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 regions of the North Caucasus were named outsiders in the rating of material well-being of the population, published by RIA Novosti. The worst situation is in Ingushetia, which occupies the last, 85th place. Karachay-Cherkessia is in 83rd place.
Chechnya took 81st place, Kabardino-Balkaria - 78th, Dagestan - 77th, Stavropol Krai - 76th, North Ossetia - 75th. Among the laggards were also Kalmykia, Crimea, Stavropol, Altai, Tuva.
The leaders of the well-being rating were Magadan Oblast, Yamalo-Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs.
The rating was compiled taking into account the ratio of median income to the cost of a fixed set of consumer goods and services, the average monthly volume of bank deposits per capita, the share of the population with incomes below the poverty line, the share of families who could buy an apartment with a mortgage, and the share of the population with incomes over 60 thousand rubles per month.