The trial in the case of the ex-head of the government of Nagorno-Karabakh Vardanyan will begin on January 17
On January 17, the first session of the Baku Military Court in the case of former Minister of State of Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan will be held. He will be tried for mercenary, financing of terrorism, attempt to seize power, as well as other criminal articles. Vardanyan may face life imprisonment. He went on hunger strike twice in the pre-trial detention center.
 
Ex-citizen of the Russian Federation, major businessman, billionaire Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijani security forces on September 27, 2023 when he tried to leave Nagorno-Karabakh for Armenia. He was transferred to Baku, on the same day he was charged under 3 articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Then the criminal case grew to 45 episodes under 20 articles.
 
The international legal adviser of the Vardanyan family, Jared Jenser, previously reported that the accusations by the Azerbaijani authorities are groundless and politically motivated, which is confirmed by Baku's refusal to provide evidence for their objective consideration. According to Jenser, the purpose of these actions is to justify a closed trial, which will be unfair and completely dependent on the Aliyev regime.
Последние новости
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
Society
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
18 March 2026

Former Federation Council member Rauf Arashukov from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony in Orenburg, expressed a desire to be transferred to a prison colony in Mordovia. The reason for this transfer is the fact that his father, Raul Arashukov, is also serving a life sentence there for stealing gas and organizing two murders.

The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.

Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Society
Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
18 March 2026

Eid al-Fitr, one of the key Islamic holidays that concludes Ramadan, will begin on the night of March 19-20. Most republics of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared the holiday non-working.

Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
Politics
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
18 March 2026

A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran, Jeyhun Bayramov and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bayramov insisted that Tehran fulfill its promise to investigate the drone attacks launched from its territory on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.