Latest news in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, summary. Live

●  Tens of thousands of people took part in a march under the slogan “To the end, to victory!” on Sunday evening. The participants walked along Rustaveli Avenue and continued their protest in front of the parliament. The continuous pro-European demonstration has been going on for 333 days. Protesters are demanding the same things: a return to the path of European integration, new parliamentary elections as a legitimate way to change power, and the release of all those detained during the protests.

●  The Interior Ministry reported that over the past three days alone, police have detained 60 protesters for “blocking roads” and “covering faces” — which now includes wearing a medical mask, banned under new rules effective since October 17. Artificially blocking a road or wearing a mask at a rally is now punishable by up to 15 days of administrative arrest. Since then, more than 150 people — including journalists, doctors, directors, and writers — have been detained. Repeat offenses can lead to up to one year in prison. Despite arrests, Rustaveli Avenue remains blocked every evening during the rallies.

●  “This criminal government must resign! The innocent must be freed! There must be free elections! We must all fight for one another,” said Levan Tsutskiridze, leader of the “Freedom Square” movement, addressing the crowd.

●  “Nothing can save this regime, which held elections under a Russian scenario and proved itself illegitimate,” said former president Salome Zurabishvili. “This year has gone from one Russian scenario to another. On October 4 (the day of municipal elections), the regime tried to deceive the people with an absurd script devised by Russian intelligence. But the people are wise. What has happened over the year? Unprecedented solidarity has emerged. Funds are being raised rapidly to pay protesters’ fines so that no one is left defenseless. When representatives of this regime appear in court, they stand alone — no one supports them. Journalists who fight to the end are now in prison. The name of Mzia Amaglobeli has crossed borders. This is the power of society. Patriotism is on the side of those standing here with these flags,” she said.

●  Dan Barna, vice-president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), said sanctions are an “appropriate response” to the actions of Georgian Dream. “The situation in Georgia is critical. The government is distancing itself from the EU. The revocation of its candidate status is being discussed — but that would also mean depriving Georgian citizens of hope. Therefore, sanctions should target those directly responsible for decisions undermining democratic principles, as was done in Russia and Belarus,” Barna told Formula TV.

●  In Tbilisi, the heads of the Georgian and Azerbaijani state security services met to discuss strategic partnership and new initiatives to deepen cooperation in the field of security.

●  Giorgi Chikvaidze, Irakli Papiashvili, and Anzor Kvaratskhelia — convicted of large-scale embezzlement — have gone on hunger strike, according to Giorgi Chikvaidze’s mother, Eka Tsereteli. “A representative of the Public Defender’s Office told me they were subjected to actions amounting to torture: they were denied food and then forced to say they had refused it themselves. Prison staff also threatened them,” she wrote.

●  Another person has been arrested in the case of the murder of young teacher Gigi Avaliani, who was attacked on October 3 and died in hospital on October 25 from severe injuries. The Interior Ministry said a suspect identified as G.R., born in 2007, was detained. He was allegedly at the scene but failed to report the crime and fled with another suspect, A.G., born in 2008.

Today marks 333 days of continuous pro-European protest in Tbilisi. From Republic Square, thousands of people are marching down Rustaveli Avenue toward Parliament, chanting: “Until the end, until victory!”

Their three demands remain the same: to return the country to the path of… pic.twitter.com/wHm8iGbE4y

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) October 26, 2025

●  Russia is preparing to organize the transit of Russian goods to Armenia through Azerbaijan, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told reporters. This became possible after Baku lifted the more than 30-year-old restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia. “Azerbaijan has confirmed the possibility of using its railways for the transit of Russian goods to Armenia. Russian Railways is now working on how to organize these shipments. The Ministry of Agriculture has also been instructed accordingly,” Overchuk said.

More details on Azerbaijan’s decision to resume transit through its territory to Armenia and its significance read here.

●  The Court of Appeal has upheld the 18-year prison sentence for Ikbal Abilov, a researcher of Talysh culture and language, convicted of treason, public calls against the state, and incitement of national and religious hatred. He continues to insist on his innocence, saying the charges are politically motivated and punishment for promoting Talysh history and culture. His lawyers said they will appeal to the Supreme Court for a review of the sentence. Read more about Ikbal Abilov’s case here.

●  Akif Gurbanov, head of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives and a representative of the “Third Republic Platform,” who is under arrest in the “Toplum TV case,” appealed to witnesses expected to testify in court today, October 27. Gurbanov noted that there are 49 witnesses in the case. “We know the pressure you faced during the investigation, the threats you received. So I sincerely and firmly tell you: do not be afraid for us. Aliyev will decide the punishment for me and my friends anyway, and no statement or fact can change that,” he wrote on Facebook.

The criminal “Toplum TV case” began with arrests on March 6, 2023, involving nine people in total. All face charges of smuggling and other serious crimes, which they categorically deny, claiming the arrests are politically motivated to silence independent media. Read more here

●  Azerbaijani servicemen are taking part in the NATO international exercise “Nusret-2025” in Çanakkale and the Gulf of Saros, Turkey. Participants include troops from the U.S., UAE, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Indonesia, South Africa, the Netherlands, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Egypt, Pakistan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Oman. The goal is to improve mine warfare skills and strengthen cooperation and interoperability among the navies of participating countries.

●  In Tbilisi, the heads of Georgia’s and Azerbaijan’s state security services, Mamuka Mdinaradze and Ali Naghiyev, held a meeting. The press release said they discussed strategic partnership and new initiatives to deepen cooperation in the security sphere.

●  Statistics: From January to August, 58 people applied for asylum in Azerbaijan — a 3.6% increase compared to the same period last year. In addition, 263 people received refugee status under the Refugee Convention — up 19.5% year-on-year.

●  The activities of five criminal groups involved in buying and selling bank cards for use in online gambling and betting were stopped. Twelve people were detained, and more than 2,000 bank cards linked to the crimes were identified. Authorities noted that many card owners who lent them out for payment were unaware of their illegal use.

●  A scientific conference on organ transplantation from deceased donors was held in Sumgait, co-organized by government institutions, including the Ministry of Health, and Florence Healthcare International. It was reported that 1,061 people in Azerbaijan are awaiting organ transplants. This year, 31 transplant surgeries from deceased donors have been performed. Liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplants are covered by mandatory health insurance, and from 2026, heart and cornea transplants will also be financed.

●  The Baku State Circus has reopened after a two-year hiatus. The new program premiered to a full house, featuring performances by artists from Hungary, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Belarus, Ethiopia, and Argentina (pictured).

●  On Sunday, all of Armenia watched as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended a liturgy at Hovhannavank Monastery. It was conducted by former clergyman Father Aram Asatryan, who joined Pashinyan’s movement against the Catholicos. Asatryan had been defrocked and, under church canon, had no right to perform any rites. The ceremony saw minor incidents: a man shouting that Asatryan had no right to lead the liturgy was removed from the church, with someone covering his mouth. Later, another man grabbed the Bible from Asatryan’s hands, prompting confusion as deacons demanded he leave the church. The man replied they had no right to expel him. Read the full report and analysis on JAMnews.

●  Meanwhile, in the Echmiadzin Cathedral, a collective prayer was held in support of arrested clergymen and Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, accused of calling for the overthrow of the government. With the blessing of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, an ordination and blessing ceremony took place. Media reported that deacon Anushavan Asatryan, brother of defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan (who led the liturgy in Hovhannavank), took part.

●  “Being politically illiterate, Nikol Pashinyan has unknowingly opened the ‘gates of hell,’ establishing a precedent of self-proclamation and legitimizing it,” wrote analyst Argishti Kiviryan on Facebook. “What would stop someone tomorrow from declaring themselves prime minister and, citing the Asatryan precedent, storming the gates of power? What would prevent Samvel Karapetyan, for example, from assembling an army larger than Armenia’s? The government itself has legitimized self-proclamation.”

●  A new criminal case has been opened against the arrested mayor of Gyumri, Vardan Ghukasyan, who was previously charged with corruption — this time for publicly calling for the renunciation of Armenia’s sovereignty. His legal team said the case was based on his statements outside the anti-corruption court, where he argued that Armenia should form alliances with other states to protect its independence. Earlier, Ghukasyan said Armenia should join a union with Russia and Belarus. Read more here 

●  The 12th plenary session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, along with bureau and committee meetings, will be held in the National Assembly from October 28–30.

●   “Azerbaijan has confirmed the possibility of using its railways for the transit of Russian goods through its territory to Armenia,” said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk. He added that Russian Railways is now preparing to organize such shipments.

●  Georgia’s State Security Service head Mamuka Mdinaradze held meetings with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts during their official visits to Tbilisi. According to the press release, discussions with Andranik Simonyan focused on friendly relations between Georgia and Armenia, prospects for deeper cooperation in the security sphere, and regional challenges, with particular emphasis on coordination and information exchange.

●  In Yerevan, a protective net from a historical building under renovation collapsed onto the street, damaging parked cars. No injuries were reported.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 20-24 October, 2025