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

● A court has ruled to keep eight participants of the large-scale pro-European protests, ongoing for over three months, in pretrial detention. They are accused of organizing group violence during demonstrations. The activists are Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vasil Kadzelashvili, Vepkhia Kasradze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliyev, Tornike Goshadze, Nikoloz Javakhishvili, and Giorgi Giorgadze (pictured). Protesters continue to demand their release and that of other detainees.

● The trial of Mzia Amaglobeli, director and founder of the popular media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was postponed to March 13. The court is currently considering charges related to placing political posters on government buildings. Amaglobeli was arrested in January during protests after slapping the Batumi police chief, who had insulted her.

● Belgium’s Foreign Ministry: “This week, the trial of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli has started in Georgia. Repressive actions against journalists and peaceful demonstrators are very worrying and are not in line with Georgia’s European and international commitments. Belgium calls on the Georgian government to respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of expression. No press freedom, no democracy.”

● Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia: “There is no longer any doubt about the purpose of Georgia’s recent laws and amendments – they aim to control public space. Many parliaments have passed draconian laws, but I don’t recall anyone doing so at this scale and speed. The Georgian government treats fundamental human rights as if it can decide when people are allowed to use them and when not.”

● One person has been arrested for attacking the owners of Crab Cafe, active participants in the pro-European protests. One of them, Kristi Pirvi, reported that her co-owner, Barbara Rokita, suffered a broken nose but is feeling relatively better. The Interior Ministry confirmed the information to Formula TV. The attacker has been charged under Article 126 of the Criminal Code for “use of violence.”

● The Social Democracy Movement stated that the Justice Ministry is refusing to register them without providing reasons for the denial.

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze from the ruling Georgian Dream party has left for an official visit to Turkmenistan, where he is scheduled to meet President Serdar Berdimuhamedow.

● The trial continues in Baku against former leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) who are under arrest. They face charges of war crimes, terrorism, violent seizure of power, and other offenses. Azerbaijani media report from the hearings, including:

• The prosecutor presented a list of around 40 illegal armed groups allegedly created in Armenia and operating in Karabakh under Yerevan’s control since 1980.

• David Manukyan, former deputy commander of the NKR Defense Army, stated that around 10,000 Armenian soldiers were in Karabakh, and he was one of them.

● Nearly one-fifth of Latvia’s parliament members demand a strong international condemnation of former NKR Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan, who is under arrest and trial in Azerbaijan. They called him a “Russian oligarch, Putin’s sponsor, and a supporter of separatism, including in Ukraine,” as reported by CNN Prima News. Lawmakers urge recognition of “Vardanyan’s criminal activities on an international scale” and state that a harsh verdict in Azerbaijan would serve as a lesson for pro-Kremlin separatists across the post-Soviet space.

● The same outlet published a comment from Ukrainian political analyst Anatoliy Oktysyuk, who claims that “Vardanyan spread Putin’s propaganda in Armenia and undermined Armenian democracy in the Kremlin’s interests.” The author compares him to Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian oligarch and Putin ally, who “sent false reports to Moscow and facilitated Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.”

● Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova: “Russia respects the legacy of former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev and remembers him as an outstanding statesman. A symbolic cornerstone for his monument has been laid in Moscow, and in 2023, memorial events were held in the capital and other Russian cities to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.”

● Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed the state and prospects of strategic partnership with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili. Reports indicate discussions on expanding political contacts and exchanging views on regional issues.

● The central banks of Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a memorandum of cooperation.

● Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kazakhstan Agalar Atamoglanov: The volume of Kazakhstan’s oil transit through Azerbaijan is expected to increase to 2 million tons per year in the short term.

Photos from the trial of former NKR leaders were published by Caliber:

● Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian accused Armenia’s authorities of cowardice and claimed that the former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) are “freer in an Azerbaijani prison than Armenia’s leaders in Yerevan.” He recalled the words of former NKR president Bako Sahakyan, who stated in court that Karabakh’s self-determination is not a matter of criminal or judicial proceedings. “He dared to say this despite torture and pressure in a Baku prison, while Armenia’s leadership is afraid to raise the issue of prisoners,” Oskanian said.

● A court overturned the decision imposing administrative supervision and public speaking restrictions on local resident Garib Babayan, who was accused of posting an unethical comment about people singing in Azerbaijani in central Yerevan.

● Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan discussed ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus with his Georgian counterpart Maka Bochorishvili.

● “The CSTO (a post-Soviet military alliance led by Russia) maintains working contacts with Yerevan. Armenia remains an ally, and the organization’s commitments to the country remain in place,” said CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov in an interview with Russian media outlet Izvestia.

● Andranik Kocharyan, head of the parliamentary standing committee on defense issues, met with the families of missing soldiers. He said they agreed to continue their meetings. “Our goal is to find survivors if there is even the slightest assumption that they may still be alive,” Kocharyan said.

● The court granted the prosecutor’s motion and kept 11 imprisoned participants of the mass pro-European protests in Tbilisi in custody. They are accused of group violence, a charge that carries a prison sentence of 4 to 6 years. The defense considers the charges and the trial politically motivated. The names of the 11 detainees—Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tskhadadze, Guram Mirtskhulava, and others—are mentioned daily at the ongoing protests, which have lasted nearly 100 days. One of the main demands of these protests is the release of the so-called “prisoners of the regime.”

● “The persecution of Mzia Amaghlobeli by the Georgian authorities is a clear reaction to her journalistic activities. She must be immediately released,” said Gulnoza Said, Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), commenting on the court’s decision to keep the director of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti in custody. Amaghlobeli has been in detention since mid-January after slapping a police officer who insulted her at a protest in Batumi. She faces up to seven years in prison.

● Poland has begun deporting Georgian citizens, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on social media. “Deportations have started. We are effectively dismantling Georgian criminal gangs. Not with words, but with actions,” Tusk wrote, sharing a video showing border guards escorting Georgian migrants to a plane.

● A court has issued an in-absentia pretrial detention order for Giorgi Bachiashvili, who recently fled Georgia. The former financier of Georgia’s informal ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili is accused of illegally crossing the border. Bachiashvili himself announced his escape on social media, saying he made the decision after receiving “security threat” information. According to the prosecution, Bachiashvili, who is under investigation, left Georgia via the Armenian border. His Georgian passport had previously been confiscated by court order, and he allegedly crossed the border using a Russian passport. Reports indicate that he is now in a third country.

* Bachiashvili led Ivanishvili’s Co-Investment Fund from its founding in 2013. At the time, the 28-year-old financier managed assets worth around $6 billion. In 2019, he moved to a position as head of the fund’s advisory committee. Charges were brought against him in July 2023. According to investigators, in 2015, he invested $1.3 million of his own funds and $5 million from a foreign investor in cryptocurrency. However, in 2017, he allegedly returned only $536,900 to the investor, keeping the remaining bitcoins, which were valued at approximately $39 million at the time. Bachiashvili denies all charges.

● The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), which monitored last year’s parliamentary elections in Georgia, reports that the Prosecutor’s Office has requested data from its parallel vote count. According to a letter from the Prosecutor’s Office, the documents were requested as part of an ongoing “investigation into alleged fraud in the 2024 parliamentary elections.”

● “The signing of a peace treaty and efforts in this direction could contribute to the return of [ethnic Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan],” said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Since mid-January, court hearings have been taking place in Azerbaijan regarding former military-political leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

●  “In Baku, they are not only putting specific individuals on trial based on fabricated charges but also the right of Artsakh to self-determination.” This statement was made by former Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan.

●  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan explained what steps the Armenian authorities have taken to secure the release of ethnic Armenians from prison in Azerbaijan. According to him, in recent days, his ministry has issued a special statement, after which he personally addressed the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva (“devoted a significant part of his speech to staged trials in Azerbaijan, torture, and human rights violations of prisoners”), met with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and also with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The latter, Mirzoyan said, “has already called on Baku to release the Armenian prisoners.”

●  Politician Mane Tandilyan (pictured below), who has been on hunger strike in Yerevan’s Freedom Square since March 1 in support of the former state minister of the unrecognized NKR, Ruben Vardanyan, was hospitalized after her condition deteriorated sharply but soon returned to the square and continued her protest.

●  The press secretary of Nikol Pashinyan stated that her gold jewelry worth 2.7 million drams ($6,900) was stolen.

●  Dairy products in Armenia will soon be sold on shelves of different colors, but the color of packaging will remain at the discretion of manufacturers. Green shelves will display products without milk fat substitutes and other non-dairy components, while orange shelves will hold products containing them.

●  Transparency International, an international organization focused on combating corruption and researching its levels, is leaving Azerbaijan.

●   The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that it is “aware of the Azerbaijani government’s intention to force the closure of its delegation in Azerbaijan.” The ICRC is currently engaged in a “confidential bilateral dialogue with the authorities,” according to the statement.

●  The European Union’s Erasmus+ program has ceased operations in Azerbaijan, according to Parviz Baghirov, head of its local office, as reported by Oxu.Az. The program facilitates student and faculty exchanges between universities in EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Turkey, and Serbia, and has been active since 1987. “There have been hundreds of student and faculty exchanges and other initiatives involving 32 higher education institutions. Currently, new projects are not being registered, and the implementation of existing ones is suspended. The Erasmus+ office in Azerbaijan is also preparing to close,” Baghirov said. However, he noted that those wishing to pursue a master’s degree in Europe under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree program will still be able to apply as before.

●  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the Iğdır-Nakhchivan gas pipeline. The pipeline is expected to fully meet the gas needs of Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. It spans 97.5 kilometers, with 17.5 kilometers located in Azerbaijan. Erdoğan called the pipeline “a symbol of the unbreakable ties between Turkey and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” and stated that “Nakhchivan’s energy security is now ensured for at least 30 years.”

●   Ilham Aliyev: “The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, connecting Turkey with Azerbaijan, offers significant advantages. This transportation route is of great importance and provides enormous benefits not only for our countries but also for a broader region, particularly in uniting the Turkic world.”

●  A fire broke out at an oil refinery in Baku’s Nizami district, prompting the arrival of Prime Minister Ali Asadov. Reports indicate that the fire was extinguished before spreading to a larger area.

●  Over the past 50 years, fish production in Azerbaijan has significantly declined, and for at least 20 years, sturgeon fishing in the Caspian Sea has been regulated by quotas, said ecologist Rovshan Abbasov in a Baku TV interview. “The reasons include reduced water levels in rivers, the Caspian Sea’s shrinking due to climate change, and severe pollution of inflowing rivers, especially from Russia, making them unsuitable for spawning,” Abbasov explained.

●  The import of electric cargo vehicles into Azerbaijan will be exempt from customs duties until January 1, 2028, provided that no more than three years have passed since their production.

●  The documentary film Following in the Footsteps of a Visit – United Kingdom premiered in Baku, highlighting official visits of former president Heydar Aliyev. Heydar Aliyev, the father of the current president, holds the honorary title of “National Leader” in Azerbaijan. Filming took place in London and Edinburgh, making this the fourth installment in the series. The first three films covered Aliyev’s visits to Italy, Japan, and China.

📷 Ilham Aliyev posted a series of photos with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Instagram:

●  The court has upheld the pretrial detention of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of two popular media outlets, Netgazeti and Batumelebi, rejecting the appeal filed by her lawyers. They had sought to overturn the ruling of the Batumi City Court from February 14. An appeal for her release pending trial was deemed inadmissible by the judge. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association has called this decision illegal. Amaglobeli was arrested during large-scale pro-European detentions after slapping the head of the Batumi police, who had insulted her. She faces 4 to 7 years in prison. She staged a hunger strike for 38 days in protest. Calls for her release have been a central demand at the mass pro-European protests taking place daily across Georgia for more than three months.

●  Giorgi Bachiashvili, a Georgian businessman who was once part of the inner circle of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili—widely considered the country’s shadow ruler—but is now a harsh critic, has left Georgia despite a court-imposed travel ban. The former head of the co-investment fund, which he ran with Ivanishvili, stated that he managed to leave by exploiting “loopholes in the system.” In Georgia, he faces two criminal cases related to the alleged embezzlement of millions in cryptocurrency and improper conduct linked to the Mtkvari hydroelectric project. Bachiashvili claims he received credible threats to his safety, saying, “Prison would leave me defenseless against Ivanishvili’s enforcers. This is a strategic move, not surrender, and I will be able to fight the regime more effectively from abroad.”

●  The ruling Georgian Dream party has passed the first reading of a proposed amendment adding “treason” to the criminal code, with no votes against it. Independent legal experts warn that the law will be used to target government critics—especially participants in mass pro-European protests and opposition figures. Details on what will be considered treason under this law can be found here.

●  Parliament has also passed the first reading of two additional bills with an overwhelming majority. Legal experts warn that these laws could make it nearly impossible for civil society organizations and independent media to function. One is the so-called “foreign agents” law, described as a copy of the American FARA Act – read more here. The other involves amendments to the broadcasting law – read more here

●  Another bill backed in the first reading by the ruling party includes amendments to the “gender equality” law and related legislation. The term “gender equality” will be replaced by “equality between women and men” in both the title and text, and the word “gender” will be completely removed from the law. The bill also dissolves the permanent gender equality council in parliament and all government bodies. “This artificial term was deliberately introduced into Georgian law under foreign influence. But parliament and local governments must strictly uphold the principle of equality between men and women,” said Davit Matikashvili, chairman of the procedural issues committee.

●  Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has called the Venice Commission “one of the most frivolous European structures,” claiming it follows the interests of a “global war party.” He made these remarks in response to the commission’s critical assessment of recent repressive amendments to the administrative offenses code and the law on assemblies and demonstrations.

●   Renowned opera singer Paata Burchuladze, a vocal critic of Georgia’s current government, has been fined 5,000 lari (approximately $1,800) for the second time for “deliberately blocking the road near parliament.” Mass protests take place every evening outside parliament, with thousands of demonstrators blocking Rustaveli Avenue. Burchuladze was first fined on his birthday, despite hundreds of videos on social media showing that he was at the opera house at the time. He only arrived at parliament late in the evening, when the road had already been blocked for hours.

Video: Mzia Amaglobeli greeted by friends and supporters in the courtroom:

In #Georgia, a court is reviewing the case of Mzia #Amaglobeli, founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She was arrested for slapping a police chief who humiliated her and faces 4-7 years in prison. Journalists and activists are demanding her release.… pic.twitter.com/5G0K7c7imU

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) March 4, 2025

●  The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, the former prime minister of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) and a citizen of Armenia, is ongoing in Baku. He is accused of torture, mercenary activities, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other charges under Azerbaijan’s criminal code. The pro-government outlet Caliber reports that the March 5 court session was open to the public, with Vardanyan provided a Russian-language interpreter and a lawyer of his choice. He once again refused to answer questions. The next hearing is scheduled for March 11.

●  The ombudsman has visited former leaders of the former unrecognized NKR who are being held in pretrial detention. Azerbaijani media report that she held confidential conversations with Ruben Vardanyan, Araik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Babayan, and others. According to reports, “all of them noted humane treatment, the absence of discrimination or any violations of their rights, and normal conditions of detention and medical care.”

●  “For nearly 30 years, Armenia occupied internationally recognized Azerbaijani territories. In the four years since the 44-day war, Armenia has made no real contribution to negotiations on opening communications. If the Armenian side is genuinely interested in unblocking regional transport routes, it must not evade its commitments but take practical steps in line with the new realities in the region,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizade, commenting on an article published by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan titled “On Communication Channels Between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” A summary of the article can be found here

●  “In 2021, we had a stable cargo flow with Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, and our goal is to restore these shipments,” said Alexander Pertsovskyi, head of Ukrainian Railways. “Despite ongoing hostilities, Ukraine is successfully restoring its railway infrastructure and is capable of handling cargo shipments for both import-export and transit. Kyiv continues to view this route as a key corridor between the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the EU,” Caliber quotes him as saying.

●  Kazakhstan is ready to provide its teaching staff to Karabakh University and offer Kazakh students the opportunity to study there, said Kazakh Minister of Education Sayasat Nurbek, as reported by outlet Report.

●  Belarus is discussing its participation in the reconstruction of territories in Azerbaijan that were reclaimed after the Second Karabakh War. This was discussed during a meeting between Belarusian Ambassador Dmitry Pinevich and Emin Huseynov, the special representative of the president of Azerbaijan in the Agdam, Fizuli, and Khojavend districts, according to Belarusian media citing the foreign ministry of Belarus.

●  The Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) has published a report on clearance operations in Karabakh and surrounding areas. In February, 123 anti-tank mines, 305 anti-personnel mines, and 1,078 unexploded ordnances were found and neutralized in Terter, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Khojavend, Lachin, Shusha, Fizuli, Gubadly, Jabrayil, and Zangilan. In total, 2,862.5 hectares were cleared, according to the report.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia is ready to open three border checkpoints with Azerbaijan, allowing Azerbaijani cargo and passenger vehicles to enter Armenia and travel to places such as Nakhchivan and Turkey. According to his proposal, the route would look like this: vehicles will enter Armenia via the Lachin-Kornidzor section through the Kornidzor checkpoint, travel to the Armenian-Turkish border, and enter Turkey through the Margar checkpoint. The same applies in the reverse direction. The physical infrastructure necessary for such transit freight transportation is ready right now; the only thing left is to make a de jure decision, if Baku and Ankara agree, said Nikol Pashinyan. Read more here

●  Nikol Pashinyan, in an interview with Iranian state television, said there is no threat to Iran in Armenia’s relations with other countries, commenting on Yerevan’s rapprochement with the European Union. The Armenian prime minister assured that Armenia follows a balanced policy and stated that “Yerevan will never be involved in any actions against Iran.”

●  Letters from around 40 public organizations in Armenia defending ethnic Armenians held in Baku’s prison have been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Embassy. The letters call for the use of the consular access mechanism for the arrested individuals through third countries. It also proposes addressing a neutral third country, particularly the Swiss Confederation, to request that it ensure consular access to all Armenian prisoners and provide urgent medical assistance to the former prime minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), Ruben Vardanyan, who is on a hunger strike in prison. A letter to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, requests that Switzerland take on the role of mediator and ensure consular access to the Armenian detainees.

●  Ruben Vardanyan, during another court hearing in Baku, did not answer any of the questions asked and did not comment on any of the charges presented against him, according to Azerbaijani media. According to their information, personal voice messages from Vardanyan, his correspondence in messengers, and other recordings were heard in the Baku military court.

●  Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan assured that Yerevan makes no distinction and is interested in the return of all ethnic Armenians held in Azerbaijan, “including representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and Ruben Vardanyan.”

●  The lawsuit filed by the opposition parliamentary faction “Aytan” against the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia will be the first step towards a broader criminal case against the authorities in the future, said opposition MP Gegham Manukyan. Four MPs — Kristine Vardanyan, Anna Grigoryan, Artur Khachatryan, and Gegham Manukyan — in the filed lawsuit demand the recognition of the authorities’ ban on providing opposition members access to proposals for a peace treaty with Baku as illegal.

●  The authorities of Armenia know that two thousand Armenians will be deported from the United States, but they do not know how many have already been sent, said Diaspora Commissioner Zare Sinayan. According to him, the number of those subject to deportation is more than two thousand.

In the photo: Protest rally in Yerevan:

●  Today, a court session will take place in Batumi regarding the “Mzia Amaglobeli case,” where a decision will be made on whether she will remain in custody. The founder and director of two popular outlets, Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested during pro-European protests for slapping the head of Batumi police, who had insulted her. In protest, she went on a 38-day hunger strike. Mzia is Georgia’s first female political prisoner.

●  Germany’s foreign ministry has called for Mzia Amaglobeli’s immediate release, stating, “Georgian Dream continues its campaign of intimidation against journalists, protesters & the opposition. We stand by those defending freedom,” in a statement on X.

●  A massive Mothers’ March took place in Tbilisi, demanding the release of dozens of arrested participants in pro-European protests. The demonstrations have continued across Georgia for over three months, calling for new parliamentary elections and a lawful change of government.

●  The legal affairs committee of the Georgian Dream-led parliament has approved the first reading of a “foreign agents” bill, which is said to be a copy of the U.S. FARA law. Read more here

●  Georgian Dream faction leader Mamuka Mdinaradze on the bill: “Not a single additional point or word will be added to the Georgian version. It will be a full copy of the American law, adjusted only for Georgian language and legal terminology.”

●  The legal affairs committee also approved the first reading of an initiative to introduce a new article on state treason into the legislation. Independent lawyers believe that the article will be used to target government critics, including participants in large-scale pro-European protests and the opposition. Read more here

●  The head of the parliamentary legal affairs committee, Archil Gordguladze, stated that the proposed amendments to the broadcasting law do not yet apply to online media, but work in this direction may continue in the future. The amendments would introduce new legal mechanisms allowing state interference in media editorial policies. Read more here

●  The Venice Commission has published a critical assessment of amendments introduced by Georgian Dream on December 13 and February 6 to the Administrative Offenses Code, the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, and the Criminal Code. The commission criticized the rushed adoption of the changes, the lack of consideration for Georgia’s political context, and vague wording that could lead to legal abuses. It urged a review of the amendments.

●  The Baltic states have imposed sanctions on a new group of Georgian Dream officials. Lithuania’s list includes 74 names, Latvia’s 16, and Estonia’s 55. “The European Union continues to show the Georgian people that we support their efforts to restore democracy in Georgia,” stated Estonia’s foreign minister. Read more here

●  Ukraine has stripped Tbilisi Mayor and Georgian Dream Secretary General Kakha Kaladze of his “Master of Sport of Ukraine” title. Kaladze played for Kyiv’s Dynamo from 1998 to 2001, winning three Ukrainian championships and cups before moving to AC Milan.

●  Comedian Misha Andguladze was attacked by a group of unknown individuals in The Hague after his performance. The attackers filmed the assault and shared it on social media, claiming he had called Georgian Dream voters “Russians.” Andguladze denies this, saying: “I was previously attacked for religious jokes. But is it really acceptable to beat someone just for being critical?”

●  The chairman of Georgia’s Central Election Commission, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, was in Tajikistan as an observer for its parliamentary elections. Notably, Tajikistan refused to register OSCE/ODIHR observers.

●  A mosque in the mountainous region of Adjara, in the village of Satsikhuri, Khulo district, has burned down. The mosque had cultural heritage status.

Photo: Mzia Amaglobeli in the courtroom

●  All nine football fans, who were detained on Saturday during the Pyunik – Armenia-Araarat match for protesting against the head of the Armenian Football Federation, have been released. They had previously been charged with hooliganism. The incident caused widespread public outcry, leading to the resignation of the executive committee member of the Federation, Karen Shaboyan.

●  “A day earlier, a day later, what’s the difference?” – this is how the head of the Parliamentary Commission on European Integration responded to a question about the visit of American customs and border control specialists to Armenia. Arman Egoyan assured journalists that the political decision has been made, and the arrival of the Americans is just a matter of time.

●  Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan explained the delay in the arrival of American specialists, which was planned under the strategic cooperation charter signed in January, by the change of team in the White House.

●  “The leaders of Karabakh and other prisoners ended up in Baku prisons because of a mistake by the Armenian authorities,” stated former ombudsman and ex-government minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Artak Beglaryan, during a protest outside the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yerevan. He said that “until the state intervenes and applies pressure on Azerbaijan, international efforts will not succeed.” The protesters demanded that the Red Cross immediately visit the former government minister, who has been on hunger strike for 12 days, along with other prisoners, and claimed that “there are obvious signs of torture.”

●  In February, the ICRC visited Armenians held in Baku, during the hunger strike of Ruben Vardanyan, as reported by the head of the ICRC communication programs in Armenia, Zara Amatuni. During the visit, one of the ICRC staff members was a foreign doctor, and a neutral examination was arranged. However, Amatuni stated that the information gathered is confidential and is only provided to the local (Azerbaijani) authorities responsible for the conditions of detention.

●  UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, in his report presented at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighted the issue of all individuals arbitrarily detained in Azerbaijan, including ethnic Armenians.

●  The parliamentary commission delayed the decision on the bill to start the process of Armenia’s EU accession at the second reading.

●  Traders held another protest outside the government building. They were not satisfied with the delay in the payment of the turnover tax on previously purchased goods and are demanding the complete cancellation of the new rate. The turnover tax in Armenia was increased by 100% starting January 1, from 5% to 10%.

●  A car with an Azerbaijani flag was spotted in Armenia. The police filed a report for an administrative offense related to the incident.

●  The President of Abkhazia commented on the attack on an Armenian school on election day. Badra Gunba stated that “those responsible for the attack will be punished, and the authorities already have an understanding of who carried it out.”

●  UNDP, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Committee of the Red Cross are leaving Azerbaijan at the request of the authorities, according to the pro-government outlet Caliber. The publication states that “Azerbaijan has fully restored its territorial integrity and is now a recognized political, economic, and military leader in the South Caucasus. A country once dependent on foreign aid has become a donor state itself. Further cooperation with these organizations is no longer necessary.” The article also criticizes some international organizations for their “biased approach toward Azerbaijan over the years.” There has been no official confirmation of the closure of these offices in Azerbaijan.

●  Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada called on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to “see the full picture in efforts to establish peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.” Türk had stated that “all arbitrarily detained individuals in Azerbaijan, including ethnic Armenians, must be immediately released, and the right to a fair trial must be fully upheld.” Hajizada responded: “Achieving justice requires holding accountable all those accused or convicted of war crimes, ethnic cleansing, military aggression, torture, and other grave offenses. Only revealing the truth will allow peace and reconciliation to prevail over impunity.”

●  Azerbaijani media continue to report on the ongoing trial in Baku against former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), who are accused of attempting to overthrow the government of Azerbaijan and committing war crimes.

According to the pro-government outlet Report, former NKR president Arayik Harutyunyan stated in court: “In June 2020 (shortly before the Second Karabakh War), I asked Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan to inform us about the negotiation process. A joint Security Council meeting of Armenia and NKR was held in Yerevan at that time. It became clear that negotiations had reached a deadlock, and the country was not prepared for war […] I briefly expressed my position: Azerbaijan’s capabilities in all areas were far superior to Armenia’s.” Harutyunyan also said that during the war, he “wanted to write a letter to the president of Azerbaijan to simply stop the war, but Pashinyan did not allow it.”

Former NKR defense minister Levon Mnatsakanyan “confirmed his participation in the war against Azerbaijan as part of Armenia’s regular army,” according to the pro-government outlet Caliber. “He stated that on September 20, 2020, a secret decision was made, which he was unaware of. ‘I don’t want to say anything more about the order, you all know it. In general, after my demobilization, I had no contact with the army. We were specifically prohibited from establishing any communication with the military. In particular, the Armenian prime minister banned us from speaking with or contacting anyone.'”

• Updates from Baku on the trial

• Comments from Yerevan on the case

●  Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met in Baku with UNDP Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Kwi-Yop Son. Bayramov stated that UN support contributed to Azerbaijan’s institutional development in the early years of independence, “amid the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the forced displacement of nearly one million people.” “However, the liberation of territories and Azerbaijan’s economic progress have enabled the country to rely on its own resources for social projects and even act as a donor state through UN programs. Considering these new realities, Azerbaijan is reviewing its cooperation priorities with the UN,” Bayramov said. Kwi-Yop Son congratulated Azerbaijan on successfully organizing COP29 and expressed readiness to continue the partnership.

●  “At least one Muslim country should have veto power in the UN Security Council,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated. “We see that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council try to solve problems by exerting pressure on others while concentrating power in their hands. A more inclusive global structure is needed. Muslims make up one-quarter of the world’s population and must be part of decision-making processes,” Erdoğan said.

●  Azerbaijan celebrates “Od Chershenbesi” – “Fire Tuesday” today. This is the second Tuesday before the Novruz holiday. The day symbolizes fire, which is considered sacred and believed to protect people from evil while reinforcing faith in the triumph of good. Traditionally, bonfires are lit, and people jump over them as part of the celebrations. According to folklore, this ritual helps individuals rid themselves of misfortunes. Novruz, marking the arrival of spring, will be celebrated on March 20.

Photos from the courtroom were published by “Report” and Caliber

●  Today, March 3, the parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy will hold a first reading of legislative amendments to the law on broadcasting. One key point is that TV and radio companies would be prohibited from receiving any funding or material benefit from any foreign state. Experts say these amendments contradict international freedom of speech standards and aim to eliminate critical content. Read more here

●  Also today, the parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs will hold a first reading of a draft law on registering foreign agents. The authors claim they have presented a literal translation of the U.S. FARA law. Read more here

●  In Abkhazia, Badra Gunba was elected president in the second round with 54.73% of the vote. His main opponent, opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba, received 41.54%. Reports indicate that 70% of the population took part in the elections—100,412 people. Read more here

●  Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Badra Gunba on his victory. “I expect that strengthening friendly, allied relations between Russia and Abkhazia will continue to benefit our fraternal peoples,” reads his message.

●  “Ukraine condemns and does not recognize the so-called presidential elections in the region of Abkhazia, occupied by Russia. We will always support Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated.

●  Prime Minister from the Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, supported U.S. President Donald Trump, commenting on his unprecedented public dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kobakhidze wished Trump “fortitude and courage” and labeled all politicians in Georgia and Europe who supported Zelensky as “supporters of war.” “The struggle between the party of war and peace-loving forces is entering a decisive phase,” Kobakhidze wrote on his Facebook page.

●  The fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, on the other hand, expressed support for Zelensky. “We in Georgia understand what it means to defend our territory, independence, and freedom,” she wrote on X. “We all need a strong America together with an even stronger Europe. It seems we are finally seeing the latter come to the forefront,” Zurabishvili added.

●  Тaxi drivers from Bolt, Maksim, and Yandex held a protest in Tbilisi. They claim Georgians face hiring discrimination, as employers prefer foreigners seen as cheap labor. The protesters have hired a team of lawyers and are preparing a petition to parliament.

●   In the semifinal of the European Rugby Championship, Georgia beat Romania 43:5 and advanced to the final. They also won the Antimoza Iverieli Cup for the 19th time, traditionally contested in matches between the Georgian and Romanian teams. In the final, Georgia will face Spain in Tbilisi.

Photo by David Pipia/JAMnews: A vendor at Tbilisi’s Dry Bridge flea market has assembled a symbolic array of items representing Georgia’s recent history:

●  Assistant to President Hikmet Gadzhiev: “Armenia, at a state level, is directly responsible for the mines it placed in territories previously occupied in Azerbaijan. In the South Caucasus, Armenia remains the largest producer of mines.” Gadzhiev also released statistics showing that since November 2020 (after the second Karabakh war), 383 people have been affected by explosions on territories returned to Azerbaijani control, with 70 fatalities.

●  The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has refuted claims circulating in Armenian media that Kyiv is trying to spark armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. “Disinformation spreaders assert that a new Azerbaijani-Armenian war would force Russia to open a ‘second front,’ thus dispersing its forces to Ukraine’s benefit. This campaign is based on a fake report containing several glaring errors and not meeting official Ukrainian document standards. It is aimed at discrediting Ukraine and worsening Ukrainian-Armenian and Ukrainian-Azerbaijani relations, which primarily benefits the aggressor state, Russia,” the statement read.

●  “Meetings of European leaders on Ukraine and European security issues will become much more frequent, possibly every two or three weeks,” said Turkish National Intelligence head Hakan Fidan after the European leaders’ meeting on Ukraine in London. Fidan attended on behalf of the Turkish president.

●  By court decision, detained Meydan TV journalist Fatima Movlamli will remain in pretrial detention for one month and 19 days. Her arrest was announced on February 28. Currently, in cases against independent media “Abzas Media,” “Toplum TV,” and “Meydan TV,” more than 25 journalists and editors remain in detention. They are all accused of currency smuggling, though everyone arrested strongly denies this and claims persecution for publishing criticism of the authorities. In mid-February, the “Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan” released an updated list of political prisoners containing 357 names. Read more here

●  Work on the Igdir (Turkey)–Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan) gas pipeline is in its final stage and will be commissioned this week, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. He added that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the opening ceremony. The pipeline, which is 97.5 kilometers long (with 17.5 km in Azerbaijan), is expected to fully meet the gas needs of the Nakhchivan autonomous region.

Photo JAMnews: Azerbaijani carpets:

●  Karen Shaboyan, a member of the Armenian Football Federation’s executive committee, resigned after the harsh detention of football fans during a match (see video below). The fans had accused federation head Armen Melikbekyan of the national team’s failures and demanded his resignation. Shaboyan condemned the actions of law enforcement against nine loyal Armenian football supporters. “In 18 years, I’ve never seen such treatment of fans, who now face criminal charges,” he said.

●  A protest in support of former Nagorno-Karabakh Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan and other ethnic Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan took place near the famous “Wings of Tatev” cable car in Syunik. Locals from Tatev, Goris, and Tegh opposed the trials in Azerbaijan and spoke out against the “inhumane treatment of compatriots,” said Tatev deputy mayor Marat Gerasmyan.

●   Former minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Mane Tandilyan has begun a hunger strike, urging Ruben Vardanyan to end his own hunger strike in a Baku prison. “Each day leaves irreversible damage to his health and poses a serious threat to his life,” she said.

●  The film Anora, featuring Armenian actors Karen Karagulyan and Vache Tovmasyan, won Oscars for Best Screenplay and Editing. Director Sean Baker was named Best Director, and Anora actress Mikey Madison won Best Actress.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 24-28 February, 2025