An Azerbaijani opposition figure called for unity around Popular Front Party leader Ali Karimli.

Azerbaijani opposition figure Gulu Mehmedli harshly criticized the authorities, accusing the country's leadership of repression, fear-mongering, and suppression of public activism. He called the rule of the Aliyev father and son the source of "political decline and total hopelessness" in the country.

According to Mehmedli, during the 33 years of the Aliyev family's rule, Azerbaijan has fallen to 171st place in the world press freedom index, falling behind Belarus and several African countries. The opposition figure believes the current system of power deliberately maintains an "atmosphere of fear and apathy" in society.

Mehmedli cited support for Popular Front Party leader Ali Karimli as a way out of the crisis. He emphasized that "for decades, he has steadfastly defended democratic principles and Azerbaijan's European perspective." He also called on citizens to rally around Karimli, stating that a unified society could lead to rapid political change.

Azerbaijani human rights activists Leyla Yunus and Elshan Hasanov presented an updated list of political prisoners, prepared according to PACE criteria. According to the published data, the number of political prisoners in the country has reached 328. Among them are 44 representatives of opposition parties and civil society, 31 journalists and bloggers, and eight human rights activists. Believers remain the largest category, with 182 people.

Последние новости
Council of Europe Calls for Review of Anar Mammadli’s Sentence
Human rights
Council of Europe Calls for Review of Anar Mammadli’s Sentence
11 September 2026

Representatives of the Council of Europe have called on Azerbaijani authorities to release human rights defender Anar Mammadli, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Specifically, PACE rapporteur on political prisoners Azadeh Rojhan asserts that his prosecution is political in nature and that fundamental principles of a fair trial were violated during the proceedings.

Pashinyan: Armenia to continue seeking alternative gas sources regardless of Russian gas price
Politics
Pashinyan: Armenia to continue seeking alternative gas sources regardless of Russian gas price
11 September 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country will continue to seek alternative sources of gas, regardless of whether the cost of Russian supplies changes.

Memorial has recognized a Romanian national—detained in Abkhazia and convicted of espionage in Russia—as a political prisoner
Human rights
Memorial has recognized a Romanian national—detained in Abkhazia and convicted of espionage in Russia—as a political prisoner
11 September 2026

The Memorial Human Rights Center has designated Romanian national Adrian-David Kercho a political prisoner; he is currently serving a 15-year sentence in a maximum-security penal colony for espionage on behalf of Ukraine. The Krasnodar Regional Court handed down the verdict in March 2026, and an appeal in June upheld both the sentence and the criminal classification. Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated and are calling for his release.

Georgian Interior Ministry Opens Case Against Blogger Over Profane Comment About Simonyan and Solovyov
Politics
Georgian Interior Ministry Opens Case Against Blogger Over Profane Comment About Simonyan and Solovyov
11 September 2026

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has initiated administrative proceedings against journalist Tornike Razmadze. The agency states that he is accused of insulting the country's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, on social media. The case was opened under Article 166 (petty hooliganism) and Article 173 (disobedience to police orders), which carry penalties of a fine of up to 3,000 lari or up to 20 days in detention. The case is scheduled to be heard by the Tbilisi City Court on September 29.