Azerbaijan

Abzas Media verdict: 59.5 years in jail for speaking the truth

Journalists and media staff from Abzas Media were convicted on spurious “smuggling” charges and handed prison sentences ranging from 7.5 years to 9 years

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 16-20 June, 2025

Daily morning roundup. Top stories in local media, commentary, trending photos and videos

Azerbaijan accused of supporting Israeli intelligence amid Iran-Israel escalation

Azerbaijan has come under global media spotlight amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel

Azerbaijan reopens border with Iran after five years for its citizens and foreign refugees

Border closures have halted trade with Iran, Russia, and Georgia, hitting families hard — and public frustration is mounting despite official claims of protecting public health and safety

Azerbaijan: suspicious fires in shopping centres and unreleased investigation results

Blazes at major shopping centres raise concerns over vested interests, lack of transparency, and lasting impacts on business and society

What does tension between Israel and Iran mean for Azerbaijan?

Experts suggest that Azerbaijanis in Iran may turn to the country for protection from the war, and Azerbaijan must be ready to offer them refuge

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 9-13 June, 2025

Daily morning roundup. Top stories in local media, commentary, trending photos and videos

Opinion: By calling Karabakh ‘disputed’, Kremlin signals Baku to recognise Crimea as Russian

Putin’s aide called Karabakh a “disputed territory”, sparking sharp backlash in Azerbaijan. Experts say it wasn’t a slip, but a calculated message.

Azerbaijan holds anti-Islamophobia conference while religious activists face persecution

According to the Shi’a activist, around 300 religious activists are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan

"Yerevan’s proposals on unblocking dispel Baku’s concerns," Armenian officials believe

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented the details of the proposal, with comments from the head of the State Revenue Committee and political analysts

Arif Yunus: "'Western Azerbaijan' narrative is a political tool and a repetition of Armenia’s mistakes"

Azerbaijani historian and independent human rights defender Arif Yunus: “The ‘Western Azerbaijan’ narrative may also be part of Turkey’s strategy to increase its influence in the region”

Azerbaijan: Azercell’s new tariff policy and public protests

According to the new rules set to take effect on 1 July, the validity period of Azercell numbers will be sharply reduced depending on the amount of credit topped up.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 2-6 June, 2025

Daily morning roundup. Top stories in local media, commentary, trending photos and videos

"There are no independent media in Azerbaijan, and no one left to report injustice" –Ulviyya Ali's letter from prison

“Four tragedies involving young people point to a systemic problem. But independent journalists are in prison, and no one is left to draw attention to it,” writes a well-known journalist arrested in the ‘Meydan TV case’.

Sexual harassment and brutality reported at Azerbaijan protest

Minors were among those detained during the protest over Elgün Ibragimov’s case.

Azerbaijan: 63 people detained at Justice for Elgun protest

It has been reported that all detainees had their phones confiscated, their passwords taken, social media accounts accessed, and fingerprints collected.

Opinion: "State control and distance learning ban hinder university growth in Azerbaijan"

"Erdogan’s statement points to a deal between Turkey and Russia" - opinion from Yerevan

Turkish president once again calls for an extraterritorial corridor through Armenia to ‘unite the Turkic world’ — analyst Lilit Dallakyan comments