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.
A tragic accident occurred in Grozny on July 20, in which a married couple died and their two children were seriously injured. According to human rights activists from Memorial, the culprit of the accident was Yasin Zakriev, the chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Chechnya and nephew of the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov.
According to Memorial, the car driven by Zakriev crashed from behind into the car in which the family was traveling. The couple died on the spot, and the official himself was not injured. Local authorities quickly organized a reconciliation event between the family of the deceased and Zakriev, but it is unknown how voluntary this reconciliation was. No criminal case was opened on the fact of the accident, and, according to available information, Yasin Zakriev was not held accountable.