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OBYEKTIV MEDIA


US Congress Considers Sanctions Against Azerbaijani Officials
US Congress is drafting the "Azerbaijan Democracy Act of 2025" to sanction 35 top Azerbaijani officials with asset freezes and visa bans over political repression and corruption. The move challenges the White House's silence following crackdowns like the arrest of Ali Karimli.
Dec 8, 20252 min read


Chechen voices are being silenced, even those abroad
Discover the "Silent Crisis" where Chechens abroad are forced into silence by Kadyrov's group punishment system, endangering their families. This repression conceals the true human rights situation, allowing Russian propaganda to dominate and leading to dangerous deportations of asylum seekers.
Dec 8, 20253 min read


Amnesty International Urges Inquiry into Chemical Use, Calls for Police Equipment Ban in Georgia
Amnesty International calls for an international inquiry into the alleged use of the toxic chemical bromobenzyl cyanide against Georgian protestors in late 2024. Read about the demands for accountability, the ban on police equipment export to Georgia, and the reported retaliation against witnesses and doctors.
Dec 8, 20252 min read


It’s been a year since the Meydan TV case started, a clear sign of the Azerbaijani government's crackdown on independent news
One year into the Meydan TV case, 12 Azerbaijani journalists and activists face severe charges, including money laundering and tax fraud, as the government escalates its crackdown on independent media. They deny the political charges. Press freedom is at risk. Next hearing: Dec 12.
Dec 8, 20252 min read


Tazakhan Miralimli Freed
Tazakhan Miralimli, a top official of the AXCP opposition party, has been released after his arrest. The move comes amid the detention of AXCP leader Ali Karimli on serious criminal charges. Read the full story on Miralimli’s release, the persistent political tension, and international concerns about the rule of law in Azerbaijan.
Dec 7, 20252 min read


Russian Court Upholds Lengthy Sentence for Man Beaten by Kadyrov's Son
Russia's Supreme Court upheld a 14-year sentence for 20-year-old Nikita Zhuravel (treason & Quran burning). The case is controversial due to reports he was assaulted in custody by Ramzan Kadyrov's son, Adam, who received state honors. Human rights groups doubt the forced conviction.
Dec 7, 20252 min read


Armenia Arrests Another High-Ranking Clergy Member
Escalation in Armenia: Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan is arrested on controversial 2018 drug-planting charges amid a severe political-religious clash. Prime Minister Pashinyan claims Catholicos Karekin II is a foreign agent. Read the full story on the deepening conflict between the government and the Church.
Dec 7, 20253 min read


Abkhaz Activist Reports Harassment Before UN Forum
Abkhazian-Turkish academic Elçin Adzinba faced threats & a severe cyberattack after speaking at the UN Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva. She highlighted the humanitarian crisis caused by the non-acceptance of Abkhazian documents, denying thousands basic rights, education, and healthcare. Read the full report on the harassment, data erasure, and her call for practical UN solutions.
Dec 7, 20253 min read


Kazakhstan Senate Postpones Discussion of 'LGBT Propaganda' Ban – EU Official Arrives for Visit
Kazakhstan's Senate postponed a vote on the controversial LGBT propaganda ban until Dec 18, coinciding with the EU Council President's visit. The bill, criticized as unfair and similar to Russia's law, faces strong opposition from rights groups. The delay signals internal debate on global alignment.
Dec 7, 20252 min read


Georgia's Protests, a Mystery Chemical, and a Nation Seeking Answers
A BBC report alleges police used camite, an illegal chemical weapon, in water cannons during Tbilisi protests. The ruling party denies the claim, blames the opposition for the substance's purchase, and targets the BBC's sources in its inquiry. Citizens demand transparency and accountability for the dangerous chemical.
Dec 7, 20254 min read


Jailed Reporter Hafiz Babalı Reports Health Crisis, Blocked Legal Access
Investigative reporter Hafiz Babalı, imprisoned in Azerbaijan following the Abzas Media case, is reporting a health crisis and the illegal obstruction of his legal appeals. Sentenced to nine years, Babalı urgently needs medical care for severe leg symptoms. He alleges prison authorities are blocking appeals targeting pro-government media for defamation. This case underscores critical press freedom issues in Azerbaijan. Restore Babalı's medical care and access to justice now.
Dec 6, 20253 min read


Arrested Azerbaijani Researcher Ilkin Amrahov Marks 24th Birthday in Detention
Researcher Ilkin Amrahov, 24, spent his birthday in jail following his arrest in the Toplum TV case. Read how the pro-democracy activist, who strongly denies currency smuggling charges, described the warrant-less police raid. The case raises serious concerns about media freedom and human rights in Azerbaijan.
Dec 6, 20252 min read


Azerbaijani Opposition Figure's Deportation Case Discussed in Turkish Parliament
Turkish Parliament (TBMM) investigates the detention and potential political deportation of Azerbaijani opposition figure Gultakin Hajibeyli from Istanbul. Detained under the G-82 "national security threat" code, she claims persecution amid Azerbaijan's opposition crackdown. MP Gergerlioğlu demands answers.
Dec 6, 20252 min read


Tazakhan Miralimli Detained, Home Searched by State Security Service
Azerbaijani opposition leader Tazakhan Miralimli (AXCP) was detained, and his home searched by state security (DTX), seizing his tech. His arrest is linked to the appeal hearing for Chairman Ali Karimli, who faces violent power seizure charges. This reflects a wider crackdown on the opposition. Read about the growing political pressure in Azerbaijan.
Dec 6, 20251 min read


Conversations on Economics with My Daughter Published, Translated by Imprisoned Journalist Farid Mehralizade
Yanis Varoufakis's "Conversations on Economics" is now in Azerbaijani. Completed by imprisoned RFE/RL journalist Farid Mehralizade, the book simplifies capitalism, AI risks, and money policy. Mehralizade stressed the vital role of economic knowledge for strengthening democracy and fair wealth distribution in Azerbaijan.
Dec 5, 20252 min read


Hafiz Babalı, an investigative journalist jailed in Azerbaijan, is reportedly in declining health
Investigative journalist Hafiz Babalı (AbzasMedia case) is suffering from poor health in an Azerbaijani prison, serving a 9-year sentence. A prison doctor confirms his serious leg condition requires urgent care. Babalı claims officials are blocking his legal complaints. Critics see this case as an attempt to silence independent media. Read more.
Dec 5, 20251 min read


Witnesses Give Conflicting Accounts in Activist Ahmad Mammadli's Trial
Conflicting witness accounts at activist Ahmad Mammadli's trial reveal major discrepancies, suggesting the charges (up to 11 years) are based on a staged incident. Mammadli’s lawyer exposed "strangers" knew each other from social media. Read the details.
Dec 5, 20252 min read


Trump Pardons Democrat Henry Cuellar in Azerbaijan Bribery Case
President Trump issued a full pardon for Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, halting their federal bribery and money laundering case. The charges involved accepting $600k from an Azerbaijani oil company and a Mexican bank in exchange for official acts. This controversial pardon fuels debate on foreign influence in US politics.
Dec 5, 20252 min read


Appeals Court Upholds Arrest of Ali Karimli
Ali Karimli
On December 5, the Baku Court of Appeals (BCA) rejected an appeal against the arrest of Ali Karimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), the organization reported.
Dec 5, 20251 min read


Search Conducted in the Home of Ali Karimli's Relative
On December 4, employees of the State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan searched the home of Ali Karimli's wife's brother, Elnur Seyidov, according to a report from the APFP press service.
Dec 5, 20251 min read
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