and violent seizure of power.

● At the 58th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Azerbaijan urged Armenia to “stop repeating false narratives” and highlighted the landmine threat. The Azerbaijani delegation stated that over 1.5 million mines were planted during the Armenian occupation, contaminating 13% of the country’s land. Since 2020, 180,000 hectares have been cleared, with 56,460 mines and 121,188 explosive devices found.

● Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada accused France of a smear campaign following French Minister Manuel Valls’ claims that Azerbaijan is waging a hybrid war and supporting separatists. “Valls defends France’s colonial policies while suppressing independence movements,” Hajizada said.

● Ali Nagiyev, head of Azerbaijan’s State Security Service and chair of the Commission on Prisoners of War and Missing Persons, met with ICMP Director-General Kathryne Bomberger in Baku. They discussed cooperation on finding missing Azerbaijanis, while Azerbaijan accused Armenia of refusing to cooperate.

● North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova is on an official visit to Baku, accompanied by high-ranking officials, including Interior Minister Panče Toškovski.

● Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a Memorandum of Understanding between their parliaments.

●  Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is on an official visit to Kazakhstan.

● Today, Azerbaijan celebrates Yel Charshanbasi, the third of four Tuesdays leading up to Novruz Bayram. The final Tuesday, Torpag Charshanbasi, falls on March 18, with spring beginning on March 20.

● “We cannot say that Baku shares Yerevan’s constructive approach to the peace treaty. Baku continues to make public statements and narratives about territorial claims to Armenia’s sovereign territory, including references to so-called ‘Western Azerbaijan’,” said Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

● Over 100 Armenian priests from various countries have called on all Christians worldwide to “help secure the return of Armenian prisoners from Baku.” Their statement emphasizes that “the path to peace between Yerevan and Baku can only be cleared through resolving humanitarian issues—starting with the return of prisoners of war and detained civilians.” The priests also raised concerns about the deteriorating health of Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, urging the international community to “condemn the show trial in Baku and pressure Azerbaijan to return the prisoners to Armenia.”

● In Berlin, near the Brandenburg Gate, the Armenian community held a demonstration demanding the release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.

● “Armenia needs to strengthen its strategic alliance with Russia and form a military-political pact with Iran,” said Armen Rustamyan, a representative of the Dashnaktsutyun party.

● Armenia’s Foreign Ministry is monitoring developments in Syria, and there are no Armenian citizens among the victims, spokesperson Ani Badalyan reported. She stated that Armenia’s consul general in Aleppo is in contact with local authorities and community organizations. Meanwhile, diaspora commissioner’s office spokesperson Nelli Gulyan said evacuating Armenians from Syria is currently impossible due to security conditions.

● A street vendor named Ashkhen was caught on ArmLur.am’s camera lying under a truck on Mashtots Avenue in Yerevan, demanding that her goods not be taken. According to the site, she sells fruits and vegetables that are periodically confiscated by Yerevan municipality workers.

● The last strongholds of [democracy] in Georgia today are the media and civil society, said Laura Thornton, director of global democracy programs at the McCain Institute, in an interview with the Georgian service of Voice of America. She stated that Georgian Dream’s initiative to introduce a broadcasting law is an attack on free and independent media. “Georgian Dream has effectively taken control of the state. They have their own president and parliament, which, in my opinion, are illegitimate. They control all levels of power, including the legislature. This is a well-known scenario, and we have seen it in Hungary, not to mention Putin, who introduced several laws [in Russia] very similar to what is happening in Georgia. […] Many media outlets and journalists will have to seek funding locally, and that will be quite difficult,” Thornton said.

● “Georgian Dream, as the regime of [oligarch] Ivanishvili, has started talking about local administration elections in October to push aside the demand for new parliamentary elections, which has been at the center of over 100 days of continuous protests,” said Teona Akubardia, a member of the Gakharia – For Georgia party.

● The political movement Liberty Square has become a party. At its founding congress, Levan Tsutsqiridze was elected chairman. “Our goal is to create a leading political force in Georgia. It will be a truly modern, democratic political party. After that, our task will be to reclaim the state that Georgian Dream is taking from us. We must establish a real multi-party democracy, something Georgia has unfortunately never had before. Then, a multi-party democratic Georgia must become a member of the European Union. This is the path to establishing the rule of law, peace, security, and prosperity in this country,” Tsutsqiridze stated.

● The Public Defender stated that International Women’s Day on March 8 is an opportunity to reaffirm the rights and equal opportunities of all women and girls. “We must do more to achieve real change,” said the ombudsman, calling on the authorities to intensify efforts in this direction.

● Striking students of the Tbilisi Theatre and Film University have left their protest site inside the building (pictured below). They reported that the university administration called the police for the third time, and they were threatened with arrest. “We promise to continue fighting until the end—for all those unjustly arrested and for the future of our country,” the students said.

●  Since March 9, the air in Georgia has recorded an increase in particulate matter, mainly due to transboundary pollution—the spread of dust masses from desert areas in the south and southeast of the region, the National Environmental Protection Agency reported.

● Fuel prices for Armenian trucks have risen sharply in Iran. The issue has been discussed multiple times with Iranian authorities. Expert groups from both countries will soon review it comprehensively.

● Civil activist Mane Tandilyan continues her hunger strike at Freedom Square in Yerevan in support of Ruben Vardanyan, the former prime minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, who is imprisoned in Azerbaijan and also on a hunger strike. Tandilyan has been protesting for 10 days, has been hospitalized twice, but says she will not stop.

● Armenia has recorded 45 aftershocks following the May 8 earthquake. No casualties reported.

● Armenia and Belarus became Russia’s top flower suppliers in 2024 after the Netherlands. According to Russia’s National Florists Association, Armenia accounted for 7.1% ($32.1 million) and Belarus 6.2% ($28 million) of total flower imports.

● Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev stated that, in his opinion, Armenia fears being held accountable as a state for military aggression against Azerbaijan and the occupation of its territories from 1991 to 2023, as the ongoing trial in Baku against former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) may reveal. He added that “this is why Yerevan has launched a new propaganda campaign against the court, interfering in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs.” Hajiyev wrote on X, urging Armenia’s political leadership and international partners to review the 2019 UN Security Council report On War Crimes in the Occupied Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Responsibility of the Republic of Armenia.

● “The United States is deeply concerned about the continued arrests of Azerbaijani journalists, civil society activists, human rights defenders, and opposition members,” a U.S. State Department representative anonymously told journalist Alex Raufoglu in Washington. “As Vice President Vance emphasized, we must support freedom of speech, put an end to censorship, and stop the persecution of the opposition. We expect the Azerbaijani government to take this message seriously.” Currently, around 30 journalists are under arrest in Azerbaijan, facing smuggling charges, which they strongly deny, claiming they are being punished for investigating government corruption. In total, the February report published by the Union For Freedom to Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan lists 357 names. Read more here

● Azerbaijan is celebrating National Theater Day today.

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