LIVE: Key morning headlines from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

● Destruction and a fire occurred about 200 meters from the Azerbaijani embassy building in Kyiv when Russia launched ballistic missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital on the morning of July 19. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that one person was killed and five others were injured in the attacks.

● The body of Samad Nasrullayev, the captain of the civilian cargo vessel Atlas Bey, who was killed in a Russian drone attack off the coast of Odesa, has been returned to Azerbaijan. The Turkish-owned cargo ship Atlas Bey came under attack on July 14. There were 11 Azerbaijani citizens on board. The captain was the only fatality. His body was found on July 16 after an intensive search.

● The committee defending the rights of opposition Popular Front Party chairman Ali Karimli says the conditions of his detention have become even harsher. According to the committee, the inmate sharing Karimli’s cell is still a prisoner reportedly suffering from mental health problems and facing terrorism-related charges. The committee says the inmate makes noise throughout the night, preventing Karimli from sleeping. It also states that Karimli has long been denied visits from his family, phone calls, outdoor exercise, and access to news. In recent days, the restrictions have reportedly been tightened further: his family is no longer allowed to send him food, handwritten notes — including legal motions prepared for court — have been confiscated, and his lawyers have been prohibited from giving him written materials during visits. The committee believes these restrictions are linked to interviews Karimli gave to international media and claims they were imposed on the direct orders of the president. It is calling for the release of Karimli and all political prisoners.

Ali Karimli has been under arrest since November 2025. At the same time, party member and MP Mammad Ibrahim was also detained. Both are charged with actions aimed at violently overthrowing the government. Their arrests are linked to an investigation involving former head of the presidential administration Ramiz Mehdiyev. The opposition and international human rights organizations have described the arrests as politically motivated repression. More than 20 party members and activists are currently in prison. The latest list compiled by the Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan includes 328 political prisoners. The authorities deny that arrests in the country are politically motivated.

● About 1.3 tonnes of wild-growing cannabis plants were discovered and destroyed in a single day, the Interior Ministry reported. During the same operation, police also seized more than 3.5 kilograms of narcotic substances.

● The British Embassy congratulated Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) on its 28th anniversary. “Every hectare cleared means lives saved. We are honored to stand alongside you in mine action,” the embassy wrote on X.

● The first open-air library has opened in Shusha, in Karabakh. It will operate 24 hours a day and be open to everyone. The project was created by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the administration of the Shusha State Reserve and the companies Azercell Telekom and Aztelekom.

● Azerbaijan national team footballer Mahir Emreli is transferring from Germany’s Kaiserslautern to Poland’s Raków Częstochowa.

● FIFA referee Farida Lutfaliyeva has been appointed to officiate two matches in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Another Azerbaijani referee, Gulnura Akbarzade, will officiate one match in the same round. Lutfaliyeva will also serve as the reserve referee for the tournament final in Slovakia.

● Azerbaijan has begun importing ice cream from Brazil (0.3 tonnes worth $3,140) and South Korea (1.1 tonnes worth $12,000), according to official statistics.

● Police arrested Giorgi Chigladze after a conflict during a wedding at the Agarani Mamuli hotel in Telavi, charging him with intentionally causing minor bodily harm to a foreign citizen. A video circulating on social media shows Chigladze striking a woman in the face. She was taken to hospital. The investigation is being conducted under Article 120 of the Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. According to the Interior Ministry, the incident was preceded by public insults from foreign nationals staying at the hotel toward guests attending the Georgian wedding. The foreign nationals were also pouring water from the balcony onto the wedding guests, including the musical equipment, and demanding that people speak Russian. Chigladze’s lawyer claims the confrontation began after repeated provocations and says his client was the first to suffer injuries. The defense has requested that he undergo a medical examination. According to the hotel administration, police had been called before the physical confrontation began, while an ambulance arrived after the incident.

● Heavy rain and overflowing rivers have caused problems in several regions of Georgia. In Tusheti, near the village of Shenako, floodwaters completely washed away part of the road, destroying its foundation. Traffic has also been temporarily suspended in both directions on the Kutaisi–Tskaltubo–Tsageri–Lentekhi road near the Sakdri Bridge because of river flooding.

● A train to Batumi was delayed for about 20 minutes at Tbilisi Railway Station after security staff called the patrol police. One of the carriages was carrying family members of people arrested during the pro-European protests. They were wearing T-shirts with images of the detainees and holding placards. They refused to comply with the administration’s request to put the placards away. After a report was drawn up, the train continued its journey.

● A traditional protest march took place in Tbilisi on Saturday, from the Philharmonic Hall to the parliament building, under the slogan “Glory to the Heroes.” Participants carried the flags of Georgia, Ukraine, and the European Union. The demonstration continued outside the parliament building.

📸 Protest on the Tbilisi–Batumi train. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze

● Armenia now has the opportunity to purchase US defence technologies, Armenian Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan told Axios. “Because of the absence of peace, many potential opportunities were blocked. As soon as we begin implementing the peace programme, prosperity will come. We are strengthening our sovereignty. We are seeking greater independence for Armenia. Greater sovereignty means less dependence on one single actor,” Mkrtchyan said.

● Armenia has slightly worsened its overall result in the Government Quality Index compiled by the international Chandler Institute of Governance, ranking 64th. Georgia is ahead of Armenia in 43rd place, while Azerbaijan ranks 57th. Türkiye is in 75th place, and Russia in 78th. The top positions in the ranking are held by Singapore, Norway and Denmark. Armenia’s weakest scores were recorded in long-term vision, bureaucratic quality, logistical competence, adaptability and passport strength. At the same time, between 2025 and 2026 Armenia maintained or improved its performance in five out of seven main areas, including public finance management.

● Video recording of an armed incident in central Yerevan has been released. The footage shows a person approaching a group of people standing on the street, opening fire and throwing a grenade in their direction. A body was found at the scene, and one person was hospitalised. One person has been detained. A criminal investigation has been launched, and authorities are taking measures to identify other participants in the incident.

● An intestinal infection outbreak has been reported in the city of Byureghavan. The emergency service received 15 calls overnight and another 14 calls in the morning. Six people have been hospitalised. The main symptoms include general deterioration, fever and abdominal pain. Local residents claim the incidents are linked to poor-quality water. They have already held several protests outside the city hall, demanding that the problem be resolved.

● The Ministry of Education has announced preliminary results of the 2026–2027 admission competition for local higher education institutions. The government allocated 12,720 places, including 2,133 state-funded places. A total of 9,620 applicants were admitted to universities, including 1,875 who received free education places.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 13-17 July, 2026