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.
Among the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, the regions of the Far East are recognized as the most responsible in terms of business repayment of bank loans. Payment discipline is worst developed in the republics of the North Caucasus, RIA Novosti reported.
Dagestan, with a share of overdue loans of 52.5%, took penultimate, 84th place in the ranking. The Karachay-Cherkess Republic was on the 83rd line (36%), Chechnya - on the 81st (24.3%), Ingushetia - on the 78th (12.1%).
The leader in the smallest share of unpaid loans from legal entities was the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, where 0.1% of loans are overdue. Also in the top five were the Amur Region (0.2%), Kamchatka Territory (0.2%), Magadan Region (0.2%) and Trans-Baikal Territory (0.3%).
The companies took out the most loans in Moscow and St. Petersburg – their shares account for 40% and 8%, respectively.