Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 25-29 November, 2024

● Throughout the night, thousands protested on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue against the Georgian government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks until 2028. Water cannons and tear gas were repeatedly used against demonstrators, with dozens—including journalists and politicians—being beaten. By 8 a.m., special forces cleared the avenue, detaining several dozen people and injuring others. Despite this, the opposition plans to resume protests at 7 p.m. tonight.

● Numerous eyewitnesses reported that during the crackdown, special forces specifically targeted journalists. Formula TV journalist Guram Rogava was brutally beaten while conducting a live report, microphone in hand, as captured clearly on video below. Alexandre Keshelashvili, a journalist for the online publication Publika, was detained and beaten, reportedly suffering a broken nose and is now hospitalized. Security forces also sprayed tear gas directly into the faces of camera operators to disrupt their work.

● President Salome Zourabichvili condemned the violent suppression of protests, particularly the targeting of journalists and political leaders, and urged a strong response from European leaders. Zourabichvili, who joined the protests and appealed to special forces to avoid violence, had earlier called the government’s decision to suspend EU talks a “final shift from Europe to Russia.” She declared herself the “only constitutional authority” in the country and called for unity and resistance, reaching out to Western diplomats, opposition leaders, and civil society.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers Association demanded the Interior Ministry disclose details of the gas used during the protest dispersal to ensure effective medical treatment for those affected. Experts suspect chemical irritants were also added to the water from cannons, with protesters reporting burns on their faces and bodies. The exact composition of the substances remains unknown.

● Human rights groups criticized the Interior Ministry for using disproportionate force, including freezing water in cold weather, which they called inhumane treatment.

● Around 80 employees of Georgia’s Foreign Ministry signed a statement opposing the government’s decision to halt EU integration. They warned that abandoning this opportunity could have severe strategic consequences, leaving Georgia vulnerable to external threats.

● On November 28, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the October 26 parliamentary elections as fraudulent, refusing to recognize the results, and calling for sanctions against leaders of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party.

Photo: David Pipia / JAMnews

● Early this morning, a caravan of vehicles carrying displaced persons departed from a suburb of Baku to the city of Jabrayil, reclaimed during the Second Karabakh War. At this stage, 40 families (200 people) have been resettled in the city.

● Vladimir Putin stated, “The events related to Karabakh had no connection to the CSTO (a Russia-led alliance), as there was no aggression against Armenia. The situation in Karabakh has its specifics. Armenia did not recognize Karabakh as an independent state and certainly did not include it within its state borders. Legally, what happened in Karabakh has no direct relation to Armenia,” he added.

● Joint tactical exercises between Azerbaijani and Iranian special forces concluded in Iran. During the “Araz-2024” drills, identified positions of the simulated enemy were destroyed with precise artillery fire and the use of drones.

● Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov will be extradited from Georgia to Azerbaijan following a court decision. Sadygov was detained in Tbilisi on August 3 and is wanted by Azerbaijani authorities on charges of threats and extortion since early 2024.

● Azerbaijan extradited two individuals wanted for fraud to Uzbekistan. Boituraev Ilkhom and Abdullayev Farhodjon were detained at Baku Airport during border control, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

● Aghdam’s “Qarabag” lost to France’s “Lyon” 1-4 in a UEFA Europa League main round match in Baku. Georgian international Georges Mikautadze scored twice for the French club.

● Azerbaijanis can look forward to extended New Year holidays, with seven consecutive days off. The Cabinet of Ministers declared Saturday and Sunday, December 28 and 29, as working days, substituting them with Monday, December 30, and Friday, January 3. This creates a holiday stretch from December 30 to January 5.

? Baku’s Central Botanical Garden reopened to visitors following a major renovation.

● Armenia will receive €12.9 million in support from the European Commission for nuclear safety.

● “The CSTO (a post-Soviet military alliance led by Russia) was not obliged to fight for Yerevan in Karabakh since there was no external aggression against Armenia,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference. He attributed Armenia’s current (critical) stance toward the CSTO to internal political issues and the Karabakh conflict. “Armenia has not declared its intention to leave the organization, supports all summit documents, and the possibility of Yerevan’s full return to CSTO activities remains,” Putin added.

● Former President Robert Kocharyan was a key figure at a new court hearing regarding the events of March 1, 2008, when 10 people died during the dispersal of protests over disputed election results. Kocharyan was wearing headphones during the session, prompting the judge to reprimand him, stating, “This is disrespectful to the court, and I do not allow it.” Read more about the events of March 1, 2008, here.

● The civil-political movement “Together” is calling for criminal charges against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. The group demands a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border demarcation, particularly the transfer of a section of the Goris-Kapan road to Azerbaijan. They claim the decision was based on a questionable document, traces of which cannot even be found in Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

● Around 700 Armenian trucks are waiting to cross the “Upper Lars” checkpoint on the Georgia-Russia border. The route is currently closed due to heavy snowfall, with approximately 2,200 trucks stalled in total.

● A mandatory requirement for winter tires on vehicles in Armenia will take effect on December 10. Authorities attribute many accidents during heavy rain and snow not to poor road clearing but to the absence of proper tires on vehicles.

● In independent media and on social networks, Mikheil Kavelashvili, the ruling party’s presidential candidate, has faced critical scrutiny. A key point of criticism is that Kavelashvili, a former footballer, has no higher education, with his parliamentary CV listing no academic background at all. Kavelashvili is also known for his anti-Western and misogynistic statements. The presidential election will take place on December 14, marking the first time Georgia’s president will be chosen by an electoral college instead of a direct public vote.

● “Mikheil Kavelashvili guarantees that Georgia’s president will no longer serve foreign interests but will remain loyal to their homeland,” said Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the parliamentary majority. “I am 1,000 percent confident I will never have to take back these words.” Mdinaradze also emphasized that “love and loyalty to the homeland do not require a diploma” and called it a “democratic achievement” that candidates for president or parliament are not obligated to have higher education.

● Kavelashvili himself stated that he envisions uniting the country beyond partisan lines, alongside Bidzina Ivanishvili, whom he called Georgia’s “great protector.” Critics see his candidacy as a sign of Georgia moving closer to Russia and distancing itself from the West. Reuters highlighted Kavelashvili’s numerous accusations against Western countries, while POLITICO noted the irony that he could not run for president of Georgia’s Football Federation in 2015 due to a lack of higher education, yet now could become Georgia’s president.

● Today, the European Parliament will discuss a draft resolution proposing international sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and a group of judges. The resolution also criticizes the October 26 parliamentary elections, claiming they failed to meet international standards, and calls for new elections.

● Court have fined protesters demanding new elections a total of 9,500 lari (approximately $3,500). The fines relate to demonstrations held on November 10 and 17.

● Olympic champion and ruling party MP Gela Petriashvili proposed awarding Bidzina Ivanishvili Georgia’s highest state honor for his contributions to sports, arts, and culture.

● President Salome Zurabishvili congratulated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on her re-election, expressing confidence that she would continue to support democracy and freedom in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.

● German company Heidelberg Cement has exited the Georgian market. “This was one of the largest German investments. The trend is concerning,” said German Ambassador Peter Fischer.

● Changes to Georgia’s national exam program have drawn criticism in the media and on social platforms. Topics on anti-tsarist uprisings and resistance to Russian colonization in the 19th century have been removed, and the Georgian language and literature syllabus has been significantly reduced. President Zurabishvili condemned the changes, calling them indicative of a new state approach aimed at sidelining national-patriotic ideas. The Education Ministry defended the changes, stating the adjustments were made to simplify the program for students.

● Tbilisi’s New Year celebrations will begin on December 13 and run until January 7, featuring larger festivities than ever before, according to Mayor Kakha Kaladze. One highlight will be a large artificial ice rink, to be installed at the parking lot near the House of Justice.

The photo features five Georgian presidents since the country gained independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, including the current president, Salome Zurabishvili. Georgian media outlets are publishing their biographies, highlighting advanced academic degrees, international achievements, and extensive political experience prior to their presidencies.

● New appointments in Armenia’s military leadership: Gagik Poghosyan has been appointed commander of the 5th Army Corps, replacing Sasun Badasyan, dismissed in September. Simon Nazaryan now leads the 3rd Corps, while his predecessor, Alexander Tsakanyan, has been named First Deputy Chief of the General Staff’s Main Operational Directorate. Levon Davtyan has taken command of the Special Forces.

● Reports on social media claiming that military units are abandoning positions near Jermuk were dismissed as “absurd” and “disinformation” by the Ministry of Defense.

● The Constitutional Court has declined to review an appeal regarding pension savings of Karabakh Armenians. Opposition lawmakers had contested legislative changes that automatically transfer these savings to Armenia’s national pension system without owner consent.

● Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented on the delay in opening a Russian consulate in Armenia’s Syunik province, near the Azerbaijani border. “Armenia has given principled consent. Russia has requested official recognition of the consul’s credentials. The delay is not on Moscow’s side,” she stated.

● Armenia’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, expressing hope it will address humanitarian issues and promote peace in the region.

● A parliamentary proposal in Armenia seeks to ban the sale of energy drinks to individuals under 18.

● Heavy overnight snowfall equal to a month’s precipitation hit Aragatsotn, Lori, and Ararat regions, according to Armhydromet. In parts of Yerevan, snow cover reached 5-10 cm. Pictured: Djrvezh Forest Park.

● Azerbaijan has begun the nomination process for municipal elections, scheduled for January 29, 2025.

● “The Polish president’s visit to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is yet another demonstration of anti-Azerbaijani policies by certain EU member states and institutions. We regret that the leader of a country officially considered a ‘strategic partner’ of Azerbaijan participated in an unacceptable diplomatic ‘binocular show,’ escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Poland. Baku reserves the right to take appropriate diplomatic measures in response to this unfriendly act,” stated Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. Andrzej Duda, on an official visit to Armenia, recently visited the border and met with EU observers stationed there.

● Germany deported 37 Azerbaijani nationals on November 26, according to the migration service.

● A tragic car accident in Tovuz district claimed six lives and injured a 13-year-old. Five of the deceased were military personnel.

● Christian Dior Couture has shut down its operations in Azerbaijan, according to the State Tax Service. The company, registered in 2013, was represented by Vincent Simon Pierre Bernard.

● The Georgian Central Election Commission annulled the party lists of opposition alliances “Unity – National Movement,” “Coalition for Change,” and “Strong Georgia,” effectively stripping them of parliamentary mandates. The decision followed the parties’ formal requests. The opposition claims the elections were rigged, the parliament illegitimate, and continues to demand new elections.

● The fourth opposition party in parliament, “For Georgia – Gakharia,” has not yet joined the legislature but takes a different stance. Party leader Giorgi Gakharia stated they would relinquish their mandates if and when deemed necessary, criticizing both the ruling party and opposition for deepening the crisis.

● The ruling Georgian Dream party is the sole faction in the new parliament, holding 89 out of 150 seats. Tomorrow, November 28, its members will confirm the new government.

● The parliamentary speaker announced that Georgia’s presidential election is tentatively scheduled for December 14, with the inauguration of the new head of state planned for December 29. Candidates for the position have not yet been declared. Opposition broadcaster Mtavari Arkhi speculates that the ruling Georgian Dream party is considering two candidates: party chairman and former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, the son of Georgia’s first president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who currently serves as director of the parliamentary library. Earlier, Georgian Dream secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze stated that the party wants “a president who is Georgian in soul and heart.” For the first time, the president will be chosen not by the public but by an electoral panel. Read more here

● Thirty-seven staff members of the Public Defender’s Office have rejected Ombudsman Levan Ioseliani’s recognition of the new parliament as “fully legitimate,” criticizing his role in undermining constitutional and legal norms. Read more here 

● Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of provoking internal conflicts in Georgia to instigate a “color revolution,” using “dirty geopolitical tactics, including large-scale information warfare.” Lavrov made the statement at a CIS security meeting, according to TASS.

● Students at Tbilisi State University, protesting in the main building for days, have accused the administration of holding secret talks with selected students about meeting Rector Jaba Samushia behind closed doors. The protesters demand transparency and blame Samushia for allowing riot police to use the campus to disperse a recent rally calling for new elections.

● Georgian fighter Spartak Lekiashvili, 25, wounded in combat in Ukraine, has died after complications during treatment in France. The Foreign Ministry is coordinating the return of his body to Georgia.

● The road to the Georgian-Russian border has been completely closed due to avalanche risks, suspending operations at the Upper Lars checkpoint.

In the photo: A protest in Tbilisi against alleged fraud in the parliamentary elections. The black circle on hats, posters, and stickers symbolizes the poor quality of ballots, where a marker-drawn circle around the selected candidate’s number was visible from the back of the paper. Photo by David Pipia / JAMnews.

● Today, the Central Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for municipal elections. According to the Constitution, these elections must take place no less than 60 days after the announcement.

● Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and Denmark’s Capella Wind Technologies plan to invest in renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan. The companies have agreed to collaborate on medium-scale wind energy projects, establish a regional turbine component assembly center, and create a service center to support sustainable energy growth.

● Azerbaijani entrepreneurs will establish fruit orchards covering 53 hectares in Dagestan. The orchards will grow plums, nectarines, cherries, peaches, and olive trees. Local company ISFA signed a cooperation agreement with the Dagestan branch of Russia’s Agricultural Center.

● An Indian citizen attempted to smuggle drugs into Azerbaijan by hiding opium inside a toothpaste tube. Customs officers discovered the concealed narcotics during a luggage inspection of a passenger arriving on a Delhi-Baku flight.

● The Mountain Resorts Festival 2025 will take place in March at the Shahdag resort in the Gusar district of northern Azerbaijan.

? Photo: Young artists create graffiti on the walls of houses near Central Park in Baku.

● Greece will transfer Russian-made S-300 air defense systems, as well as TOR-M1 and Osa-AKM surface-to-air systems, to Armenia, according to the news portal Enikos.gr. This comes as part of Greece’s military alliance with France, established in 2021. France has also previously announced arms supplies to Yerevan.

● At Armenia’s request, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit, led by Russia, will be held on December 25 in St. Petersburg, chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, according to Russian presidential aide Nikolay Peskov.

● Around 450 Armenian trucks are waiting to cross the Russia-Georgia border at the Upper Lars checkpoint, which is closed due to heavy snowfall. In total, 1,370 trucks are stuck at the crossing.

● In Yerevan, authorities confiscated 11.8 kg of illegally sold whitefish. A ban on fishing and selling this species is in effect in Armenia from November 15, 2024, to January 20, 2025.

● The new Georgian parliament held its first session amidst a massive protest. Demonstrators claimed the October 26 elections were rigged, rendering the parliament illegitimate and self-proclaimed. Only MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream party, which officially won nearly 54% of the vote (89 out of 150 seats), attended. Four opposition blocs that secured seats refused to participate, demanding new elections. Full coverage with photos, videos, and commentary can be found here 

● President Salome Zourabichvili criticized the session: “I feel sorry for Georgia, where people greet each other as disgracefully as we saw today in videos that will go down in history.” She referred to footage of Georgian Dream MPs giving a standing ovation to the party’s honorary chairman, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. Senior MP Lado Kakhadze was seen emotionally pressing his cheek to Ivanishvili’s hand. “MPs sit with frozen expressions because they know this parliament is the result of falsified elections. We don’t have a parliament; we are preparing for new elections,” said Zourabichvili, who declared the elections “totally rigged” when preliminary results were announced.

● The British Embassy stated it had observed the parliament’s first session and expressed serious concern about unaddressed violations in the October 26 elections. The embassy urged authorities to follow OSCE monitoring mission recommendations, facilitate peaceful protests, and engage in dialogue.

● The ruling party remains committed to working in parliament. Today, Georgian Dream MPs are expected to start the process of expressing confidence in the new government. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who is also the nominee for the position, will officially present the updated cabinet and program. The government requires the support of 76 MPs, and the ruling party has 89.

● Opposition alliances announced plans to withdraw from the new parliament. Elene Khoshtaria of the Coalition for Change and Giorgi Vashadze of the Unity–National Movement said their parties have petitioned the Central Election Commission to annul their lists. “We do not recognize these elections and will have no association with this parliament. None of us will take a step inside it,” Khoshtaria declared.

● Parliament’s security level: A yellow security level is in effect from November 26 until further notice, according to a press release. Entry to parliament is restricted to special invitees and accredited TV journalists. Other media representatives, even with accreditation, are barred.

● Eight people were injured in a mass brawl in Bolnisi, about 60 km from Tbilisi. Local outlet aktual.ge reported the clash involved youths from the villages of Dalar and Darvaze. Two individuals are in critical condition, with one in intensive care.

Photo by David Pipia / JAMnews. Protest at the parliament.

● Armenia will not participate in the CSTO summit (a Russia-led alliance) scheduled for November 28 in Astana.

● Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan congratulated his Georgian counterpart Maka Bochorishvili on her election. However, media reports suggest Mirzoyan was premature, as Bochorishvili has not yet been officially appointed. The session of the Foreign Relations Committee of the newly elected (and unrecognized by the local opposition and much of the international community) Georgian Parliament, where the candidacy for the Foreign Minister will be approved, is scheduled for today.

● Polish President Andrzej Duda, along with his wife Agata, arrived in Yerevan. Tomorrow, they will visit the Yeraskh community to participate in patrolling the Armenian-Azerbaijani border with EU mission observers.

● HIV infection rates are rising in Armenia, according to the National Center for Infectious Diseases. Since the beginning of the year, 462 new cases of HIV have been identified.

● The “Wings of Tatev” cable car in Armenia’s Syunik Province has received one of the most prestigious international tourism awards—the World Travel Awards—for the third time.

● Armenia ranks 79th out of 111 countries for average mobile internet speed (32.77 Mbps), dropping one position, according to the Speedtest Global Index. In terms of fixed broadband internet speed, Armenia (56.20 Mbps) ranks 94th out of 158 countries, down two positions.

● Ilham Aliyev called Donald Trump. The President of Azerbaijan congratulated Trump on his re-election as President of the United States. Aliyev noted that during his first term Trump “paid special attention to strengthening the friendship and cooperation with Azerbaijan”, and expressed hope for continued joint efforts to advance bilateral relations.

● Tactical exercises “Araz-2024” have commenced in Iran, involving special forces from both Azerbaijan and Iran.

● Military expert Adalat Verdiyev has been arrested for allegedly disclosing state secrets. The Prosecutor General’s Office reports that “Verdiyev participated in a media tour of the liberated territories organized by the authorities on November 22. He then posted videos on social media showing the locations of military positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces and border troops, their coordinates, and the operational situation.” A criminal case has been initiated against him.

● Gahraman Mamedov, the military attaché at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Saudi Arabia, has been transported to Baku and arrested. He was recently detained by police in Istanbul with 70 kilograms of gold.

● The ruling party, which secured nearly 54% of the vote, has scheduled the new parliament’s first session for 12 p.m. today. Since the evening of November 24, a mass protest has been ongoing outside the parliament building. All four opposition parties that entered parliament have rejected the October 26 election results as fraudulent and are demanding new elections. Protesters have set up tents, with some spending the night on-site. Others are returning this morning. Freedom Square nearby is filled with police officers, special equipment, and water cannons recently acquired by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

● President Salome Zourabichvili posted on X: “Tomorrow’s meeting of the Parliament is unconstitutional: 1/massive electoral fraud has undermined its legitimacy. 2/ I refused to called the 1st session and the Constitution does not recognize anyone to act as substitute. 3/my appeal to the Constitutional court is pending.”

● A yellow security level has been declared in parliament today. Only invited guests and accredited journalists—limited to two crews per outlet—will be allowed to attend. The parliamentary press office stated that these measures are in place to ensure a safe and productive environment.

● Students from Tbilisi State University and Ilia University have announced plans to join the protest in front of parliament this morning. “The fate of our country is at stake. The choice is ours: accept stolen elections and abandon our European future, or fight to protect every vote and win. Students will not adapt to russification, censorship, or suppression of freedom. Georgia will prevail,” their statement reads.

● Stephen Nix, Eurasia Director at the International Republican Institute (IRI), told Voice of America: “The people of Georgia can count on the support of any U.S. administration in their European aspirations, regardless of who holds power in Washington.”

● Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley expressed concern: “I am alarmed by how authorities in Georgia and other Eastern European countries are adopting Kremlin-style tactics to undermine free elections. These are Russian dirty methods—bribery, extortion, corruption.”

● Hundreds of participants in a women’s march on Sunday piled a mountain of suitcases outside the residence of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, in Tbilisi. The march’s slogan was: “You leave, we’ll stay!” Protesters accused the ruling party, founded and controlled by the oligarch, of driving the country into mass emigration. “Let him pack his bags and go back to Russia!” they chanted.

Photo by David Pipia/JAMnews. Protest outside the Georgian Parliament, early morning of November 25.

● The COP29 international climate change conference concluded in Baku, with wealthier nations pledging a record $300 billion in funding to assist poorer countries in combating climate change.

● U.S. President Joe Biden thanked Azerbaijan for successfully hosting COP29. “While significant work remains to meet our climate goals, today’s progress is a crucial step in the right direction,” his statement read.

● The first freight train carrying export goods departed Baku for China, marking the launch of the “Baku-Xi’an” route. The train, consisting of 62 forty-foot containers, will travel via Kazakhstan to Xi’an. By year’s end, the route is expected to transport 15,000 tons or 600 containers of export goods.

● In Baku, a taxi driver was detained for overcharging a COP29 delegate. The ride from the airport to the city center cost the delegate from Burundi 139 manats ($82), far exceeding the usual price of 15 manats ($9). Authorities swiftly responded to her complaint, and the excess fare was refunded.

● The Armenian delegation has been participating in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s autumn session since November 22.

● Armenia faces widespread backlash over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s remarks comparing Azerbaijan’s use of “Western Azerbaijan” (referring to Armenian territories) with Armenia’s term “Western Armenia” (referring to territories in modern Turkey). Opposition MP Lilit Galstyan called this “historiographical bankruptcy and political suicide,” while Hayk Mamijanyan accused the prime minister of echoing Azerbaijan’s narrative.

● Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin stated in an interview with Izvestia that there are “no viable alternatives” to Russian-Armenian allied cooperation, including within the CSTO framework.

● Yerevan hosted the “Week of Italian Cuisine in the World,” offering residents and visitors a chance to sample Italian dishes and attend masterclasses led by expert chefs.

● Armenia ranked 38th in the EF English Proficiency Index, improving from 47th last year. Georgia ranked 34th (up two places), while Azerbaijan fell to 86th (down four places).

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