Day: June 22, 2026

On June 22, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited Victory Park in Baku.

#SouthCaucasus
Investigation reveals source of  #oilleak near  #Azerbaijan’s Dubendi beach – Google Search  https://t.co/fFaZnhfqSR

The parties highlighted the current state and future prospects of military cooperation between the two countries, as well as the importance of mutual exchange of experience.

#SouthCaucasus
Whose ship did the damage:   #Russia or  #Iran?
The Cause: Underwater diagnostic teams and divers discovered a physical gash on the pipeline. Preliminary assessments indicate the damage was caused by external impact, most likely from a ship’s anchor.

Eight more people tried over the October 4, 2025, election-day unrest in Tbilisi were sentenced each to five years in prison, while six others in the same case were released after reaching plea agreements with prosecutors.

Tbilisi City Court Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili delivered the rulings on June 22, bringing the number of those found guilty in the case to 25 and the number released under plea agreements to 28.

The convicted are Zurab Chavchanidze, Amiran Dolishvili, Vladimer Gvelesiani, Aleksandre Chilachava, Genadi Kupreishvili, Sulkhan Tughushi, Ramaz Mamuladze, and Anton Vardanidze. They were all accused of “participating in group violence” and “attempting to seize a strategically important facility.”

Those released from the courtroom after their plea agreements were approved included Giorgi Korkia, Giorgi Rurua, Khvicha Gogokhia, Levan Jikia, Lasha Ivanadze, and Sergo Megrelishvili. They faced similar charges.

Plea agreements have followed defendants admitting to the charges and expressing remorse, with those agreements resulting in three-year suspended sentences. Under such deals, 14 people were released on June 10 and eight on June 9. Meanwhile, the first guilty verdicts against ten people, including rally organizers, were handed down in May, and seven others were sentenced to five-year prison terms on June 19. Those convicted allegedly refused to admit to the charges.

Zurab Chavchanidze, one of the eight newly sentenced defendants, reportedly said during the June 22 court hearing that he had applied to the prosecution for a plea agreement. However, Judge Tkeshelashvili responded that this stage had already been completed and that those who wished to enter into plea agreements had already done so.

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Unrest erupted on October 4, 2025, the day of the partially boycotted municipal elections, after a group of protesters, following a call from organizers of a “peaceful revolution” rally, attempted to occupy the presidential palace in downtown Tbilisi and were repelled by police. Up to 60 people, including rally organizers, were subsequently charged in connection with the events, with most placed in pretrial detention. Georgian Dream officials have described the events as a foreign-orchestrated coup attempt.

Also Read:

• 17/06/2026 – Elene Khoshtaria’s Health ‘Noticeably’ Deteriorating in Prison, Lawyer Says
• 08/05/2026 – Girchi – More Freedom’s Gela Khasaia to Leave Prison in September After Plea Deal
• 20/10/2025 – October 4 Continues to Haunt Georgia as Questions Persist

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov delivered press statements on June 22.

China’s Ministry of Commerce has added 10 U.S. companies to its export control list, citing the need to safeguard national security and interests as well as fulfill international non-proliferation obligations.

Starmer had publicly insisted he would contest any leadership challenge, but discussions with ministers and advisers over the weekend reportedly convinced him that his position had become untenable.

The international tango festival El Calor en Baku – Azerbaijan Tango Festival, dedicated to Argentina’s Flag Day, has officially opened in Baku, offering audiences a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Argentine tango, AzerNEWS reports.