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 appearance of Canadian representatives in the EU mission in Armenia de facto means creeping penetration of NATO into the South Caucasus. This was stated by Deputy Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Galuzin.
Moscow, he said, is also concerned that with Armenia’s approval, the EU mission could become permanent. In addition, Galuzin claims that Western countries are collecting intelligence in Armenia regarding Russian targets, as well as all neighboring states.
Earlier, Galuzin noted that the Russian Federation regrets Armenia’s participation in the NATO summit in Washington. According to him, with such actions Yerevan, which still remains a member of the CSTO, risks seriously destabilizing the situation in the South Caucasus to the detriment, among other things, of its own security.