Azerbaijani opposition activist Gulu Mehmedli harshly criticized the country's current leadership. He emphasized the rising incidence of cancer and the dire socioeconomic situation.

In France, six Georgian citizens received prison sentences ranging from 18 months to seven years on charges of stealing rare books by Russian writers from European libraries.

Russian mathematician and blogger Mikhail Verbitsky has been detained at the Yerevan airport. Russian authorities previously placed him on the wanted list, considering him a terrorist, and may in all likelihood request his extradition.

The ancient technology of wineskin cheese production from Dagestan could gain international recognition. It is being considered for inclusion in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) program, which recognizes unique agricultural practices that have survived the ravages of time and industrialization.