The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.comBritish citizen and war veteran Matthew Roy Desmond has been jailed in Georgia for nearly three months on serious drug charges after being arrested at the border with painkillers classified as illegal under Georgian law, his lawyers reported on July 8, noting that he faces eight to twelve years in prison.
According to his lawyers and a report by RFE/RL’s Georgian service, Desmond, 49, attempted to enter Georgia from Turkey by motorcycle through a land border crossing in late April. “He has traveled to around 25 countries and has never encountered any problems in any of them,” the lawyers said, adding that he was carrying a medical prescription for painkillers used to treat his chronic spinal injury, namely pregabalin, buprenorphine and codeine.
The lawyers said the prescription was not notarized and did not have an apostille, as required under local regulations, which led to his detention. They noted that they obtained the required apostille certification and official translations within weeks and submitted the documents to prosecutors and the court by the end of May. However, Desmond remains in custody at Tbilisi’s Gldani Prison while experiencing ongoing back pain.
His lawyers are seeking his release through a plea agreement, a possible route used in similar cases.
One of the lawyers said Desmond’s prescriptions were linked to a severe spinal injury sustained during his military service and that his condition has worsened in prison. “They give him painkillers periodically, every other day, which in practice relieve only about 10% of the pain, and he is in constant pain — he’s suffering… This person is extremely exhausted — when we go in to see him, he can barely walk,” the lawyer told RFE/RL’s Georgian Service.
The outlet also reported that prosecutors had opened a separate case against Desmond over the alleged use of narcotic substances in Georgia after traces of the prescribed medications were reportedly found in his urine. The defense successfully challenged the case in June after prosecutors failed to prove he had consumed the substances while in Georgia, given that he had been detained immediately upon arrival at the border.
The next court hearing is scheduled for July 13.
Desmond’s case is the latest involving foreign travelers detained over prescription medications that are legal abroad but restricted or banned in Georgia. In June, Canadian student Simon Rovensky, 22, who has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was detained after entering Georgia with Adderall, a medication used to treat the condition that is illegal under Georgian law, without carrying his prescription. He was reportedly released weeks later following a plea agreement and a GEL 30,000 (approximately USD 11,400) fine.
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Steve Daines’ visit to Baku
The visit to Baku on 7 July by US Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of its Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, is being seen as an important step signalling that US-Azerbaijan relations have reached the level of a strategic partnership.
The talks with President Ilham Aliyev focused on the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) transit corridor, the development of the Middle Corridor, cooperation in the energy and economic sectors, and the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The visit is widely viewed as a sign of Washington’s intention to play a more active role in regional affairs by offering concrete cooperation mechanisms and investment projects.
During the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the two sides discussed what they described as a new phase in their strategic partnership. Aliyev said bilateral relations were developing rapidly on the basis of mutual trust, which he described as important for stability in the South Caucasus. Particular attention was given to the Strategic Partnership Charter signed during US Vice-President JD Vance’s visit to Azerbaijan.
Senator Daines praised Aliyev’s regional leadership and his efforts to advance a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The discussions also covered the role of the TRIPP corridor in strengthening regional transport links and expanding dialogue between Azerbaijan and the US Senate.
Later the same day, meetings with Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf focused on practical economic cooperation. The discussions covered trade and investment opportunities, energy, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, critical minerals and industry. The Middle Corridor’s role in boosting international trade and regional integration was also highlighted.
The Economic Dialogue mechanism established under the Strategic Partnership Charter was described as the main platform for implementing joint projects. Taken together, the meetings were seen as a sign that political dialogue is increasingly translating into concrete economic and infrastructure initiatives.
US analyst Andrew Korybko told the pro-government outlet Caliber.az that Senator Daines’ meetings in Baku focused primarily on expanding the Middle Corridor and linking it with the TRIPP initiative. According to Korybko, Washington sees both routes as strategic priorities in its effort to reduce dependence on Russia.
He argued that, for the United States, the South Caucasus and the Caspian region are no longer viewed simply as sources of energy, but as a strategic hub capable of reshaping trade flows across Eurasia.
In the same article, Austrian political analyst Rudolf Valeev said growing interest in Azerbaijan from both the US and the EU reflected Baku’s leadership role in the region. He argued that, once conflicts in the Middle East subside, these transport routes could become a key artery for global economic stability. Unlike the EU, which he said has largely confined itself to political statements, the United States is offering concrete mechanisms for cooperation.
The article argues that this difference is particularly evident in the TRIPP initiative, which is presented not only as a transport corridor but also as a tool for promoting peace and creating economic interdependence.
A 2025 analysis by Eurasianet said visits by senior US officials formed part of a broader American diplomatic push in the South Caucasus. Alongside efforts to expand trade via the Middle Corridor, it argued that Washington’s main objective was to repair strained relations with Azerbaijan. According to the analysis, the US is increasingly seeking to strengthen its regional presence through infrastructure and trade projects rather than relying solely on political messaging.
A separate 2025 report by Punchbowl News said Senator Daines’ visit to Baku and Yerevan played an important role in efforts to prepare a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The publication described the trip as more than a routine congressional visit, saying it formed part of an active negotiating process.
That assessment has taken on added significance since the announcement of the TRIPP initiative at the Washington summit in August 2025. The multimodal corridor is intended to link mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan via southern Armenia, through the Meghri/Syunik region, and is regarded as one of the most concrete elements of the proposed peace agreement.
In recent years, relations between Azerbaijan and the United States have expanded well beyond energy security to include transit infrastructure, the digital economy and critical minerals. The TRIPP initiative and the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, have become central to this growing partnership.
The Middle Corridor is already widely regarded as the shortest and politically less risky route connecting Central Asia with European markets. TRIPP is designed to complement that network by providing a direct link from mainland Azerbaijan to Turkey via Nakhchivan, and onwards to Europe. Together, the two projects are intended to reduce reliance on routes passing through Russia and Iran. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, that objective has become a strategic priority for Washington.
Energy security nevertheless remains a key part of the agenda. Talks with SOCAR’s leadership suggest that Azerbaijan is viewed not only as a transit hub but also as a destination for US investment and technological cooperation. Collaboration on critical minerals and the digital economy could also help diversify Azerbaijan’s economy.
The strategic rapprochement, however, is not without its complexities and potential risks. Concerns over human rights and democratic reform have often taken a back seat to economic and security interests. Past experience suggests that, even within strategic partnerships built around energy and transport projects, these issues frequently become secondary. While such an approach may strengthen cooperation in the short term, it also raises questions about its long-term sustainability.
The success of projects such as TRIPP and the Middle Corridor will also depend heavily on regional stability. Rising tensions with Iran, political instability in Armenia or other geopolitical shocks could delay their implementation.
From Armenia’s perspective, the TRIPP project raises sensitive questions about sovereignty and territorial integrity. Although the route is expected to be managed by the United States and international contractors, its passage through Armenian territory remains politically contentious. At the same time, supporters argue that creating economic interdependence could provide one of the strongest incentives for advancing the peace process.
Senator Steve Daines’ visit to Baku suggests that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States is moving beyond political declarations towards tangible projects. The development of TRIPP and the expansion of the Middle Corridor are expected to shape not only a new transport network, but also a new framework for regional peace, economic integration and geopolitical balance. Within that framework, Azerbaijan is strengthening its role as a bridge between Central Asia and Europe, while the United States is using economic and diplomatic tools to expand its influence in the region.
The success of this approach will largely depend on how effectively the mechanisms established under the Strategic Partnership Charter are implemented, including the Economic Dialogue, joint investment projects and the development of TRIPP infrastructure.
Another key factor will be the successful completion of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, while maintaining a balance that takes into account the interests of all sides. If those conditions are met, the South Caucasus and the Caspian region could emerge as a more stable and competitive trade hub within Eurasia.
For policymakers and regional observers, the visit underscores that the region’s future is likely to be shaped not only by energy resources, but also by transport links, digital connectivity and mutual trust. Washington’s involvement through concrete proposals creates not only new opportunities, but also new responsibilities.
Steve Daines’ visit to Baku
“Abzas Media”ya danışan yaxınlarının sözlərinə görə, Məmmədzadə cərimə kamerasına (“kars”) salınmasına etiraz olaraq 4 gündür aclıq aksiyası keçirir.
Məlumata görə, fəal məhkumların gündəlik düzülüşünə corabsız çıxdığı üçün cəzalandırılıb.
Məsələ ilə bağlı 10 saylı Cəzaçəkmə Müəssisəsindən və Penitensiar Xidmətdən münasibət almaq mümkün olmayıb. Penitensiar Xidmət bu cür hallarla bağlı adətən məhkumlarla rəftarın qanunvericilik çərçivəsində həyata keçirildiyini bildirir.
Sahib Məmmədzadə 2024-cü il martın 18-də bacısı ilə birlikdə yük maşınında mal-qaranı yaylağa apararkən saxlanılıb. Rəsmi məlumata görə, onun üzərindən 23 qram narkotik vasitə aşkarlanıb.
AXCP funksionerinə qarşı Cinayət Məcəlləsinin 234.4.3-cü maddəsi ilə cinayət işi açılıb. Bu maddə qanunsuz olaraq narkotik vasitələri, psixotrop maddələri və ya onların prekursorlarını külli miqdarda hazırlama, istehsal etmə, əldə etmə, saxlama, daşıma, göndərmə və ya satmanı nəzərdə tutur.
Məmmədzadə ittihamı qəbul etmir. O, məhkəmədəki ifadəsində cinayət işini “şou” və “tamaşa” adlandırıb:
“Bura məhkəmə olsaydı, məni açıb azadlığa buraxardılar. Çünki burada mənim təqsirim yox, təqsirsizliyim – cibimə narkotik atılıb şərlənməyim sübut olundu”.
Həmin il dekabrın 10-da Gəncə Ağır Cinayətlər Məhkəməsi Sahib Məmmədzadəni 6 il 6 ay azadlıqdan məhrum edib. 2025-ci ilin martında apellyasiya instansiyası onun cəzasını 3 il 6 aya endirib.
AXCP-nin sədri Əli Kərimli də daxil olmaqla, partiyanın 20-yə yaxın üzvü və fəalı həbsdədir. Partiya onların həbsini siyasi motivli sayır.
Rəsmilər isə ölkədə siyasi həbslərlə bağlı iddiaları əsassız sayır və bildirirlər ki, siyahılarda adı çəkilən şəxslər konkret cinayət əməllərinə görə məsuliyyətə cəlb olunublar.
Yerli hüquq müdafiəçiləri hazırda Azərbaycan həbsxanalarında 320-dən çox siyasi məhbusun olduğunu deyir.
Artem Poghosyan, director of the “Araratcement” plant owned by Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party, told journalists that the enterprise would resume operations in approximately 1-2 hours.
“We are currently carrying out the process of regulating the shift, after which we will eliminate all the malfunctions and proceed to resume the production process,” he noted.
The post Plant to resume operations in approximately 1-2 hours: Araratcement director appeared first on Alphanews.
Recent changes in Azerbaijan’s tourism sector have made updating existing legislation necessary, according to Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) under the State Tourism Agency, Report informs.
Speaking at the event, Unlocking Azerbaijan’s Tourism Potential for Economic Growth and Diversification, in Baku, Sengstschmid noted that while the Law on Tourism, adopted in 2021, contributed significantly to the sector’s development, it now requires an upgrade.
“Our assessment today is that, given the processes of the past year, updating the law has become essential. A new draft law has been prepared and is ready to be submitted for discussion within the government,” he noted.
The CEO added that since 2018, consistent reforms have been carried out to build a sustainable and competitive tourism ecosystem in Azerbaijan. These include the creation of a new tourism law, a standardization system, hotel star classification, a hotel association, and certification mechanisms for tour guides.
