Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, announced he was banned from participating in the Democracy Forum in Prague. He claimed the ban came from President Ilham Aliyev.

Timur Kishukov, a businessman with US citizenship, a native of Kabardino-Balkaria and a father of four, came to his homeland from Chicago in November 2024 and was detained by FSB officers. After refusing to cooperate with the FSB, the man was charged with terrorism.
Despite the promise to "return in three hours," Kishukov was taken away with his hands and head tied to an unknown location.
According to Kavkaz.Realii sources, he was interrogated in the basement for more than three hours - they asked about the war against Ukraine, inquired about Russian speakers in the United States and their connections with the CIA. He was directly offered cooperation with the FSB - he was required to pass on information about acquaintances and their contacts. His refusal was followed by beatings and threats of criminal prosecution. That same evening, a terrorism case was opened against the detainee.
The investigation claims that Kishukov participated in the war in Syria on the side of the Caucasus Emirate. The charges were based on the testimony of three secret witnesses who allegedly recognized him years later. There is no other evidence: the laptop, tablet, and phone seized during the arrest were returned to the family without finding anything suspicious. In addition, Kishukov has an alibi - during the alleged trip to Syria, he was in Turkey with his family.
The defendant's defense claims that the case is completely unproven and notes that the materials do not contain information about the risks of escape or pressure on witnesses. However, the court in Nalchik sent Kishukov to a pretrial detention center, citing only the severity of the articles brought against him.
The defendant spoke about the beating and threats at the first hearing to select a preventive measure, but the subsequent investigation did not reveal any violations in the actions of the security forces.