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.
Russia and Georgia from Friday, May 19, resume flights between the countries, interrupted in 2019. Flights to Tbilisi will be operated daily on Russian SSJ100 aircraft from Moscow's Vnukovo airport.
Georgian airline Georgian Airways resumes flights to Moscow from May 20. The foreign carrier will fly from Tbilisi to Vnukovo on Boeing 737 aircraft.
Georgia has also issued permission for another Russian airline, Red Wings, to fly to the country. Planes will start flying from Sochi to Tbilisi and back, as well as from Moscow to Kutaisi and back from June 2. Flights will be carried out three times a week.
“We have repeatedly said that we will not stop trade and the economy with Russia, because this will harm the interests of our people. To comply with EU policy, we must be a member. Today we are not them,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said the day before.