Turkey continues to strengthen Azerbaijan's defense capabilities, viewing it as a fraternal state and a key ally in the region. This was stated by Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, who emphasized that cooperation is based on the principle of "one people, two states, one army."
The Karabulak District Court of Ingushetia fined 37-year-old imam Magomed Sultygov 50,000 rubles for failing to report a crime.
Russian officials commented on Yerevan's statement about possible rapprochement with the European Union and the current state of relations between Russia and Armenia.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze posed for a photo with several politicians, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a forum in Turkmenistan dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust. The Georgian opposition interpreted the presence of representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party at the event alongside Putin as a decision to reconsider the country's foreign policy.
The film "The Letter," about the deportation of the Ingush people, has been banned in Ingushetia. The republic's Ministry of Culture has refused to hold the premiere of Amur Amerkhanov's film, despite it having received a federal grant and having been shown in other regions.
On December 11, a protest took place in front of the Armenian Embassy in Moscow. Participants demanded that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was attending a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union Council, release persecuted clergy.
An Azerbaijani court has remanded lawyer and human rights activist Namizad Safarov in custody for four months on fraud charges. He is accused of embezzling 53,000 manats (approximately $31,000).
In Dagestan, Umaraskhab Alibekov, a father of many children, was found guilty of failing to report a planned terrorist attack that killed 22 people. The charge is based on the fact that he knew about the planned attacks on Makhachkala and Derbent but failed to notify authorities.
South Ossetian activist Tamara Mearakishvili has been unable to obtain a new passport for over a year. She claims the lack of a document prevents her from moving freely, even within the republic, or finding employment.
Following his visit to Berlin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan traveled to Moscow to attend a meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council. He told reporters, emphasizing that Armenia simultaneously seeks to deepen relations with the EU and maintain its membership in the EAEU.
Mikheil Saakashvili, former President of Georgia, accused billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, of hindering the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.