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

● Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to President Ilham Aliyev during their meeting in Dushanbe for the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane shot down by Russian air defenses in December last year. Putin offered condolences to the families of the victims and said: “The investigation is nearing completion, and we can now speak more clearly about the causes of this tragedy. Several factors were involved. The first was the presence of a Ukrainian drone in the airspace. The second was technical failure in Russia’s air defense system. The two missiles launched did not hit the aircraft directly — otherwise it would have crashed immediately — but exploded about 10 meters away. The plane was likely damaged by shrapnel, which is why the pilot mistook the incident for a bird strike and reported it as such to Russian air traffic controllers — all this is confirmed by the flight recorders. He was advised to land in Makhachkala, but decided to return to his base airport and later to Kazakhstan. Still, the fact remains: an objective assessment of the crash is necessary. It will take some more time to conclude the investigation. Naturally, Russia will provide compensation and a legal evaluation of the actions of all officials involved,” Putin said.

He expressed hope that cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan “will not only be restored but continue in the spirit of alliance.” “We have not forgotten the treaty signed not long ago, and we will do everything to ensure its full implementation,” he added.

Tensions between the two countries began after the plane crash. Baku had consistently demanded an official apology from Moscow, punishment of those responsible, and compensation for the victims’ families. Relations worsened again in June when Russian special forces carried out an operation targeting ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, killing two people and detaining around ten others with excessive force. Soon after, a number of Azerbaijani community members were arrested and some deported.

● A trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia was held in Ankara (pictured below). The ministers discussed strategic cooperation and signed a joint protocol. At a joint press conference, they declared that “a new era has begun in the South Caucasus — one based on peace, stability, and cooperation.” Separate bilateral meetings were also held between Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and his counterparts Zakir Hasanov and Irakli Chikovani.

● An international conference titled “Joining Efforts and Expanding Cooperation to Address the Issue of Missing Persons” was held in Baku. It was organized by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons and attended by International Commission on Missing Persons Director-General Kathryne Bomberger, International Institute of Humanitarian Law President Giorgio Battisti, and representatives from Georgia, Croatia, Turkey, Moldova, and other countries. During the event, Azerbaijan’s State Commission signed a cooperation memorandum with the Institute for Missing Persons of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

● The trial of former leaders of the now-defunct self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continued in Baku. They face charges including war crimes, terrorism, and attempts to overthrow the state. According to the state news agency AZERTAC, the court examined evidence showing that “Armenia made significant efforts to recruit foreign citizens to fight during the Second Karabakh War in 2020 on Azerbaijan’s then-occupied territories to compensate for military losses.” “The Armenian government and diaspora groups abroad actively urged members of Armenian communities to join the fighting. Fundraising and mobilization campaigns were organized overseas. As a result, foreign militants from France, the United States, Syria, Russia, and other countries took part in the hostilities. The VoMA military training center in Yerevan, ASALA, and other terrorist organizations were involved,” AZERTAC reported.

The prosecution said the funding for these mercenaries came mainly from donations sent from Russia, as well as from the United States, France, Austria, and Lebanon, with additional support from Armenian business circles. The court also reviewed evidence of Armenian shelling of civilian areas in Azerbaijan’s Tovuz and Gazakh districts in July 2020, which killed more than ten civilians. The trial will resume on October 10.

● Prominent Georgian poet and translator Zviad Ratiani has been sentenced to two years in prison on charges of “resisting, threatening, or using violence against a public official.” “We live in an absurdity created by one man and his entourage. Everything is turned upside down: the victim becomes the guilty one. Whatever the verdict, it’s conditional and inverted,” Ratiani said in court.

He was detained in June during a protest after slapping a police officer. The poet called it a “symbolic act” prompted by the arrest of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who was also sentenced to prison for slapping a policeman.

● Meanwhile, Mzia Amaghlobeli has been named one of the winners of the prestigious World Press Freedom Hero 2025 award, the International Press Institute (IPI) announced. The award, established by IPI in partnership with the International Media Support (IMS), annually recognizes journalists who have demonstrated resilience and unwavering commitment to freedom of expression.

This year’s laureates also include Martin Baron (USA), Mariam Abu Daga (Palestine, posthumously), Gustavo Gorriti (Peru), Jimmy Lai (Hong Kong), Viktoria Roshchina (Ukraine, posthumously), and Tesfalem Waldyes (Ethiopia).

● Former deputy head of the Penitentiary Department Giorgi Kemoklidze has been arrested on suspicion of colluding with imprisoned financier Giorgi Bachiashvili. Investigators claim that Kemoklidze—possibly in exchange for a bribe—helped Bachiashvili stage a beating at Gldani Prison to use the incident “for self-promotion and pressure on the victims,” as well as in possible international court proceedings. According to the State Security Service, in June Kemoklidze unofficially placed two specially selected inmates in Bachiashvili’s cell to stage an attack, but the plan failed. Later, under his orders, another inmate was transferred to Bachiashvili’s cell, and a physical altercation followed. The service says the story about the “beaten inmate” was circulated in the media in Bachiashvili’s interests. A day before Kemoklidze’s arrest, the former head of Gldani Prison David Gogoberishvili, who had been dismissed following the beating scandal, was found dead in his garage in Tbilisi. Preliminary reports suggest suicide.

Bachiashvili is serving an 11-year sentence for allegedly embezzling up to $1 billion from cryptocurrency investments linked to billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. He denies the charges, calling the case politically motivated and aimed at punishing him for criticizing Ivanishvili and the ruling party, which he says is increasingly aligning itself with Russia.

● U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen have warned President Donald Trump against reconsidering relations with Georgia, which had been downgraded by the previous administration. “Let’s be clear: it is Georgian Dream, not the United States, that undermines democracy in Georgia and its ability to determine its own future. We welcome the State Department’s decision to summon the Georgian ambassador to discuss these troubling developments and urge the Trump administration to consider the government’s recent actions before making any changes to bilateral relations. We reaffirm our unwavering, bipartisan support for the people of Georgia, who simply want to exercise their right to self-determination,” the senators said in a joint statement.

● The ruling Georgian Dream party responded by claiming that the senators were “speaking for the deep state. The party’s secretary-general and Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze said: “These people are under the influence of the ‘global war party.’ We’ve said it before and will say it again: we support President Trump in his fight against the deep state. Whether he succeeds—we’ll see. Meanwhile, we’re ready to start relations from a clean slate. This is our message and our wish—to reset cooperation based on friendship and partnership. And of course, it must be mutual, not one-sided.”

● The National Communications Commission has accused opposition broadcaster Formula of violating a law that bans foreign financing of media outlets. According to the regulator, Formula Multimedia received a 1.34 million lari ($480,000) loan in the second quarter of 2025 from Cyprus-based INFINITY CV GROUP CY LTD, after which it lent 463,000 lari to its parent company. The commission issued a written warning to Formula and demanded that it cease cooperation with the foreign creditor. Similar notices were sent to the journalists’ union radio station Voice of the People, Radio-TV Nori, and Gamma System.

●  In Tbilisi, well-known pediatrician and cardiologist Giorgi Chakhunashvili has been detained in connection with unrest in the capital on October 4, the day of the municipal elections. Dozens of police officers reportedly took part in the 71-year-old doctor’s arrest.

●  The Interior Ministry says that in connection with the October 4 protests—which the authorities describe as an attempted coup—eight more people were detained over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of arrests to 44.

● Three Polish citizens, including two border guards, were injured in Tbilisi, according to Polish media. All were hospitalized. The Georgian Interior Ministry confirmed the attack, saying two suspects had been arrested, one of whom had a prior record for serious crimes. Read more here

● The EU’s growing engagement in the South Caucasus and Central Asia comes at a critical moment, and Armenia is ready to act as a bridge between the regions, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the second International “Global Gateway” Forum in Brussels. He stressed that Armenia’s ties with the EU have never been closer and that the deepening partnership offers unique opportunities for strategic participation in initiatives such as “Global Gateway” and the “Black Sea Strategy.”

● A group of displaced people from Karabakh staged a protest outside the Armenian government, opposing the authorities’ position on their return to the region. The demonstration followed a recent statement by Pashinyan that the future of Karabakh Armenians lies in Armenia and that returning to Karabakh is unrealistic. The protesters insist they should have the right to decide their own future.

● Armenian lawmakers will travel to Istanbul for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session from November 16 to 20. The delegation will include Sargis Handanyan, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee; Artur Ovannisyan, secretary of the ruling party faction; and his colleagues Maria Karapetyan and Lilit Minasyan.

● The Nubarashen landfill in Yerevan caught fire again overnight  (pictured below), sending a plume of smoke visible from a distance.

● The son of opposition MP Armenui Kyuregyan has been killed on the Ukrainian front. According to media reports, the 28-year-old served as a military doctor and died in early August, but his body was only recently recovered.

● Giorgi Kinoian, who fought with the Ukrainian armed forces and was arrested in Armenia, has been released, the Vanadzor Office of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly reported. Kinoian, a Georgian citizen, had been placed on Russia’s international wanted list and was detained in Armenia in early September.

● Prime Minister Pashinyan has traveled to Tajikistan to attend the CIS leaders’ summit in Dushanbe.

● Azerbaijan is erasing traces of Armenian presence in Karabakh, Meduza reports. Buildings that once housed the Karabakh parliament and foreign ministry have been demolished, along with villages, cemeteries, and several churches where Armenians once lived.

● Food prices in Armenia are rising at a faster pace, the Eurasian Development Bank reports. Year-on-year inflation for September reached 5.8%, up from 4.9% in August, driven by international food price trends.

●  Passenger numbers at Zvartnots Airport have exceeded forecasts over the past two years, surpassing 5.5 million annually, Forbes reports, quoting Armenia International Airports CEO Marcelo Wende. Plans are underway to double the airport’s size over the next decade with a $500 million investment. Boarding gates will increase from six to sixteen.

●  “It’s time to make Armenia a place not only where code is written, but also where fully competitive products are designed, manufactured, and exported,” wrote Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Ayrapetyan on Facebook.

● Armenian Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan met with Representative Frank Pallone, co-chair of the Armenian Issues Committee, to discuss the bilateral agenda and ways to strengthen the partnership.

● Defense Minister Suren Papikyan received newly appointed British Ambassador Alexandra Caul. The two discussed defense cooperation as well as regional and international security issues.

●  The European Union is reportedly weighing sanctions against two pro-government Georgian TV channels — Imedi TV and POSTV — accusing them of spreading Russian propaganda. The proposal, drafted by the European External Action Service (EEAS), envisions freezing the broadcasters’ assets, banning their owners from entering the EU, and blocking their broadcasts within the bloc as part of sanctions targeting Russian hybrid operations. However, the initiative has divided EU member states. Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Italy, and Greece argue that such measures would restrict freedom of speech and reveal Brussels’ double standards, while Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the Netherlands support the sanctions. The EU Council’s legal service has expressed doubts that the existing evidence sufficiently proves the channels’ ties to the Kremlin. The EEAS continues gathering additional data to strengthen the case and secure broader backing among member states.

●  Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the recent OSCE/ODIHR statement on Georgia as “absurd,” accusing the organization of spreading “Goebbels-style propaganda” in Europe. “Shameful lies and statements coming from the European bureaucracy are a continuation of Goebbels’ propaganda. I want to remind everyone — Goebbels was also part of Europe. We must not allow Goebbels-style propaganda to return to Europe 80 years later,” Kobakhidze said. The ODIHR expressed concern over violence during the October 4 municipal election protests in Tbilisi, urging Georgian authorities to respect freedom of assembly and expression and noting pressure on the opposition and civil society.

● Germany’s ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, condemned Kobakhidze’s comparison. “I repeat what I have said here before: Germany objects to use of terms and comparisons related to Nazi-Germany that are historically, politically and morally wrong because they demean the victims and raise false implications,” Fischer wrote on X.

● The Interior Ministry reported the detention of 12 more people in connection with the October 4 protests, bringing the total number of arrested participants to 35.

● PM Kobakhidze hinted that detentions will continue. “Of course, this number will increase… This is important for prevention. There are shameless criminals who belong where they should be, and we will see the investigation through to the end,” he said

● Participants of the protest movement in Tbilisi announced a “new phase of resistance” and unveiled their action plan. They intend to expand their activities to the regions, markets, and public transport, while also intensifying a digital campaign against government propaganda. “Now more than ever, it is necessary to broaden and strengthen the protest and jointly counter propaganda by all possible means,” the organizers said, vowing to continue “until all political prisoners are freed and justice is restored.”

● Georgian citizen and Ukraine war volunteer Giorgi Kinoyan has been freed after Armenia refused to extradite him to Russia, ruling that such a move would “pose a threat to his safety.” Georgian border guards had previously allowed Kinoyan to cross into Armenia without informing him that he was wanted by Russia under a “red notice.” An Armenian court is now to decide on the extradition of another Georgian fighter in Ukraine, Vano Sabashvili, who was detained on September 9 at the Armenian border. Friends of Sabashvili say he was unaware that he was under international search at Moscow’s request.

● FIFA has fined the Football Federation of Armenia $15,000 following the national team’s match against Portugal in Yerevan. The sanction comes after fans attempted to storm the pitch and used fireworks and other pyrotechnics during the game.

● Yesterday, on the 2,710th anniversary of Etchmiadzin’s founding, Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan visited the Cathedral. The visit sparked criticism on social media, with users questioning why the politician recorded the visit on video amid the government’s ongoing policies toward religious institutions. “People come to the cathedral to pray, not to stage demonstrative scenes,” said Esai Artenyan, director of the Information System of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin.

● At a session marking the Day of the Investigative Committee, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighted “cases of treason among military personnel”. “Then people ask: how could this happen? These cases are investigated in secret, and trials are held behind closed doors, but those with access to the information understand that the problem exists. It reflects challenges both at the individual level and within society and the state system,” Pashinyan said.

● Armenian citizen Armen Balyan was sentenced in Russia to 12 years in a high-security prison for fighting on Ukraine’s side. He was detained last year at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport. Balyan told authorities that after being wounded multiple times, he deserted and left Ukraine. Russian authorities have also seized over 2.3 million rubles (about $24 000),he earned while serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

● The prime ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are scheduled to participate in the “Tbilisi Silk Road Forum” on October 22–23.

●  Armenian Economy Minister Gevork Papoyan met with Figen Ilgaz, Vice President of Starbucks-Alshaya Group Eurasia, and real estate director Hanzade Kugi to discuss Starbucks’ potential entry into the Armenian market. The talks covered opportunities for developing the café sector, improving infrastructure, trends in local coffee consumption, and market growth potential. Papoyan emphasized the government’s support for the company’s expansion, noting that the move could also boost tourism in Armenia.

●  On October 8, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II met with former Karabakhi officials and politicins. The discussion focused on addressing the challenges faced by “Karabakh Armenians deprived of their homeland” and protecting the rights of Armenians in the region.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has departed for Brussels to attend the second international “Global Portal” conference.

● Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and representatives from the French embassy discussed a project to establish volunteer rescue units. The initiative is aimed at improving rapid response capabilities in crisis situations, assessing risks and needs, and enhancing the country’s civil defense capacity.

● A meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia is scheduled to take place today in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, within the framework of the “Central Asia – Russia” summit and the CIS Heads of State Council. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “The very fact of the meeting shows the leaders’ intention to discuss all current issues. The Russian side views it positively.” Peskov also called Ilham Aliyev’s October 7 birthday call to Vladimir Putin “important.”

Earlier, Putin acknowledged problems in Russia-Azerbaijan relations. Observers noted that at a recent international forum in China, the two presidents exchanged only a silent handshake.

Tensions escalated sharply after Russian air defenses shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane, killing more than 30 people. Baku has unsuccessfully demanded an official apology, accountability, and compensation. In June, relations worsened again when Russian special forces carried out an operation against local Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, killing two people and detaining about ten others with excessive force. Many members of the Azerbaijani diaspora were later arrested or deported.

● The trial of activists charged in a criminal case against several local and international NGOs has begun. All detainees are accused of fraud, embezzlement, and other crimes — charges carrying up to 12 years in prison. They deny wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated.

● On October 8, the court heard the case of Galib Bayramov (Togrul), head of the Center for Economic Research. His lawyer requested the case be dropped, citing lack of evidence. The prosecutor objected, and the court rejected the motion, keeping Bayramov in pretrial detention.

● Today, the trial begins for Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Civil Rights Institute.

● On October 13, the trial will begin for women’s rights activist Nargiz Mukhtarova, wife of journalist Farid Mehralizade from Radio Liberty, who was sentenced to nine years in the “AbzasMedia” corruption case. Mehralizade and others deny the charges, calling them punishment for investigative journalism.

Arrests in the NGO case began in March. Among those detained are election monitor Mamed Alpay, activist Asaf Akhmedov, social workers Zamin Zaki and Akhmed Mamedzade, as well as NGO leaders Hafiz Gasanov and Mehriban Ragimli, a local advisor to the German Marshall Fund. Several others remain wanted.

● A trilateral meeting of defense ministers from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia is being prepared in Ankara to discuss strategic cooperation, with a joint declaration expected.

● Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a new stage in relations with the U.S. after his Washington visit, stressing progress on resolving disputes. “Technical meetings are ongoing at all levels. We hope the F-35 issue will be resolved and U.S. sanctions lifted,” he said.

● Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka told the pro-government outlet Report that the Middle Corridor is strategically important as a Eurasian transit route bypassing Russia. He noted Czech involvement in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and said Czech companies are exploring new partnerships with Azerbaijan and others.

● Russia has proposed that the Caspian states — Azerbaijan, Iran, and Kazakhstan — hold joint naval exercises in 2026.

● Naval commanders of the Caspian countries met in St. Petersburg to discuss regional maritime security and cooperation.

● The closing ceremony of the 3rd CIS Games took place in Ganja, with 1,624 athletes and 2,337 participants from 13 countries.

● Azerbaijan’s cybercrime unit detained five people accused of running illegal online casinos linked to foreign sites. They allegedly used social media pages under names like Ambassador, Casino 555, VIP 888, and Shangrila to attract players. Gambling has been banned in Azerbaijan since 1998, but local media report that the country’s first legal casino will soon open at the Sea Breeze resort near Baku — a project owned by Emin Agalarov, the former presidential son-in-law — under full state control.

● The European Parliament has approved new rules that simplify the process of suspending visa liberalization for citizens of third countries. According to Radio Liberty, European diplomats note that the adoption of these new rules is partly related to Georgia. More details about what the new rules mean can be found here

● Member of the European Parliament Rasa Juknevičienė wrote on X: “We discussed with Commissioner Marta Kos and colleagues the worsening situation in Georgia. We will review the visa-free regime, fight disinformation, and support civil society. Unfortunately, the time may come when we will have to question Georgia’s candidate status. Sadly.”

● The U.S. Department of State confirmed that it requested a meeting with Georgia’s ambassador to Washington, Tamar Taliashvili, to protest against disinformation spread by Georgian government officials. The issue concerns statements made by representatives of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party and a report by the pro-government TV channel Imedi, which claimed that “revolutionary activity” in Georgia was being financed from Thailand through organizations allegedly linked to the U.S. Embassy. The State Department called these claims false, clarifying that the transactions in question were routine financial transfers by the U.S. Global Financial Services Center in Bangkok — payments of salaries and fees to American and local staff, contractors, and partners. These operations, Washington emphasized, are fully transparent and lawful. “Instead of clarifying the details, Georgian officials spread false information, escalating threats and pressure on current and former U.S. Embassy employees in Tbilisi,” said a State Department letter obtained by the independent outlet Netgazeti.

Earlier reports stated that Taliashvili had been summoned to the State Department, where officials expressed “deep concern” over the accusations of “funding a revolution from Thailand.” Tbilisi did not deny that the meeting took place but tried to portray it as a “regular working conversation” rather than a diplomatic measure.

● The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed “serious concern over the violent protests following the recent municipal elections in Georgia” and the “rapid deterioration of democracy and human rights in the country.” ODIHR Director Maria Telalian urged Georgian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression: “Peaceful protesters in Georgia continue to face arrests and fines for exercising their rights. Authorities must fulfill their OSCE and international obligations.” ODIHR also reminded that the “foreign agents” law and other restrictions undermine civil society and called on Tbilisi to repeal these measures.

● The court has placed members of the October 4 protest coordination group — when demonstrators attempted to storm the presidential palace — in pretrial detention. Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Mandjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze are charged under Articles 222 (attempted group seizure or blockade of strategic or high-security sites), 225 (organization or participation in mass violence), and 317 (calls for violent change of the constitutional order or overthrow of the Georgian government). They face up to nine years in prison.

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the detention of four more individuals in connection with the October 4 protests. In total, 22 participants have been arrested, and three remain wanted.

● The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned foreign ambassadors accredited in the country following the events of October 4 to “provide them with objective information” about what happened and to urge them to condemn the “violent actions of the protesters.” One of the participants in the meeting, EU Ambassador Paweł Herczyński — a frequent critic of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party and, in turn, often accused by it of “interfering in the country’s internal affairs” — left the meeting without comment, telling journalists only that the EU’s position had already been outlined in the official statement by High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos.

In their joint statement published on October 5, Kos and Kallas called on all sides to refrain from violence, emphasized the need for dialogue involving all political forces and civil society representatives, and firmly condemned “disinformation about the EU’s role in Georgia and any personal attacks against the EU ambassador.”

● Participants of the ongoing protest movement in Tbilisi announced a new march for today. It is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. from the Shota Rustaveli monument. Organizers said the protests should take place “in a more diverse and creative form.”

● In Kareli, a father assaulted his daughter after she refused to marry a man he had chosen for her, according to the local outlet Mozaika. The girl was hospitalized with injuries. An investigation has been launched under the article on “domestic violence.”

● The signing of a peace agreement, if it takes place, would be a positive step, but without international guarantees, it has limited value, former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan (is considered a pro-Russian politician) said at a press conference. He recalled that Armenia did not formally participate in the war, and therefore “it is unclear what exactly the peace treaty should cover.” Read more here

● “The page of Artsakh is not closed,” said Armenia’s third president, Serzh Sargsyan (is considered a pro-Russian politician). “Artsakh will remain Armenian if it remains Armenian in our minds,” he emphasized while speaking to journalists.

● The EU is tightening border crossing rules for foreign nationals, including citizens of Armenia. At EU and Schengen border checkpoints, an electronic entry-exit system will replace passport stamps. The system will automatically verify entry rights and compliance with the “90 days within 180 days” rule for short-term stays.

● Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Paruyr Hovhannisyan, speaking at the UN Security Council debate on “Women, Peace, and Security,” reaffirmed the country’s commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in peace and security processes. He presented Armenia’s third National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations.

● The British Ambassador to Armenia, Alexandra Cole, met with Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan. After the meeting, the diplomat wrote on X: “Our cooperation in education is delivering results and strengthening the strategic partnership between our countries.”

● The organizers of the Gender Party event at the Shaki Waterfall have been fined 80,000 drams (about $200). According to Naira Aghababyan, spokesperson for the Environmental and Subsoil Inspection Body, “for violating the regime of a specially protected natural area, the citizen was held administratively liable.” Earlier, on October 5, during the party, a resident of Sisian used food dye, causing the waterfall’s water to temporarily turn pink.

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, congratulating him on his birthday and wishing him success. Pashinyan emphasized the importance of further developing bilateral relations and praised Putin’s personal contribution to this process.

● Ambassadors accredited in Armenia visited the Megerian Carpet Museum. During the visit, the diplomats learned about the history and traditions of Armenian carpet weaving and took part in a masterclass on baking lavash and preparing traditional dishes.

● During the October 2 meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Copenhagen, the use of the term “Zangezur Corridor” was discussed. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, stressed that the Azerbaijani president’s remarks “do not relate in any way to the territory of the Republic of Armenia.”

● The former chief engineer of the Yerevan Metro has been declared wanted in Armenia, accused of embezzling about $52,000. According to investigators, on April 30, 2021, the metro’s management signed contracts with several individuals for the repair and modernization of train cars, but the work was never completed. Eight people are involved in the case, and the property of six has been seized.

● Senior U.S. Senator and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jeanne Shaheen called for the release of journalists imprisoned in Azerbaijan, including those who worked with U.S.-affiliated media. Shaheen said she viewed this as part of a new stage in U.S.-Azerbaijani relations that began after the August 8 summit in Washington involving the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia with Donald Trump’s participation. “Congress believes a new stage in relations with Azerbaijan is possible. However, this stage must also include the release of those unjustly detained, including Farid, Ulviya, and Alesker. The only ‘crime’ of these individuals is cooperation with the United States, and continuing their persecution contradicts the spirit of the new partnership. Congress will play a key role in implementing the new Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership with Azerbaijan. Many of my colleagues and I want to see real progress in the field of human rights,” the senator said.

Last month, letters from Jeanne Shaheen were delivered to three imprisoned journalists in Baku — Farid Mehrailzade (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty), former Voice of America correspondent Ulviya Ali, and lawyer and deputy project director at IREX and Internews Alesker Mammadli. In her letters, Shaheen reaffirmed her efforts to secure their release and expressed hope to meet them soon at the U.S. Senate.

● The Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan has published a new list of “prisoners of conscience,” naming 392 people. Leyla Yunus, director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy, and Elshan Hasanov, head of the Center for Monitoring Political Prisoners, said the list was compiled according to the criteria for “political prisoners” established by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. A similar list published in June included 375 names. The updated list contains 12 categories, including 31 journalists and bloggers, 7 human rights defenders, 39 activists, 2 anti-war advocates, and 249 representatives of religious groups, among others. There has been no official comment on the list. Azerbaijani authorities have repeatedly denied the existence of political prisoners, asserting that all individuals were convicted for criminal offenses. The last two presidential pardon decrees did not include anyone considered a political prisoner.

● The summit of the heads of state of the Organization of Turkic States, focused on “Regional Peace and Security,” has concluded. The prime minister of Hungary and the presidents of Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and other leaders attended the event in Azerbaijan. The Gabala Declaration was signed at the conclusion.

● President Ilham Aliyev said at the summit: “Azerbaijan has implemented many important investment projects with member countries of the Organization of Turkic States. More than $20 billion has been invested, most of it in Turkey. Joint investment funds have been created with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.”

● Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated: “Turkey views the Washington Declaration by Azerbaijan and Armenia as a positive step and hopes for further progress in the peace process in the South Caucasus. We can contribute to the region’s security and stability.”

● Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán summarized his impressions of the forum on X: “At the 12th OTS summit, Hungary and the Turkic states once again reaffirmed their commitment to peace. While the EU is engaged in war on the Ukrainian front, we stand together for dialogue and lasting peace.”

● EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono met with officials from the German Foreign Ministry to discuss the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. “An excellent and detailed discussion […] Europe remains a key player in the region, promoting dialogue and engagement,” the German MFA said in a statement.

● Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković arrived in Azerbaijan on an official visit, accompanied by a delegation of government officials.

● The trial continues in the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, a citizen of Armenia and former state minister of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, who is currently in pretrial detention. He is accused of torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other offenses. According to the state news agency AZERTAC, “the court heard testimonies from victims and relatives of those killed, kidnapped, or tortured during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenian forces.” Vardanyan asked several witnesses, “Do you know me personally?” The victims replied that they knew him from social media. The next court hearing is scheduled for October 14.

● Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze threatened participants of the protests on Rustaveli Avenue. “Let them wait for our systematic and methodical steps. We will not allow 100 or 150 people to mock a country of four million. When a hundred disgraceful foreign agents attack the economy and national interests of four million people — we will not tolerate it under any circumstances. Zero sympathy for these people,” he said on the pro-government TV channel Rustavi 2. He did not rule out that the authorities might restrict public gatherings. “Protests can be limited under the law and international standards if they fail to attract a sufficient number of participants,” he added.

● Meanwhile, on the 312th consecutive day of protests, demonstrators again blocked Rustaveli Avenue — defying government threats of new arrests following the October 4 events. That day, a mass anti-government rally coinciding with local elections ended with an attempt to storm the presidential palace and police intervention. Authorities later declared that “any street gathering in the coming days will be interpreted as a continuation of the October 4 unrest.”

● As of now, 13 people have been detained and two others are wanted in connection with the October 4 events, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze announced. The investigation is being conducted under Criminal Code Articles 222 (attempted group seizure or blockade of strategic or high-importance sites), 225 (organization, leadership, or participation in mass violence), and 317 (calls for the violent overthrow of Georgia’s constitutional order or government). The charges carry sentences of up to nine years in prison.

● European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper commented on the October 4 elections: “We witnessed elections held amid harsh repression of the media, civil society, and opposition parties. We also saw low voter turnout and an opposition boycott. The Georgian government failed to invite OSCE and ODIHR observers in time, which undermined transparency and trust in the democratic process. We also observed the Georgian government spreading Russian-style propaganda — a textbook example of disinformation — and attacking our ambassador, whom we fully support. At the same time, we condemn all forms of violence from any side. The European Union has always called for peaceful protests and demonstrations as a universal right, and we condemn any violence.”

Asked about Georgian Dream’s claim that Georgia remains on its path toward the EU and will join by 2030, Hipper said:
“We are witnessing a major democratic backslide in Georgia. The EU has minimized all political contacts with Georgian Dream. We continue to support independent media and civil society. As for EU accession, EU leaders have made it clear: the process is merit-based — but right now, we see the Georgian government putting that path at risk.”

● Earlier, European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos issued a joint statement on the elections in Georgia. They said the vote took place amid widespread suppression of dissent, with the government failing to invite international observers in time or implement recommendations that could have improved the electoral and political environment.

●  In response, Kakha Kaladze, Secretary General of Georgian Dream and newly re-elected Tbilisi Mayor for a third term, said:
“The European Union is of no interest at all. What matters most to me is His Majesty, the Georgian people. You must understand one thing — the true masters of this country are its ordinary citizens, the people you see here, not some ‘Kallases’ or outsiders.”

●  The ruling Georgian Dream party hopes to “reset” relations with the Czech Republic following the recent parliamentary elections there. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze congratulated eurosceptic billionaire Andrej Babiš, whose right-wing populist party ANO won over a third of the vote in the Czech elections. “Georgia looks forward to renewing the partnership and further deepening ties between our peoples,” Kobakhidze wrote on X. Until now, the Czech Republic had been one of the harshest critics of Georgian Dream. In September, Prague imposed sanctions on five “representatives of the Georgian regime,” including a deputy interior minister, three judges, and a prosecutor.

●  Meanwhile, the Czech Foreign Ministry described Georgia’s municipal elections as “a step backward for democracy,” highlighting the lack of freedom and transparency in the voting process, and urged the authorities to respect freedom of assembly and expression and to maintain calm in the post-election period.

●  The Latvian Foreign Ministry stated that the October 4 elections could not be considered free or democratic and called on Georgian Dream to release “all those unlawfully detained.”

●  Another statement from Irakli Kobakhidze: “EU countries are losing their identity. The only one consistently defending itself is Hungary. There are perhaps one or two others that somehow preserve their national and religious identity. The rest have long lost their bearings. So it is no surprise that European bureaucrats are indifferent not only to their own but also to Georgia’s national interests.”

●  Grigory Karasin, head of the Russian Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, again praised the actions of the Georgian Dream government, saying that “the attempt to repeat a Maidan has completely failed,” and that “Georgia has grown stronger, matured, and calmly responds to all provocations and intrigues.”

●  The Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists expressed concern over assaults and threats by court bailiffs of the Tbilisi City Court against journalists from the TV channels Formula and Publika. Formula journalist Natali Jakhutashvili reported that during a hearing in the case of opposition coalition member Gela Khasaia, a bailiff seized her phone and later returned it damaged. Publika journalist Mindia Gabadze said that bailiff David Matiashvili had repeatedly threatened him with physical violence.

●  Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau has gained access to the personal bank accounts of leaders of the opposition movement “Freedom Square.” One of them, Simon Janashia, called the authorities’ actions “outright cynicism”: “They refuse to register us as a party, yet treat us like one — on what grounds?” he said, pledging to appeal the bureau’s decision. The “Freedom Square” movement was founded ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. The Justice Ministry has already twice refused to register it as a political party.

●  A second Georgian citizen who fought for Ukraine now faces extradition from Armenia to Russia. On September 9, while traveling to Armenia for work, Vano Sabashvili crossed the Georgian border but was detained on the Armenian side. The decision on his extradition to Russia will be made by an Armenian court. Russia has 40 days to submit evidence supporting the charges against him. Another Georgian fighter, Giorgi Kinoyan, remains in custody in Armenia awaiting a ruling on extradition to Russia.

●  In the village of Ferma, Kaspi Municipality, a 12-year-old student injured a classmate with a sharp object — reportedly a blade. According to the outlet Mozaika, the school administration tried to conceal the incident. The injured student has since been released from the hospital.

● The Prime Minister of Hungary and the Presidents of Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and other leaders arrived in Azerbaijan to attend the 12th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States on October 6–7. The theme of the summit is “Regional Peace and Security.” This year, Azerbaijan assumes the chairmanship from Kyrgyzstan.

The organization currently includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan as full members. Turkmenistan, Hungary, and Northern Cyprus hold observer status. The organization’s headquarters are in Istanbul.

● Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, after meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, wrote on X: “Always a pleasure to see a friend.”

● The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) announced that its representatives visited Azerbaijan from September 22 to October 3 — the committee’s sixth visit to the country. The purpose was to examine conditions of detention and the treatment of people held in police custody and prisons. The delegation also reviewed how psychiatric patients are treated, their legal safeguards, and living conditions. It further assessed steps taken by Azerbaijani authorities following recommendations from previous visits. Meetings were held with several government officials, and the delegation presented its preliminary observations.

In July last year, the CPT stated that Azerbaijan was not cooperating with the committee. In 2022, it released a special report citing serious allegations of mistreatment and even torture by law enforcement officials against detainees. The report said that while evidence of such abuse had previously been shared with the Interior Ministry, no recommendations were implemented. Azerbaijani authorities typically deny allegations of torture or ill-treatment in detention facilities.

● The Baku City Executive Authority denied social media claims that architectural monuments in the central district known as “Sovetski” were being demolished. “Only buildings in dangerous condition are being dismantled. Around 150 historical structures in the area are being preserved, and demolition is carried out to avoid damaging them. After unsafe buildings are removed, the remaining architectural sites will be restored and reinforced. Residents are compensated at market value for their property. All work is conducted in full compliance with the law and under the supervision of a special commission,” the statement said.

● The trial of former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continues. They are charged with war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government, and other serious offenses. According to the state news agency AZERTAC, the court reaffirmed that the order to strike the Azerbaijani city of Ganja during the Second Karabakh War in autumn 2020 came from Armenia’s leadership. Documents and testimonies presented in court confirmed that missile attacks on Ganja on October 4, 5, 8, 11, and 17, 2020, killed 26 civilians, including six minors, and injured 175 others. The attacks caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure and residential buildings. Investigators determined that the October 11 strike involved a Soviet-made 9K72 Elbrus ballistic missile manufactured after 1978.

The court also examined data on other missile attacks during the same period, including on the city of Barda — outside the conflict zone — which killed 29 people, wounded 112, and caused major damage to civilian infrastructure and housing. The trial will continue on October 9.

● Filing personal income tax declarations will be simplified. Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Commission on Economic Affairs Babken Tunyan announced that lawmakers plan to submit the relevant bill for an extraordinary session and adopt it before November 1 — the deadline for filing declarations. If a citizen has no income other than that already known to the State Revenue Committee, they will not need to fill out the declaration: after November 1, the automatically generated version will be considered final. The simplification will not apply to citizens with additional income unknown to the committee.

● Relatives of missing soldiers Arsen Gukasyan and Abidjan Sargsyan were detained in connection with the September 29 scuffle near the Defense Ministry building. Their lawyer, Tatevik Sogoyan, said a request for their arrest has been submitted to the court. The detainees took part in a protest outside the Ministry of Defense, where clashes with law enforcement occurred. The families demanded a meeting with the Chief of the General Staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces, Eduard Asryan, and clarification on the fate of their sons.

● The Armenian Foreign Ministry said it does not consider the incident in Bulgaria a “diplomatic scandal.” Earlier, media reported that a delegation from the Ani community in Shirak Province, visiting at the invitation of Novi Pazar Mayor Georgi Georgiev, was subjected to a humiliating security search — forced to undress and held in official premises for several hours.

● Former ombudsman Arman Tatoyan announced his intention to enter politics. In a video message, he said society is being trapped between “two false choices,” fueling apathy and hostility. “Human rights work no longer brings results. I want to use politics to unite people for real peace and change,” Tatoyan stated.

● A fire broke out in the basement of a Yerevan hotel. One person was hospitalized, and 30 others were evacuated, the Armenian Interior Ministry reported.

● The organizer of the “Gender Party” at the Shaki Waterfall has been identified. According to the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, on October 5 a resident of Sisian, A.O., colored the water using food dye. Samples have been taken for analysis, and damage to water resources is being assessed. The offender has been fined administratively.

A gender reveal party at the popular Shaki Waterfall in Armenia, one of Syunik’s protected natural sites, ended in scandal.

The water was dyed a bright pink, suggesting the couple is expecting a girl. But the celebration sparked a wave of criticism: social media users complained… pic.twitter.com/wmPMSQgAOu

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) October 6, 2025

● Municipal elections in Georgia took place amid a boycott by most opposition parties and a large-scale protest involving tens of thousands of people who refused to participate, claiming the results were predetermined and falsified. Several politicians called for a “peaceful revolution and peaceful change of power” during the protest on the evening of October 4 and were arrested on the spot. Read more here

● At the same time, clashes with police broke out near the presidential palace as thousands protested on Rustaveli Avenue. Some demonstrators attempted to break into the palace, tearing down fences and setting up barricades. Special forces used water cannons and tear gas. More than 20 people were injured, most of them police officers, according to the Interior Ministry. Over ten people were detained.

● The State Security Service reported discovering weapons near Tbilisi that were allegedly intended for unrest on election day, October 4. “With the use of large quantities of firearms, ammunition, and explosives with detonators, sabotage acts were planned to coincide with the organized group violence and the attempt to seize the presidential palace,” Deputy Head of the SSS Lasha Maghradze said. One person accused of preparing a detonation device has been detained, and the search for others continues.

● Incumbent mayor Kakha Kaladze (in office since 2017) from the ruling Georgian Dream party won the Tbilisi mayoral election with 71.621% of the vote. Irakli Kupradze, representing the opposition parties Strong Georgia and Gakharia for Georgia, received 12.275%, while Iago Khvichia, leader of the opposition party Girchi, received 7.624%. Only these three opposition parties participated in the elections, which saw a turnout of about 41%.

● “The municipal elections in Georgia took place on Saturday amid large-scale repression against dissent,” reads a joint statement by EU High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Várhelyi.

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling Georgian Dream party said that “Saturday’s rally aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order in Georgia was directly supported by foreign citizens and diplomats.” He specifically accused EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski of supporting violence and demanded that he “openly condemn the attempted coup.” “Georgia is not a country that will allow foreign intelligence services to overthrow its government,” Kobakhidze said.

● In Russia, pro-government politicians voiced strong support for the Georgian Dream. Russian Senator Alexei Pushkov supported Kobakhidze’s statement, writing: “This is a provable accusation. It’s not just the EU ambassador in Georgia who feels obliged to organize an ‘orange revolution’ in any country that refuses to follow the West’s directives. We can recall Michael McFaul, the former U.S. ambassador to Russia, who was more interested in ‘developing democracy’ and meeting opposition leaders than in improving international relations.”

● Viktor Vodolatsky, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Eurasian Integration, also supported the Georgian Dream. “Georgia is under attack by the EU and Western NGOs because it has decided to free itself from the network of nationalist structures controlling the European Union. Therefore, all EU resources are now aimed at igniting a civil war in Georgia to stage a ‘Maidan’ like in Ukraine,” Vodolatsky said.

● Russian presidential envoy for international economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev drew parallels between the events in Georgia and protests in the United States, comparing the large-scale October 4 protest in Tbilisi with anti-Trump rallies in Oregon. “It’s the same scenario that leftists and globalists repeatedly use to incite violent protests, undermine governments, and attack the rule of law. It is now unfolding in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Portland, Oregon,” Dmitriev wrote.

● “Any gathering held on Georgian territory in the coming days will be considered a continuation of yesterday’s attempted coup. We urge everyone to take this into account and refrain from any actions that may lead to legal consequences,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Nevertheless, a new protest rally took place in front of Parliament on Sunday, the day after the elections.

● Another Georgian citizen who fought for Ukraine, Vano Sabashvili, faces extradition from Armenia to Russia. His friends said Sabashvili did not know that Moscow had placed him on an international wanted list. He was detained by Armenian authorities on September 9 after crossing the Georgian border without issue. Sabashvili served in the Georgian armed forces for eight years and fought in Ukraine as part of the International Legion during the early stages of Russia’s invasion. Later, a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic sentenced him in absentia for fighting on Ukraine’s side. Another Georgian citizen, Giorgi Kinoyan, has been under arrest in Armenia for several weeks, also awaiting a court decision on Russia’s extradition request.

● In Tbilisi, a 33-year-old Georgian citizen, M.G., was arrested for injuring a police officer on duty.

● Nineteen-year-old Mariam Robakidze, who was severely injured in a gas explosion in the Lotkini district on the outskirts of Tbilisi on the night of September 24, has died in hospital.

● A major diplomatic scandal occurred at Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia, reports the Bulgarian outlet Blitz. “A delegation from the Armenian community of Ani, including the head of the municipality, Arman Saribekyan, was subjected to a humiliating security check. According to reports, the guests were forced to fully undress, interrogated, and held in service premises for several hours,” the publication writes. The Armenian delegation arrived in Bulgaria at the invitation of the mayor of Novi Pazar, Georgi Georgiev. “Their personal belongings were searched, even the frame of a painting they brought as a gift was damaged. The whole process was accompanied by insulting questions — who they were, why they came, and why now,” Georgiev told Blitz. However, this story is not mentioned on the municipality’s Facebook page, which only reports that the delegation visited Bulgaria from October 1–4 and was warmly welcomed.

● Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, after being sentenced to two years in prison on charges of attempting to organize a coup, wrote a letter through members of parliament. The head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church promised that he “will now become more dangerous for the authorities than ever before.” “The evil power, consisting of mediocrities and complete nonentities, along with their pitiful servants, has completed yet another immoral scenario by unlawfully convicting me on fabricated charges. This will be a disgrace for the current ‘non-power,’” Ajapakhyan wrote. More details about the case and the “Russian trace” reportedly uncovered by the security service here.

● Several citizens have launched an open-ended sit-in and hunger strike in the courtyard of the Surb Yotverk (Seven Wounds) Church in Gyumri, protesting the two-year imprisonment of Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, reports Aravot.am. They are demanding his release and calling on Gyumri residents to join them to “prevent justice in Armenia from being buried.” (pictured below)

● Does peace between Yerevan and Baku imply the withdrawal of Russian border guards from Armenia? In an interview with PassBlue, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan said that Russian patrols along the Armenia–Iran border are regulated by a bilateral agreement and therefore are not related to the Washington document initialed by Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8.

● Head of the National Center for Education Quality Assurance: Following the latest attestation, salaries have been increased for more than 6,300 teachers.

● President Vahagn Khachaturyan hosted at his residence the winners of the “Best of the Year” competition in 12 categories for teachers. In his address, he emphasized that such initiatives reflect the state’s prioritization of education.

● The Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be held in the city of Gabala on October 6–7. Local media report that the presidents of Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have confirmed their participation. The theme of the summit is “Regional Peace and Security,” focusing on developing multilateral cooperation within the organisation.

● Activist Nidjat Ibrahim, sentenced to six years and six months in prison, told the appellate court that he has been on hunger strike for more than two weeks, protesting what he calls his unjust arrest. Ibrahim was detained in September last year on charges of stabbing a local resident, which he categorically denies, calling the case politically motivated. He claims that someone suddenly attacked him on the street, pushed him to the ground, and staged a knife incident, with police officers appearing on the scene immediately. A week before his arrest, Ibrahim reportedly tried to leave the country with his family but was prevented from doing so. He then called the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ emergency hotline and said he would set himself on fire in front of the ministry building if not allowed to leave. Earlier, in July 2020, Ibrahim was detained while preparing a protest demanding the resignation of President Ilham Aliyev and sentenced to one year and three months in prison on charges of spreading the coronavirus.

In recent years, several civic and political activists in Azerbaijan have been arrested on similar street-stabbing charges, including former diplomat Emin Ibrahimov, Popular Front Party members Zamin Salaev and Kenan Zeynalov, Confederation of Trade Unions “Ishchi Masasi” chairman Afiaddin Mammadov, and Yoldash Media founder Ahmed Mammadli. All deny the accusations.

● State budget revenues from the oil and gas sector in the first half of the year exceeded the same period last year by 16.7%. The main growth came from oil extraction and oil and gas service sectors. Revenues from payments in the extractive industries increased by 20.4% and 30.7% in the first and second quarters, respectively, compared to the same periods last year.

● In Kalbajar, the foundation has been laid for a high-altitude wind power plant as part of a major investment project implemented by the Azerbaijani-Turkish partnership Baltech Green and Clean Energy Invest. The project was launched in November last year during the international COP29 Climate Forum held in Azerbaijan. The wind plant is being built at an altitude of 3,100 meters and is expected to be operational in early 2028 with a final capacity of 600 MW. According to the state program, eight industrial solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of about 2 GW will be built by 2027. By 2030, Azerbaijan aims to reach 6 GW, of which 4 GW are planned for export. The implementation of these plans will increase the share of green energy in the national energy system to 32.6%, save 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas annually, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the press release.

● The Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF) has been announced for October 31 – November 16, 2025, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture. “The main mission is to bring world-class art to Baku and present local talents on an international platform […] These investments in art strengthen Baku’s image as a dynamic, modern capital at the crossroads of East and West,” the press release says.

● About 510 kilograms of narcotics smuggled from Iran across the Caspian Sea have been intercepted. The Border Service reported the arrest of an organized criminal group whose members are citizens of Iran and Azerbaijan.

Photo by JAMnews: a market in the Sabunchu settlement on the outskirts of Baku

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