Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 21-25 April, 2025

● Leader of the “Georgian Dream” parliamentary faction Mamuka Mdinaradze: “If the EU cancels the visa-free regime, Georgian society will take it the right way. Expectations from the EU are already much lower. Personally, I believe this is their ‘last bullet’ in this blackmail. They understand that afterward, the blackmail will lose its meaning — usually, in such cases, the author of the blackmail doesn’t follow through.”

● Over the past few months, more than 800 civil servants have been dismissed. For many, the unofficial reason was participation in months-long pro-European protests. The independent union of civil servants says that this unprecedented wave of dismissals is being enabled by legislative amendments recently passed by “Georgian Dream,” which granted public institution leadership unprecedented powers. Previously, Transparency International Georgia published a report stating that one of the ruling party’s main strategies to suppress the protest movement is to fully subordinate the civil service. Read more here

● Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded to the “Georgian Dream” political council’s recent statement that they will “face all challenges with dignity, and Georgia will be better prepared for the EU’s 2030 enlargement than all other candidate countries.” Zakharova said: “It remains to be seen whether there will even be anything to join by then. The crisis within the European Union is so obvious that it makes no sense for those who care about their national economies to be part of it.”

● Russia’s National Guard (“Rosgvardiya”) signed a cooperation agreement with the self-proclaimed South Ossetia, focused on exchanging experience between special police units in ensuring public safety.

● Georgia has eased its visa regime for Congo, Syria, and 15 other countries considered high migration risk. Citizens of these countries are among those who face restricted access to EU member states.

● Georgian Dream-affiliated president Mikheil Kavelashvili has pardoned 33 convicts on the occasion of Easter.

Photo: JAMnews: It will soon be four months of continuous pro-European protests in Georgia, with demands to release dozens of arrested activists and hold new parliamentary elections to legally change the government.

● Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada sharply criticized Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly for “bias and ignoring crimes committed by Armenia against the Azerbaijani people.” Hajizada accused Joly of promoting the views of the Armenian diaspora at the expense of Canada’s national interests. Mélanie Joly posted on X in connection with the 110th anniversary of the mass killing of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey: “In 1915, over 1.5 million Armenians were killed. We must ensure their names & stories are never forgotten. Today, we acknowledge the profound resilience of the 120,000 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh who were forcibly displaced from their lands in 2023.” Azerbaijan claims that the Armenians of Karabakh left their homes voluntarily, while the authorities repeatedly offered them the option to stay and obtain Azerbaijani citizenship.

● Former U.S. President Donald Trump, when commenting on the 1915 events in the Ottoman Empire, avoided using the term “genocide,” calling it “one of the worst mass atrocities.”

● Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Azerbaijan in early May to meet President Ilham Aliyev. This was reported by the Times of Israel, citing its sources. The publication states that the main topic of discussion will be the progress of Turkey-Israel talks on Syria, mediated by official Baku. The agenda will also include strengthening bilateral ties and expanding trilateral cooperation with the United States. In early April, the president of Azerbaijan met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya.

● OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu is visiting Azerbaijan after trips to Armenia and Georgia.

● 📍 Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian will visit Azerbaijan on April 28 at the invitation of president Ilham Aliyev. Local media describe the visit as a “sign of warming relations.” Ahead of the trip, Pezeshkian expressed hope for a “rapid and serious improvement in relations and cooperation between the two countries.”

● Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry denied Armenian reports that Azerbaijani forces fired on the Armenian village of Khaznavar on April 23, calling the claims false and an attempt to mislead international opinion.

● Alesker Mamedli, the detained founder of independent outlet ToplumTV and a media law expert, told the court that the police who arrested him planted a large sum of money in his apartment, which was later allegedly “found” and used as evidence in a smuggling case against him. Seven others have been arrested in the same case, and one journalist is under alternative pretrial restrictions. All deny the charges, claiming they were targeted for their professional work. “Their goal is to isolate and silence us,” said ToplumTV journalist Farid Ismailov during the hearing. Lawyers are demanding the release of the detainees and the termination of the criminal case. Journalists have protested against prosecutor Rauf Malyshov, calling for his replacement and a psychiatric evaluation. Malyshov is also serving as prosecutor in the ongoing case against jailed journalists from Abzac Media, who allege he handles politically motivated cases. More on the ToplumTV case here

● The court reviewed an appeal by Xural TV head Avaz Zeynalli for early release due to his cancer diagnosis. A medical evaluation was ordered, and proceedings were delayed indefinitely. His wife criticized the slow medical process.

● The trial of a group of former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continued in Baku (pictured below). They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government, and other serious offenses. According to the pro-government agency AZERTAC, the April 24 hearing focused on multiple killings and acts of violence against Azerbaijani civilians committed before the occupation of Shusha during the First Karabakh War, beginning in December 1989. Reports say Shusha and surrounding villages were repeatedly shelled by Armenian forces. Among the incidents under review is the mass killing of civilians known as the Malibeyli and Gushchular massacre.

● Azerbaijan has granted a request from the Russian Prosecutor’s Office and extradited soldier Sotim Savlatov to Moscow. He was wanted on charges of deserting his military unit. According to Mediazona, 27-year-old Savlatov was born in Tajikistan, holds Russian citizenship, and lived in the Tver region. Russia’s Interior Ministry placed him on a wanted list in late October 2023, and he was detained in Azerbaijan in January. Mediazona reports that since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has opened around 16,000 criminal cases for desertion, disobedience, and unauthorized absence from military service. The maximum penalty for such offenses is up to 15 years in prison.

● “The European Union has deployed three missions in Armenia, two of which pose a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” said Ramid Namazov, chairman of the temporary parliamentary commission on countering external interference and hybrid threats. He also claimed that “the EU is building an extensive spy network in the country to strengthen its influence in the region.” According to Namazov, “since the arrival of the mission, around 70 military facilities have been constructed or renovated along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, including trenches, dugouts, and shelters.”

● Azerbaijan’s delegation to Pope Francis’ funeral will be led by Milli Majlis Speaker Sahiba Gafarova. The funeral will take place tomorrow in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

● Global oil prices have fallen to just over $65 per barrel. Azerbaijan’s 2025 state budget was based on $70 per barrel. Economists warn that continued price drops could strain the country’s finances, as oil and gas make up 90% of exports.

● French president Emmanuel Macron published a message in Armenian to mark the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. “Today, April 24, on the National Day of Remembrance, let us remember all the victims and preserve their memory. Let us continue to act on behalf of humanity, in the name of truth and justice,” Macron wrote.

● U.S. president Donald Trump did not use the word “Genocide” and referred to the events of 1915 as Meds Yeghern (meaning “great calamity” in Armenian). “Today we honor the memory of the victims of the Meds Yeghern and pay tribute to the innocent souls who suffered during one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century. Beginning in 1915, 1.5 million Armenians were deported and perished in the final years of the Ottoman Empire,” read Trump’s message published on the White House website.

● The EU mission in Armenia initially used the word “Genocide” in its post marking the 110th anniversary but later deleted it. The original post on X said, “Today, April 24, we commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide,” which was later changed to “the memory of the victims of 1915–1923.”

● A bill on condemning and recognizing the 1915 Armenian Genocide has been registered in the parliament of Moldova.

● Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a message to the Armenian community of Turkey. “This year again, we respectfully commemorate the Ottoman Armenians who lost their lives under the harsh conditions of World War I, and I once again express my condolences to their descendants. We still feel the sorrow in our hearts for the lives lost due to uprisings during the final period of the Ottoman Empire, as well as from the growing bandit movements, destructive actions of armed groups, and infectious diseases,” the message read.

● Former president Robert Kocharyan called it nonsense when some members of the ruling party claimed that “the opposition should not even touch the Genocide issue.” Kocharyan reminded the public that he was the one who brought international recognition of the Armenian Genocide onto the country’s foreign policy agenda.

● Former president Serzh Sargsyan believes that prime minister Nikol Pashinyan will be removed from power before the 2026 elections. Speaking to journalists, Sargsyan said his supporters “have a plan to remove Pashinyan from office.” When asked about his well-known disagreements with former president Robert Kocharyan, he said bluntly: “Leave Kocharyan alone.” Both former presidents are considered pro-Russian by many in Armenia.

● “The CSTO (post-Soviet military bloc led by Russia) and Armenia maintain working contacts. Yerevan is being informed of everything discussed in the secretariat. Armenia has not withdrawn — it has merely paused its participation in the organization’s work,” CSTO secretary general Imangali Tasmagambetov told reporters.

● Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in his address to the Polish Sejm, stated that “the decisions of the Georgian government are distancing the country from its European course, which was expected but remains a regrettable process.” He said, “We regret that Georgia is moving away from the European path. But we do not blame the Georgian people for the decisions of their government. That’s why Poland and its partners have imposed sanctions on those responsible for the repressions.” Sikorski also said that “the ongoing war in Ukraine is not only an immediate threat to the region, but also shapes the future of states like Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia. This is a defining moment for whether Belarus will be fully absorbed into the Russian world or retain the last remnants of its independence. At the same time, it will determine whether Georgia, Moldova, and Armenia can continue on their path toward European integration.” According to him, membership in the European community is a privilege and a conscious choice that lies in the hands of free citizens.

● Businessman Giorgi Bachiashvili, who has left Georgia and is the former head of the co-investment fund founded by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, is in serious danger and could be killed, according to his international lawyer Robert Amsterdam. The Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a criminal case against Bachiashvili, accusing him of the illegal appropriation of 8,253 bitcoins, which at the time were worth $39 million (about $258 million at today’s rate). According to the lawyer, the risks to Bachiashvili are so significant that he was compelled to make the matter public and appeal to international law enforcement bodies to “protect the businessman and investigate the alleged conspirators.” More about the Bachiashvili case here

● An administrative case has been launched against three individuals for insulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze. Charges have been filed against Miranda Bagaturia, press secretary of the “New Party,” Ana Kurashvili, press secretary of the “Girchi – More Freedom” party, and Tornike Skhvtaridze, the brother of arrested protester Saba Skhvtaridze. Officer Mirian Kavtaradze is the one who arrested Saba Skhvtaridze, accusing him of assault. Kavtaradze testified in court on April 17, where a large group of protesters greeted him outside the courthouse, chanting: “You are a disgrace to Georgia, Kavtaradze.”

● The state registry has officially registered the aggressive pro-Russian far-right movement “Alt-Info Party” under the name “Conservatives for Georgia” (pictured below). Earlier, on April 8, the state registry had canceled the registration of the pro-Russian “Alt-Info” party.

● Armenia is marking the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey today. Around 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915 and 1923 during World War I. Hundreds of thousands more were either forcibly converted to Islam or fled to countries around the world.

● Armenian leadership honored the victims at the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial.

● A traditional torchlit march was held overnight in Yerevan under the slogan “Do not renounce.” Thousands laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and recited the Lord’s Prayer. During the march, several young people burned the flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan, declaring, “This is a symbol that we will not forget the genocide of our ancestors.”

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan condemned the burning of the Turkish and Azerbaijani flags. “Burning the flags of internationally recognized states—especially neighboring ones—is a provocative and inflammatory act,” said PM spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan, according to Armenpress.

● Armenia’s Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijani forces once again shelled the border village of Khoznavar in the Syunik region. No casualties were reported, but a residential home was damaged.

● “Azerbaijani media are misrepresenting my words about the events in Ivanyan (Khojaly),” said David Babayan, former foreign minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Media had claimed Babayan spoke of a medal created for the “liberation of Khojaly” and said different groups resolved the situation by force. In a message relayed by his family to 168.am, Babayan states the opposite. “Responsibility for the 1992 events lies with the Azerbaijani side. It was the result of their internal political struggle,” he wrote. He added he would raise the issue at the next court hearing and noted that he and other prisoners are being treated well.

• In Azerbaijan, the Khojaly tragedy is considered the bloodiest episode of the Karabakh war. Official reports say 613 Azerbaijanis were killed on the night of February 25–26, 1992.

● “We do not oppose negotiations with Turkey and Azerbaijan—we oppose the unconditional fulfillment of all their demands,” said an opposition MP from the “Armenia” parliamentary faction during a briefing. “We’re not against talks, but we are against one-sided concessions.”

● “We will review the invitation from Baku to take part in the upcoming 3rd CIS Games. Our decision will depend on multiple factors, including the safety of Armenian athletes,” said Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan.

● A second shipment of humanitarian aid will be sent from Armenia to Syria. The government has allocated 49 million drams (around $123,000) for the effort.

● In Yerevan, a bus driver was injured in a stabbing incident during a dispute with another driver, according to the head of “Yerevan Bus,” Gegham Asatryan. The injured driver was hospitalized.

● A unique game of table tennis was played under a hot air balloon at an altitude of 2,450 meters.

● Azerbaijan and China signed a Special Strategic Partnership Agreement during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Beijing. The document outlines cooperation in more than 20 areas, ranging from green energy and the oil and gas sector to ambitious social initiatives. Several other agreements were also signed, including one on mutual visa-free travel. Six separate deals focus on cooperation in the field of renewable energy.

● Authorities in Baku denied permission for an April 27 rally demanding the release of opposition figure and Musavat National Council member Tofig Yagublu, who was sentenced to nine years and has been on a hunger strike in prison for 24 days. The protest was initiated by the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and the National Council. The last coordinated opposition protest in Baku took place in 2019. Since then, the city administration has banned all public gatherings, citing traffic concerns. According to local human rights groups, there are currently over 350 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Authorities reject this classification, stating that all individuals on the list have been convicted of actual crimes.

● Azerbaijan’s permanent representative to the UN, Tofig Musayev, sent a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres accusing Armenia of glorifying international terrorists, war criminals, and racist ideologues as national heroes. He called it ironic that Armenia, “a monoethnic state with a long-standing policy of ethnic exclusion and intolerance,” took part in the UN meeting marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The letter claims UN member states were taken aback by the “incendiary rhetoric” of the Armenian representative.

● Azerbaijani citizen Emin Ghasimzade was sentenced to 15 years in prison for treason and inciting anti-state activities. He reportedly shared information with Armenia that “damaged Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and national security,” including photos from Shusha and other areas, allegedly passed to contacts via social media. He also posted content deemed to incite national hatred. A day earlier, Azerbaijani citizen Ivan Svetlichny received a 16-year sentence on similar charges. The trial continues for political analyst Bahruz Samedov, accused of treason on Armenia’s behalf. Samedov denies the charges, saying he is being punished for anti-war posts. Read more here

● Staff from the Thalassemia Center were questioned in a court case involving the embezzlement of nearly $1 million from families of children with thalassemia, under the pretense of overseas treatment. At the victims’ request, former chief physician Khuraman Jafarova and renowned doctor Mirjalal Kazimi, head of surgery and organ transplantation at the Central Customs Hospital, were also questioned. Thirty-six individuals have been officially recognized as victims. Three doctors face fraud charges and up to 14 years in prison.

● A three-day trip to Karabakh has begun for members of the NomadMania travelers’ club, which includes people from 30 countries, including the US, UK, and EU. Local media report that the group will explore large-scale reconstruction, demining efforts, and the destruction left from the period of Armenian occupation. The trip is described as part of efforts to promote the region for “dark tourism.” This marks the 13th such visit to Karabakh and surrounding areas since the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

These photos were published by the NomadMania website after a similar trip last year. The accompanying text notes: “The group were explained the Azerbaijan perspective on the conflict and what had happened, and why they were celebrating so much. The group had a seminar in advance of their departure, and were sent a number of Armenian positions on the issue in the hope that, following it all, they could reach their own conclusions.”

● Georgia’s Central Election Commission has addressed an open letter to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, demanding an end to what it calls a discrediting campaign against the results of the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections. “The last straw,” the letter says, “was the mention of holding new elections in a new PACE resolution.” The CEC urges PACE to verify claims made by various parties and get firsthand information from Georgia’s election authorities. “We call on PACE not to treat the process superficially, as its public opinions influence the already polarized political climate in Georgia.”

● “Six months after the election, not a single democratic country has recognized the CEC’s announced results — that’s the reality,” said Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change,” in response to the CEC’s letter to PACE.

● OSCE Secretary General at a press conference in Tbilisi: “Stability in Georgia is vital for both its people and the region’s broader interests. We are committed to strengthening Georgia’s security.” Read more here

● Georgian Dream Secretary General and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze on the possible suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU: “The West has long used Georgia’s European integration process as a tool of blackmail, encouraging radical groups and sowing division. What matters most is Georgia’s sovereignty and independence — not visa liberalization.”

● Georgia’s 5th president Salome Zourabichvili on the detained Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder and director of Netgazeti and Batumelebi: “It has been 100 days since Mzia Amaghlobeli’s unlawful imprisonment. She has become a symbol of press freedom in the region amid growing crackdowns on independent outlets.” #FreeMziaAmaghlobeli

● The Prosecutor’s Office has charged Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party, with failing to appear before a temporary investigative commission formed by Georgian Dream to probe actions of the former government. Most opposition parties have refused to cooperate with the commission in protest. No court hearing has yet been scheduled.

● Mikheil Samkharadze, who was detained during an Easter night protest on Rustaveli Avenue, has been released. He was arrested for disobeying police orders, along with Giorgi Ortoidze, who was sentenced to five days in custody.

● Oleg Bartsyts, the de facto foreign minister of Abkhazia, said he welcomes Georgia’s leadership expressing a desire to improve relations with Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Russia. However, he said practical steps are needed — including repealing the Law on Occupied Territories and signing a non-use of force agreement. Georgia considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia part of its territory and occupied by Russia, which has recognized them as independent. The rest of the world backs Georgia’s territorial integrity. The law prohibits entry into Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Russia, bans economic activity there without Tbilisi’s approval, and holds Russia responsible as an occupying power.

● Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II expressed condolences over the death of Pope Francis: “We are deeply grateful to Pope Francis — His Holiness was a man of many talents, known for his humility, strong support for social initiatives, and active promotion of peace across the world.” Ilia II also thanked the Pope for holding liturgies in the Georgian language at a church in Rome, and recalled his visit to Georgia in 2016, as well as his invitation for the Sameba Cathedral choir to perform at the Sistine Chapel in 2022.

Video by JAMnews: The 146th day of continuous pro-European protests in #Tbilisi:

The 146th day of continuous pro-European protests in #Tbilisi. Rustaveli Avenue remains the epicenter, but some protesters have traditionally gathered at the Public Broadcasting building. The public is calling for a change in the broadcaster’s editorial policy, accusing it of… pic.twitter.com/84bKpYbXq9

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) April 22, 2025

● The trial of seven arrested journalists linked to the AbzasMedia case continued. The first arrests took place in November 2023, when the outlet’s director Ulvi Hasanli and his deputy Mahammad Kekalov were detained. The next day, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi was arrested upon returning to the country, directly at the airport. The detainees face charges including smuggling, document forgery, tax evasion, and other serious crimes, with possible sentences of up to 12 years. The journalists deny the charges and say they are being targeted for their critical reporting on the authorities. At yesterday’s hearing, witnesses were questioned, including those who had attended AbzasMedia’s training sessions for young journalists. The defendants continue to demand the right to ask questions and receive answers from the witnesses.

● On the topic: “‘All within the law’: How the president of Azerbaijan destroyed or brought the media under his control”

● The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, will visit Azerbaijan on April 25.

● Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan will take coordinated steps to strengthen their ties.”

● The trial continued in the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and an Armenian citizen, who is in pre-trial detention. He is accused of torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other offenses. Victims gave testimony during the hearing. According to the state agency Azertag, most of them are landmine victims from areas recaptured by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Second Karabakh War. Many arrived at the court on crutches. The next hearing is scheduled for April 29.

● Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Birol Akgün: “The signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the opening of the Zangezur corridor will significantly expand the transport and economic potential of the Turkic world as part of the Middle Corridor from China to London. Turkey supports this process.” The Zangezur corridor is a proposed route that would link Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. Yerevan insists it will maintain control over the road within its borders, while Azerbaijan believes it should be extraterritorial.

● Senior officials from the Khazar district military mobilization service, including its head Ramin Shukyurov, have been arrested on charges of corruption and accepting large bribes.

● Azerbaijan’s “Azercosmos” and China’s STAR.VISION have launched a joint research project to study the effects of climate change on the Caspian Sea.

● The Speaker of the Armenian Parliament told reporters he had a brief conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart in St. Petersburg. Alen Simonyan and Sahiba Gafarova were both attending a session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. According to Simonyan, they “sat next to each other for hours during the meeting.”

● Responding to journalists, Simonyan said he disagrees with the notion that negotiations between Yerevan and Baku are deadlocked.

● “There will always be people dissatisfied with the course of the investigation,” said the head of Armenia’s Investigative Committee, commenting on the case of missing soldiers. Artur Poghosyan added that while he doesn’t seek to justify any inaction by investigators, the agency has done tremendous work.

● Armenian weightlifters were welcomed back at Yerevan airport overnight after competing in the European Championship in Moldova. Both the men’s and women’s teams placed first in their respective team standings and finished third overall in the medal count.

● Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at the Vatican.

● A fight broke out during a parliament session between ruling and opposition MPs. Tensions escalated after Speaker Alen Simonyan remarked that there is internal discord within the opposition “Hayastan” faction, and that some of its members have “fallen captive to the Dashnaktsutyun party’s position.” Opposition MPs responded from their seats, prompting intervention from ruling party lawmakers. The argument devolved into shouting and physical altercations. The speaker called in state security officers and announced a 20-minute recess.

● Armenia is facing a blood donor shortage due to rising annual demand, said a representative of Yerevan’s Yolyan Hematology Center. Around 60 blood units are transfused daily, and the center cannot rely solely on regular donors. Andranik Shamilyan stressed the need to promote a nationwide culture of blood donation and organize regular donor drives in both Yerevan and the regions.

● Swedish journalist Rasmus Canbäck commented on the mutual accusations between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding cross-border shootings. “Unlike Azerbaijanis, Armenians consistently present evidence of damage when accusing Azerbaijan of opening fire,” Canbäck wrote on social media.

● A protest took place outside the parliament building in Tbilisi in support of two peaceful protesters — Giorgi Ortoidze and Mikheil Samkharadze — who were detained by police on Easter night. In a symbolic act of protest, participants attempted to block Rustaveli Avenue. Police forcibly cleared the street and detained three more protesters: Lasha Dgebuadze, Davit Gunashvili, and Levan Zazadze.

● Georgian Dream released a statement marking the 13th anniversary of the party’s founding, declaring that “no threats, blackmail, or sanctions have succeeded in dragging Georgia into the flames of war.” The statement also said: “Georgia is being blackmailed by European bureaucracy, which is trying to bring undemocratic forces back to power. However, the Georgian Dream political team is managing the situation with dignity. We promise society that… Georgia will be better prepared than any other candidate country when the EU expansion announced for 2030 takes place.” The party also expressed hope that by 2030, “the current bureaucracy in Brussels will be replaced by a worthy and independent political elite.”

● Leaders of Georgian Dream — including its founder and honorary chair, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, as well as the party-appointed prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze and president Mikheil Kavelashvili — published messages of condolence over the death of Pope Francis.

● “My thoughts are with the millions of Catholics mourning the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. It was an honor for me to visit the Vatican as president of Georgia and agree on key steps to strengthen ties between our states and cultures,” wrote 5th president Salome Zourabichvili on social media, posting a photo (see below).

● 31-year-old Dimitri Javakhishvili was shot dead late last night in the center of Chumlaki village, Gurjaani municipality, in the Kakheti region. Another young man was injured. According to the current version, the crime was most likely motivated by revenge. This marks the second murder in Kakheti in 24 hours. On Easter night, an unidentified individual shot and killed another young man near his home in the town of Akhmeta and fled the scene.

● The volume of remittances to Georgia increased by 4% in March compared to the same period last year, reaching $292 million. Transfers from Kyrgyzstan surged by 155%, while notable declines were recorded from Kazakhstan (-44%) and Russia (-29%). The top five countries for remittances were: the United States (+29%), Italy (+7%), Russia (-29%), Greece (+15%), and Germany (+19%).

📷 Photo by Mo Se. Day 145 of the large-scale, continuous pro-European protests:

● “I haven’t lived in the country for six years, I don’t know any state secrets — how could I have leaked them to anyone?” said 34-year-old political analyst Bahruz Samedov during a court hearing. He is under arrest and facing charges of treason and espionage for allegedly working with Armenian intelligence. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years or life in prison. Samedov, a PhD student at Charles University in Prague, believes he is being punished for opposing war and openly calling for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. His trial will continue with witness testimonies on May 16. A video story about Bahruz Samedov is available here.

● Tofig Yagublu, a member of the National Council and the Musavat party, has been on a hunger strike in prison for 22 days after being sentenced to nine years on fraud charges. He claims the case was fabricated and says he will continue the hunger strike “until death” unless the verdict is overturned. At the family’s request, an independent doctor examined him and confirmed he was conscious and communicative. He agreed to receive non-nutritional intravenous fluids to maintain water-electrolyte balance and prevent tissue hypoxia. Several major international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have recognized Yagublu as a political prisoner and are calling for his release. Read more here

● In Baku, the trial continues against a group of former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow the Azerbaijani government, and other serious offenses. Pro-government outlet AZERTAC reported that the April 21 hearing focused on the mass killing of Azerbaijanis by Armenian forces in the town of Khojaly during the night of February 25–26, 1992. Excerpts from a report by the human rights center Memorial were presented, confirming the scale of the tragedy and the mass deportation of surviving Azerbaijanis. According to the report, most deportees were held in Khankendi — which, according to human rights activists, suggests orders came from the so-called authorities of the unrecognized regime.

AZERTAC also shared statements from the defendants, including:

• Araik Harutyunyan (de facto “NKR president” from 2020–2023) called the killings in Khojaly the greatest tragedy of the first Karabakh war.

• Arkadi Ghukasyan (“NKR president” from 1999 to 2007) said he knew that hundreds of Azerbaijanis had been transferred from Khojaly to Khankendi and were later handed over to the other side. He condemned the killings of civilians and claimed he was unaware of the tragedy’s full scale at the time.

• Davit Babayan (“NKR foreign minister” from 2021 to 2023) called the events barbaric and revealed that the regime had even established a medal “For the Liberation of Khojaly.”

The next hearing is scheduled for April 24.

● China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an upcoming visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. “We believe this visit will further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries and bring significant benefits to both peoples,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

● A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Tu Hung is currently visiting Baku.

● Two Azerbaijani deputy defense ministers, including Air Force Commander Namig Islamzade, are on an official visit to Qatar. Discussions are focused on expanding military-technical cooperation.

● Over 1,000 landmines and unexploded ordnance were cleared between April 14–20 in Karabakh and nearby areas reclaimed during the 2020 Second Karabakh War. According to Azerbaijan’s demining agency ANAMA, 893.8 hectares of land were cleared in that period.

● The Agricultural Insurance Fund (ASF) received 76 compensation claims from 15 regions following heavy rains that damaged farms last week. ASF reported that agricultural insurance payouts have increased by 46 percent compared to last year.

● Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights from Lahore to Baku. Additionally, Azerbaijani airline AZAL continues to operate flights to Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.

Photo by JAMnews: A beekeeper in the village of Zabukh near a minefield in Azerbaijan. According to official data, since the ceasefire agreement was signed on November 10, 2020, 70 Azerbaijani civilians have been killed by landmines and around 300 injured. Azerbaijan continues to raise the issue at various international platforms, calling for greater involvement of Western countries in demining efforts and in holding Armenia accountable. Armenian officials say they have handed over 972 minefield maps to Azerbaijan and insist that no better or more accurate maps exist. Here is an analysis on the topic from Yerevan:

● Armenia’s Constitutional Court chief said the Armenian Constitution contains no territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Baku points to the reference in Armenia’s independence declaration about future unification with Karabakh, demanding its removal as a condition for a peace deal.

● Azerbaijan shelled the Armenian border village of Khoznavar in Syunik, according to the defense ministry. A rooftop solar panel was damaged; no injuries were reported.

● Armenia and Azerbaijan continue exchanging proposals on the next steps of the border delimitation process, Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan told Armenpress.

● Opposition forces are “trying to exploit Karabakh’s displaced people for political purposes,” ruling party MP Vahagn Aleksanyan said, accusing media of publishing radical, inflammatory content that fuels polarization.

● The Armenian Union of Journalists has appealed to the European and International Federations of Journalists, citing obstruction of reporters’ work in parliament and verbal abuse from MPs. “Under the guise of Western values, authorities restrict media freedom and encourage hostility toward journalists,” the statement said.

● Nikol Pashinyan expressed sorrow over Pope Francis’ death, calling him a key voice for peace and justice.

● Armenia’s ombudsman said the current system for preventing deadly incidents in the armed forces fails to meet international standards.

● Armenia’s judiciary faces a 40% shortage of judges, according to the head of the Chamber of Advocates.

● A Moscow court has posthumously found Mikhail Khachaturyan guilty of systematic sexual abuse of his daughters. The three girls killed him in 2018.

Photo by JAMnews: Vernissage in Yerevan:

● “Their fear is our strength” – a protest is planned today at 12:00 pm on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi against the arrests of activists during Sunday evening’s demonstration (see video below). A group of masked police officers detained Giorgi Ortoidze and Giorgi Samkharadze, who were celebrating Easter at the site of ongoing pro-European protests.

● Thousands of people spent the weekend and celebrated Easter in front of parliament in Tbilisi. The mass protest has been going on for nearly four months – today marks day 145 – with demands for new parliamentary elections and a lawful change of government. Another demand is the release of detained protesters. Participants say that although the government has already adopted several repressive laws, it cannot stop the people’s will to join the European space.

● Georgian media are discussing two Easter messages – from Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II and Bishop Grigol of Poti, a member of the Holy Synod. The Patriarch spoke about peace, selflessness, and sacrifice but said nothing about the political crisis or the societal division in Georgia. He mentioned conflicts but did not name Ukraine or Russia. In contrast, Bishop Grigol spoke directly about the challenges Georgia has faced in the past year, including Russian influence, attempts to “appropriate the church,” and the “establishment of a regime more dangerous than dictatorship.” He warned of a value confusion that serves only the adversary’s goals: “A vivid example is the deliberate distortion of the concepts of enemy and friend, misleading society,” he said.

● The village of Shukhuti in the Guria region of western Georgia was once again in the spotlight on Easter Sunday. Hundreds of guests and journalists gathered to watch the traditional local game “Leloburti” – a kind of rugby without rules. Teams from the upper and lower parts of the village, divided by a small stream, compete to carry a 16 kg ball filled with sand and sawdust to their side. The winner earns the honor of placing the ball on the grave of a recently deceased village resident. The game is intense and physical, and several participants were injured this year as well. The team from Zemo Shukhuti won for the second year in a row. Local media noted an unprecedented number of women took part this year. Video below

Day 144 of nonstop pro-European protests in Tbilisi marked by fresh detentions of demonstrators

📹 Video by Nanuka Zhorzholiani, FB pic.twitter.com/bNX6l6vupa

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) April 20, 2025

● Armenia celebrated Easter, known locally as “Zatik”—meaning liberation and return to God. Families prepared traditional meals with raisin pilaf and red-dyed eggs. In Yerevan, a candlelit procession took place on Easter night.

● Media note that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not attend the Easter Patriarchal Liturgy in Etchmiadzin, while EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos was seen in the front row. Reports link Pashinyan’s absence to ongoing tensions between the government and the church.

● “The difficult situation in the country is tied to security threats, worsened by internal divisions. Alarming campaigns against our national and Christian identity continue,” said Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II during the liturgy.

● Pope Francis called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a peace agreement, saying in his Easter message that he prays for reconciliation and regional restoration.

● Armenia’s National Security Service raided the Shengavit district administration in Yerevan and detained several employees. No reason has been disclosed. District head Razmik Mkrtchyan criticized the actions as unlawful and against the community’s interests.

● Weightlifter Garik Karapetyan became a two-time European champion.

Video: how Easter is celebrated in Armenia:

● Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov called direct talks between Baku and Yerevan “the most effective way to resolve issues” in an interview with Turkish channel TRT World. At the same time, he questioned Armenia’s stance: “Armenia, along with every other country in the world, recognizes Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan — which means the Karabakh issue is closed. So why does Armenia insist on the OSCE Minsk Group, which facilitated talks since the 1990s? Does Yerevan have other plans for the future? A final peace agreement depends on Armenia’s next steps. Armenian officials sometimes mention plans to amend their constitution, which still contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan — but it’s unclear what those amendments would be.”

● Today in Baku, a court hearing will be held in the case of anti-war activist Bahrus Samedov, a doctoral student at Charles University in Prague, who is accused of high treason. The trial is reportedly closed to the public. More details on Samedov’s case are available here.

● The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has called on France to abandon its colonial policy and respect the right to decolonization for the peoples of Kanaky, Maohi Nui, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, French Guiana, Réunion, Wallis and Futuna, and Corsica. BIG also offered to mediate in this process. The statement was a reaction to the French public broadcaster’s documentary Complément d’enquête and related media reports linking Azerbaijan to unrest in New Caledonia in May 2024. BIG Director Abbas Abbasov called these reports “another example of biased and unethical propaganda.”

● In the past three years, 273 Ukrainian children—whose parents were killed or captured in the Russia-Ukraine war—have undergone rehabilitation in Azerbaijan. Ukrainian Ambassador Yuriy Husyev announced this at a press conference, calling the program an important part of strategic partnership between the two countries. Azerbaijani MP Alibala Magerremzade reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and said Azerbaijan stands with the Ukrainian people.

● Potato prices continue to rise in Azerbaijan, reaching 2 manats (about $1.50) per kilo for old potatoes and 5–6 manats ($3–4) for new ones. Economists attribute this to a 20% increase in diesel fuel prices and higher service tariffs in some sectors.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 14-18 April, 2025