Day: December 1, 2024

This week saw journalists from “AbzasMedia” exposing poor conditions and violations at Baku Detention Facility, while Alasgar Mammadli requested house arrest due to health issues, and the date for Azerbaijan’s municipal elections was announced for January 29, 2025.

Conditions and Violations at the Baku Detention Facility Revealed in Open Letter by Journalists

Three journalists from “AbzasMedia” – Sevinc Vaqifqızı, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Qasımova – currently detained in Baku Detention Facility No. 1, have written an open letter exposing the poor conditions there. They describe overcrowding, with women forced to sleep on the floor or share beds, leading to injuries. They also highlight the lack of basic necessities, including proper bedding, clothing, and hygiene products, which are supposed to be provided by the state but are either missing or substandard.

The journalists also point out that the second floor of the facility, which holds 170 women, has several cells being used for non-prison purposes, such as punishment cells or kitchens for guards. Despite regulations requiring detainees to receive appropriate bedding and personal items, the women are only given poor-quality goods. The food provided is also criticized for being insufficient and of low quality.

Finally, the journalists report that detainees are not receiving the clothing and hygiene items mandated by government regulations. Although a contract was signed with a supplier for these products, they are either never delivered or go missing in the facility, raising questions about resource mismanagement and the handling of funds allocated for detainee care.

Alasgar Mammadli Unsuccesfully Requests House Arrest

Alasgar Mammadli, a media expert from “Toplum TV,” has been in detention for nine months and has appealed for house arrest due to serious health issues, including a thyroid tumor requiring urgent surgery. In his court statement, he emphasized the negative impact his detention has on his family, particularly his two children’s education and well-being.

Mammadli argued that house arrest would not interfere with the investigation and that he had legal grounds for the request. He noted his public service record and denied any intention to obstruct the legal process. However, the Baku City Police Department opposed the request, citing the risk of Mammadli fleeing or hindering the investigation. Judge Akhundov rejected the appeal.

Mammadli believes his detention is politically motivated, part of an effort to silence independent media. The case involves accusations of smuggling, with the  detainees claiming the evidence against them was fabricated. His lawyers plan to appeal the court’s decision.

Azerbaijan goes to the polls again

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan have been scheduled for January 29, 2025, as announced by the Central Election Commission on November 27.

On October 18, 2024, the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed a draft law to amend the “Law on Municipalities’ Territories and Lands,” reducing the number of municipalities from 1,400 to 685. This change was approved by the Milli Majlis and signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev on November 25.

Azerbaijan has held five municipal elections so far, in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, with the most recent one on December 23, 2019. According to the Election Code, municipal elections are held every five years, typically in December. Some experts view the postponement of the 2025 elections as contrary to the law.

The post Azerbaijan’s Friday Wrap-Up: Parliamentary Election Date Set appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

This week saw journalists from “AbzasMedia” exposing poor conditions and violations at Baku Detention Facility, while Alasgar Mammadli requested house arrest due to health issues, and the date for Azerbaijan’s municipal elections was announced for January 29, 2025.

Conditions and Violations at the Baku Detention Facility Revealed in Open Letter by Journalists

Three journalists from “AbzasMedia” – Sevinc Vaqifqızı, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Qasımova – currently detained in Baku Detention Facility No. 1, have written an open letter exposing the poor conditions there. They describe overcrowding, with women forced to sleep on the floor or share beds, leading to injuries. They also highlight the lack of basic necessities, including proper bedding, clothing, and hygiene products, which are supposed to be provided by the state but are either missing or substandard.

The journalists also point out that the second floor of the facility, which holds 170 women, has several cells being used for non-prison purposes, such as punishment cells or kitchens for guards. Despite regulations requiring detainees to receive appropriate bedding and personal items, the women are only given poor-quality goods. The food provided is also criticized for being insufficient and of low quality.

Finally, the journalists report that detainees are not receiving the clothing and hygiene items mandated by government regulations. Although a contract was signed with a supplier for these products, they are either never delivered or go missing in the facility, raising questions about resource mismanagement and the handling of funds allocated for detainee care.

Alasgar Mammadli Unsuccesfully Requests House Arrest

Alasgar Mammadli, a media expert from “Toplum TV,” has been in detention for nine months and has appealed for house arrest due to serious health issues, including a thyroid tumor requiring urgent surgery. In his court statement, he emphasized the negative impact his detention has on his family, particularly his two children’s education and well-being.

Mammadli argued that house arrest would not interfere with the investigation and that he had legal grounds for the request. He noted his public service record and denied any intention to obstruct the legal process. However, the Baku City Police Department opposed the request, citing the risk of Mammadli fleeing or hindering the investigation. Judge Akhundov rejected the appeal.

Mammadli believes his detention is politically motivated, part of an effort to silence independent media. The case involves accusations of smuggling, with the  detainees claiming the evidence against them was fabricated. His lawyers plan to appeal the court’s decision.

Azerbaijan goes to the polls again

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan have been scheduled for January 29, 2025, as announced by the Central Election Commission on November 27.

On October 18, 2024, the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed a draft law to amend the “Law on Municipalities’ Territories and Lands,” reducing the number of municipalities from 1,400 to 685. This change was approved by the Milli Majlis and signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev on November 25.

Azerbaijan has held five municipal elections so far, in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, with the most recent one on December 23, 2019. According to the Election Code, municipal elections are held every five years, typically in December. Some experts view the postponement of the 2025 elections as contrary to the law.

The post Azerbaijan’s Friday Wrap-Up: Parliamentary Election Date Set appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

Demonstrators are out on the streets for the fourth night in a row as the winter arrives, their numbers growing each day as people are getting more and more angry at the GD’s foreign policy U-turn, democratic backsliding and police brutality.

Riot police confront protesters with water cannons jetting water from inside and outside the Parliament building, while protesters again use fireworks. The temperature at night is close to zero degrees Celsius. The Parliament building is covered in protest graffiti.

Long after midnight, the battle between water and fireworks continued on Rustaveli Avenue, with protesters showing no signs of relenting. Most of the protesters involved in the standoff with the police are young people.

Civil.ge’s photographer Guram Muradov captures the tumultuous night.

Georgia’s President on the political crisis

President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili said at a briefing on December 2 that the mass protests across the country should remain, as they are now, at the level of self-organization.

She also mentioned that in the coming days, the most significant event could be the start of the consideration of her lawsuit in the Constitutional Court regarding violations of voting secrecy and transparency in the October 26 parliamentary elections. The lawsuit was filed on November 19.

The president held a briefing after meeting with opposition leaders who signed the “Georgian Charter” before the elections.

This is the name of the action plan presented by Salome Zourabichvili.

The goal of the charter is to unite the pro-European opposition as a counterbalance to the ruling “Georgian Dream.”

Civil disobedience grows in Georgia as diplomats, judges, and institutions dissent

“Georgia is Europe and will not become Russia!” – Universities and schools halt classes in protest, diplomats resign from their positions.

“Protests do not need the involvement of political parties or the president”

“We all agreed that protests do not need the intervention of political parties, nor mine. This is primarily a matter for society. However, of course, the protesters need support and protection, and this is being handled by NGOs and lawyers,” said the president.

She also mentioned that political leaders are continuing consultations and will soon announce further plans of action.

“The key is to convey the information to the Constitutional Court”

“The Constitutional Court and its judges now have a unique opportunity to resolve the deep political crisis in the country. We remain within constitutional frameworks, and the most important task today and tomorrow is to convey information to the Constitutional Court.

Political parties, society, activists, judges, and lawyers must focus on scheduling hearings and having the case reviewed by the Constitutional Court,” said Zourabichvili.

Opinion: ‘What happened in Georgia can only be described as power grab’

“Lawsuits are pending against the parliament, and it has no right to hold sessions,” the expert says, claiming that the only solution is repeat election

The president will give an interview to the Public Broadcaster, which has been accused of carrying out government orders

“Society in Georgia deserves to have a worthy public broadcaster. For a long time, I was not given the opportunity to appear on this channel, with various reasons being cited. I want to announce that I am ready to give a special interview to the Public Broadcaster,” said Salome Zourabichvili.

Over the past two days, large-scale protests have taken place in front of the Public Broadcaster’s building, with demands to “stop disinforming the public at the government’s behest.” Protesters also called for the president to be given the opportunity to appear on air.

Soon after, the management of the Public Broadcaster confirmed that it was ready to provide air time for Salome Zourabichvili.

The president’s administration announced that her interview is scheduled to air live on December 3 or 4.

This week saw journalists from “AbzasMedia” exposing poor conditions and violations at Baku Detention Facility, while Alasgar Mammadli requested house arrest due to health issues, and the date for Azerbaijan’s municipal elections was announced for January 29, 2025.

Conditions and Violations at the Baku Detention Facility Revealed in Open Letter by Journalists

Three journalists from “AbzasMedia” – Sevinc Vaqifqızı, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Qasımova – currently detained in Baku Detention Facility No. 1, have written an open letter exposing the poor conditions there. They describe overcrowding, with women forced to sleep on the floor or share beds, leading to injuries. They also highlight the lack of basic necessities, including proper bedding, clothing, and hygiene products, which are supposed to be provided by the state but are either missing or substandard.

The journalists also point out that the second floor of the facility, which holds 170 women, has several cells being used for non-prison purposes, such as punishment cells or kitchens for guards. Despite regulations requiring detainees to receive appropriate bedding and personal items, the women are only given poor-quality goods. The food provided is also criticized for being insufficient and of low quality.

Finally, the journalists report that detainees are not receiving the clothing and hygiene items mandated by government regulations. Although a contract was signed with a supplier for these products, they are either never delivered or go missing in the facility, raising questions about resource mismanagement and the handling of funds allocated for detainee care.

Alasgar Mammadli Unsuccesfully Requests House Arrest

Alasgar Mammadli, a media expert from “Toplum TV,” has been in detention for nine months and has appealed for house arrest due to serious health issues, including a thyroid tumor requiring urgent surgery. In his court statement, he emphasized the negative impact his detention has on his family, particularly his two children’s education and well-being.

Mammadli argued that house arrest would not interfere with the investigation and that he had legal grounds for the request. He noted his public service record and denied any intention to obstruct the legal process. However, the Baku City Police Department opposed the request, citing the risk of Mammadli fleeing or hindering the investigation. Judge Akhundov rejected the appeal.

Mammadli believes his detention is politically motivated, part of an effort to silence independent media. The case involves accusations of smuggling, with the  detainees claiming the evidence against them was fabricated. His lawyers plan to appeal the court’s decision.

Azerbaijan goes to the polls again

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan have been scheduled for January 29, 2025, as announced by the Central Election Commission on November 27.

On October 18, 2024, the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed a draft law to amend the “Law on Municipalities’ Territories and Lands,” reducing the number of municipalities from 1,400 to 685. This change was approved by the Milli Majlis and signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev on November 25.

Azerbaijan has held five municipal elections so far, in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, with the most recent one on December 23, 2019. According to the Election Code, municipal elections are held every five years, typically in December. Some experts view the postponement of the 2025 elections as contrary to the law.

The post Azerbaijan’s Friday Wrap-Up: Parliamentary Election Date Set appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

This week saw journalists from “AbzasMedia” exposing poor conditions and violations at Baku Detention Facility, while Alasgar Mammadli requested house arrest due to health issues, and the date for Azerbaijan’s municipal elections was announced for January 29, 2025.

Conditions and Violations at the Baku Detention Facility Revealed in Open Letter by Journalists

Three journalists from “AbzasMedia” – Sevinc Vaqifqızı, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Qasımova – currently detained in Baku Detention Facility No. 1, have written an open letter exposing the poor conditions there. They describe overcrowding, with women forced to sleep on the floor or share beds, leading to injuries. They also highlight the lack of basic necessities, including proper bedding, clothing, and hygiene products, which are supposed to be provided by the state but are either missing or substandard.

The journalists also point out that the second floor of the facility, which holds 170 women, has several cells being used for non-prison purposes, such as punishment cells or kitchens for guards. Despite regulations requiring detainees to receive appropriate bedding and personal items, the women are only given poor-quality goods. The food provided is also criticized for being insufficient and of low quality.

Finally, the journalists report that detainees are not receiving the clothing and hygiene items mandated by government regulations. Although a contract was signed with a supplier for these products, they are either never delivered or go missing in the facility, raising questions about resource mismanagement and the handling of funds allocated for detainee care.

Alasgar Mammadli Unsuccesfully Requests House Arrest

Alasgar Mammadli, a media expert from “Toplum TV,” has been in detention for nine months and has appealed for house arrest due to serious health issues, including a thyroid tumor requiring urgent surgery. In his court statement, he emphasized the negative impact his detention has on his family, particularly his two children’s education and well-being.

Mammadli argued that house arrest would not interfere with the investigation and that he had legal grounds for the request. He noted his public service record and denied any intention to obstruct the legal process. However, the Baku City Police Department opposed the request, citing the risk of Mammadli fleeing or hindering the investigation. Judge Akhundov rejected the appeal.

Mammadli believes his detention is politically motivated, part of an effort to silence independent media. The case involves accusations of smuggling, with the  detainees claiming the evidence against them was fabricated. His lawyers plan to appeal the court’s decision.

Azerbaijan goes to the polls again

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan have been scheduled for January 29, 2025, as announced by the Central Election Commission on November 27.

On October 18, 2024, the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed a draft law to amend the “Law on Municipalities’ Territories and Lands,” reducing the number of municipalities from 1,400 to 685. This change was approved by the Milli Majlis and signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev on November 25.

Azerbaijan has held five municipal elections so far, in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, with the most recent one on December 23, 2019. According to the Election Code, municipal elections are held every five years, typically in December. Some experts view the postponement of the 2025 elections as contrary to the law.

The post Azerbaijan’s Friday Wrap-Up: Parliamentary Election Date Set appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

1. Protests in Georgia spread as PM defies US condemnation  CNN
2. Why protests in the country of Georgia matter  Vox.com
3. Will the West betray or save anti-Putin protesters in Georgia?  The Economist
4. What’s Behind the Protests in the Country of Georgia?  The New York Times
5. What’s happening in Georgia, and why are thousands protesting?  The Washington Post
6. Georgia sees 3rd night of protests against ruling party’s suspension of EU talks  PBS NewsHour
7. Pro-Putin leader backs harsh crackdown as over 40 people hospitalized amid protests in Georgia  Fox News
8. Georgia protests: Fireworks fired at police and water cannon sprayed in Tbilisi  BBC.com
9. Police in Georgia move again to disperse protests over the suspension of EU talks  The Associated Press

1. Protests in Georgia spread as PM defies US condemnation  CNN
2. What’s Behind the Protests in Georgia?  The New York Times
3. Georgia’s moment of truth: Protesters demand Western path not Russian past  BBC
4. What’s happening in Georgia, and why are thousands protesting?  The Washington Post
5. Georgia sees 3rd night of protests against ruling party’s suspension of EU talks  PBS NewsHour
6. Georgia sees third night of mass protests after ruling party suspends EU talks  FRANCE 24 English
7. Georgia protests: Fireworks fired at police and water cannon sprayed in Tbilisi  BBC.com
8. Georgia is being rocked by days of violent protests. Here’s what you need to know  CNN
9. Georgian President Says Country In Revolt After Hundreds Arrested In Fourth Night Of Protests  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty