Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 19-23 May, 2025

● One of the leaders of the opposition coalition “For Change,” Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, was arrested in the courtroom after refusing to pay bail of 20,000 lari (around \$7,100), imposed for his failure to appear before a commission created by “Georgian Dream” to investigate the former government during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency. Former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili was previously arrested for the same reason. The court session took place in a tense atmosphere, with clashes between Japaridze’s supporters and police both inside and outside the courthouse. The next hearing is scheduled for June 4.

● British MP James McCleary: “Georgia continues down a slippery slope of political repression. Opposition politician Japaridze must be released immediately. The ‘Georgian Dream’ government and its puppet oligarch ruler Ivanishvili have crossed another line. The UK must respond with sanctions.”

● Member of the European Parliament Rasa Juknevičienė: “The brutality of the ‘Georgian Dream’ regime keeps escalating. Red lines were crossed long ago, but today they went too far. One of the opposition leaders, Zurab Japaridze, has been arrested. The European Union and its member states must impose sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and his allies immediately.”

● US Congressman Joe Wilson (Republican): “The anti-American ‘Georgian Dream’ regime has unjustly arrested a key opposition figure, Zurab Japaridze, setting a precedent for the arrest of the entire opposition. This major escalation is yet another step toward consolidating power and handing the country over to China and Iran.”

● Member of the European Parliament Petras Auštrevičius: “Another disgraceful example of political persecution in Georgia!”

● Marko Mihkelson, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament: “Today the Georgian dictatorship committed yet another crime against justice, democracy, and the rule of law by unlawfully detaining Zurab Japaridze, leader of the opposition ‘Coalition for Change.’ Just days before Georgia’s Independence Day, it is vital that democratic nations go beyond words, impose sanctions on the Ivanishvili regime, and support the Georgian people in reclaiming their future. Freedom for all political prisoners in Georgia!”

● 5th president Salome Zourabichvili on Japaridze’s arrest: “Today marks yet another shameful day for ‘Georgian Dream’ \[…] A direct political assault on leaders has begun. Civil activists are already in jail for absolutely nothing. The next stage is targeting political leaders. That is precisely why this investigative commission was created — not to investigate the crimes of the previous regime, but to become a tool for imprisoning those they want behind bars. This is a sign of the weakness of ‘Georgian Dream.’ Any regime that resorts to such repression is doomed. We must remain composed, but understand that this verdict is, in fact, a verdict for ‘Georgian Dream.’”

● Giga Bokeria, Chair of the “Federalists” party: “Zurab Japaridze is a political prisoner. With the downfall of the Ivanishvili regime, not only must all political prisoners be released, but there must be reforms in the judicial system to prevent any future government from adopting such shameful practices in court.”

● Nika Melia, another leader of the “Coalition for Change”: “My court hearing on similar charges is set for May 29. I’ve decided not to attend in person. I won’t go to court. Why? Out of respect for the people. What I saw today — the way people were treated outside the courthouse — I don’t want that to happen again. I’m sure that if Zura had known this, he would have made the same decision.”

📍● Nika Gvaramia, another “Coalition for Change” leader: “(Oligarch and shadow ruler of Georgia) Bidzina Ivanishvili has no way back; he is in a very serious dead end. Is it dangerous for Georgia? Absolutely. Does it weaken the protest movement? On the contrary, it strengthens it. The more Ivanishvili descends into madness, the weaker he becomes and the more mistakes he will make.”

● Simon Vanderbroeck, a member of the European Union delegation in Georgia and part of the EU enlargement program, was denied entry into the country and deported directly from the airport, according to Mtavari Arkhi.

The video shows Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Georgian opposition coalition “For Change,” embracing his wife before being handcuffed and taken away by court bailiffs.

Japaridze was arrested inside the courtroom after the court ruled to place him in… pic.twitter.com/vWkGzzmRaE

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) May 22, 2025

● Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the president of Azerbaijan, held a series of discussions in Brussels. He met with Belén Martínez Carbonell, secretary-general of the EU’s External Action Service, to discuss bilateral relations and the EU’s support for the normalization process with Armenia. Hajiyev also visited NATO headquarters. The pro-government outlet Report quoted NATO Deputy Secretary-General Radmila Šekerinska as saying: “NATO highly values its partnership with Azerbaijan.”

● The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in the US and extended condolences to Israel and the victims’ families. Israeli Ambassador to Baku George Deek thanked Azerbaijan for its support and protection of Israeli diplomats and the Jewish community in the country.

● Secretary-general of the Organization of Turkic States, Kubanychbek Omuraliev, is on a visit to Azerbaijan.

● “Turkey welcomes the agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the draft peace treaty and supports the establishment of lasting peace that will benefit the entire region,” reads a statement following the Turkish National Security Council meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

● Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey early next week. Reports say he will thank the leaders of these countries for their support during the recent confrontation with India.

● First Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Oleksandr Korniyenko extended special thanks to Azerbaijan, its president, and diaspora organizations while speaking at the All-Ukrainian Forum of National Minorities. During the event, the head of the Congress of Azerbaijanis of Ukraine, Hayam Hagigatoglu, presented Korniyenko with the “Iron Fist” diploma — a symbol in Azerbaijan of victory in the Second Karabakh War.

● The trial of former leaders of the defunct, unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continues. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempting to overthrow the state, and other serious offenses. According to the pro-government agency AZERTAC, the court screened a 2016 video interview with former NKR speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, in which he says: “The unification of Karabakh with Armenia must be our main and final objective. We are currently in a transitional period.” A 1993 video of Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan was also shown, where he states: “Armenia has provided NKR with the highest security guarantees.” The next hearing is scheduled for today, May 23.

● Sentences were handed down to a group accused of attempting to establish an Islamic state called “Kerime” in Azerbaijan and of collaborating with Iranian intelligence services. Four of the six individuals were sentenced to 8 years in prison, and two others to 17 years. All have been in custody for over two years. “They promoted Iran and religious radicalism on social media and at gatherings. The funds for their propaganda and subversive activities came from narcotics deliberately trafficked from Iran,” stated a joint release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Security Service, and the General Prosecutor’s Office.

Photo JAMnews: A Real Rides competition took place near Baku, with dozens of local bikers participating. Interestingly, the winner wasn’t the one who finished first — but the one who crossed the finish line last:

● “Iran is not against the unblocking of regional communications, but any unblocking involving Armenian territory must remain under Armenia’s sovereignty,” Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani told reporters.

● An Iranian company has built a steel rebar production plant in Armenia, Ambassador Sobhani also announced. The facility is located in Armavir and will begin operations soon, he said. In total, over 300 Iranian companies are registered in Armenia and have invested across various sectors. Two Iranian companies are currently constructing a 32-kilometer road between Kajaran and Agarak. According to the ambassador, this project will make freight transport safer and faster, reducing travel time from 1 hour 20 minutes to just 20 minutes.

● The Iranian defense minister has invited his Armenian counterpart to visit Iran’s defense facilities, according to Iranian media. Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, following his visit to Yerevan, stated that conditions are ripe for enhancing cooperation. He noted that “the South Caucasus holds geopolitical and geostrategic importance for Iran, and Armenia plays a special role as a transit country.”

● “There is no ‘Western Azerbaijan’ on Armenian territory. Most likely, this refers to the western regions of Azerbaijan itself,” Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said in response to related remarks by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

● Armenia’s Corruption Prevention Commission will review the conduct of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in parliament. Independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan said proceedings have been launched over possible violations. The commission pledged to examine his use of expressions such as “thug,” “sit down, you’re getting on my nerves,” and “I’ll throw you into the security service basements,” among others.

● Five years later, nine more individuals have been detained in connection with the mass unrest on the night of the 2020 trilateral Karabakh agreement. The Investigative Committee has submitted arrest motions to the court. At the time, demonstrators stormed the parliament and occupied the speaker’s podium.

● A brucellosis outbreak has been reported in the Armenian village of Chkalovka — three residents were infected after livestock became contaminated. The villagers are in stable condition and are receiving treatment. Earlier, the food safety inspection body reported cases of brucellosis in the area. Infected animals were culled under inspector supervision, and disinfection was carried out.

● Armenian schools are celebrating the “last bell” today. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced a shift to heightened service mode. This year’s graduating class numbers 21,000 students.

● US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Georgian Dream government anti-American. Speaking at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rubio said: “The goal of the United States is to protect national interests. We must ask ourselves: does it serve our interests to tolerate an anti-American government in a strategically important region? If not, we will act accordingly and impose consequences on this government.” He added that the issue is “under review” and Washington is exploring “various options for response.” No decisions have been made yet, but Rubio said the discussion is ongoing: “That’s why we will turn to regional bureaus and people on the ground to advise us on what measures would be most impactful against this anti-American government.” Read more here

● Opposition figures see this as a “final warning” to oligarch and shadow ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili. Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the For Change coalition, stated: “For the first time, an official U.S. representative has clearly and directly labeled the Georgian Dream government as anti-American. Ivanishvili knows exactly what that means and what consequences may follow. He must stop — or his personal fate will be decided differently.”

● The ruling party, however, appeared unfazed. Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili commented:
“[The statement] only confirmed what we already knew — the new U.S. administration currently lacks a clear policy on Georgia. That’s understandable — they’re facing much larger global challenges. If Georgia isn’t a priority, that shouldn’t surprise anyone. We’re not surprised.”

● Giorgi Vashadze, leader of Strategy Aghmashenebeli, announced he will pay the 50,000 GEL (about $18,000) bail set by the court for failing to appear before the parliamentary commission investigating former government officials. Previously, former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was arrested after refusing to pay a similar bail. Today, a court hearing is expected for Zurab Japaridze (Girchi — More Freedom), who has said he won’t pay. His arrest is expected in the courtroom. A protest in his support is planned in Tbilisi.

● Controversial Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua has filed a lawsuit against activists Mariam Sichinava and Karen Esebua, who confronted him in protest outside a restaurant in Zugdidi. The activists were barred from entering while Zarkua was inside. They are now accused of “insulting a public official,” a charge that carries a fine of 1,500 to 4,000 GEL (about $540–1,430) or up to 45 days of administrative detention.

● The working visit of Russia’s foreign minister to Armenia took place in a tense context. While he was meeting with his Armenian counterpart, a group of protesters took to the streets with signs reading “Putin is a murderer” and “LavrOFF.” Clashes between the demonstrators and police broke out periodically.

● “Yerevan is not negotiating with Brussels about EU membership. Armenia has not submitted an application, no talks are being held in that direction, and therefore, the issue is not on the agenda,” said Armenian foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a joint press conference with Sergey Lavrov.

● “Armenia and Russia have moved past the stage of mutual distrust and grievances,” Lavrov said after the talks at the Armenian foreign ministry and his meeting with Armenia’s president.

● Prime minister Nikol Pashinyan at his meeting with Lavrov: “This year, I assess the dynamic of our relations positively. There is an active dialogue between me and Vladimir Putin. Our deputy prime ministers are working closely within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and on bilateral matters.”

● Photos released from the visit showed Lavrov receiving gifts in Yerevan. At the Russian House, members of the Molokan community gave him a barrel of sauerkraut. Armenian goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky presented him with a signed football. At the Russian-Armenian University, Lavrov was awarded the title of honorary doctor and given a replica of a 9th-century map of Armenia.

● The United States stated there remains a “persistent risk of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, which Washington is trying to prevent.” This was said by secretary of state Marco Rubio during a hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives. He also noted that the U.S. agenda includes issues related to detainees and human rights in Azerbaijan.

● Third president Serzh Sargsyan said he would not oppose the nomination of second president Robert Kocharyan for prime minister if the impeachment of Nikol Pashinyan is successful. “Do you think Robert Kocharyan would govern Armenia worse than the current leader? I don’t think so,” he told journalists.

● Earlier, Kocharyan said in an interview with local media that he would be willing to enter a coalition with other political forces only if there is no alternative to removing the current government.

● Armenian defense minister Suren Papikyan and China’s new ambassador to Armenia, Li Xinwei, discussed Armenian-Chinese cooperation in the defense sector.

● Armenian alcohol producers held another protest outside the Georgian embassy in Yerevan. The issue concerns obstacles and prolonged delays in transit through Georgia. After a week of protests, the issue remains unresolved. “What’s happening on the Georgian side completely contradicts the rules of the World Trade Organization. Transit goods must move freely through Georgian territory. Tbilisi has violated the right to free movement of goods. It is surprising that our relevant state bodies and Armenia’s representative to the WTO have yet to issue a statement expressing dissatisfaction,” said Gagik Makaryan, president of the Armenian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during the protest.

● U.S. congressman James McGovern sent a letter to Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev expressing deep concern over the imprisonment of journalist and economist Farid Mehralizade of Radio Liberty. The congressman noted that May 30 marks the first anniversary of Farid’s unjust detention. During this time, Farid’s daughter was born, and he has only seen her once. “I urge his immediate release so that he can reunite with his wife and daughter,” wrote McGovern, co-chair of the U.S. Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

McGovern noted that Farid has been subjected to abuse and humiliation. On February 11, he and six other defendants refused to attend a court hearing because their complaints of ill-treatment had not been investigated: “In response to this protest, the authorities forcibly brought him to court — another form of mistreatment in detention. On April 29, 2025, the prosecutor insulted Farid in court, and the judge took no action. This display of unprofessionalism and disrespect underscores a lack of impartiality in Farid’s case and raises serious concerns about his access to a fair trial. I hope Azerbaijan will uphold international fair trial standards, drop the unfounded charges against Farid, and release him immediately and unconditionally,” the letter stated.

Farid Mehralizade is involved in the “Abzas Media” case. All those arrested in this case are accused of smuggling and other serious crimes. They deny the accusations and claim they are being persecuted for critical reporting on the authorities. Over the past 18 months, more than 30 journalists and activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges. They reject the allegations and call it political persecution. International organizations and many Western leaders have called on the government to release them.

● Two more activists from the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party — Novruz Taghiyev and Rashad Aliyev — have been arrested. Their relatives say they haven’t heard from them since May 20. Novruz Taghiyev is a personal bodyguard of party chairman Ali Karimli. According to the party, Taghiyev is accused of fraud, an article that carries up to 5 years in prison. Aliyev was sentenced to 25 days of administrative detention. The charges against him remain unknown. There has been no official information on these cases. “In the past two months, eight party activists who drove me to events or accompanied me were arrested,” Ali Karimli said.

Currently, about 15 Popular Front members are serving long-term prison sentences. Although the charges vary, the party states they were all arrested for political reasons. According to local human rights defenders, there are currently over 350 political prisoners in Azerbaijani jails.

● The court rejected an appeal by political scientist and director of the Institute for Political Management Azer Gasimli to be transferred from prison to house arrest. Gasimli was arrested on December 8, 2024. He is accused of extortion with threats or violence. He denies the charges and links his arrest to his critical publications against the authorities.

● U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio mentioned Azerbaijan and Armenia in his remarks to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Our primary focus with Azerbaijan is achieving peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. There is still a real risk of conflict, and we are working to prevent it,” Rubio said.

● Two senior Israeli officials will visit Baku in June. Integration minister Ofir Sofer is scheduled to arrive on June 10, and Knesset speaker Amir Ohana on June 25, according to AIA Global. Earlier this week, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov in Tel Aviv. Speaking in the Knesset on March 5, Israel’s minister of national missions Orit Strock said, “Azerbaijan is a key strategic ally of Israel in the Caucasus.”

●  Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán thanked the leaders of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan “for cooperation crucial to helping Hungary overcome the energy crisis caused by the war.”

● Armenian media are discussing statements by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov made in Yerevan. Lavrov said Moscow supports Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and values its allied relationship with Yerevan. On the peace process, he said: “Problems in the South Caucasus should be resolved by the region’s countries and their closest neighbors. We are not against countries outside the region developing ties with countries in the region. But this cooperation should not aim to create tensions or ignore regional interests for geopolitical games.” Lavrov also mentioned the 3+3 format (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia + Russia, Iran, Turkey) and said, “Russia supports holding the next two meetings in this format in the capitals of Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

Georgia has so far refused to participate in this format, stating it will not cooperate officially with Russia, which occupies parts of its territory.

● The man convicted of the 2023 attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran was executed on the morning of May 21. Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada commented: “Two embassy employees and an Azerbaijani-appointed lawyer who participated in the trial witnessed the execution. Azerbaijan had expected the harshest sentence for the perpetrator of this terrorist act. We believe it is essential to continue joint efforts to develop Azerbaijani-Iranian relations based on mutual respect and good neighborliness.”

The execution followed Iranian president Masoud Pazakstani’s visit to Baku late last month and is seen as a sign of improving relations between the two countries after the attack, which killed one embassy staffer and wounded two. Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev called the attack an “organized terrorist act” in a local media interview.

●  “President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan will go down in history as the leader who brings peace to the region,” Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at an informal summit of Turkic States in Budapest. He said the draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was a key step in that direction.

● The hacker group Arabian Ghost claimed responsibility for a series of cyberattacks on Azerbaijani government websites and pro-government media outlets.

● Azerbaijan has developed a “National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2025–2027.” The document was discussed yesterday by the Milli Majlis committee on family, women, and children. It was reported that the gender ratio among children born in Azerbaijan stands at 113 boys for every 100 girls. Experts attribute this to sex-selective abortions in favor of boys.

Photo: journalist Farid Mehralizade of Radio Liberty

● The German embassy responded to the May 18 incident in Batumi, where a supporter of Georgian Dream verbally insulted German ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer. “The embassy thanks the local residents who witnessed the incident and supported the ambassador as a guest of their city. After these people condemned Kochiashvili for his inappropriate behavior, he quickly left. No police were present at the scene,” the embassy said.

● The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Georgian authorities violated the rights of activist Lekso Machavariani by administratively detaining him during a protest in November 2020. Machavariani, one of the founders of the “Sirtskhvilia” movement, brought a bundle of firewood to the parliament building. Protesters were demonstrating against covid restrictions and the curfew. Police claimed the firewood could be used as a weapon and ordered it removed. Machavariani said it was for heating purposes, but he was detained for three days and fined 1,000 lari (about \$300) for disobeying police. The court ruled the detention was excessive. Other claims—violation of freedom of assembly and expression, and an unfair trial—were dismissed. The court ordered the state to pay the activist €1,800 in compensation.

● “Russian occupation forces illegally detained three Georgian citizens in the occupied territory near the village of Khurvaleti in Gori municipality. One has been released and is now in territory controlled by the central government, while two remain in illegal detention,” Georgia’s state security service reported. Upon receiving information about the incident, the agency activated the hotline and involved the EU monitoring mission.

● Georgia has banned citizens of Russia and Belarus from re-exporting vehicles and heavy equipment through Georgian territory.

● Half of the budget of the state grant agency created by “Georgian Dream” for funding NGOs will be spent on salaries for the agency’s own staff. According to official documents, expenses for the first 8 months are as follows: 253,200 lari (around \$90,000) for salaries and 257,000 lari for goods and services. The monthly salary of the agency chair is 10,585 lari (nearly \$4,000), the deputy earns 8,760, and the head of the grant management department receives 7,300.

● In the first quarter of this year, Georgia’s unemployment rate rose by 0.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching 14.7%. The number of employed persons increased by 0.6% to 958,300, while the number of self-employed fell by 3.0% to 434,700.

● Georgian wine exports dropped by 43% from January to April. Exports to Russia totaled 14,000 tons worth \$40,450,620, while 37,000 tons were exported to the US, worth \$99,555,760.

● Two Georgian citizens were arrested in Poland on charges of stealing items worth €1,600 from a store. According to local media, the suspects stole household appliances, jewelry, and food products.

● Prosecutors have charged four individuals with the gang rape of minors in Gori, according to Kartlis Ambebi news agency.

Photo bt David Pipia / JAMnews

● At the May 20 court hearing, the prosecutor announced the prison sentences he is seeking for the journalists arrested in the “Abzas Media case”: 12 years for the outlet’s director Ulvi Hasanli, journalist Hafiz Babaly, and Radio Liberty reporter Farid Mehralizade; 11 years for editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi, coordinator Mahammad Kekalov, and journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova. The prosecution also proposed that the defendants be required to satisfy a civil claim for 64,000 manats (around $37,000), and that the court confiscate Mehralizade’s car, €40,000 allegedly found in the AbzasMedia office, and over 20,000 manats (around $11,500) from the journalists’ bank accounts. The defense has until June 10 to present counterarguments.

*All defendants are charged with smuggling and other serious crimes, which they categorically deny, saying they are being persecuted for publishing critical reports about the authorities. AbzasMedia staff were arrested in November 2023, while Farid Mehralizade was detained in May 2024. Over the past year and a half, more than 30 journalists and activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges. They all reject the accusations and claim political persecution. International organizations and many Western leaders have called for their release.

● The Court of Appeals has denied the release request of opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, who was sentenced to nine years in prison on fraud charges. Yagublu says the charges are fabricated and politically motivated. His lawyers requested the court summon several individuals who could offer new testimony, including Zahid Oruj, the head of the parliamentary human rights committee, France-based journalist Ganimat Zahid, and the named victim in the case, Elshan Guseynov. Yagublu accused the court of distorting witness testimonies in the official records, including statements by his wife. “Do you know why they falsify everything? Because they have no conscience,” said Yagublu. Several international human rights organizations have listed him as a political prisoner.

● Researcher of Talysh culture Igbal Abilov has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was accused of treason, collaborating with Armenian intelligence, and inciting ethnic hatred in Azerbaijan. Abilov denies the charges and says his arrest is linked to his research into the lives of ethnic minorities in the country, particularly the Talysh. Read more here

● President Ilham Aliyev is on a working visit to Hungary, where he met with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. According to the pro-government outlet Report, Orbán said at a joint press conference: “Azerbaijan has assured Hungary it will continue gas supplies this year. Sanctions against Russia have undermined the foundations of Europe’s economy and market, and Hungary has faced an energy crisis. Our situation improved because we didn’t completely cut ties with Russia. But ensuring our energy security would be difficult without the Turkic states. A war has been ongoing nearby for three years. The EU has chosen to prolong the conflict. The European economy is in a tough situation.” Orbán also said he believes a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be signed soon.

● Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó posted on X about strengthening Hungary’s strategic partnership with Azerbaijan: “Major Hungarian energy companies now own shares in Azerbaijani oil and gas fields. This gives them global market access not just as buyers, but as holders of significant energy resources.”

● An informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan) opens today in Budapest. On May 20, foreign ministers of the member states and Hungary, which holds observer status, met in the run-up to the summit.

● “The US supports the completion of the gas pipeline that will connect Turkmenistan to Europe via Azerbaijan. Despite reduced foreign aid, funding for such initiatives will continue, including through embassies and regional missions,” said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

● The Araz-2025 joint exercises with Iran are concluding today. According to the defense ministry, they were held on Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenian occupation during the second Karabakh war. The exercises are described as important for strengthening Azerbaijan-Iran military cooperation.

● The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic and Armenian citizen, continues. He is in pre-trial detention and faces charges including torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and others. According to Azertag, Vardanyan once again protested the composition of the judicial panel. The court reviewed his complaint but found it insufficient and dismissed it. Testimony from victims was heard, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 27.

● Baku is hosting a plenary session of the UN-backed GlobE Network — the Global Operational Network of Law Enforcement Authorities against Corruption. Representatives from more than 120 agencies in 92 countries are attending, including prosecutors, anti-corruption bodies, and international institutions.

● Five people were injured in an explosion at an ethylene-polyethylene plant in Sumgait. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

A strawberry festival was held in the “White City” district of Baku. Photo by JAMnews:

● Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Yerevan on a working visit. Before his arrival, groups of people held protests in different parts of the city with posters reading “Putin is a killer.” Read more here

● Iran’s defense minister Aziz Nasirzade is on an official visit to Armenia at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Suren Papikyan. According to a press release, the two ministers held a meeting and praised the level of defense cooperation between the two countries.

● Armenian foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan called on the European Union to “push Baku toward signing a peace agreement with Yerevan, rather than limiting itself to mere statements.” “We expect our EU partners to emphasize the need for a peace deal both in their direct contacts with Baku and in public statements,” Mirzoyan said at the regional meeting of EU and Central Asian ambassadors in Samarkand.

● Alexander Tsoy, son of legendary Russian rock musician Viktor Tsoy, will arrive in Yerevan to take part in the “Symphonic KINO” concert, which will feature Viktor Tsoy’s greatest hits.

● The Yerevan–Batumi–Yerevan tourist train operated by South Caucasus Railway will run from June 14 to October 2. Departures will be every other day: on even dates from Yerevan and on odd dates from Batumi. Ticket sales will open soon, both online and at train stations in Armenia and Georgia. The journey will take around 16 hours.

● Members of the Swiss parliament have launched a platform in support of the return of Armenians from Karabakh to their historical homeland, according to the Dashnaktsutyun party.

● Armenia plans to toughen penalties for draft evasion and avoiding military training. Prison terms for such violations will increase from the current 2–5 years to 3–6 years. The fine for skipping training will rise from 20 times the monthly income to 15–30 times. The initiative was prompted by a rise in criminal cases related to evasion.

PHOTO: Meeting in Yerevan between Armenian foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov:

● The so-called Supreme Court of the Russian-occupied Donetsk People’s Republic has sentenced another Georgian citizen, Ambako Soziashvili, in absentia to 14 years in prison. He was found guilty under part 3 of article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code — “participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict.” The 25-year-old Soziashvili joined the “Georgian Legion” fighting in Ukraine shortly after the war began. Russia has designated the Legion as a terrorist and extremist organization.

● Five employees of the Public Broadcaster — journalists, editors, and producers of the critical program “Real Space” — have been fired. According to former channel employee Vasil Ivanishvili-Chikovani, the team refused the offer to transfer to other programs. He believes the channel’s pro-government management deliberately offered unacceptable conditions to force them out.

● The Special Investigative Service, which until now was under the prime minister’s control, will be transferred to the State Security Service and renamed the “National Intelligence Agency.” The corresponding legislative package has already been initiated by MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream party. The documents define the agency’s powers, structure, funding mechanisms, and employee rights protections. It also emphasizes the inadmissibility of external interference in its operations.

●  One of the participants in the pro-European protests, Lasha Gabitashvili, has been stripped of his Georgian citizenship. According to him, the House of Justice refused to renew his passport — formally due to his second (Israeli) citizenship, acquired after marrying an Israeli citizen. Gabitashvili gained public attention after being beaten in Abu Dhabi by ruling party MPs for calling them “slaves and traitors.” He plans to go to court to restore his citizenship.

● A teenager in Shida Kartli was brutally beaten over a negative comment about the “criminal world” posted on TikTok, reports Kartli News. According to local residents, several individuals decided to “punish” the boy for “disrespect.” A criminal investigation is underway.

● In Tbilisi, pre-trial detention has been ordered for Ivane Tkeshelashvili, who is accused of deliberately causing serious bodily harm to 27-year-old athlete Beka Oniani. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the incident took place on May 16 near the new Sports Palace. After several blows, Oniani fell and sustained severe head trauma. He is currently in a medically induced coma. His condition is serious but stable.

● The principal of the school in the village of Mkhchyan has resigned following a scandal involving a “white powder,” reports NEWS.am, citing the Ararat regional administration. Earlier, Armenian media reported that younger students at the local school were allegedly forced to sniff an unknown powder. According to village residents, high school students made fourth graders inhale the substance. Later, they allegedly convinced the younger students they were addicted and made them steal money from their parents to buy more. The Armenian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on charges of extortion, and an expert examination has been ordered. Four high school students, two of whom are brothers, are suspects in the case. The alleged ringleader is a 12th-grade student from a neighboring village, previously suspected of drug distribution.

● Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will arrive in Yerevan for a working visit on May 20–21, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

● A meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan may take place soon, said National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan. According to him, the peace process could continue at the level of both heads of state and foreign ministers.

● The opposition I Have Honor faction, which earlier supported the no-confidence initiative against Pashinyan, has refused to back Edmon Marukyan’s candidacy for prime minister. “The proposed candidate, based on his political path, is no different from the current government and bears the same responsibility for the country’s dire situation,” said faction secretary Hayk Mamijanyan.

● An explosion followed by a fire occurred in Yerevan near the State Control Service building. According to eyewitnesses, a cement truck failed to ascend Antarayin Street, overturned, and exploded. In addition to the truck, three other vehicles were completely destroyed by the fire.

● “Such violations of fundamental human rights are unacceptable in the 21st century,” said Cyprus Parliament Speaker Annita Demetriou, commenting on the situation of Armenian POWs in Baku.

● The issue of withdrawing the Russian military base from Armenian territory is not currently under discussion, said National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan. “There is no such thing… It’s absurd, I’m hearing this from you for the first time. This issue is not and cannot be on the table,” he emphasized.

● Belarus and Russia have never proposed that Armenia join the Union State, said Armenia’s second president Robert Kocharyan in an interview with several media outlets. “There were no such conversations — not with Yeltsin, not with Putin, not with Lukashenko,” he added. In his view, Armenia’s current authorities are deliberately using this narrative to strain ties with Belarus and diminish the appeal of cooperation with Russia.

● Armenia’s National Security Service uncovered another case of illegal migration. A citizen identified as V.K. was allegedly helped to leave for an EU country using forged documents, including fake bank statements, with plans to later relocate to the US. The organizer was placed under house arrest and ordered to pay bail of 2 million drams (over $5,000).

In Yerevan, a flash mob was organized ahead of the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. A large banner with his portrait and the word “Murderer” was hung from a bridge:

● The leadership of the Ministry of Defense has gone on a visit to Israel — on the same day that joint Azerbaijani-Iranian military exercises began. Reports say that Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov met with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir. They discussed prospects for developing military cooperation. Military experts say Israel is one of the main countries from which Azerbaijan purchases weapons. Tehran regularly issues critical statements regarding Azerbaijani-Israeli cooperation.

● On May 19, the joint military exercises “Araz-2025” with Iran began in the territories that were liberated from Armenian occupation during the second Karabakh war, according to the Ministry of Defense (video below). The drills will last until May 21. Experts attach important political significance to them, as relations between the two countries have significantly deteriorated in recent years. In January 2023, there was an armed attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran, resulting in one embassy employee killed and two injured. After this, numerous arrests took place in Azerbaijan, and pro-government media referred to the detainees as “Iranian spies.” Both countries had conducted military exercises near each other’s borders that caused mutual dissatisfaction. However, in the past year, officials on both sides have expressed ideas about strengthening cooperation. The Azerbaijani embassy in Iran resumed operations in July 2024. Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian visited Baku in April. Last week, presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev led the Azerbaijani delegation at the “Dialogue Forum” in Tehran, where he made statements about the need to strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

● Today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov began his visit to Yerevan. He is scheduled to meet with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and President Vahagn Khachaturyan. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the agenda includes exchanging views on regional security issues, particularly on Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish normalization.

●  Fazil Gasymov, a doctoral student at Istanbul University who was sentenced to 9 years in prison, has been on a hunger strike in prison for 10 days. He is accused of acquiring/distributing counterfeit money or foreign currency in collusion with well-known economist Gubad Ibadoglu, who is also under arrest. Gasymov categorically denies the charges and claims political persecution. He is also protesting the fact that the court rejected all his appeals without a hearing. Read more here

● Alesker Mammadli, a media law expert and founder of ToplumTV who is currently under arrest, is calling on the authorities to transfer him to house arrest and allow urgent surgery to remove a benign thyroid tumor with a high risk of turning malignant. His previous request was denied. In a renewed request, his lawyer noted that Mammadli was a participant in the 44-day war in 2020. Alongside Mammadli, seven other individuals have been arrested in the criminal case related to ToplumTV, and prominent journalist Shahnaz Beylergizi, also a defendant in the same case, is under house arrest. All defendants face charges of smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and other crimes — with penalties of up to 12 years in prison. They all deny the accusations and say they are being persecuted for their professional activities on political orders. Since November 2023, more than 30 journalists and civil activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges. All have protested and claim they are being targeted for their critical publications about the government.

● The investigation has been completed in the criminal case against Anar Mammadli, head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center, who is currently under arrest. A court hearing to discuss the verdict is scheduled for May 26. Mammadli was detained in April 2024 and is accused of smuggling. He denies the charges and claims political persecution. This is the second case against Mammadli. He was previously detained in late 2013 for alleged tax evasion and sentenced to 5 years and 6 months. He strongly rejected the charges back then and was eventually released by a presidential pardon in March 2016. A number of local and international organizations recognized him as a political prisoner.

● The trial of a group of former leaders of the now-defunct self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh republic continues. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government, and other serious offenses. According to the pro-government agency AZERTAC, the court session showed video footage of the Armenian army attacking and occupying Azerbaijani territories in Kalbajar and Aghdara in 1993, including the seizure of the Sarsang reservoir. AZERTAC reports that video was also shown of former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan speaking at a meeting with members of the organization “Yerkrapah” on July 23, 1993. Ter-Petrosyan stated, among other things, that “until 1988, 170,000 Azerbaijanis lived in Armenia, but now the issue that the Armenian people couldn’t resolve for 600 years has been resolved. Armenia and Karabakh are completely cleansed of other peoples.” The next court session is scheduled for May 22.

● The foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Oman held their first consular consultations via video link.

● Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, has arrived in Spain on an official visit.

● Poland has confiscated a five-ton shipment of tires intended for Boeing civil aircraft en route to Russia via Belarus. The shipment was sent by a company in Spain and was destined for an Azerbaijani company.

● A number of events will be held in Baku to celebrate Georgia’s Independence Day, which is marked on May 26. According to the pro-government outlet Report, the diplomatic reception will feature performances by famous Georgian musicians, wine tastings by sommeliers, and culinary masterclasses by Georgian chefs. There will also be an exhibition of traditional Georgian jewelry and clothing. On May 24, a gala concert will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Center with performances by well-known Georgian musicians. Honorary guests will include Georgia’s Minister of Culture Tinatin Rukhadze and other high-ranking Georgian officials and public figures.

● EU foreign affairs and security policy spokesperson Anita Hipper: “EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski enjoys our full confidence and support. His statements accurately reflect the current state of the alliance with Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party continues to spread blatant disinformation and hostile attacks against EU ambassadors and European values. By applying for EU membership in 2022, Georgia agreed to close scrutiny of all reforms and political developments. This is how the EU works with all candidate countries. Our message to the Georgian authorities is clear and consistent: repression must stop, including violence against peaceful protesters. Those responsible must be held accountable, and the new repressive laws must be repealed. The government of Georgia knows what it must do to continue on the path to EU integration, which the Georgian people aspire to. To resolve the current political crisis, inclusive dialogue with the opposition and civil society is essential.”

● A US State Department representative commented for the first time on the letter that Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze from the Georgian Dream party sent to US President Donald Trump last week. In response to a query from Formula TV, it was stated: “Washington has clearly outlined the steps the Georgian government must take to show it is serious about improving relations with the United States. I would like to note that we will be pleased to welcome the largest Georgian business delegation in Washington this week.” The representative also said they would not publicly comment on diplomatic contacts. Here is Kobakhidze’s letter, and here is its analysis by a Georgian expert.

● The UK House of Commons has demanded the government impose sanctions on oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, considered the “shadow ruler” of Georgia, and on high-ranking officials from his circle. UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty responded: “We have imposed sanctions on a number of individuals responsible for recent repressive actions and corruption, and we are closely monitoring the situation. I am deeply concerned about developments in Georgia, and I have made this clear to representatives of Georgian Dream. We have suspended broader cooperation with Georgia, which is regrettable, as we had a positive and important relationship. If the country’s leaders steer it away from the Euro-Atlantic path, they must face the consequences.”

● March under the slogan “We see everything” took place on Sunday in Tbilisi as part of the ongoing large-scale, months-long pro-European protests. Participants walked in a column across the city and held a rally outside the buildings of the Special Investigative Service and the State Security Service. “Over the past few months, more than 300 citizens of Georgia have been beaten, tortured, and imprisoned for their desire for freedom, development, and a better future. The police, the Special Investigative Service, and the state security agencies are accomplices in a special operation aimed at stripping Georgia of its independence. Their goal is to empty and weaken the country. Our goal is to strengthen and develop it. Our main demands remain unchanged: the resignation of the illegitimate government and freedom for the regime’s prisoners,” the statement addressed to the country’s citizens said.

● “The Georgian Dream regime claims to defend traditional values, yet every day they remain in power brings more insecurity, more poverty, and further robbery of the people,” said Paata Manjgaladze, one of the leaders of the opposition party Strategy Aghmashenebeli. “Due to the regime’s policies, more than a million citizens have left the country, and every day in Georgia more people die than are born,” Manjgaladze added.

● The co-chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, announced that he had appealed to the new Syrian foreign minister with a request to reverse the Assad regime’s mistaken decision and recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign territories of Georgia. “This simple step would be a demonstration of strength and commitment to Syria’s new path,” Wilson wrote on X. In 2018, Syria recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries, following Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Venezuela. The rest of the world, including the official position of the UN, considers them part of Georgia and occupied by Russia.

● Georgian Dream’s presidential representative Mikheil Kavelashvili participated in the inauguration of the new Pope Leo XIV together with world leaders in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, according to information posted on his Facebook page.

●  “In these difficult and contradictory times, your support in defending true values, your determination and resilience, will be of immense importance to the whole world,” reads a letter from Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, congratulating Leo XIV on his election as Pope.

●  In Georgia, the Day of Family Sanctity was celebrated – a holiday proposed several years ago by the Georgian Orthodox Church to be observed on May 17. Many believe this was intended to overshadow the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which is marked globally on the same date. Tens of thousands took part in a religious procession in Tbilisi. Media outlets reported that buses were arranged to transport residents from various regions to the capital and back. Independent media also noted that employees of organizations and institutions funded by the state budget were reportedly required to participate.

• * In Georgia’s recent history, this date has taken on special significance. May 17 has effectively become a symbol of the clash between the liberal and homophobic segments of society. Here’s a look at the clashes and scandals from previous years – and an explanation of the context
• 

● The high-profile criminal investigation against seven journalists arrested in the case against AbzasMedia has been completed, including the outlet’s director and editor-in-chief. They are all charged with smuggling and other serious crimes and face up to 12 years in prison. All deny the accusations and claim they are being persecuted for publishing critical material about the authorities. The journalists’ lawyers appealed the decision to close the investigation, arguing that key circumstances were not examined.

The lawyers requested the removal of testimony by AbzasMedia coordinator Mahammad Kekalov, who was also arrested but later retracted his statements. They also demanded that the identity of a plainclothes man seen in the search footage of the AbzasMedia office be established, as his name is not listed in the official record. The defendants suspect this man may have planted €40,000 on top of a cabinet in the hallway while others were in the room. This money became one of the main pieces of evidence in the smuggling case, but the journalists insist it doesn’t belong to them and was planted. In total, the lawyers submitted about 20 motions to the court—all were rejected. A verdict is expected at the next court hearing on May 20.

The arrests in the AbzasMedia case began on November 20, 2023, when the outlet’s director Ulvi Hasanli and coordinator Mahammad Kekalov were detained. Two days later, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi was arrested upon disembarking from a plane. Journalists Nargiz Absalamova, Hafiz Babaly, and Elnara Gasimova were later detained. In May 2024, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Farid Mehralizade was also arrested as part of the same case.

● The court rejected the appeal of well-known journalist Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva), who was arrested in the “MeydanTV case.” She had requested house arrest during the investigation due to health issues. Ulviyya is charged with group-organized smuggling. She denies the charges and says the arrest is tied to her journalism. Her lawyer said she refused to testify. Ulviyya Ali is the 11th journalist arrested in the MeydanTV case.

Over the past 18 months, more than 30 journalists and activists in Azerbaijan have been arrested in group cases on smuggling charges. They all reject the accusations and describe the arrests as politically motivated. International organizations and many Western leaders have called on the government to release them.

● “Azerbaijan and Iran must continue and deepen their economic cooperation—bilaterally, within the 3+3 format, and through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The two countries share a common history, and we must not allow foreign powers to interfere in the region or play geopolitical games. We ourselves must think about our well-being and development,” said presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev, speaking at the “Dialogue Forum” in Tehran.

● “Azerbaijan has managed to liberate its lands occupied by Armenia, and favorable conditions have now been created to sign a peace agreement between the two countries,” Hajiyev said at the forum. “We recognize that a constitution is a domestic matter, as long as it poses no threat to another country. But Armenia’s constitution still contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and that clause must be removed,” pro-government outlet Report quoted him as saying. According to the outlet, Hajiyev also stated that “Baku opposes the presence of foreign military forces in the region, believing they pursue their own interests here.”

● EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas: “The European Union expects the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia to be signed soon. The two countries are very close to this, and it is in everyone’s interest.” Kallas made the remark to journalists before the start of the European Political Community summit.

● “An anti-Azerbaijani provocation was prevented during the Eurovision 2025 semi-final. At Baku’s request, the staging of Armenia’s performance was altered,” reports pro-government outlet Caliber. In the original version of the Armenian act, two large structures appeared on stage: one resembling the outline of Armenia’s map, the other the territory of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts that were recaptured in the second Karabakh war. During the performance, these structures “merged,” and the Armenian singer climbed atop them in an emotional display of “victory.” Following Azerbaijan’s intervention, the controversial props were removed, and the Armenian performer’s “armored” costume was modified, the outlet says.

● Milli Majlis speaker Sahiba Gafarova attended the enthronement ceremony of Pope Leo XIV. During the meeting, she conveyed President Ilham Aliyev’s congratulations on his election as Pope and wished him success.

● In Armenia, there was widespread outrage over a remark made by a host on Israel’s public television during the broadcast of the Eurovision 2025 contest. After the performance by Armenia’s representative, singer PARG, the host said, “I can’t believe we gave these guys a neighborhood in Jerusalem.” The comment has been condemned as racist, with many noting that the Armenian presence in Jerusalem dates back over 1,700 years. Armenia’s public broadcaster demanded an explanation for the on-air incident, stating that “it was perceived as an insult by Armenia.” Israel’s public broadcasting corporation has since apologized for the remark.

● “Iran will not allow enemies to undermine its strategic relationship with Armenia,” said Ali Akbar Ahmadian, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, during a meeting with his Armenian counterpart. The two discussed the need for full implementation of bilateral projects, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

● “There are unresolved issues with Armenia. Baku demands changes to its Constitution to remove the clause that threatens Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Only then can a long-term peace be legally formalized,” said Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev in an interview with Iran’s Tasnim agency.

● President Vahagn Khachaturyan congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his enthronement. Footage from the ceremony was shared by the Armenian president’s press service. Deputy foreign minister Vaagn Kostanyan accompanied the president on the trip to the Vatican.

● Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II consecrated and officially opened the first Armenian church in Minsk — the Church of Gregory the Illuminator. Construction began in 2022.

● Armenia’s national football team has a new player from Argentina. Coach John van’t Schip has called up 23-year-old midfielder Tomás Adoryán from Argentina’s Banfield football club.

● Armenia held “Museum Night”: on Sunday, all museums remained open until midnight with free admission.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 12-16 May, 2025