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 recently adopted resolution on «foreign agents» in Georgia may undermine the Euro-Atlantic integration of the country. This was announced by the US State Department.
A bill has been submitted to the Parliament of Georgia, which requires civil society organizations and mass media that receive more than 20% of revenues from foreign sources to register as a «foreign agent». The United States noted that the initiative is based on similar Russian legislation.
We expressed deep concern to our partners in the Georgian government. The proposed law would silence independent voices and citizens who were committed to building a better future for their country. We believe that this could potentially undermine Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration,» the State Department summarized.