Opposition figure Gulu Mammadli stated that the arrest of Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was expected, but the reasons go beyond simple criticism of the authorities. According to Mammadli, Karimli's publications in major Western media have increased his political significance and visibility abroad, which has caused concern among the Azerbaijani authorities.
Adam Kadyrov, the 17-year-old son of the head of Chechnya, continues to rapidly expand his sphere of influence in the republic. Ramzan Kadyrov announced his son's new responsibility: overseeing property tax payments by municipal companies.
This is yet another area of responsibility for the teenager, in addition to leading his father's security service, serving as Secretary of the Security Council, overseeing the Special Forces University and Chechen battalions, raising funds for humanitarian aid to residents of the Gaza Strip, and overseeing the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Journalists have also noted Adam Kadyrov's possession of luxury items, such as watches, which cost approximately 40 million rubles and are almost twice his father's official income.