Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 29 September-3 October, 2025

● President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting in Copenhagen on the sidelines of the 7th European Political Community summit. The press offices of both leaders then released nearly identical statements. They said the sides discussed the agreements reached at the Washington summit on August 8 with the participation of Donald Trump and reaffirmed their readiness to continue working to further strengthen peace between the two countries. They also discussed infrastructure development in Azerbaijan and the implementation of the “Trump Route” project in Armenia. The leaders welcomed the unanimous decision to close the OSCE Minsk process and agreed to continue contacts.

● European Council President António Costa, in his speech at the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, congratulated President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on achieving historic peace.

● Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X about his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev in Copenhagen during the summit. They discussed diplomatic efforts to achieve a just peace in Ukraine as well as energy cooperation, and agreed to maintain further contacts. “I am grateful to Azerbaijan for its support,” Zelensky wrote.

● In Copenhagen, President Ilham Aliyev also met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who congratulated him on important steps toward a peaceful settlement with Armenia, supported by the White House. “We discussed strengthening Moldova–Azerbaijan economic ties,” Sandu wrote on X.

● Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote on X that he discussed with President Ilham Aliyev in Copenhagen the possibilities of expanding cooperation in trade, logistics, and maritime transport.

● French President Emmanuel Macron told Azerbaijani journalists in Copenhagen that he expects an early signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia to fully normalize relations between the countries of the region. Macron said he held a meeting with the leaders of both countries on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit.

● U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to journalist Ulviyya Ali, arrested in Azerbaijan in the so-called “Meydan TV case.” The senator wrote that supporting political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including Ulviyya Ali, remains her priority. Read more here

● “Europe is taking contradictory steps regarding gas supplies from Azerbaijan,” said Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar in an interview with CNN Türk. “On the one hand, it is clear that Europe needs gas. Azerbaijan is ready to supply more gas to Europe. But increasing production requires investment. At the same time, Europe is not showing a unified policy in this regard.”

● Bayraktar also said that Turkey intends to increase gas imports from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. “A year ago, very important negotiations were held in the U.S. on liquefied gas. In March this year, we launched the process in Houston. But we are not limiting ourselves to an agreement with the U.S., and recently Turkey signed eight natural gas agreements. The winter season is approaching. We cannot tell our citizens that ‘there is no gas.’ We must receive as much gas as possible from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan,” the minister said.

● Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan plan to significantly increase the volume of Kazakh oil supplies via the key route through Georgia — Aktau–Baku–Supsa–Ceyhan — already this year. In 2025, about 1.7 million tons of oil will be transported, compared to 1.06 million tons in 2023. This was announced during a meeting of the energy ministers of the two countries in Astana. It was stated that this route is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan. They also discussed bilateral cooperation projects, including the Caspian Green Energy Corridor.

● Georgian Railways is launching a new simplified system for container deliveries to Baku from the ports of Poti and Batumi in the shortest possible time. The system will operate on a “terminal-to-door” basis. Block trains will depart directly from the ports along the Batumi–Poti–Tbilisi–Absheron–Sumgayit–Alat route according to a fixed schedule, and cargo owners will know in advance when their containers will be shipped and when they will arrive in Baku. Georgian Railways CEO Lasha Abashidze said the new service will save cargo owners time and additional costs. Empty containers from Poti to Baku and back will mainly be transported by rail, reducing road traffic and minimizing environmental impact.

● The trial continued against a group of former leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempted overthrow of the government, and other serious offenses. According to the state agency AZERTAC, testimonies were heard regarding killings of Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians by Armenian forces and massive damage caused to Azerbaijan’s infrastructure by rocket strikes. The materials covered numerous specific episodes from the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s and later years, including during and after the second Karabakh war in 2020. In particular, there was a direct interaction between a victim and one of the defendants. Former serviceman Ilham Mammadov testified that in May 2002 he was captured by Armenian soldiers, beaten, and tortured. He noted that one officer showed particular cruelty and identified the defendant Levon Mnatsakanyan (who was “chief of staff of the unrecognized NKR’s ‘defense army’ in 2007–2012”). Mnatsakanyan confirmed that an Azerbaijani serviceman had indeed been captured in 2002, but could not identify whether it was Mammadov. He claimed no torture had taken place and that the prisoner was given water and bread. The trial will continue on October 3.

● A group of officials involved in smuggling medicines — including those containing strong psychotropic substances — and tobacco from Iran into Azerbaijan has been exposed. The Prosecutor General’s Office and the Customs Committee made arrests.

● Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan will co-host the final stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced this and wrote on Instagram: “This historic tournament will unite Europe and Asia.”

● French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the 7th European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, congratulated Armenia and Azerbaijan on the initialing of a peace agreement. “I think this is a great achievement, and I want to congratulate the two leaders. We are also closely following what is happening in the Caucasus and the Balkans,” Macron said.

● President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting in Copenhagen on the sidelines of the 7th European Political Community summit. The press offices of both leaders later released nearly identical statements, saying they discussed the agreements reached at the Washington summit on August 8 with the participation of Donald Trump, and reaffirmed their readiness to continue working to further strengthen peace between the two countries. They discussed infrastructure development in Azerbaijan and the implementation of the “Trump Route” project in Armenia. The leaders welcomed the unanimous decision to close the OSCE Minsk process and agreed to continue contacts.

● On the sidelines of the summit, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The participants discussed the Armenia–EU partnership agenda, the process of democratic reforms in the country, and prospects for developing economic cooperation.

● The parliamentary faction of the ruling Civil Contract party believes that the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be supported. This was stated by faction leader Hayk Konjoryan at an extraordinary parliamentary session during the discussion of the draft statement “On the Establishment of Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” The parliamentary opposition boycotted the session. The draft statement was adopted with 64 votes in favor and 2 abstentions. Read more here

● Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan met with representatives of Meta to discuss ways of deepening cooperation in the field of digital policy. Meta representatives confirmed their readiness for ongoing dialogue and exchange of expertise, contributing to Armenia’s digital progress.

● Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who is under arrest, demanded that the court present evidence supporting the authorities’ claims of a “Russian trace” in the case of the “Sacred Movement” created by him. “I appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I ask deputies to raise this issue at the next sessions,” he said during the court hearing.

Bagrat Galstanyan is accused of attempting to seize power. He is considered a pro-Russian politician, as is the “Sacred Struggle” movement itself. On June 25, the Investigative Committee announced that it had prevented a coup d’état allegedly planned by the movement’s leaders. Read more here

● A dangerous incident occurred at a school in the Kanaker-Zeytun district of Yerevan. Several ninth-grade boys and two girls tried to skip classes. The school guard did not allow them to leave the building, so they went up to the second floor and jumped out of a window. School principal Tereza Avakyan told NEWS.am: “The children walked around, then went home, and only by 6 p.m. it turned out that one of the girls had broken a rib.”

● The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution sharply criticizing the government of “Georgian Dream.” The resolution was supported by 68 members, with 7 against and 2 abstentions. The document states that the decline of democracy in the country poses a serious threat to European standards. It criticizes the government’s isolationist policies, persecution of the opposition, media and civil society, as well as the law on “foreign influence.”

● PACE also held debates on Georgia. Sabina Ćudić, co-author of the resolution “Support for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Georgia,” delivered a speech. “There is no longer a single segment of democratic practice in Georgia that is not under enormous and dangerous pressure,” she said. Ćudić emphasized the ongoing pressure on journalists and drew attention to the two-year prison sentence given to Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and director of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She also expressed doubts that the October 4 municipal elections would be fair.

● Co-author of the resolution Edith Estrella also spoke, noting that Georgia is experiencing a deep political crisis. She highlighted the “repressive laws adopted by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which hinder the normal work of NGOs.” Estrella urged the Georgian government to change course and start dialogue with the Council of Europe.

● Pro-Russian businessman Levan Vasadze (pictured below) announced that as a result of UK sanctions, TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia froze his accounts and those of his family. He wrote that afterwards, other banks also restricted services. The UK imposed sanctions on Levan Vasadze and former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze on September 19, introducing both financial and immigration restrictions.

● The court ruled to keep opposition United National Movement member Zviad Kuprava in custody pending investigation. He was arrested on September 1. The Prosecutor’s Office stated that Kuprava had published a video calling on citizens to overthrow the government.

● Transparency International–Georgia announced it will not observe the October 4 municipal elections, as new repressive laws deprived it of that opportunity. The organization has monitored every election in the country for the past 25 years; these elections will be the first without its observers. Earlier, the OSCE also refused to monitor the elections, since its invitation to form a mission came too late. Read more here

● Lawyer Kakha Tsikarishvili published an interview with former Supreme Court judge Besarion Alavidze, who described how the “judges’ clan” exerts pressure on members of the court. Alavidze claimed that all Supreme Court decisions are pre-determined with the involvement of the “clan” and the government.

● The court also ruled to keep in custody two representatives of Lag Capital — Besik and Aleksandre Berdzenishvili — on charges of large-scale fraud, money laundering, and use of forged official documents. Speaking to journalists, the prosecutor said a wide range of people will be questioned in the case. Both suspects were arrested by the Interior Ministry on September 30.

● A woman died in hospital after her ex-husband attempted to kill her with extreme brutality in the town of Kaspi near Tbilisi. According to local outlet TV Monitoringi, on September 25 the ex-husband doused her with gasoline, set her on fire, and stabbed her in the chest with a knife.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for Denmark on a working visit. Today in Copenhagen, he will take part in the 7th European Political Community Summit. Bilateral meetings with international partners are also planned.

● Nikol Pashinyan ruled out the possibility of failure of the agreements reached in Washington on August 8 during the meeting of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan with the participation of President Donald Trump. Speaking in parliament, Pashinyan said: “I have stated, including in international structures, that this agenda cannot fail. Peace is a reality, and peace will increasingly become institutionalized.” During the Washington meeting, Armenia and Azerbaijan also initialed a peace agreement between the two countries.

● Nikol Pashinyan: “When in 2022 we realized that the CSTO (the Russia-led military alliance) had not fulfilled, does not fulfill, and will not fulfill its obligations toward us — that was the moment we became independent. We understood that we must rely on ourselves.”

● Opposition MP Taguhi Tovmasyan has filed a lawsuit against a colleague from the ruling faction. She is demanding $23,000 in compensation from Artur Hovhannisyan for defamation and insults. Hovhannisyan had alleged that Tovmasyan purchased four apartments on central Northern Avenue in Yerevan during her time as a journalist. When Tovmasyan suggested that Hovhannisyan be tested “for drug use,” he retorted that she should “take daily tests for venereal diseases.”

● The European Court of Human Rights has required Baku to submit by November 4 a report on the detention conditions and health of 23 Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, Armlur reports. In July, Azerbaijan petitioned the Court to be relieved of this obligation, but the request was rejected after Armenia’s objections.

● Armenia will introduce mandatory health insurance starting next year. Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan stated that the process will begin in 2026 and be completed by 2028. The first stage will cover 1.6 million citizens.

● The airline Wizz Air is now officially based in Armenia. Wizz Air Hungary CEO Roland Tischner announced at a briefing that two aircraft will be stationed at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport. He also said Wizz Air will discontinue the Yerevan–Vienna flight due to the closure of its Vienna base following increased airport taxes and fees.

● Vardan Ghukasyan, mayor of Armenia’s second-largest city Gyumri, announced he is preparing to file a lawsuit against the government in the coming days. “Since independence, no mayor has ever sued the government. They take 58 billion drams from Gyumri into the state budget, they should return 27 billion — but give back only 4 billion,” Ghukasyan explained as the reason for his planned lawsuit. Earlier, he stated that he supports Armenia joining the Union State of Russia and Belarus.

Video: Pavilions of the well-known Gnunii construction market in Yerevan have been demolished.

● President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Denmark at the invitation of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and President of the Council of the European Union António Costa. He will take part in the 7th European Political Community Summit.

● The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Azerbaijan to provide information by November 4 on the conditions of detention and health status of 23 Armenian prisoners. This was reported to the Armenian Service of Radio Liberty by Siranush Sahakyan, who represents the rights of the Armenian prisoners before the Court. According to her, in July Azerbaijan asked the Court to release it from the obligation to provide such information. The Armenian government and the prisoners’ representatives opposed the request, and the Court rejected Azerbaijan’s petition. Azatutyun reports that the Armenian prisoners have been held in complete isolation in Baku prisons for about three months. It is claimed that no independent international organization has visited them and there is no information about their conditions of detention, health, or psychological state. In June, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited the Armenian prisoners. However, the organization suspended its activities in Baku as of October 1.

It has been officially confirmed that 23 Armenian prisoners are currently held in Azerbaijan, including 16 former representatives of the separatist regime in Karabakh. Their trial is now underway in Baku. So far, the Azerbaijani authorities have not commented on the ECHR’s order to provide a report on these prisoners.

● The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is discussing cooperation in agriculture with the government of Azerbaijan. It was noted that in the bank’s long-term Strategy 2030, agriculture is highlighted as one of seven operational priorities. A $40 billion investment program for transforming food systems has been announced, which includes Azerbaijan. “About 36% of the country’s population is employed in agriculture, but the sector remains heavily underinvested: only about 1 in 10 hectares of irrigated land has proper irrigation systems,” the ADB stated. Projects under consideration include river basin assessments, water resource monitoring and forecasting, support for irrigation systems and the introduction of new technologies, as well as training farmers in climate-resilient crops and management practices.

● The Baku Climate Action Week 2025 (BCAW2025) – an international forum of experts proposing effective climate solutions – continues its work. The conference is held in partnership with the London Climate Action Week BCAW2025.

● Railway operators of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia agreed to establish a unified long-term tariff across the entire Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. The parties also agreed to jointly coordinate actions to develop port, railway, and logistics infrastructure, eliminate bottlenecks, and digitalize procedures. The goal of the plan is to increase the efficiency and seamlessness of transport along the route, which is becoming a key Eurasian corridor between China, Central Asia, and Europe.

● A public meeting dedicated to Ukraine’s Defenders Day was held in Baku, organized by the Ukrainian Embassy. Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis Rafael Huseynov spoke at the event, saying: “This holiday symbolizes respect and tribute to the courage of people who selflessly fight for the freedom and independence of their homeland. The relations of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine have deep historical roots. Our countries have closely cooperated in all areas and have always supported each other within international organizations, including on issues of territorial integrity. Meetings between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Ukraine, Ilham Aliyev and Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the signed documents and joint statements, have laid a solid foundation for relations between our countries.”

● The Central Bank has stopped publishing the official exchange rate of the Iranian rial against the manat. It was announced that it has become impossible to obtain data from traditional information sources, while alternative sources are unreliable. Most foreign central banks have already stopped publishing the official rate of the rial for the same reasons.

● Former head of the Ministry of Defense’s financial service Namig Mirzayev was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison on charges of embezzling a particularly large sum in 2023–2024. Earlier, Mirzayev testified in court as a witness in the case against Major General Nizami Mammadov and others arrested for embezzlement in the defense sector.

● The Qarabağ football team defeated Denmark’s Copenhagen 2:0 in the 2nd round match of the UEFA Champions League group stage. After the victory, Qarabağ rose to 4th place in the standings, ahead of Atlético Madrid, as well as England’s Liverpool and Chelsea.

● The court has kept opposition Coalition for Change member Gela Khasaia (pictured) in pre-trial detention. The prosecutor said there are three formal grounds for this measure: repeat offense, witness intimidation, and risk of flight. Khasaia was arrested on September 29 along with citizen Vasil Kerdikoshvili. They are charged with intentional infliction of less serious bodily harm committed by a group, carrying a penalty of 4–6 years in prison. It is alleged that they deliberately injured a victim in central Tbilisi, on Queen Tamar Avenue. At Wednesday’s hearing, Kerdikoshvili pleaded guilty, but Khasaia’s lawyers claim the politician does not even know him.

● Opposition leaders jailed in Georgia have appealed to UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to impose sanctions on the Georgian Dream government and its allies over the “unprecedented expansion” of Iran’s influence. The Guardian reports that the letter was signed by seven politicians.

● A US Congress bill titled “On Non-Recognition of the Georgian Nightmare” (a play on the ruling party Georgian Dream’s name) has gained another co-sponsor. Currently, nine lawmakers back it: Republican Joe Wilson, Democrat Steve Cohen, Republican Michael Turner, Democrat Lloyd Doggett, Republican Michael Lawler, Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, Democrat Jimmy Panetta, Democrat Thomas Suozzi, and most recently Eugene Vindman.

● Tbilisi City Hall published a letter from famous opera singer Paata Burchuladze, an active participant in ongoing pro-European protests lasting more than 10 months. He demanded that stages be set up in four locations on Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square for public gatherings on municipal election day, October 4. City Hall responded that organizers may set up a stage only in one location and in a way that does not obstruct traffic or business activity.

● Frederick Starr, founder and chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, spoke about the direct link between Putin and Bidzina Ivanishvili (an oligarch considered the real ruler of Georgia). “Vladimir Putin is not eternal; he’s finished. He lacks human resources and the exports he once had. He presides over a society deeply alienated not because of the war, but due to the economic hardships faced by those outside Russia’s two biggest cities. He will be gone sooner than we think, and once he is, Bidzina Ivanishvili will go too. I think we should focus on what is happening in Russia,” Starr said at a US Senate subcommittee hearing on European and regional security cooperation.

● State Security Services reported the arrest of Tbilisi City Council member from the opposition United National Movement, Zviad Kuprava, on charges of calling for the overthrow of the government.

● Georgian Dream parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili again lashed out at the European Union. “Georgian society long ago took off the rose-colored glasses through which it looked at the world, including Europe. Everyone has seen that Europe, the European Union, is not a gathering of saints acting for others’ interests. Everyone there pursues their own interests in a very dry, pragmatic, and calculated way,” Papuashvili said.

● Georgian Dream’s Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili said she supported a French-led initiative within the European Political Community to combat drug trafficking. “This is a very important issue for Georgia, and especially recently much work has been done on this problem,” Bochorishvili stated.

● Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is attending the European Political Community summit in Denmark.

● State Security Service head Mamuka Mdinaradze commented on the case of 2.4 kg of RDX explosives discovered in a car with two Ukrainian citizens. “The investigation is considering the version that the explosives could have been brought from Ukraine for transit to Russia—this was confirmed by the driver. The second version, more likely, is that the explosives were meant to stay in Georgia. In both cases, the scale of the threat was very high, and we were able to prevent serious danger,” Mdinaradze said. He linked the incident to the upcoming October 4 municipal elections. “We cannot say this is a coincidence. Before every election in Georgia, similar special operations take place. The aim is often to create chaos and destabilize the country,” he said, recalling the car bombing of politician Givi Targamadze four days before the 2016 parliamentary elections.

● Since spring 2024, more than 230 representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream have come under Western sanctions, Transparency International Georgia reports. Most of the measures are visa restrictions. The list includes Georgian Dream founder, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, and four members of his family, as well as 52 senior officials, 47 judges, 17 prosecutors, and 14 police officers.

● A court has imposed pre-trial detention on the parents of arrested businessman Giorgi Bachiashvili, former head of the Co-Investment Fund established with oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili — founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and the country’s informal leader. The charges against Marina Ramazashvili and Aleksandre Bachiashvili (pictured below) were brought in absentia, as they are outside Georgia. They face 9 to 12 years in prison. According to investigators, Bachiashvili involved his parents in schemes to launder 8.9868675 bitcoins allegedly stolen from Ivanishvili. As a result, he managed to launder $2,944,957 and 1,097,187 lari (about $300,000) between 2017 and 2023. Read more here

● Marina Ramazashvili told Formula TV that she and her husband “don’t understand what Ivanishvili is accusing them of.” “I smiled when I heard this accusation — as if a new season of my series had started. It’s hard to imagine what Ivanishvili will come up with for the next season. But I think there will be no next season for him. I don’t know what he is accusing us of. Maybe of raising a good person? Of being good doctors? Of serving our people well?” Ramazashvili said. She is convinced that the case against Bachiashvili’s parents is a kind of trial run: “If this works, Ivanishvili will apply the same method to the parents of other detainees,” she added.

● Prime Minister from Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze, joined the pro-government media campaign against “Georgian University.” In mass reports, it is claimed that the university allegedly encourages revolutionary plans and terrorism. Kobakhidze stated that the mother of jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, Giuli Alasania, “snatched the university for 1 lari (about 30 cents).” Experts call this claim false. Publicly available information shows that in 2007–2009, the university purchased various land plots and buildings through state auctions.

● Irakli Kobakhidze again warned the public “not to take part in violent actions” allegedly planned by the opposition on the day of the municipal elections on October 4. “Some participants in violence during protests have already been sentenced to several years in prison,” Kobakhidze reminded.

● Citizens, activists, and family members of arrested participants in pro-European protests made a statement outside parliament regarding the detention of Gela Khasaia, a member of the Girchi – More Freedom party. They declared that “the struggle will continue until Georgian Dream is defeated.” The Interior Ministry stated that Khasaia and a citizen identified as V.K., born in 1998, were arrested on charges of intentional infliction of minor bodily harm. The article carries up to three years in prison.

● The Anti-Corruption Bureau, created by the ruling Georgian Dream party, sent requests to several media outlets demanding all grant agreements concluded from April 16, 2025, to the present. The legal basis cited was the Law “On Grants.” Local and international experts, as well as Western countries and the EU, describe this as a tool of repression. Read more here

● The Government of the Czech Republic added five Georgian citizens to its national sanctions list: a deputy interior minister, three judges, and one prosecutor. According to the Czech MFA, these individuals are responsible for the violent suppression of protests in Georgia over the past two years. The list includes Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, who publicly justified the use of force by Georgian security forces against demonstrators, as well as judges Koba Chagunava, Nino Galustashvili, and Mikheil Jinjolia, and prosecutor Lasha Kotrikadze. Read more here

● The investigative service of the Ministry of Finance announced the detention of two individuals on charges of large-scale fraudulent appropriation of state property and money laundering. The company “Lagi Capital” was named, which had won 11 tenders announced by the State Municipal Development Fund for the restoration of 30 kindergartens. However, according to investigators, construction was not completed at any of the sites. In addition, four schools were not built under a contract with the Educational and Scientific Infrastructure Development Agency.

● The court upheld pre-trial detention for all five defendants in a separate contract murder case, including the Mikadze brothers, allegedly commissioned by businessman Levan Jangveladze. Only three accused — Giorgi Mikadze, Giorgi Kachkachashvili, and Mamuka Bagdavadze — have been arrested. Davit Mikadze and Giorgi Jokhadze remain wanted. Jangveladze was killed in central Tbilisi on March 14, 2025. Gela Udzilauri, arrested in the case, is accused of contract killing.

● The court extended the detention of former Deputy Minister of Economy Romeo Mikautadze. He is accused of laundering over 2.5 million lari (about $800,000) obtained illegally by abusing his official position. He was arrested on June 20 and faces up to 12 years in prison.

● The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, arrived in Azerbaijan on a visit. He and Ilham Aliyev made statements to the press.

Ilham Aliyev, in particular, said:

• This is Mattarella’s second visit to Azerbaijan, the first took place seven years ago. Last year Aliyev visited Italy and invited its president to visit Baku again.

• The two countries signed two strategic partnership documents — in 2015 and 2020. Political relations are at the highest level.

• Since 2020, Azerbaijani gas has been exported to Italy through the TAP pipeline. Azerbaijani oil ranks first in Italy’s oil balance, while Azerbaijani gas ranks second.

• In general, Azerbaijan exports natural gas through the Southern Gas Corridor to 14 countries.

• Currently, Baku is working with the European Union on electricity exports, including future supplies from Central Asia across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan and then to Europe.

• A major industrial plant built by Italian companies is operating in Sumgayit. The Italy-Azerbaijan University is being opened.

• Italy has always supported the development of Azerbaijan’s relations with the European Union. Recently, positive steps have been taken in this direction.

Sergio Mattarella, in particular, said:

• Italy and Azerbaijan have already begun cooperation in cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres. Essentially, this means the full and effective implementation of our strategic partnership and the provisions of the agreement signed 10 years ago.

• Italy will do everything possible to ensure that Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union develops and covers new areas. I came to Baku precisely for this purpose.

● Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel: “We are very pleased with the peace agreement initialed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It contributes to strengthening stability in the region. We respect both countries as NATO partners. Their success on the path to peace is already evident. A few days ago, I took part in a dinner organized by the U.S. Secretary of State, where representatives of both countries were in the same hall together with representatives of NATO and the European Union. I believe this is an indicator of the development of our bilateral relations, and we must continue in this direction.”

● David van Weel placed special emphasis on the need to focus on implementing the agreements reached. “This is about establishing transport links through transit routes in the region and about opening Armenia’s border with Turkey.”

● Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met in Baku with Wyatt Telke, Senior Advisor at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, and Amy Carlon, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy. They discussed prospects for the development of Azerbaijan–U.S. relations on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding on creating a Strategic Working Group to prepare a Charter on Strategic Partnership, the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the implementation of agreements reached in Washington on August 8.

● Baku expects that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), led by Russia, will conduct an objective anti-dumping investigation into Azerbaijani products — polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene copolymers, and aluminum tapes. This was stated by Prime Minister Ali Asadov at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk. “If anti-dumping measures are applied to these products, it will cause real damage to Azerbaijan’s trade cooperation with EAEU countries both multilaterally and bilaterally,” he said.

● The launch of a new stage of strategic energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine was discussed at a conference in Kyiv titled “Azerbaijan – Ukraine: New Partnership Opportunities in Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Power Plants and Renewable Energy.” The event was attended by representatives of research institutes, energy companies, members of the diplomatic corps, and independent experts. Azerbaijani representatives joined the meeting online.

● The trial continued in the criminal case of Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and citizen of Armenia, who is in pre-trial detention. He is accused of torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other crimes. According to the state agency AzerTAc, “the court heard testimonies from victims as well as relatives of those killed as a result of murders, abductions, torture, and other crimes committed during the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenian forces.” The next court hearing is scheduled for October 7.

● The largest Turkish air carrier, Turkish Airlines, plans to launch regular flights between Turkey and Armenia. This was stated in the company’s announcement on the state public information portal.

● In Paris, on Republic Square, a photo exhibition “Mines in Azerbaijan” was held, organized by the Azerbaijan-France Dialogue Association and the Gilavar Photo Club. The opening was attended by Gérard Chesnel, Chairman of the French National Commission on Mine Clearance (CNEMA), Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France Leyla Abdullayeva, French journalists, and scholars. The authors of the exhibition said they presented “photographs of mine victims laid by Armenia during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, as well as images showing the lives of people affected by mines after the war, and devastated lands.” The purpose of the exhibition was declared as a call to recognize mine-laying as a war crime.

Photo by the pro-government outlet Report

● “The future of Karabakh Armenians is in Armenia. Their return to Karabakh is unrealistic. Such a process could harm the peace process with Baku,” said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a PACE session.

● Nikol Pashinyan also stated that he sees no need to amend the constitution as a precondition for concluding a peace agreement with Baku. “Azerbaijan claims that Armenia’s constitution contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. But in September 2024, the Constitutional Court of Armenia responded to this. The court reviewed the regulations for the joint work of Armenian–Azerbaijani demarcation commissions and confirmed — Armenia’s Constitution contains no territorial claims against any country.”

● Donald Trump said he solved a 36-year-old problem in Azerbaijan and called Nikol Pashinyan “a different guy.”

● Arrested archbishops Galstanyan and Adjapakhyan (pictured below) sent public inquiries to the Foreign Ministry, the Investigative Committee, and the Prosecutor’s Office. The clergymen demand clear answers regarding the expert assessments of the controversial audio and video recordings on which they are accused of preparing a terrorist act and attempting a coup. Opposition MP Garnik Danielyan said the archbishops want to know whether there is any evidence confirming the authenticity of a conversation about burning buses, attributed to Galstanyan. More details on this case and the alleged “Russian trace” in it here

● “Those who claimed that deputies from the ruling Civil Contract party were supposedly ready to join a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan simply misled journalists,” said ruling party MP Rustam Bakoyan. “Nothing of the sort exists, not even talks or discussions. This is just a ridiculous topic,” he emphasized.

● In Serbia, the Armenian and Turkish ministers of social affairs met. Arsen Torosyan discussed sectoral priorities with his Turkish counterpart Mahinur Özdemir. They also touched on the normalization process between the two countries, expressing readiness to exchange experience.

● Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan met with U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien. They discussed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Armenia and the Government of the United States on August 8 in Washington.

● The Armenian water supply operator “Veolia Jur” was fined $52,000. The penalties concern two cases: the first related to water supply disruptions in the village of Saralandj, and the second to delays in responding to 21 official requests from authorities.

● Turkish Airlines plans to launch flights to Yerevan, according to local media. The timing and schedule of the flights have not been announced.

● Three people remain hospitalized after an explosion at an inactive sewing factory in Yerevan, the Health Ministry reported. The condition of two is assessed as moderate, and the third as satisfactory.

● UEFA Grassroots Week concluded in Armenia. The Football Federation, together with EA SPORTS FC Futures, held a series of inclusive football events, as well as activities for veterans and women’s football across different regions of the country.

●  Nikol Pashinyan confirmed reports that a U.S. delegation visited Armenia to discuss the launch of the “Trump Route”, which will run from Azerbaijan through its Nakhchivan exclave, across Armenian territory, and onward to Turkey. “Discussions have begun and will continue. At this point, there are no concrete agreements. I think the problem is that the U.S. administration under President Trump obviously has a very extensive global agenda. But rest assured, the ‘Trump Route’ remains a focus for the U.S., our country, and the international community,” Pashinyan said.

●  Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan called on Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov not to use the term “Zangezur Corridor” when referring to the Trump Route transit project. Speaking remotely at a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government, Grigoryan stressed that according to high-level agreements signed between the two countries, the official name is “Trump Route to International Peace and Prosperity.”

●  CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev commented on Armenia’s virtual participation in the CIS Council of Heads of Government session in Minsk: “Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan spoke in video format, but he spoke in a businesslike way. Armenia supported most of the documents. We have no doubts that any state is seeking to reduce its activity within the CIS,” Lebedev said.

●  Opposition MP Armen Gevorgyan, from the Armenia bloc (associated with former president Robert Kocharyan and viewed as pro-Russian), criticized Washington’s mediation efforts: “The Armenian people are being asked to believe that after Washington’s statements, peace has already come. But ‘Washington peace’ is not the end of the conflict—it is the beginning of a new stage of regional uncertainty,” Gevorgyan told PACE.

●  The withdrawal of the 102nd Russian military base from Armenia is not on the bilateral agenda, Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with Syunyats Yerkir newspaper. “Russia’s military presence remains a crucial pillar of Armenia’s security system and an important factor of regional stability. Our forces threaten no one in the region. The agreement on Russia’s military presence was signed in Moscow in 1995 for 25 years, with automatic five-year extensions. In 2010, an additional protocol signed in Yerevan extended the deployment of Russian forces in Armenia until 2044, with further five-year renewals,” Kopyrkin noted.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held meetings in Strasbourg with the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Mattias Guyomar, and with PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteurs on Armenia, Boriana Åberg and Piero Fassino.

●  Nikol Pashinyan congratulated the President of Moldova on the victory of her political party in the elections.

●  A forecast by the Stratfor analytical center stated: “The post-war settlement around Nagorno-Karabakh will lead to a historic strategic restructuring in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s role as an East–West transit hub will be strengthened. Armenia becomes vulnerable to internal unrest. Georgia is consolidating authoritarian rule at the expense of its EU ambitions.”

Regarding Armenia, the report noted:

• • The country will continue a gradual turn toward the West.
• • Trade with Russia will continue to decline, though deep structural ties in agriculture, energy, and labor migration will remain and may be exploited by Moscow.
• • With weakening security ties to Russia and limited Western support, Armenia will remain vulnerable to Azerbaijani aggression if bilateral relations deteriorate.
• • Following the peace agreement with Baku, domestic sensitivities over constitutional reforms to “reassure” Azerbaijan may trigger political tensions, making prolonged protests likely.

●  Parents of missing Armenian servicemen held a protest outside the Ministry of Defense, demanding a personal meeting with officials. “In five years, not a single soldier’s fate has been clarified,” said Amazasp Poghosyan, the father of one missing serviceman. Relatives were not received by ministry representatives.

●  Armenia recorded the highest population growth rate in the region in 2024 (2.3%), according to the World Bank. Azerbaijan’s rate was 0.48%, Iran’s 1.05%, and Turkey’s 0.23%. Russia and Georgia recorded declines of 0.2% and 1.13%, respectively.

Relatives of missing Armenian soldiers staged a protest outside the country’s Defense Ministry on Monday, demanding a personal meeting with officials.

“After five years, the fate of not a single soldier has been clarified,” Amazasp Pogosyan, the father of one of the missing… pic.twitter.com/iHefPAzyJl

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) September 29, 2025

●  The 5th INMerge Innovation Summit, organized by PASHA Holding, is taking place in Baku. The main goals are to bring together startups and investors and to create a platform for sharing ideas and experiences among all participants in the innovation ecosystem. More than 1,000 company heads, investors, corporate leaders, and politicians from over 30 countries are taking part.

●  “The only path to the long-term development of Azerbaijan’s economy is support for entrepreneurship, especially in the fields of technology and innovation,” said Dayanat Sadullayev, Deputy CEO of PASHA Holding, at the forum. These changes are urgent, he stressed, because “there is not much time left.” He added: “The country’s economy is based on energy resources, but oil as a commodity is losing ground – prices and demand are falling, production in the country is declining. We have no other way forward. And the government clearly understands this – we hear it in their speeches.”

●  Farid Ismailov, one of the journalists arrested in the criminal case linked to Toplum TV, told the court that his life is in danger while being held at the Baku pre-trial detention center, and demanded that the penitentiary authorities take urgent measures. Ismailov claimed that a fellow detainee, Seymur Shikhaliev, held in a neighboring cell, had repeatedly tried to provoke him. According to Ismailov, one incident took place on September 23 in full view of prison guards: “When I was being taken to the medical unit, he threw a glass at me. The next day, this man tried to pour boiling water on me, but guards intervened. If no measures are taken, it means this is being done deliberately, by order,” Ismailov said.

The case of nine defendants in the “Toplum TV case” is being heard by the Baku Court for Serious Crimes. Among the accused are the founder of the online TV channel and media lawyer Alesker Mammadli, the head of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives Akif Gurbanov, journalists Mushfig Jabbarov, Ali Zeynalov, and others. They are charged with smuggling, money laundering, illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and other offenses. The charges carry prison sentences of up to 12 years. None of the defendants have pleaded guilty, insisting that they were arrested on political orders in retaliation for their professional work and criticism of the authorities. The trial in the Toplum TV case will continue on October 13.

●  Rufat Safarov, Executive Director of the human rights organization Defense Line, said he has been in prison for 10 months for criticizing the country’s repressive policies. “I am here because this is what Ilham Aliyev wanted. I was punished for my fair criticism of the repressive policies of Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev, Interior Minister Vilayat Eyvazov, and State Security Service Chairman Ali Nagiyev,” Safarov said at another court hearing. He is under arrest on charges of fraud and hooliganism. Answering questions in court, he again insisted that the charges against him are false.

●  SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev: “We hope that Azerbaijan will soon become a member of our organization. The country is currently showing active engagement in this direction.” The decision to admit new member states requires the unanimous consent of all member countries. However, India vetoed Azerbaijan’s application at the SCO summit on August 31 in China. In response, Pakistan blocked Armenia’s similar application.

Currently, the SCO has 10 member states: Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, and Belarus. Afghanistan and Mongolia are observers, while several others are partners: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka.

●  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised his September 25 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, calling it “very productive.” “We discussed joint steps to reach $100 billion in trade volume. We also addressed Israel’s escalating attacks, the Russia-Ukraine war, and other regional developments. The positive results of this meeting will become clear in the near future,” Erdoğan said in his address to the nation after a government meeting.

●  Prime Minister Ali Asadov is attending the CIS Council of Heads of Government meeting in Minsk.

●  A gala evening of the Alumni Association of U.S.-educated graduates, along with over 8,000 Azerbaijani alumni of U.S. government programs, was held at the U.S. Embassy in Baku. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Randy Cole noted the 85th anniversary of the International Visitor Leadership Program, calling it “one of the U.S. government’s most prestigious and effective exchange initiatives.” “We are pleased to welcome several hundred alumni from various programs and generations. Azerbaijani graduates of American universities play a key role in developing bilateral cooperation between the countries. This has become especially significant after the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was initialed under the mediation of President Donald Trump at the White House on August 8,” Cole said.

●  The trial of a group of former leaders of the former self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continued. They are charged with war crimes, terrorism, attempted overthrow of the state, and other serious offenses. According to the state news agency AZERTAC, the court examined documents proving the killing of Azerbaijani military personnel and civilians by Armenian forces. Evidence was reviewed regarding specific episodes during the fighting in April 2016, as well as incidents of violence in 2016–2017. Documents and photos were also presented on the shelling of the village of Askipara in Tartar District with 122-mm artillery shells containing “white phosphorus.” The trial will resume on October 2.

●   The trial has also begun against a group of Iranian citizens accused of attempting to smuggle a large shipment of drugs across the Caspian Sea during the night of February 2–3 this year.

●  The first electric bus produced in Azerbaijan by Azerbaijan Energy Automotive Factory of BYD has been unveiled. The bus is 12 meters long and can carry 82 passengers. Its range on a single charge is up to 350 km. Plans are in place to expand production to include different capacity models as well as trucks and passenger cars. Azerbaijan Energy Automotive Factory was established as a joint initiative of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy, SARDA Group, and BYD.

●  The court granted the Ministry of Finance’s motion in the “suit jacket case” against former President Mikheil Saakashvili. He, along with Temur Janashia, who headed the Special State Protection Service during his presidency, must pay up to 9 million GEL (around $3.5 million) to the state budget. On March 12 of this year, Saakashvili was sentenced to 9 years in prison for large-scale embezzlement of budget funds. The court also found Janashia guilty in the same case, but the charges against him were later reclassified as abuse of office, for which he was fined 300,000 GEL (about $110,000). More about the ‘Jackets Case’ and other criminal cases against Mikheil Saakashvili here

●   Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgian Dream: “You can judge for yourselves what consequences the revolution announced for October 4, municipal election day, might have. I promise everyone: if anyone intends to break the law or resort to violence, they will be held accountable to the fullest extent. You saw that those who used violence against the police, the state system, or the parliament building were sentenced to 2 to 5 years in prison. I urge everyone to be cautious when it comes to violence and breaking the law.”

●  Kobakhidze also stated that “the opposition, with its tactics, has made things easier for ‘Georgian Dream’ during the pre-election period. Both the parties not running in the elections and those participating have created the perfect picture for us. That is why we will very easily win in all 64 municipalities, both in mayoral and city council elections, and the polls confirm this once again. Achieving this result is practically guaranteed,” Kobakhidze said.

●   The opinion research center “Gorbi” conducted a poll commissioned by the pro-government TV channel “Imedi” ahead of the October 4 municipal elections. Respondents were asked: “If the Tbilisi mayoral election were held this week, which candidate would you vote for?” According to the results, the incumbent mayor and ruling party candidate Kakha Kaladze would receive 66.5%, opposition coalition candidate Irakli Kupradze – 13.5%, “Girchi” party candidate Iago Khvichia – 13%, and other candidates – 7%.

●  The Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into an audio recording released by the opposition party “Lelo,” in which majoritarian candidate in the Kizilaghi district (Kvemo Kartli region), Kara Orudzhev, explains why he withdrew his candidacy. He claims that “major businessmen and criminal authorities forced him to make this decision.”

●  The Prosecutor’s Office filed a criminal case against the parents of arrested businessman Giorgi Bachiashvili, former head of the Co-Investment Fund established with oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili (founder of the ruling “Georgian Dream,” widely considered the country’s shadow ruler). Prosecutors allege that Bachiashvili involved his parents in his business to launder 8.986,8675 stolen bitcoins belonging to Ivanishvili. Reportedly, Bachiashvili thus managed to legalize $2,944,957 and 1,097,187 GEL (about $300,000) in illicit proceeds between 2017 and 2023. His parents now face charges carrying prison terms of 9 to 12 years.

●  The driver of murdered businessman Levan Jangveladze, Gia Chaduneli, testified in court that Jangveladze twice met in Georgia with former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze. According to him, after one of the meetings, the businessman appeared completely changed and shocked, IPN reported. Jangveladze was killed in central Tbilisi on Chavchavadze Avenue on March 14, 2025. Gela Udzilauri, arrested in connection with the case, is accused of contract killing.

●   Following a joint investigation by the State Security Service’s Anti-Corruption Agency and the Prosecutor’s Office, the director of Guria Energy, M.Zh. [Mamuka Zhghenti], and an employee of the supervisory company P.R. were arrested. They are accused of fraudulently appropriating 403,095 GEL (around $100,000) belonging to the state. Charges were also brought against another company employee, T.M.

●  Fifth President Salome Zurabishvili congratulated Moldovan President Maia Sandu on her parliamentary election victory. “Bravo! Maia Sandu, your victory is the best news for Europe, democracy, and a decisive response to Russia and its hybrid war. Pro-European Georgia stands with you, and our rejection of Russian interference will remain unchanged,” Zurabishvili wrote on X.

📷 Photo: Former President Mikheil Saakashvili and former head of the Special State Protection Service Temur Janashia

●  The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. This was announced by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. “I am pleased to inform the entire international community that peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The role of U.S. President Donald Trump — whose dedication, consistency, and principled approach made the seemingly impossible possible — is of decisive importance in this peace process. For this very reason, President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and I have made a joint decision to nominate President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, as we ourselves have witnessed his sincere commitment to the idea of peace,” Pashinyan stated.

●  Pashinyan also criticized the use of the term “Zangezur Corridor”, which is used in Azerbaijan to refer to the new transit route to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. Agreement to open this route was reached during the August 8 summit in Washington between the two leaders, which has been dubbed the “Trump Route” (TRIPP).
“President Aliyev has repeatedly, including from this very podium, referred to this road as the ‘Zangezur Corridor.’ This term is not in any documents and has never existed. My Azerbaijani colleague would do well to clarify what he means by using this phrase, since in the Armenian context it is perceived as a territorial claim against Armenia and is associated with talk of conflict,” Pashinyan said.

●  Opposition MP Ishkhan Saghatelyan criticized the prime minister for referring in his UN speech to ethnic Armenians “under arrest in Azerbaijan as a result of the long-standing conflict” but not using the word “prisoners of war,” which is the term adopted in Armenia. “This is disgraceful. It shows that the Armenian leader is forbidden even to raise the issue that Azerbaijan is holding Armenian POWs. Through this wordplay, Pashinyan downplays reality and serves the interests of Azerbaijan,” Saghatelyan said.

●  A group of 20 people got lost while descending a mountain in Armenia near the village of Teghut, but were later found. Rescuers discovered the expedition members unharmed and escorted them to their vehicle.

●  A court has ordered the arrest of 20-year-old G. Harutyunyan, accused of killing the head of the Parakar community and his friend, a criminal police officer, Etq reported.

●  Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan delivered opening remarks at a videoconference launching talks on the “123 Agreement” between the governments of Armenia and the United States regarding cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Abisoghomonyan reaffirmed that the safe and reliable peaceful use of nuclear energy is one of Armenia’s priorities, and that the country continues to adhere to the principles of the international non-proliferation regime.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York. The importance of the initialing of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the August 8 Washington meeting was highlighted, with both sides expressing confidence that it will contribute to stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus.

●  On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held talks with his counterparts from Iran, Russia, and Cambodia.

●  On Saturday, September 27, Azerbaijan marked Memorial Day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a special statement: “It has been 5 years since the start of the 44-day Patriotic War, which ended Armenia’s aggression against our country and nearly 30 years of occupation of Azerbaijani lands […] On Memorial Day – September 27 – we pay deep respect to the bright memory of our valiant sons and daughters who gave their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, and we wish recovery to the war veterans who sacrificed their health along this path,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry also recalled: “The bilateral Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process, initiated and promoted by Baku, is already yielding results. A historic summit was held in Washington, during which, under the witness of the United States, an Azerbaijani-Armenian joint declaration was signed, the text of an agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia was initialed, and steps were taken toward the termination of the OSCE Minsk process.

“It is of particular importance to continue systematic measures […] In particular, it is critically important to eliminate the provisions enshrined in Armenia’s Constitution that infringe upon the territorial integrity of our country,” the statement emphasized.

●  Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov, speaking at the UN General Assembly, called on those present to “remember the more than 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing as a result of Armenia’s aggression” and urged “strengthening international efforts to ensure truth and justice.”

●  The 3rd CIS Games are currently taking place in Azerbaijan. The opening ceremony was held in Ganja. A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries are participating. In addition to Azerbaijan, these are Belarus, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Pakistan, Cuba, Kuwait, and Oman. The Games will conclude on October 8 with a closing ceremony at the Ganja Stadium.

● Opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria, currently under arrest, wrote: “Ivanishvili (an oligarch, considered the shadow ruler of Georgia) and the leaders of ‘Georgian Dream’ follow Russia’s foreign strategy and comically copy its statements: ‘We are ready for dialogue if we are not spoken to in the language of blackmail.’ A copy of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov’s speeches. […] The complete international isolation of the Georgian Dream regime has essentially been signed. They were not even allowed to wave for a group photo during the UN General Assembly. This regime is condemned in the U.S., the UN, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and European capitals. They could not even get the OSCE on their side. This is the achievement of the Georgian people, of its 300 days of unwavering protest. The next step toward delegitimizing them should be stripping them of the right to participate in elections.”

● Archimandrite Dorotheos Kurashvili once again criticized the Georgian Church leadership’s passivity toward Russia:
“I am not talking about doctrine; I am saying only this — I will criticize those who have forgotten that Russia is constantly at war with us, that Russia has occupied Georgia. They cannot praise the Russians because they fear the people, and they cannot curse them because they fear the Russians. […] Russia is the enemy. And ‘Georgian Dream’ moves toward the enemy, embraces the enemy — and curses those who oppose the enemy.”

● Tbilisi Mayor and Georgian Dream Secretary-General Kakha Kaladze commented on the planned large-scale protest scheduled for the October 4 municipal elections, which most opposition forces have declared they will boycott:
“We hear some nonsense: ‘overthrow,’ ‘coup.’ I do not want my fellow citizens to participate in this. These are external forces fighting against the country; they spend money to divide society, to organize coups. […] The state will respond in the harshest way. Some give in to temptation, taking money from abroad for terrorism, extremism. We all must be cautious. Our relevant services are working around the clock, and we will do everything to preserve peace.”

● Harsh accusations of corruption have been leveled against current Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze by his opposition rival in the upcoming municipal elections on October 4. The unified mayoral candidate from the political groups “Lelo – Strong Georgia” and “Gakharia for Georgia,” Irakli Kupradze, published the results of an independent investigation.

According to Kupradze, in the Nadzaladevi district of Tbilisi, next to the popular Kikvidze Park, a 16-story building was constructed. Its original owner was Avtandil Tevzadze, head of Kakha Kaladze’s campaign headquarters in the city of Samtredia. It is alleged that the construction permit was obtained illegally. “In 2019, at meetings of nearby homeowners’ associations, residents were misled into signing protocols. Moreover, the documents created in 2019 contained the names of several people who had died back in 2015–2016. This constitutes a criminal offense,” Kupradze stated. The building was erected in close proximity to several small private houses in a dangerous condition. In fact, the entrance to the new building is only one meter away from one of them. Kupradze added that “the criminal scheme was uncovered thanks to the activity of local residents.” City authorities have not yet commented on the situation.

● Zurab Burduli, an employee of the Kaspi mayor’s office accused of attempting to murder his ex-wife with torture, will remain in custody by court decision. According to investigators, the accused was found armed near the woman’s home, carrying a knife, a chemical substance, and a flammable mixture. The mother of four is currently in critical condition, with burns covering 80% of her body and a chest wound.

Photo from social media: Burduli and his wife

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 22-26 September, 2025