Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 13-17 October, 2025

●  “A new page has opened in relations between Azerbaijan and France,” said France’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan Sophie Lagoutte, presenting her credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. She pledged to do her utmost to strengthen bilateral ties. In turn, Aliyev stated that “the issues that previously caused misunderstanding between Azerbaijan and France are now in the past,” adding that this became possible after his meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in Copenhagen. He noted that the two countries are entering a period of renewed cooperation — including interpersonal, business, and cultural exchanges.

●  The new head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Marijana Kujundžić, also presented her credentials to President Aliyev. “The European Union sees a strong foundation for developing relations with Azerbaijan, which pursues an active regional diplomacy,” she said, highlighting Aliyev’s recent international engagements as evidence. Kujundžić conveyed congratulations on the progress in peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the participation of U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. She also noted successful cooperation in energy and transport and reaffirmed the EU’s support for regional connectivity projects. Aliyev, for his part, recalled with satisfaction his meetings with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tirana and Copenhagen, noting that three EU commissioners had visited Azerbaijan this year.

●  A military parade will take place in Baku on November 8 to mark the fifth anniversary of Victory Day. The Defense Ministry reported ongoing rehearsals involving aircraft, helicopters, military vehicles, and naval vessels.

●  From 2027, producers exporting goods from Azerbaijan to Europe will be required to include a Digital Link code on product labels, though they may start doing so earlier. Since September, local winemakers have faced difficulties exporting to the EU market due to the lack of this code, now considered mandatory in Europe. During the transition period, both traditional barcodes and 2D codes will be used.

●  Azerbaijani-born Russian billionaire Farhad Akhmedov was questioned at the Baku Serious Crimes Court in connection with the $600,000 fraud case over his yacht Luna, which was seized by a British court and remains in Dubai, according to Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani service. The investigation involves Anass Derraz, vice president of the French company Saur, detained by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service, and Alexandre Benalla, former head of the French president’s security service, who has been placed on the international wanted list. The two allegedly defrauded Akhmedov by promising to free his yacht from seizure and return it to international waters.

●  The head of a Defense Ministry recreation facility, Ilham Hagverdiyev, has been arrested on bribery charges.

●  The trial of former leaders of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continues. They face charges of war crimes, terrorism, attempted overthrow of the government, and other serious offenses. The state agency AZERTAC reported details from the session:

• Former “parliament speaker” David Ishkhanyan requested to shorten the reading of damage reports related to the 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories and asked for document copies. The judge reminded him that digital copies had already been provided via tablets, with printed versions available to defense lawyers.

• Former “army commander” Levon Mnatsakanyan and others questioned victim Ilham Mammadov, who testified that he was captured in 2002 while serving in the army and tortured, resulting in lifelong disability. Mnatsakanyan denied knowing Mammadov but promised to elaborate in the next hearing.

• The court continued reviewing documents detailing economic damage caused during the occupation — including illegal mining, deforestation, and widespread landmine contamination. The records also referenced “criminal formations,” including Yerkrapah (“Volunteers”), established in the 1990s by Armenian Defense Minister Vazgen Sargsyan.

The next hearing is scheduled for October 17.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan once again stated that “there is no such thing as the Zangezur Corridor.” “This issue was discussed during my meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Copenhagen. As a result, both Yerevan and Baku now refer to the ‘Trump Route’ in official statements on unblocking regional communications — not any other option. The topic is closed; it has no objective basis,” Pashinyan told journalists during a briefing.

●  Pashinyan also commented on the recent arrests of priests, saying: “The Armenian Apostolic Church is not being persecuted by the Armenian authorities. Nowhere in church documents does it say that the Church and the person holding the position of Catholicos or bishop are identical concepts.” Thirteen clergy members of the Aragatsotn Diocese, including Mkrtich Proshyan, the head of the diocese, and Garegin Arsenyan, head of the patriarchal office, were detained. They face various charges, including allegedly forcing citizens to participate in rallies. Read more here

●  Among those arrested in the Aragatsotn Diocese is 60-year-old accountant Naira Alaverdyan, who was placed under two months of house arrest.

● Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan met with U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. They discussed the implementation of the August 8 agreements with Azerbaijan and ongoing regional developments. Steve Witkoff reaffirmed the United States’ consistent support for the peace agenda, while Ambassador Mkrtchyan expressed gratitude for Witkoff’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

● The head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Vassilis Maragos, together with the ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, Sweden, and Switzerland, the deputy heads of the missions of France and the Netherlands, and the heads of European development agencies, visited Syunik as part of the “Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative.” The purpose of the visit was to highlight the EU’s active role in supporting local economic development and improving social services in the Syunik region.

The “Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative” is a joint project of the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and several EU member states — Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden — with Switzerland participating as a partner.

●  The Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia sent a gift to Prime Minister Pashinyan — a book published to mark the 30th anniversary of Aram I’s enthronement. It was presented on behalf of the Patriarch by Archbishop Shaan Sarkisyan, who also conveyed the Catholicos’s warm greetings and blessings.

●  Lawyer Aleksandr Kochubaev was arrested for two months. He faces criminal charges for publicly spreading defamatory information about a judge, prosecutor, and investigator, allegedly harming their rights and legal interests. A video circulating on social media shows police officers forcing him to the ground during his arrest.

●  In Armenia, truck drivers once again gathered in front of the government building, demanding a solution to migration-related problems at the Russian border. They threatened to block roads if the issue is not resolved. Protesters called on authorities to specify concrete timelines and measures. Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan met with the drivers, saying the government is working on the issue and that progress will be announced later.

● The president of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Mikheil Kavelashvili, signed a law amending the Administrative Offenses and Criminal Codes, tightening rules and legal liability related to assemblies and demonstrations. Under the amendments, concealing one’s face with a mask, insulting law enforcement officers, blocking roads, or carrying weapons, pyrotechnics, or other dangerous items will lead to administrative detention of up to 15 days for the first offense. If such actions are committed by a protest organizer, detention may extend to 20 days. Participation in a gathering that the Interior Ministry orders to disperse will result in up to 60 days of administrative arrest. Repeated offenses will carry criminal liability of up to one year in prison, and subsequent offenses — up to two years. The law also applies to minors: violations of assembly or demonstration rules will be punishable by a fine, community service for up to one year, or imprisonment for up to one year.

● “There are currently 19 state and 45 private universities in Georgia, and all issue diplomas of equal rank. However, due to disparities in teaching quality, these diplomas are not of the same value, and this must be corrected,” said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgian Dream during the presentation of an education reform plan.

● Irakli Kobakhidze added: “We have analyzed the system and believe that, except for certain special fields, we should move to a 3+1 model — three years for a bachelor’s degree and one year for a master’s degree.”

● The head of the Supreme Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Georgia addressed Irakli Kobakhidze, calling his recent remarks on national television “concerning.” Seyid Mirtag Asadov referred to Kobakhidze’s mention of the name “Muhammad” in a context that caused unease among the country’s Muslim population. On Georgia’s First Channel, Kobakhidze had stated: “Europe faces catastrophic problems of identity. You can see what migration has led to — in Berlin last year, the most common male name was Muhammad.”

● “Estonia, along with Iceland, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Norway, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, expresses strong support for the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen,” wrote Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on social media. “We appreciate her engagement with the Georgian authorities and her commitment to OSCE principles, including the right to freedom of speech and assembly. We fully support her mandate in the South Caucasus,” Tsahkna said.

● The Georgian Dream government expressed concern over the visit of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and sent a protest note to the OSCE Secretariat and participating states.
In the note, Georgian Dream described Valtonen’s visit to Rustaveli Avenue as “joining a street rally organized by a small group of anti-government activists” and accused her of attempting to mislead the international community about the situation in Georgia.

Valtonen was on an official visit to Georgia. On October 14, she appeared on Rustaveli Avenue, where she met with protesters. On October 15, the Georgian Dream government announced that Prime Minister Kobakhidze had canceled his meeting with Valtonen “due to her participation in an illegal protest.” Later, it was reported that the meeting was in fact canceled by Finland’s Foreign Ministry. The Interior Ministry fined Valtonen 5,000 lari (approximately $1,800).

●  Thirteen clergymen have been detained in Armenia, including the head of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan (pictured below). The diocese’s accountant, treasurer, and secretary were also arrested following nearly six hours of investigation at the diocesan office. Boxes of documents and a computer were reportedly seized. Daniel Ioannisyan, head of the “Union of Informed Citizens” NGO, said he had submitted a report to the Prosecutor’s Office alleging a crime, based on a public TV interview with priest Aram Zograbyan. In that interview, the priest claimed that “in 2021, members of the Armenian Apostolic Church were forced to participate in campaign rallies for one of the political parties.” The press secretary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Yesayi Artenyan, said the arrests should be seen as “part of the authorities’ anti-church campaign.” Read more here

●  Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court has extended the detention of billionaire and “Tashir Group” founder Samvel Karapetyan by 30 days, until November 17. He was arrested in June, initially on charges of “public calls to overthrow the government.” The Investigative Committee has since added new charges, including large-scale money laundering using official powers.

“The court partially granted the investigator’s motion… Karapetyan is accused of making statements interpreted as calls to overthrow the government — an absurd claim based on an interview. He is also charged with alleged economic crimes, and recently an additional count of money laundering was added. All three charges are unfounded,” said Karapetyan’s lawyer, Aram Vardevanyan, after the two-day hearing.

●  Armenia and the United States reaffirmed their readiness to deepen defense cooperation during a meeting between Defense Minister Suren Papikyan and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Elbridge Colby. The sides discussed the current state of Armenian-American defense cooperation and the launch of long-term institutional programs, according to a press release.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Queen Mathilde of Belgium during her visit to Armenia. The discussions reportedly focused on efforts to achieve peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to ensure regional stability. Pashinyan highlighted the Queen’s leadership in the UN platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meeting also addressed the importance of inclusive and quality education, as well as the empowerment of women in society.

●  Food prices in Armenia remain among the highest in the region, with the country ranked 86th out of 139 globally in 2025. Georgia ranked 104th, Azerbaijan 112th, Russia 134th, and Iran 136th. In the region, only Turkey has higher food prices than Armenia. The recommended monthly food budget per person ranges from 66,000 to 85,000 drams ($175–225).

●  Armenia’s Deputy Health Minister Lena Nanushyan said licenses for medical laboratories should be suspended if they fail to meet modern quality control standards. During a parliamentary discussion of the amendments to the Law on “Medical Care and Services,” Nanushyan explained that licenses would be reinstated once deficiencies are corrected. Laboratories with international certification or accreditation will be exempt, as they already meet global standards.

●  During her visit to Georgia, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen visited the Russian occupation line in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone. She reaffirmed Finland’s firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

●  The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the meeting between Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Irakli Kobakhidze during her visit to Georgia was canceled by the Finnish side. “The claim that it was the Georgian Prime Minister who canceled the meeting with Minister Valtonen is not true. The meeting was canceled last night by Finland’s Foreign Ministry due to scheduling constraints,” the statement said. On October 15, the Georgian Dream government had announced that Kobakhidze canceled the meeting “because of Valtonen’s participation in an illegal protest rally.”

●  Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that work is actively underway on a constitutional lawsuit to ban opposition parties. The exact list of those affected will be announced in a few days, he said, adding: “The lawsuit will concern parties made up of people who represented the ‘bloody regime’ (referring to the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili) and those who, together with this bloody force, engaged in years of sabotage against the state.”

●  Kobakhidze also claimed that “a former high-ranking official from the Georgian Dream team” helped organize the rally on October 4. Some protesters that day allegedly took part in an attempt to seize the presidential administration. He did not name the official but claimed the opposition, including United National Movement leader Levan Khabeishvili—currently under arrest for alleged bribery attempts—paid him. “I will not name names, but we have detailed information: how much he received, what sum, and what he did in exchange for it,” Kobakhidze said.

●  The Venice Commission sharply criticized Georgia’s recently adopted “foreign influence” law, as well as amendments to grant and broadcasting regulations, recommending that the government repeal or fundamentally revise them.

●  The Georgian Dream-dominated parliament passed in its first reading amendments banning political activity. The bill was adopted in an expedited procedure after being approved by the Legal Affairs Committee. Under the amendments, individuals associated with political parties that violate constitutional principles will no longer be allowed to run in parliamentary or local elections or hold political office – and must completely refrain from political activity.

●  According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the Georgian Dream initiative to ban political activity is incompatible with the Georgian Constitution. “Banning individuals associated with political parties from political participation represents a vague and unjustified form of collective responsibility, contrary to Article 11 of the European Convention on Freedom of Association. This article, along with Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, guarantees the right to freely form and join political parties. The right to create political organizations is also directly enshrined in Article 7.6 of the Copenhagen Document,” GYLA said. Read more here

●  Russia will not comply with the European Court of Human Rights ruling ordering it to pay compensation to Georgia over the 2008 war, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. “This is a separate issue, a separate entity. We will not comply,” he stated. The ECHR had ruled in favor of Georgia’s state lawsuit against Russia, ordering Moscow to pay over €253 million for the ongoing occupation of Georgian territories. Read more here

●  The State Security Service has closed its investigation into the suspension of broadcasting by the Imedi TV company and its affiliated channels Maestro and GDS, concluding the incident was caused by a technical malfunction.

●  Charges against former Georgian Dream MP Eldar Kurtanidze have been toughened. He is now accused not only of physical assault against his ex-wife but also of violating property rights. According to investigators, the incident took place in Kobuleti several months ago when Kurtanidze broke into his ex-wife Khatuna Mikatsadze’s home, assaulted her, and committed acts of violence. The forensic report confirmed multiple injuries. Kurtanidze faces up to three years in prison.

●  On Thursday evening in Baku, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (pictured below). She highlighted the progress achieved in Azerbaijan–Armenia relations during the August summit in Washington attended by U.S. President Donald Trump. Valtonen confirmed that the OSCE Minsk Process, established in the early 1990s to address the Karabakh conflict, will be formally terminated by December 1. President Aliyev discussed the importance of the TRIPP transit project, agreed upon at the Washington meeting. The two also exchanged views on prospects for Azerbaijan–Finland bilateral cooperation.

●  In a post on X, Elina Valtonen described her meetings in Baku as “productive” and said she plans to meet with representatives of Azerbaijan’s civil society and think tanks next week.

●  Iranian navy ships have arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the joint search-and-rescue exercises AZIREX–2025 (pictured below). The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said the country’s navy commander met with a visiting delegation from Iran’s naval forces. The drills aim to ensure security in the Caspian Sea and strengthen coordination between the two countries’ militaries. Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran had remained tense until 2024, particularly due to both sides holding military drills near the border. On January 27, 2023, a gunman attacked Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran, killing one staff member and injuring two others. Experts see the joint exercises as a significant sign of rapprochement and overcoming previous tensions.

●  On October 15, the United Kingdom expanded its sanctions list against Russia to include major oil companies such as Rosneft and Lukoil. A total of 90 individuals and entities were added, including companies from China, India, and Singapore. Among those listed are Lukoil president Vagit Alekperov; Kievskaya Ploshchad chairman God Nisanov and his associate Zarah Iliev; executives of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group Ahmed Karimov, Anar Madatli, Talat Safarov, Etibar Eyub, and Tair Garaev; and Zangezur tanker director Shanlik Shukyurov, as well as Mastel Makina owner. Another notable name is Azerbaijani national Fikret Tagiev, who was head of Moscow’s Matrosskaya Tishina prison when lawyer Sergei Magnitsky died there on November 16, 2009. The British government holds Tagiev responsible for Magnitsky’s ill-treatment and for concealing evidence related to his death. The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and other restrictions.

●  Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Turkish military personnel are taking part in Eternity–2025, a trilateral computer-assisted command and staff exercise in Turkey’s Kars province. The drills consist of two phases and simulate the defense of strategic facilities and communication lines spanning the three countries, the Defense Ministry reported.

●  13.5 billion manats (about $7 billion) will be allocated between 2026 and 2029 for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Karabakh and adjacent areas in Eastern Zangezur, liberated from Armenian occupation after the Second Karabakh War. According to the Finance Ministry’s new budget plan, these expenses will account for 23.5% of total capital expenditures.

●  A conference titled “Promoting an Inclusive, Green, and Sustainable Future for Karabakh” took place in Khankendi as part of the third National Urban Forum of Azerbaijan (NUFA3). It was reported that more than 22,000 people have already settled in Karabakh, around 4,000 of them being former internally displaced persons who returned to their homes, while others are public sector employees and educators. One of the key priorities is employment. According to the presidential special representative for Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, Elchin Yusubov, private investors have so far invested more than 65 million manats (about $30 million), all directed toward job creation in these regions.

●  The state budget for 2026 has been approved. Expected revenues total 38.6 billion manats (about $20 billion), and expenditures 41.7 billion manats (about $21 billion). The deficit is projected to increase by 1.4% compared to the previous year.

●  Azerbaijan has officially joined China’s new Food Security Cooperation Platform, established under the global Belt and Road Initiative.

●  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is assisting Azerbaijan in developing a national hydrogen strategy to move toward practical implementation. “At this stage, clear regulation must be introduced, followed by pilot projects and the creation of infrastructure,” said Alkis Drakinos, the EBRD Regional Director for the Caucasus, in an interview with the pro-government outlet Report. “The EBRD may later consider investing in pilot projects and supporting integration with broader energy systems.”

●  Drakinos added: “The EBRD may participate in financing or co-financing large-scale transport infrastructure modernization projects in Azerbaijan. The country’s geographic location makes it a key link in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route – the so-called Middle Corridor. The progress toward a U.S.-supported peace agreement with Armenia also offers encouraging prospects for strengthening regional integration.”

●  Drakinos also noted positive results from a joint feasibility study with the Georgian and Azerbaijani railways on the contrailer project – transporting trucks with drivers by rail between Batumi and Baku—to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.

●  A South Korean delegation led by Choi Chunsong, Director of the Defense Ministry’s Foreign Intelligence Service, is visiting Baku to discuss cooperation prospects, according to a press release.

●  Azerbaijan’s men’s national chess team finished second at the European Championship held in Batumi, Georgia. The Ukrainian team took first place. The women’s team earned 10 points, finishing in tenth place.

●  During her visit to Georgia, Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen recorded a video on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, in front of the parliament building — where pro-European protests have been taking place daily for almost a year (video below). “Peaceful demonstrators have gathered here in front of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi to express concern over the country’s repressive course. They have the right to democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental human rights. We are here to support them,” Valtonen said.

●  At a joint press conference with Georgian Dream’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Maka Bochorishvili, Valtonen criticized the ruling party’s anti-democratic policies, highlighting new legislation introduced by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government, which she said aims to restrict civil society and the media. She also condemned the arrest of opposition leaders, noting that freedom of speech and assembly in Georgia is “under question.”

●  The Georgian Foreign Ministry released a press statement about Valtonen’s visit and press conference — but omitted any mention of her criticism. The release stated that discussions focused on the situation in Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, including security, human rights, and humanitarian issues.

●  Georgian Dream MP Tea Tsulukiani, who chaired a parliamentary commission investigating the actions of the previous government (under former president Mikheil Saakashvili), criticized European policy. She said: “It’s hard to imagine what more the Georgian government can do after extending a hand of friendship and partnership to Europe, publicly declaring readiness to start a new page and even improve the status quo. But this must be based on equality. Everything depends on who does what, with what goal, and how. The relationship that Europe began with Georgia after the start of the war in Ukraine has, in my view, become a turning point.”

●  MEP Rasa Juknevičienė stated during a debate in the European Parliament that “Georgia’s current political course is part of Russia’s strategy.” She emphasized that the European Parliament does not intend to punish the Georgian people by suspending the visa-free regime. The current stance, she said, is to target those responsible for the situation.

●  MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor said that under the new EU visa mechanism approved last week, the EU will be able to impose individual visa restrictions, including on family members of sanctioned individuals. He criticized the statement by High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kosse, who had urged both sides in Georgia to remain calm: “There are no ‘two sides’ in Georgia — there is a repressive regime persecuting independent thought.”

●  Sánchez Amor added that Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have called on the European Commission to suspend visa-free travel for around 2,000 Georgian officials and their families. The proposal, reported by DW, follows a recent MEP delegation’s visit to Georgia and is based on a new EU mechanism that allows suspension of visa-free regimes in cases of human rights violations. Limiting sanctions to about a hundred officials, Amor said, would be “a cosmetic measure.” “They must feel the consequences — otherwise, it won’t work. The new mechanism must be effective, so the measure must be significant,” he added.

●  Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, spoke at the European Parliament conference “Freedom Beyond Prison Walls: Solidarity with Mzia Amaglobeli and Georgia’s Democracy Movement.” She called the arrested journalist Mzia Amaglobeli a symbol of resistance to dictatorship and Russian influence in Georgia and warned that independent media in Georgia are under threat.

●  Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed reports that the ruling party plans to petition the Constitutional Court to ban opposition parties. Previously, the initiative was said to target only the former ruling United National Movement, but Kobakhidze clarified that “it will not concern only one or two parties.” He said: “The principle is this: the lawsuit will first mention those who were part of the bloody regime before 2012 (when Georgian Dream came to power). But it will also concern those who have continuously engaged in sabotage against the country alongside that bloody force. The Constitutional Court will decide the rest.” Read more here

●  The ECHR has ordered Russia to pay Georgia over €253 million in compensation for the ongoing occupation of Georgian territories. Read more here

📌 Leading NGOs say that new amendments to Georgia’s administrative and criminal codes represent a direct violation of freedom of assembly and expression. Independent lawyers claim the government aims to ban any form of protest. “With these amendments, the government sends one message: if you raise your voice, you will be arrested. We, the undersigned organizations, see these changes as an attempt to outlaw peaceful protest and another step in dismantling democratic institutions,” their joint statement said. Read more here

📌 The Georgian Dream-led parliament is also considering amendments banning travel abroad for individuals convicted of financial or economic crimes until full compensation is paid. The initiative abolishes the 16-year statute of limitations and makes the restriction permanent until damages are repaid. The bill also proposes electronic monitoring bracelets, asset confiscation, and strict oversight of financial transactions. Those who fail to pay restitution — along with their family members — would be barred from receiving money or property.

Peaceful protestors have gathered in front of the Parliament Building in Tbilisi, Georgia, to voice their concern over the repressive direction of their country. They have every right to democracy, to freedom of expression and basic human rights.

We are here to support them. pic.twitter.com/6axn6usXay

— Elina Valtonen (@elinavaltonen) October 14, 2025

●  One of Azerbaijan’s most prominent politicians, 87-year-old Ramiz Mehdiyev, once known as the “gray cardinal” of local politics, has been charged with high treason. Mehdiyev served as head of the Presidential Administration for more than two decades — from 1995 to 2019. He was first appointed by then-president Heydar Aliyev, father of the current president, and was long regarded as a pro-Russian figure. The pro-government outlet Oxu.Az reports that Mehdiyev is accused of attempting to seize state power, state treason, and money laundering. He has been placed under four months of house arrest as a preventive measure.

●  The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced that work is underway to reschedule the visit of Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen. She visited Armenia and then Georgia; the trip to the South Caucasus was initially planned to start in Azerbaijan on October 13, but her arrival in Baku was postponed due to President Ilham Aliyev’s invitation to the Middle East Peace Summit in Egypt.

●  Valtonen thanked Armenia’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for “substantive discussions” in Yerevan, writing on X: “Congratulations on the historic steps toward peace with Azerbaijan. The OSCE stands ready to support efforts toward lasting peace in the region.”

●  Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev invited Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk and Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash to inspect key infrastructure facilities of the North–South International Transport Corridor in Astara. The delegation toured the automobile bridge over the Astara River on the Azerbaijan–Iran border, opened in December 2023, and the South Cargo Terminal in Iran’s Astara, owned by Azerbaijan Railways. They also reviewed progress on the Rasht–Astara railway project in Iran.

●  A delegation from Serbia’s Defense Ministry arrived in Baku for a scheduled visit under the bilateral military cooperation plan between the two countries.

●  Local media note that today marks 22 years since Ilham Aliyev was first elected president of Azerbaijan.

●  The IMF projects that Azerbaijan’s economic growth will slow by 3% in 2025, an improvement over its 2024 forecast of a 4.1% slowdown. According to the October report “World Economy in Uncertainty: Outlook Remains Grim”, Azerbaijan’s GDP is expected to grow by 2.5% in both 2026 and 2030.

●  The NGO “Cartographers of Azerbaijan” has created a map of the Zangezur Corridor using high-resolution satellite images, according to its head Mugabil Bayramov. The map (pictured) shows settlements, roads, rivers, and mountains across Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Iran, and also depicts the Araz Corridor linking Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with Iran. The map is published in Azerbaijani and English.

In Azerbaijan, the “Zangezur Corridor” refers to a planned route connecting mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenia and onward to Turkey. During the Aliyev–Pashinyan meeting in Washington on August 8, attended by Donald Trump, an agreement was reached to open this transit route with U.S. company participation — dubbed the “Trump Route” (TRIPP).

●  The trial continues against Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the now-defunct self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and a citizen of Armenia. He faces charges of torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other offenses. According to the state agency AzerTAc, victims and relatives of those killed, kidnapped, or tortured during the “occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenian forces” testified at the hearing. The next session is scheduled for October 21.

●  The Ombudsman’s Office inspected a mass grave discovered in the village of Ballygaya in the Agdere district, believed to contain the remains of over 10 people, likely Azerbaijani soldiers from the first Karabakh war. A detailed report will be prepared for the public and international organizations.

●  According to the State Statistics Committee, Azerbaijan’s population has increased by 24,611 people since the beginning of the year — a 0.24% rise — reaching 10,249,500 citizens. Urban residents make up 54.4% of the total, with men accounting for 49.8% and women 50.2% of the population.

●  Members of the civic-political movement Together are demanding that the UN review its investigation into Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan. They held a demonstration outside the UN office in Yerevan and delivered a letter addressed to Secretary-General António Guterres, calling for “the creation of a new UN working group on prisoners due to the bias of the current head of the group, and for a fair investigation into the cases of philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan.”

●  “The issue of Armenian prisoners in Baku was discussed with Azerbaijani representatives at the Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt,” said Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. “We are working on this issue daily — not always visibly, not always effectively, but consistently. We hope our efforts will soon yield results,” Mirzoyan stated.

●  OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen visited Yerevan, where she confirmed support for the joint request by Yerevan and Baku to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group, which had been dealing with the Karabakh conflict. She announced that the dissolution process would be completed by the end of December. Valtonen continued her regional tour with a visit to Georgia.

●  A court hearing was held on extending the detention of Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who was arrested on June 18 on charges of publicly calling for the seizure of power. The hearing lasted nearly eight hours and was postponed until October 15. While the session was underway, dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting “Samvel” and “Freedom.”

●  The United Kingdom has lifted its long-standing arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan. “The embargo, in place since 1992, is no longer relevant following the historic August 8 Washington summit, where the leaders of both countries ratified a peace agreement,” said UK Minister for Europe and North America Stephen Doughty.

●  During his visit to Washington, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met with executives from Milliken & Company to discuss the development of new uniforms for Armenian troops. He also met with the director of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency to review the implementation of Armenia’s defense reforms.

●  Hot air balloons continue to float above Yerevan as part of the “Discover Armenia from the Sky” festival, which this year features balloonists from nine countries.

●  OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will visit Georgia, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, from October 13 to 15. According to the statement, she will hold meetings with senior government officials and representatives of civil society. “Meetings in Georgia will focus on the country’s internal and external challenges, with special emphasis on the continued OSCE support for the Geneva International Discussions on addressing the consequences of the 2008 war,” the statement said. The OSCE also noted that Finland, as the current chair, places great importance on protecting civic space and creating favorable conditions for civil society activities, and this priority will be highlighted during the visit.

●  EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren told Formula TV: “The Georgian government’s repression of various independent groups is a clear sign of democratic backsliding, which obviously hinders Georgia’s EU membership plans. People are being put at risk simply for expressing their opinions. The use of the judicial system for the government’s interests is a clear example of autocracy.” Ollongren also said that “all options for sanctions against those responsible for democratic backsliding” are being considered.

●  The ruling Georgian Dream party has introduced another repressive amendment to the Administrative Offenses Code, further restricting freedom of speech and assembly in Georgia. Under the amendment, wearing a mask at a rally, possessing “toxic substances,” blocking roads, or erecting temporary structures will be punishable by 15 days of administrative detention. Participation in a protest disbanded at the Interior Ministry’s request, or possession of weapons, pyrotechnics, or items posing health or life risks will be punishable by up to 60 days of detention. It was also announced that anyone who “insults a law enforcement officer for the third time” or disobeys their “lawful” order could face up to one year in prison.

●  The leader of the parliamentary majority of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kirtzkhalia, announced at a briefing his intention to file a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court “to ban political activity for individuals and organizations violating constitutional principles.” If the court rules in favor, such individuals and organizations will no longer be able to run in parliamentary or local elections or hold political office. Experts believe the lawsuit could affect almost the entire opposition.

●  The State Security Service has launched an investigation after the main pro-government TV channel Imedi, as well as Maestro and GDS, went off the air for about an hour. The investigation is being conducted under the article on sabotage. Pro-government media reported that broadcasting “was suddenly suspended for about 45 minutes for unknown reasons.”

●  On October 26, one year after the 2024 parliamentary elections, a protest march will take place from Republic Square to the Parliament building. Opposition parties, civic movements, students, and families of detained protesters have announced their participation. The ruling Georgian Dream party won the elections, but the opposition and much of society consider the results fraudulent. Opposition parties that entered parliament after the vote refused to take their seats.

●  The Special Penitentiary Service denied a statement by former Deputy Public Defender Giorgi Burjanadze that there are now more prisoners than available spaces in Georgian prisons. “This information is false and aimed at misleading the public. The maximum capacity of the penitentiary institutions is 12,332 persons, and currently, 10,528 are being held. Only two facilities slightly exceed capacity,” the statement said.

Earlier, Giorgi Burjanadze, a legal adviser at the Civil Society Foundation, reported that between January and February 2025, the total number of prisoners in Georgia increased by 1,532. “The number of prisoners has risen by 17% over the past eight months. The number of women convicted of various crimes increased by 100, and men by 1,432. Such prison overcrowding hasn’t been seen since 2015,” Burjanadze said.

●  Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian. According to the press service, they discussed the positive dynamics of the strategic partnership between Georgia and China. The Chinese ambassador extended an official invitation to the 8th International Import Expo, to be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.

●  Irakli Kobakhidze also met with Belarusian Ambassador Nikolai Rogashuk. The press service said the meeting focused on the positive development of cooperation in various fields and future prospects.

●  Gela Udzilauri, accused of killing businessman Levan Jangveladze, testified in court, claiming he shot Jangveladze out of personal animosity. Udzilauri said that in 2022, while in Ukraine, he befriended local businessman Sergey Bondarenko, who had business disagreements with Jangveladze. According to Udzilauri, he and Bondarenko met Jangveladze to discuss the matter, but “were treated very badly.”

Levan Jangveladze was killed in central Tbilisi on March 14, 2025. Gela Udzilauri, arrested in connection with the case, is charged with contract murder. Four other suspects remain at large.

●  In the Adjara region, three Georgian citizens were arrested on charges of joining a foreign terrorist organization and aiding terrorist activities. At a briefing, Deputy Head of the State Security Service Lasha Magradze identified them as members of the “Takbirist group.” According to him, they maintained contact with senior leaders of the Islamic State, were extremely hostile toward followers of other religions, and planned to establish a base for their supporters in Georgia. During the searches, weapons, explosives, ammunition, large sums of cash, and propaganda materials were seized. The detainees face up to 17 years in prison.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on social media: “It was an honor for me to receive an invitation from the President of the United States and to take part in the Middle East Peace Summit.” He also noted his handshake and brief exchange of words with Donald Trump at the summit.

●  As part of the same summit, a meeting took place between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, joined the conversation between the two leaders. This brief trilateral meeting became a notable event amid the summit’s main agenda, as it was the first personal meeting between the leaders of Pakistan and Armenia.

●  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, as a member of the Armenian delegation, is participating in the Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mirzoyan held talks with foreign ministers and other officials from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Spain, Oman, France, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Norway, and India.

●  On October 12, Romania marked Armenian Language Day.

●  Armenia will receive a loan and a grant from Germany’s KfW Development Bank for the implementation of the “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development” program, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan announced.

●  The Minister of Economy welcomed Turkish investments in Armenia. “Turkish companies have been operating in Armenia since 2012–2013. Peace between neighbors must be reinforced with financial investments if we want lasting stability in the region. I find it quite normal that, once peace is established and borders are opened, investments — including Turkish ones — will come to Armenia, and we will also invest in Turkey,” he said.

●  Freight truck drivers held a protest outside the government building in Yerevan, demanding that the Armenian authorities reach an agreement with Russia to resolve the problem of entry into that country. Under Russia’s new legislation, foreign citizens can stay in the country for only up to 90 days per year. The drivers are calling for talks to ease these migration restrictions.

●  A hot air balloon festival is taking place in Yerevan, featuring about 20 balloons from Armenia and other countries — Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Japan, and Georgia. From early morning, the city’s sky has been filled with colorful balloons.

●  President Ilham Aliyev took part in the Middle East Peace Summit at the invitation of the presidents of the United States and Egypt. The press service reported that both presidents personally greeted Aliyev and took joint photos with him.

●  At the summit, US President Donald Trump also spoke about the settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the meeting of the two countries’ leaders in Washington. “They fought for 32 years, and we settled everything in about an hour – it’s incredible,” Trump said.

●  President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a brief conversation during the summit in Egypt (pictured).

●  In Baku, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with his Russian counterpart Alexey Overchuk. They discussed prospects for developing bilateral economic cooperation. It was noted that in 2024, trade turnover between the two countries increased by more than 10%, and in the first eight months of this year – by 13.5% compared to the same period last year. Freight traffic along the North–South corridor has grown by 8.3% since the beginning of the year. Exports of agricultural products from Azerbaijan to Russia increased by 15%.

●  A meeting of Azerbaijan–Iran–Russia was held in Baku to discuss expanding trade, economic, transport, and energy ties among the three countries.

●  Shahla Ismayil, head of the Women’s Society for Rational Development, has been charged in a criminal case related to several local and international NGOs investigated by the General Prosecutor’s Office. This became known during a court hearing on October 13 in the case of women’s rights defender Nargiz Mukhtarova, who has also been charged in the same “NGO case.” At the hearing, Mukhtarova’s lawyer filed a motion to recuse the panel of judges, noting that the same panel had issued guilty verdicts against seven journalists in the AbzasMedia case. Among them was Mukhtarova’s husband, Radio Liberty journalist and economist Farid Mehrailizade, who was sentenced to nine years in prison on smuggling charges, which he categorically denies, claiming political persecution for criticizing the authorities. The panel of judges rejected the lawyer’s request.

●  The third trilateral meeting of the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkey took place in Islamabad. A declaration on expanding cooperation was signed following the meeting.

●  Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzana Sadegh. They discussed the development of the North–South transport corridor. It was noted that cargo transportation along the corridor has increased by 8.3% since the beginning of the year – 10.4% by road and 2% by rail. The importance of completing the construction of the southern freight terminal, a key component of the corridor, and the full operation of the newly built road bridge over the Astarachay River was emphasized.

●  “The fate and whereabouts of about 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing (as a result of the first Karabakh war) in the early 1990s, including 71 children, remain a pressing humanitarian issue in the post-conflict period,” said Shahriyar Hajiyev, secretary of Azerbaijan’s permanent mission to the UN, during a discussion of the UN General Assembly Human Rights Committee.

●  Hajiyev also spoke about the large-scale mine contamination of Azerbaijani territories. “Mines deliberately planted by Armenian forces since the 1990s have killed or seriously injured more than 3,400 people, including 362 children and young people. This issue requires the application of UN child rights mechanisms for an effective solution,” he said.

●  The trial of a group of former leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continued. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government, and other serious offenses. According to the state agency AZERTAC, the hearing discussed, among other things, a weekly military TV program in the NKR called “Goyamart” (translated as “Struggle for Survival”), which “encouraged the occupation of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territories.” Some of the defendants actively participated in the program. Several classified Armenian military documents were also presented in court, showing how Yerevan assigned various military tasks to the self-proclaimed regime for execution on occupied Azerbaijani territories. One of the documents contained an order to destroy Azerbaijani settlements not under occupation at the time, specifying exact coordinates and types of missiles to be used. The trial will continue on October 16.

●  The Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Allahshukur Pashazade, accused the Armenian church and diaspora of “conducting destructive propaganda and trying to undermine the efforts of the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaderships to build peace.” He said this during a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Religious leaders traditionally call for peace. But the Armenian church is calling for revanchism and new confrontation,” Pashazade said.

●  Mzia Amaghlobeli and the Georgian Resistance Movement were awarded the Forum 2000 Prize in Prague. This international award, established in 2021, is given to individuals and groups for exceptional civic courage and responsibility.

●  A march-performance was held in Tbilisi under the slogan “They can’t imprison Georgia!” (pictured). Thousands of people dressed in striped prison-style clothing, as a sign of solidarity with political prisoners, marched through the city center. Family members of arrested protesters were among the active participants. Upon reaching Parliament, the marchers joined the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue, which has been continuing for more than 300 days.

●  45 people were arrested in Tbilisi on charges of attempting to seize strategic facilities and committing group violence on October 4. The case is linked to an attempted takeover of the presidential administration. A fence was broken, and police used tear gas and water cannons. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgian Dream said that “the number of detainees is expected to increase.”

●  Shalva Papuashvili, speaker of the parliament, claimed that the street protests in Tbilisi are backed by Brussels. “They (the participants) call it a ‘peaceful project,’ but it increasingly resembles a ‘military project.’ EU leaders should discuss this,” Papuashvili wrote on Facebook. His remark came in response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s statement announcing a petition drive “against Brussels’ military plans.”

●  The organizers of the October 4 mass rally calling for a “peaceful revolution” — Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadirashvili, Lasha Beridze, and Paata Mandjgaladze — have been denied visits, letters, and phone calls from prison, according to their lawyer. They are charged with organizing group violence, attempting to seize a strategic facility, attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, and calling for the overthrow of the government.

●  Tamar Chergoleishvili, one of the leaders of the opposition Federalists party, was summoned by police for questioning in connection with the attack on the presidential administration. She later told the Formula TV channel that she had “information” suggesting the action was “planned at Bacho Akhalaia’s house.” Akhalaia, a well-known politician and former defense minister under President Mikheil Saakashvili, spent nine years in prison after Georgian Dream came to power in 2012. His name has frequently been mentioned by pro-government sources as one of the alleged organizers of the October 4 events.

●  Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the Georgian government will decide how to respond to “such a catastrophic phenomenon as gender change among minors,” which, he said, is widespread in the European Union. Kobakhidze was responding to a question from a journalist on a pro-government TV channel about the EU’s new LGBT+ Strategy 2026–2030, which simplifies gender transition procedures.

Photo: Interpressnews

●  President Ilham Aliyev has arrived in Egypt to participate in the Middle East Peace Summit at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The Egyptian president’s office announced that the Peace Summit will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, with leaders from 20 countries invited to attend. The Prime Minister of Armenia is also among the invitees. The Georgian authorities did not receive an invitation to the summit.

●  Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on his recent meeting with Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe on the sidelines of the CIS summit: ““I wouldn’t say that we had a crisis in interstate relations. If it had been a real crisis in interstate relations, we wouldn’t have seen such growth in our trade and economic ties. I’d say it was more likely a crisis of emotions. I very much hope that we’ve turned this page, that we’ll move forward, and that we’ll continue to develop our contacts and carry out the major plans that both sides have. Let me remind you that Azerbaijan is practically a Russian-speaking country – the Russian language is studied almost everywhere there. I very much hope that this will continue in the future. Emotions are unavoidable, but it’s always better to keep them under control so they don’t interfere with our work and progress. I believe – and I hope – that all of this is now in the past.”

The crisis between two countries began after an Azerbaijani passenger plane was shot down by Russian air defenses in December 2024. Since then, Baku has repeatedly demanded that Moscow issue an official apology, hold those responsible accountable, and pay compensation to the families of the victims. Tensions rose again in June, when Russian special forces conducted an operation against local Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, during which two people were killed and about ten were detained with excessive use of force. Soon after, many members of the Azerbaijani diaspora were arrested, and some were deported. A sharp turn occurred on October 9, when Putin and Aliyev unexpectedly held a meeting in Dushanbe on the sidelines of the CIS summit — during which Putin publicly apologized for the downed aircraft. Read more here

●  Russian presidential aide Dmitry Peskov: “Contacts between Moscow and Baku have never been interrupted. To be fair, it must be said that this has not been the best period in the history of bilateral relations. However, despite that, the volume of our trade and economic cooperation has continued to grow. Contacts have also continued, including at the level of administrations and aides.”

● The 67th General Assembly of the International Association of Judges is taking place in Baku, with about 300 judges from 71 countries participating. Deputy Chairman of the Union of Judges of Azerbaijan, Sanan Hajiev, stated that Azerbaijan “won the right to host this event last year in Cape Town through a secret ballot after a tough competition and despite objections from several countries.”
President Ilham Aliyev addressed the forum’s participants, noting that “Azerbaijan is taking large-scale measures to further strengthen the role of the judiciary as the main guarantor of human rights protection.”

It is worth recalling that since November 2023, more than 30 journalists and civil activists in Azerbaijan have been arrested on charges of smuggling and other serious crimes. They deny the accusations, claiming that their arrests are politically motivated and connected to their professional activities. According to lists compiled by local human rights organizations, there are currently more than 370 political prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons. International human rights groups and many Western politicians continue to call on the Azerbaijani authorities to respect human rights.

● A film by Azerbaijani director Arzu Urshan, “In Pursuit of a Dream,” has won in the Documentary – Individual Sport category at the FICTS International Sports Film Festival in Milan. The film, produced with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, tells the story of mountaineer Elmira Aslanova’s journey to the summit of Mount Everest.

Photo by JAMnews: A shoemaker in Baku

● Armenia celebrated the 2807th anniversary of Yerevan with festive concerts held at several venues across the city, including Republic Square. Both Armenian artists and guest performers took the stage. The main event was a concert by singer Tata Simonyan on Republic Square, which also featured Russian pop singer Lyubov Uspenskaya — despite her broken arm. The celebration ended with a spectacular fireworks display.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will travel to Egypt on October 13 for a working visit. At the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, he will take part in the Middle East Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

● The Armenian Foreign Ministry expressed condolences over the death of Qatari diplomats in a car accident in Egypt and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

● Supporters of murdered Parakar community head Volodya Grigoryan held a protest in the village of Merdzavan, demanding a fair and transparent investigation and that all those responsible be brought to justice.

● A new subvariant of the Omicron coronavirus strain, known as “Stratus,” has been detected in Armenia.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 6-10 October, 2025