Day: December 6, 2024

Wounded Russian soldiers based in Abkhazia claim they were forcibly sent to Ukraine  OC Media

Wounded Russian soldiers based in Abkhazia claim they were forcibly sent to Ukraine  OC Media

Who will win in Georgia’s protests?

“Due to the violent dispersal of protests, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s image as a guarantor of stability is being destroyed. This is significant because it also undermines his legitimacy, both among the population within the country and among political forces outside of it,” says political commentator David Zurabishvili.

He considers the current situation in Georgia serious, but by no means hopeless.

Opinion: “After Georgia, Russia will target Armenia” 

Experts discuss the unfolding events in Georgia and their potential impact on Armenia.

Commentary

Political commentator David Zurabishvili:

“Due to these actions (the violent suppression of protests — JAMnews), Bidzina Ivanishvili’s image as a guarantor of stability is being destroyed. This is significant because it also undermines his legitimacy, both among the population within the country and among political forces outside of it.

Even Russia does not need a government that cannot ensure stability.

This is why Bidzina is attempting to suppress the protests as quickly as possible. Based on Russian-oligarchic practices, he believes that if he can capture and neutralize the protest organizers, the protests will subside.

This can be understood and explained from the perspective of authoritarianism.

However, his problem is that these protests truly lack a specific organizer.

No organization or individual can be identified as the leader. Ivanishvili cannot fathom the idea that such large-scale protests could emerge through self-organization. He simply refuses to consider this possibility and continues searching in vain for a ‘black cat in a dark room that isn’t there.’

No one knows how far his inadequate search for organizers could lead in terms of repression. The threat of an attempt to establish a dictatorship is very real, and the Georgian society’s response can only be greater resolve, more organization, and even more protests. There is simply no other path.

Much also depends on the level of pressure from the West and the tools they employ to stop this Russian-style lawlessness. Serious efforts are needed in this direction as well.

In short, the situation is serious, but far from hopeless. I have not seen such large-scale protests across all of Georgia in a very long time. Such energy cannot simply vanish; that would defy the laws of physics.

It is also important to note that Ivanishvili’s power today is based solely on violence, the support of law enforcement agencies, and sought-after criminals.

They are few, and we are many.”

The final event of the competition-exhibition of young artists’ works “Fairy Tales on Canvas” will be held in the exhibition hall of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union on December 13 at 18.00, Azernews reports.

Armenia: AMPTV confirms participation at Eurovision 2025  esctoday.com

First ever Lavangi Festival has been held in Lankaran, Azernews reports. The event was organized by Lankaran-Astara Regional Culture Department, the Lankaran-Astara Regional Youth and Sports Department, the Lankaran Executive Power and the Azerbaijan Culinary Specialists Association.

During the trial of Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), 12 party members were detained. Four of them – Elchin Hacivelli, Rovshan Asparov, Bakhtiyar Huseynov, and Mikayil Ismailov – were brought before the Nasimi District Court.

According to a statement from the party, these individuals were subjected to physical abuse while in police custody, with one reporting injuries such as a torn nail. Ali Karimli’s bodyguard, Ruslan Amirov, was also reportedly beaten, though his current whereabouts are unknown. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet commented on the situation.

In a separate case, Ali Karimli was found guilty of defamation under Article 147.1 of the Criminal Code by the Nasimi District Court, which imposed a fine of 1,500 AZN. This decision stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former AXCP member Aydin Aliyev, who had demanded a six-month prison sentence for Karimli.

Karimli has called the verdict politically motivated and has vowed to appeal. During the court proceedings, among those detained included prominent figures such as Vidadi Mirkamal and Ruslan Amirov. Some were released later, but details about the others remain unclear.

The conflict between Karimli and Aliyev dates back to 2019 when Aliyev was expelled from the party for his alleged opposition to its political course. Aliyev accused Karimli of defamation in media statements, which Karimli denied, asserting that his comments were truthful and consistent with his party’s stance.

The AXCP has described the entire legal process as a politically driven attempt to weaken the party and remove its leadership from political activity. The party’s statement claims that the government is using Aliyev, a former active member who later aligned himself with pro-government activities, as a tool to undermine Karimli and the AXCP.

The post AXCP Leader Ali Karimli Found Guilty of Defamation as Party Members Are Detained in Ongoing Political Struggle appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

International Bank of Azerbaijan aims to enhance market share through new bond issuance