Azerbaijan

A court in Azerbaijan convicted nine journalists and activists, including Toplum online TV founders, on charges of financial crimes, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from 12 to 15 years. International media rights groups criticized the verdicts as politically motivated and an attack on media freedom.

An Azerbaijani court convicted nine journalists and founders of a top independent news outlet on financial crime charges, sentencing them to prison. The case is viewed as an attack on media freedom.

Azerbaijan's court convicted nine journalists and activists from Toplum TV on financial crime charges, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from 12 to 15 years. International media rights groups condemned the verdicts as politically motivated and an attack on media freedom.

Azerbaijan's court convicted nine journalists and activists, including Toplum TV founders, on charges of financial crimes, sentencing them to 12-15 years in prison. International media rights groups condemned the verdict as politically motivated, accusing the government of suppressing critical voices.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed secret talks between former German and Russian officials in Baku to discuss ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, stating Azerbaijan was not officially informed. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denied German government involvement, raising concerns about unofficial diplomacy without Ukraine's participation.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan hosted secret Russian-German talks without his knowledge but expressed conditional support if the discussions could aid in ending the Ukraine war.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is to hold talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Berlin. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt will present a report on sexual offenses against children in 2025.

Germany's Merz will host Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, with discussions focusing on energy and Armenia. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt will present a report on sexual offenses against children.

Azerbaijan is deepening diplomatic and transport cooperation with Russia despite publicly backing Ukraine, aiming to maintain ties with Moscow while preserving geopolitical flexibility. The strategy involves a 2-year plan to lock in relations with Russia.

Congress is seeking clarification from Piyush Goyal on a proposed U.S. Bill that would impose 100% tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil. Other countries including China, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan also face similar tariffs under the legislation, while 15 European countries importing Russian gas are exempt.

Ukraine aims to sign major defense agreements with seven NATO countries by year-end, leveraging its expertise in radar systems and ground stations. It has already secured drone deals with six nations, including three Middle Eastern states, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Lithuania, shifting from a military hardware recipient to a security provider.

PM Pashinyan warned Armenia does not wish to engage with the 'weaponization' of the 1915 Armenian genocide. Israel's recent recognition of the genocide has sparked reactions in Turkey and Azerbaijan, with Turkish President Erdogan accusing Israel of committing a more recent genocide in Gaza.

The article discusses the 100th episode of a podcast recorded live in Brussels, covering topics such as the Irish presidency's approach to the EU farm budget, Ursula von der Leyen's diplomatic trip to Azerbaijan and Armenia, and potential price increases for online shopping from non-EU platforms like Temu and Shein.

Azerbaijan rebuked Israel for recognizing the Armenian genocide, calling it a distortion of historical facts. Turkey suggested the decision was a distraction from ICC arrest warrants against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Azerbaijan rebuked Israel for recognizing the Armenian genocide, calling it a political distortion of history. The two nations, close allies with significant trade and military ties, saw Azerbaijan urge Israel to reconsider its decision.

Azerbaijan criticizes Israel's recognition of the Armenian genocide, calling it a 'distortion of historical facts' and urging Jerusalem to reconsider. Azerbaijan, an ally of Israel, aligns with Turkey's position in rejecting the genocide label for World War I-era atrocities.

Azerbaijan criticized Israel for recognizing the Armenian genocide, a move viewed as a rebuke to Turkey. Azerbaijan and Israel are allies, but Azerbaijan expressed concern the decision could harm bilateral relations and called on Israel to reconsider. The recognition by Israel followed similar acknowledgments by over 20 countries, including the U.S., France, and Germany.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia as the EU promotes the Middle Corridor trade route to bypass Russia and Iran. The initiative aims to enhance trade, energy, and digital connectivity between Europe and Asia.

Italy's embassy in Tehran will reopen on Friday after more than three months of closure due to the Iran war, as stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The closure followed US and Israel's airstrikes on Iran in early March, prompting Italy to relocate embassy staff to Azerbaijan for security.

Azerbaijan’s opposition leader Ali Karimli is on trial in Baku for an alleged 'attempted coup.' Karimli, who spoke from prison to FRANCE 24, denies the charges, calling them 'entirely fabricated and politically motivated,' and warns of a risk of assassination.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has disciplined over 100 officials for collusion with human smugglers since the 2023 Greece boat tragedy, which killed at least 209 people. FIA Director General Dr. Usman Anwar reported 132 investigations leading to 68 major and 36 minor penalties, alongside a decline in deportations due to stricter profiling. International concerns include illegal migration routes to the EU via Belarus, Cyprus, and Cambodia, with abuses of study visas and bonded labor reported.

Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party retained power in Armenia but failed to secure a supermajority needed for constitutional changes demanded by Azerbaijan. Analyst Arif Yunus noted that a Moscow-backed opposition bloc could now effectively veto the reforms.

Nikol Pashinyan won Armenia’s parliamentary election with 49.8% of the vote, advancing his pro-Western 'Real Armenia' peace agenda. His Civil Contract party fell short of a supermajority, complicating constitutional reforms. The election occurred amid geopolitical tensions with Azerbaijan and Turkey, following Azerbaijan’s 2023 takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh. A U.S.-brokered peace deal in 2025 requires Armenia to remove constitutional claims to Nagorno-Karabakh, a move now delayed without a supermajority.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party led early parliamentary election results, positioning him to solidify Armenia's shift toward the West despite Russian pressure and interference claims. Pashinyan declared a 'historic victory' and pledged to seek peace with Azerbaijan while maintaining relations with Moscow.

Prime Minister Pashinyan declared victory in Armenia's election, which could solidify his push toward the West and away from Russian influence. The election is the first since Armenia's 2023 military defeat by Azerbaijan.

Armenia concluded its parliamentary election with a 58.97% voter turnout. The election tests Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s diplomatic shift toward the West, which has led to tensions with Moscow through trade bans, cyber interference, and military threats. Pashinyan framed the vote as a choice between a peace treaty with Azerbaijan or a return to war.

Armenians voted in a parliamentary election viewed as a test of the government's efforts to secure a peace deal after a military defeat by Azerbaijan. The election is considered a vote on Armenia's geopolitical future and its shifting ties with Russia, influenced by the war in Ukraine.

Armenia held a parliamentary election testing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's diplomatic shift toward the West amid Russian economic bans and allegations of Kremlin election interference. Pashinyan framed the election as a choice between a peace treaty with Azerbaijan or a return to warfare.

Armenia held its 9th legislative parliament election with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Treaty party leading at 30% support. Pashinyan seeks a majority to finalize a peace treaty with Azerbaijan and shift diplomatic focus toward the EU, facing opposition from pro-Russian factions including the Strong Armenia alliance led by Samvel Karapetyan.

Armenians are voting in elections featuring pro-EU Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan against pro-Russia opposition. Peace efforts with Azerbaijan are highlighted as a key issue.

Armenians voted in an election featuring pro-EU Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan against pro-Russia opposition. Peace efforts with longtime foe Azerbaijan are a central issue in the election.

Armenians are voting in a parliamentary election focused on the government's peace efforts following a military defeat by Azerbaijan. The ruling Civil Contract party is leading with 32% support, while the pro-Russian Strong Armenia party is in second with 11%.

Armenia's parliamentary election tests its strategic pivot from Russia toward the EU. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan leads the polls with 32%, seeking a majority to implement reforms, finalize a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, and normalize ties with Turkey.

Armenia's upcoming parliamentary elections, described as a 'historic moment' by an expert, could reshape the country's relationships with Russia and the West. Incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan aims to normalize relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has long been in conflict.

Armenia's parliamentary elections could determine its geopolitical alignment between Russia and the West. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's push for closer EU and US ties contrasts with opposition parties advocating pro-Russia policies. Relations with Russia deteriorated after Azerbaijan's 2023 control of Karabakh, prompting Armenia to distance itself from Moscow through actions like joining the International Criminal Court and suspending participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Armenia is holding elections amid protests in its capital against the current government's alleged pro-Azerbaijani policies. Russia has warned against electing 'pro-European forces' while a historic break in Armenia-Russia relations looms over the vote.

Israel secretly deployed military and intelligence units to Azerbaijan during its war with Iran, according to CNN, which cited sources familiar with the operation. The network reportedly included covert sites in Iraq, the UAE, and Somaliland.

Israel deployed elite forces in Azerbaijan and operated a base in Somaliland during the Iran war, according to a report. Operations by Israeli commandos and Mossad troops included the killing of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) special operations chief, though Azerbaijan denied the allegations.

Five Azerbaijani crew members were killed and three others wounded in an attack on two commercial vessels, the Natra and Zircon, in the Sea of Azov. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reported the incident.

Five Azerbaijani citizens were killed and three injured in a drone strike on cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov. Russia blamed Ukraine, while Ukraine stated its drones targeted ships carrying 'illegal cargo' in occupied Ukrainian ports without confirming casualties.