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.
The European Union summit is opening in Brussels, within the framework of which the decision to grant Georgia candidate status for membership in the organization will be discussed. In addition, the agenda includes negotiations on accession to the EU for Ukraine and Moldova.
The day before, the European Parliament approved a resolution supporting candidate status for Georgia and discussing the issue of Ukraine and Moldova joining the EU. Previously, all EU member countries except Hungary supported these decisions. If the country does not support the common opinion, Georgia will not receive the corresponding status.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban noted before the start of the EU summit that there are no problems with Georgia, his country is only against negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
The day before, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said that if her country is denied a European choice, this will mean its defeat and Russia's victory.
In March 2022, Georgia applied for candidate status to join the European Union. In June of the same year, it was approved subject to the implementation of 12 points. Among them are respect for human rights, de-oligarchization, constructive relations between the authorities and the opposition, etc. The final decision must be made by EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on December 14-15.