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 worst unemployment situation in the Russian Federation remains in the regions of the North Caucasus. This follows from the latest rating published by RIA Novosti experts.
Things are especially bad in Ingushetia, where the figure was 27.4%. The republic took last, 85th place in the ranking in terms of unemployment rate.
Chechnya and Dagestan were also among the outsiders, where 10.4% and 12.5% of the population are officially unemployed, respectively (84th and 83rd positions). Karachay-Cherkessia is located on the 79th line (8.4%), North Ossetia - on the 81st (8.6%), Kabardino-Balkaria - on the 82nd (8.8%).
The rating was topped by the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, where the unemployment rate was only 1%. The leaders also included the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Khakassia and Moscow - in these regions the unemployment rate ranges from 1.5% to 1.7%.