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Day: December 5, 2025
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«Хорошие новости» по Украине!
Arrest of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan
A court in Armenia has ordered a two-month detention for the head of the Etchmiadzin chancery, Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan. The controversial incident involving this senior cleric had already been discussed publicly for a month before this decision. An intimate video allegedly showing him circulated online. The archbishop denied any involvement. The Investigative Committee, however, presented the results of an examination, which confirmed that the footage indeed featured Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan.
The arrest decision does not relate to the scandalous video.
Authorities have opened a criminal case against him under the charge of “illegal sale of narcotic substances by a group of people acting in prior conspiracy in a public place.”
Details of the incident have already emerged. Media reports state that the head of the Etchmiadzin chancery allegedly ordered one of the church staff members to plant drugs in the backpack of a participant in a protest against the Catholicos.
Investigators believe the motive behind these actions was to discredit both the protest participant and the demonstration itself, which took place in 2018.
“Considering the public statements and position of the archbishop [he expressed support for the Catholicos of All Armenians], it is clear that this article attempts to discredit him for political purposes. The aim is to create the impression in society of his alleged involvement in drug trafficking,” emphasized the archbishop’s lawyer, Arsen Babayan.
He described the seven-year-old charges as “ridiculous” and “absurd.” Babayan also noted that there are no direct testimonies against the archbishop.
On the eve of the incident, Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan appeared at the Investigative Committee for questioning over the alleged intimate video. After the questioning ended, as he and his lawyer were leaving the building, officers from the National Security Service stopped them and detained the cleric.
All details known at the time of publication.
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The same judge approved the arrest of all three archbishops
Judge Masis Melkonyan approved the arrest of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan.
A few months earlier, in June, he had also approved the arrest of two other clergymen.
In June, with only a few days between them, Armenia arrested the heads of the Tavush and Shirak dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, head of the Tavush diocese, faces charges of planning “terrorist acts and the seizure of power.” Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan, head of the Shirak diocese, is accused of “publicly calling for the seizure of power and the violent overthrow of the constitutional order.”
‘This case has no jurisprudence‘
Khachatryan’s lawyers said before the court session began that they did not expect his release. They added that their client “is ready to join the other arrested high-ranking clergymen.”
According to lawyer Arsen Babayan, the article in the indictment has no connection to the actual facts of the case.
He explained: “The investigation itself contradicts this article. The alleged goal [according to the charges] was not the sale of drugs, but the discrediting of a person by planting them.”
‘Seven years later, the truth has prevailed’
Karen Petrosyan, one of the initiators of the “New Armenia – New Patriarch” movement, which in 2018 demanded the removal of the catholicos from the throne, spoke to Azatutyun (Radio Liberty) about the incident that took place seven years ago.
He said the police received a call asking them to check the bag of an 18-year-old activist from the movement. At first, officers found “nothing unusual” and returned the bag. However, half an hour later, law enforcement asked him to bring the same bag again for inspection. This time, they found “a substance wrapped in white paper.”
“It became clear that someone had planted this envelope in the bag. The police were also surprised. They [the clergymen] wanted to discredit the movement by planting drugs. They wanted to create the impression that the movement’s members were drug users. But seven years later, the truth has prevailed.
We now understand how this process was organized and how the drug ended up in the bag. At the time, deacons also said that the police were called on the orders of the head of the chancery,” Petrosyan explained.
Catholicosate: ‘Stop the unlawful persecution of clergymen‘
The catholicosate condemned the arrest of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan. Officials described the charges as “fabricated and baseless.”
A statement from Echmiadzin said the arrest represents a continuation of the “political persecution” of the clergy:
“The arrest of high-ranking clergymen on fabricated charges is another example of the government’s anti-church policies and its attempts to incite hatred against the clergy.”
The catholicosate demanded the immediate end to the “unlawful persecution” of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan and other detained clergymen.
On December 12, a preparatory hearing will be held at the Baku Court for Serious Crimes regarding the criminal case of 12 journalists arrested in the “Meydan TV case.”
The session will be presided over by Judge Aytan Aliyeva.
The journalists arrested in the “Meydan TV case” are accused under several articles of the Criminal Code: 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship with the purpose of obtaining large income), 192.2.3 (committed by an organized group), 193-1.3.1 (legalization of property obtained by criminal means), 193-1.3.2 (committed in large amounts), 206.4 (smuggling by an organized group), 213.2.1 (tax evasion by an organized group), as well as 320.1 (forgery of documents) and 320.2 (use of forged documents).
The first arrests in this case began on December 6, 2024. On that day, Meydan TV employees Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Aghayeva, Aysel Umudova, Ramin Jabrayilzada (Deko), and Natig Javadli, as well as the deputy director of the Baku School of Journalism, Ulvi Tahirov, were detained.
In the following months, four more journalists were arrested in the same case: in February, the editor-in-chief of the site “arqument.az” and Meydan TV collaborator Shamshad Ağayev (Agha), Nurlan Gahramanli (Libre), Fatima Movlamli; in May, Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva); and in August, photojournalist Ahməd Mukhtar.
The journalists deny all charges and claim that they have been targeted due to political motives and their professional activities.
The post Trial begins for journalists in “Meydan TV Case” appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
Azerbaijan has witnessed a sweeping crackdown on its opposition, targeting the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) and allied political groups. At the center of these developments is the arrest of AXCP chairman Ali Karimli and several party members, linked to the investigation of former Presidential Administration head Ramiz Mehdiyev.
On November 29, 2025, Ali Karimli and AXCP Political Council member Mammad Ibrahim were detained by the State Security Service (DTX). Their homes were searched, along with the residences of other party members, including the party’s Sabunchu district chair Fariz Alizada.
The Azerbaijani government media reported that the raids and detentions were part of a criminal investigation into Ramiz Mehdiyev, who faces charges of attempting to seize state power, treason, and laundering property obtained by criminal means. Saleh Rustamov, a former Gadabay District executive who had been previously imprisoned in Russia and later pardoned, was also briefly detained during this period.
The AXCP described the arrests as politically motivated, accusing the government of launching a “new large-scale campaign of repression against national-democratic forces” to suppress dissent and civil liberties.
On December 1, the Sabail District Court formally charged Karimli and Ibrahim under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code for actions aimed at forcibly seizing power and altering the constitutional order. The court ordered pre-trial detention for 2 months and 15 days. Pro-government media linked the arrests directly to the ongoing investigation of Ramiz Mehdiyev.
In the same period, several other AXCP members were briefly detained and later released. Gultakin Hacibayli, a member of the National Council, was detained in Istanbul by Turkish authorities, with possible deportation to Azerbaijan. Jamil Hasanli, the council’s chairman, was summoned to DTX as a witness.
On December 4, Elnur Seyidov, a former political prisoner and Ali Karimli’s brother-in-law, had his home searched by DTX, and his phone was confiscated. Seyidov had previously been imprisoned for fraud, abuse of office, and forgery and was released in 2019 by presidential pardon.
Karimli’s appeal of the detention order was heard on December 5 at the Baku Court of Appeals. The court upheld the Sabail District Court’s ruling. Over 20 AXCP activists attempting to attend the hearing were detained, including party officials Sagif Gurbanov and Ramid Nagiyev. Internet access near the court was reportedly blocked during the proceedings.
Political and Expert Reactions
The arrests have generated widespread concern among political analysts and opposition figures.
Political commentator Rauf Mirgadirov criticized the charges as illogical: “Ali Karimli cannot carry out a coup with 2,000 people. Without the security structures, no coup is possible in Azerbaijan. I see this as almost a joke. One person arrested, but what about the others?”
Arastun Orujlu linked the crackdown to the broader political and social crisis in Azerbaijan, noting internal divisions within the ruling team and regional geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Turkey, Russia, the U.S., and China. He suggested the arrests might be aimed at silencing opposition ahead of potential unpopular decisions by the government.
REAL Party chairman Natig Jafarli emphasized the need for evidence, questioning why alleged events from 2013 were only being pursued 12 years later. Azerbaijan Ümid Party chairman Igbal Aghazada called for objective investigations and protection of all legal rights for detainees.
Musavat Party deputy chairman Arif Hajili highlighted the absurdity of linking the arrests to alleged ties with Russia, noting that pro-independence Azerbaijani parties have historically been targeted by Russia, yet the current accusations were politically manufactured.
International Reactions
International organizations condemned Karimli’s detention.
Amnesty International described the arrest as evidence of growing authoritarianism in Azerbaijan, warning that detaining opposition leaders under coup charges signals the government’s intent to crush dissent. Denis Krivosheyev, Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, stated: “The authorities have shown how determined they are to continue politically motivated arrests against opposition members, academics, journalists, and activists.”
Human Rights Watch emphasized that the arrests are part of a long-standing pattern to stifle civil and political rights. Giorgi Qogiya, Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia, remarked: “The arrest of Karimli demonstrates the systematic pressure on organized political opposition in Azerbaijan.”
European institutions also expressed concern. Frank Schwabe, member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from Germany, said: “Karimli’s detention shows how far Azerbaijan has moved away from European values, closing the door to its participation in the Council of Europe.” The EU stated it expects Azerbaijan to respect its international obligations, including access to independent legal aid and adequate healthcare for detainees.
Florian Irminger, coordinator of the “End Repression in Azerbaijan” campaign, warned that international inaction could encourage further government crackdowns.
Despite the arrests, AXCP vice-chair Seymur Hazi stated that the party will continue its activities: “The AXCP has been operating under blockade before. The party’s structures remain intact and will continue functioning according to its charter. Our civil, democratic, and legal struggle will continue.”
Meanwhile, the National Council’s future remains uncertain. Chairman Jamil Hasanli noted: “The council operates on a voluntary, non-registered basis. We will see what happens and respond accordingly.”
Currently, more than 20 AXCP members are reportedly detained, highlighting a significant escalation in Azerbaijan’s crackdown on opposition forces and raising concerns among international observers about the country’s democratic trajectory.
The post AXCP Chair Ali Karimli detained: A new wave of political repression in Azerbaijan appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.