Author: user user

Efforts to identify Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Garabagh War continue to yield results, reflecting the country’s ongoing commitment to restoring the dignity of those who disappeared during the conflict, Azernews reports.

Ali Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Missing and Hostage Citizens, announced during the international conference on ‘Joining efforts and expanding cooperation to resolve the problem of missing persons’ that the identities of 251 missing individuals have been established so far.

Information about 187 of them has already been made public, and their remains have been returned to their families for burial in accordance with national and religious traditions. The names of 14 more identified persons are expected to be announced today, while data on another 50 will be disclosed following the completion of legal and investigative procedures.

Nagiyev noted that anthropological studies conducted on the discovered remains confirm they belong to Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Garabagh War. ‘Currently, the necessary work is being continued by the State Commission to identify other discovered remains,’ he said.

Following the end of the Second Garabagh War in November 2020, a comprehensive process of locating graves, conducting excavations, and identifying remains began in February 2021.

According to Nagiyev, as of October 1, 2025, the remains of about 800 missing persons have been recovered from the liberated territories. ‘From 29 mass graves discovered in those areas, the remains of 218 individuals believed to belong to them were identified and exhumed with the participation of investigative bodies,’ he stated.

He added that large-scale construction activities in the liberated areas have led to the discovery and exhumation of the remains of 342 people. In addition, 210 individuals who perished during the First Garabagh War and were buried without identification in 31 cemeteries across 20 cities and regions were also exhumed from graves of unknown martyrs.

These efforts mark a significant step toward bringing closure to hundreds of Azerbaijani families and ensuring that the memory of those who went missing in the First Garabagh War is honored with the respect they deserve.

The famous Colombian painter and sculptor, Fernando Botero, who created the “Boterismo” style by presenting oversized representations of people, animals, and various figures, will have his works exhibited for the first time in Baku on October 31, as part of the “Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW” project organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azernews reports.

More than 100 art works by the artist will be showcased at the Heydar Aliyev Center in the solo exhibition titled “The Triumph of Form.” These works represent over 70 years of the artist’s creative journey. Among them are early watercolor works created by Botero when he was just 14 years old, depicting scenes from bullfighting, as well as paintings created using his distinctive technique on canvas. His works are known for their vibrancy and life-affirming qualities. The artist even presents Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” in his own style, in a larger-than-life form. Botero’s sculpture “The Horseman” was sold for $4.3 million at a 2022 Christie’s auction, while his 2023 auction record was set with the sale of the piece titled “Musicians,” which fetched $5.1 million. In total, Botero has created over 3,000 paintings and more than 200 sculptures.

Fernando Botero has attracted widespread attention worldwide. With more than 100 museum exhibitions in over 30 countries and millions of followers, the artist left Colombia at the age of 20, yet his homeland has always remained a source of inspiration for him. Describing himself as “the most Colombian of Colombians,” the central themes of Botero’s works often include childhood memories, Latin American life, still lifes, and bullfights. Through this, he combines the universal spirit of the Italian Renaissance with the life energy of Latin America.

The artist has created sketches for Spain’s “Lope de Vega” theater company, lived in Madrid and Paris in the 1950s, studying the works of great masters, learned fresco techniques at the University of Florence, discovered abstract expressionism in the United States, and illustrated Gabriel García Márquez’s short story “Tuesday Siesta.” Since 1973, he has been working with sculpture, turning to three-dimensional forms.

A documentary film titled “Botero”, dedicated to the life and work of the artist, was released in 2023. The film has won numerous awards in various categories at many festivals.

On October 9, the Heads of State of the CIS were invited to an informal dinner in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is attending the event.

New evidence presented at the Baku Military Court has shed light on Armenia’s large-scale recruitment of foreign mercenaries during the 44-day war, Azernews reports.

The court heard excerpts from classified letters submitted by several Azerbaijani state agencies as part of the ongoing criminal case against Armenian citizens accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A document dated October 24, 2020, revealed that Armenia made extensive efforts to recruit foreign citizens into its armed forces in the then-occupied territories of Azerbaijan to compensate for battlefield losses. The Armenian government and diaspora organizations abroad reportedly urged members of the Armenian community to take part in combat, organized special ticket sales campaigns, and established assembly points in various countries.

As a result, foreign terrorist fighters from France, the United States, Syria, Russia, and other countries were brought into military operations on Azerbaijani territory. The proceedings also noted the participation of the Yerevan-based military training center ‘VoMA,’ the ASALA terrorist organization, and other extremist groups.

One of the identified mercenaries, Artur Hovhannisyan from Marseille, France, reportedly took part in fighting in the Hadrut and Jabrayil regions of Azerbaijan as part of the Armenian armed forces during the war. Another document revealed that a criminal case has been launched against Gilbert Minasyan, a member of ASALA, and 15 individuals with military experience who engaged in illegal actions in Azerbaijani territory.

The court also cited evidence showing that mercenaries from Syria, Russia, Spain, Canada, France, Greece, Lebanon, and countries across the Middle East and Latin America, as well as members of various terrorist organizations, took part in operations against the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Initially invited to train Armenian troops in sabotage and reconnaissance tactics, many of these fighters were later deployed directly to combat zones.

The trial continues for Armenian citizens accused of a wide range of grave offenses – including crimes against peace and humanity, terrorism, the financing of terrorism, genocide, and violations of the laws and customs of war – committed during Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Russia is providing full assistance in investigating the causes of the AZAL plane crash, said President of Russia Vladimir Putin during a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.

‘We are, of course, as agreed, providing every possible assistance to the investigation. The investigation is nearing completion,’ the Russian President added.

Luis Moreno Ocampo, the Argentine lawyer and former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has long been surrounded by controversy. Known for his connections to offshore companies, tax evasion schemes, and questionable lobbying networks, Ocampo’s name has appeared in multiple scandals. Yet, despite his own ethical baggage, he continues to make bold and unfounded claims-especially when it comes to Azerbaijan.

His latest remarks criticizing the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UN WGAD) over its report on Ruben Vardanyan are a clear example of this pattern. In March 2025, the UN WGAD concluded that Vardanyan’s arrest in Baku was not arbitrary and rejected Yerevan’s claims that the criminal case against him was unlawful. Ocampo dismissed the report and called on the UN to invalidate it, accusing the Working Group of bias.

He went further by targeting Anna Yudkovska, the current chair of the Working Group. Without evidence, he claimed she was affiliated with a law firm that provides services to Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and alleged that her husband had ties to corruption and Baku. These accusations were not only baseless-they were deeply ironic.

Why ironic? Because Ocampo himself has been linked to unethical behavior. Leaked documents from his time at the ICC revealed that he had close ties to parties involved in major legal cases and earned large sums through consulting deals that raised serious questions. He has been accused of working with offshore entities and lobbying groups while holding one of the most powerful legal positions in the world. Yet now, he accuses others of misconduct without proof.

Even more troubling is Ocampo’s long-standing silence on war crimes committed by Armenian forces in Garabagh. During his time at the ICC, he never spoke out about the ethnic cleansing, mass killings, and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Meskhetian Turks, and others. But once the region was liberated, he suddenly became vocal-defending figures like Vardanyan and questioning Azerbaijan’s legal process.

This double standard is hard to ignore. The so-called “republic of garabagh” was never recognized by any country-not even Armenia or Ocampo’s own Argentina, despite its strong Armenian lobby. The UN passed multiple resolutions demanding the withdrawal of occupying forces from Garabagh. If the regime was illegal, then its leaders must be held accountable for the crimes committed under its rule.

Ocampo’s attempt to discredit Azerbaijan’s judicial process is not just unfair-it’s dangerous. The trials currently taking place in Baku are similar to the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi leaders were held accountable for crimes against humanity. Just as the world supported justice then, it must support justice now. These trials send a clear message: no crime goes unpunished. Justice may be delayed, but it will come.

So the question remains: whose side is Ocampo really on? Is he defending justice, or protecting impunity? His selective outrage and silence on real atrocities speak volumes. If he truly believes in human rights, he should start by acknowledging the suffering of the victims-not shielding those responsible.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences over the crash of a passenger plane belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) during a one-on-one meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.

It was noted that the investigation into the incident is ongoing and is expected to be completed soon.

Speaking about the incident, the Russian president stated that there had been airspace incursions into Russia on that day, and the Russian Air Force opened fire. Although the aircraft itself was not directly targeted, fragments struck it. In this regard, compensation will be provided, and those responsible will be held accountable.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made an important call at the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), proposing that in 2026, member countries of the OTS hold a joint military exercise under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship.

President Aliyev emphasized that the OTS has gone beyond being merely a cooperation platform and has now become an influential geopolitical center on a global scale. He noted that the strategic importance of the OTS stands out thanks to its young and dynamic population, as well as its logistical and energy potential, while also placing special emphasis on security issues.

Aliyev stated that current global security challenges demonstrate the need for Turkic States to act together, saying: ‘In the face of the threats the world is confronting, it is of great importance for the Turkic States to act as a single power.’

Drawing attention to the strong military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Trkiye, Aliyev recalled that more than 25 joint exercises had been held between the two countries over the past year. In this context, he noted that the time had come to establish broader cooperation among OTS members in the fields of defense and security, adding: ‘I propose that in 2026, a joint military exercise be held in Azerbaijan with the participation of member countries of the Organization of Turkic States.’

Aliyev stated that the world is living in a period when the fundamental principles of international law are increasingly being violated, and in such an environment, defense and military-technical cooperation have become vital for countries. He emphasized that without security, regional stability and development would not be possible.

President Aliyev’s call is being viewed as a step that could pave the way for more comprehensive military integration among OTS member states.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said, ‘The European Union should today consider the OTS and Central Asia as strategic partners. Hungary has done this. Central Europe is also aware of this.’

In his speech at the summit, Orbán stated that there is mutual understanding within the Organization of Turkic States, saying: ‘We have energy security, growth, and at the same time, strong leaders. There is also a promising future for the further strengthening of Central Asia. I would like to congratulate you all.’

Saying, ‘We Hungarians are great supporters of the Turkic world in this regard,’ Orbán added: ‘I would also like to express my gratitude to President Erdogan. We thank Trkiye very much for being a reliable transit country for energy supplies. We also thank President Aliyev for ensuring safe energy delivery to Hungary. He made it possible to invest in the most important natural gas and oil fields. Thanks to this, Hungarians are entering the market in this field, and I am very grateful.’

Construction of two new data centers has officially begun in Azerbaijan this year, marking a significant step in the country’s digital infrastructure development.

Azernews reports that the announcement was made by Farrukh Farajullayev, Director of the Commercial Department at AzInTelecom, during the Baku Fintech Forum 2025.

Farajullayev noted that both facilities are expected to be completed by 2027. ‘These data centers will not only be the largest in Azerbaijan but also among the biggest in the region,’ he said.

One of the data centers is being built in the Hajigabul district, while the other will be located in the Absheron region.

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu delivered a speech at the Financial Closing Ceremony of the Antalya-Alanya Motorway, held at the Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum.

Uraloglu noted that Antalya and Alanya are two major tourism centers hosting millions of domestic and foreign visitors every year, emphasizing that the increasing population and tourism activity have made new investments in transport infrastructure necessary.

‘At this point,’ said Uraloglu, ‘this project we have implemented is not only a transportation route but also a development initiative that will strengthen tourism, trade, and the regional economy.’

Sharing details about the project, Uraloglu stated that the motorway would have a total length of 122 kilometers, consisting of 84 kilometers of the main body and 38 kilometers of connection roads. He also said the project would feature seven grade-separated intersections, five tunnels with a total length of 4,365 meters, 16 viaducts with a total length of 5,966 meters, and four motorway service facilities, describing it as an example of modern engineering.

Uraloglu continued his remarks as follows:

‘With a design speed of 140 kilometers per hour, this motorway will safely and consistently reduce the current 2.5-hour journey – which can reach up to 4 hours during peak summer periods – to just 36 minutes. Thus, we will eliminate the traffic congestion experienced especially during the summer months. The road will make travel faster, safer, and more comfortable – from Kleopatra Beach to Kaleiçi, and from Aspendos to Manavgat Waterfall.

Moreover, the project will provide annual savings of approximately 17.7 billion Turkish lira – 16.9 billion lira from time savings and 800 million lira from fuel savings. In a short time, we as a country will recover the amount invested here. I would like to stress that this is a feasible project. By reducing carbon emissions by 47,000 tons, we will protect the pine forests of the Taurus Mountains and the clear waters of the Mediterranean.

In addition to enhancing tourism opportunities and activities, the project will also ensure that agricultural products reach markets more quickly, bringing prosperity to our farmers, villagers, and tradesmen.’

Uraloglu explained that the motorway was being constructed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, emphasizing that this model allows investments to be realized much faster through private sector resources and financing, without using public funds.

He also noted that the international financing provided for the project reflects confidence in Trkiye’s economy.

Uraloglu announced that the financial closing ceremony for the Ankara-Kirikkale-Delice Motorway would take place on October 8, adding:

‘This project will further strengthen the industrial and commercial potential of Central Anatolia and once again feed the economic arteries of our country with the confidence of the international financial world. These projects are concrete proof of the belief in Trkiye’s stability and future.’

Uraloglu stated that the build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects implemented over the past 23 years had a total value of $51 billion at the time, which has now reached $91 billion in current terms.

Expressing satisfaction at having reached the final stage in securing financing for the Antalya-Alanya project, Uraloglu continued:

‘The total investment cost of the motorway is 2.429 billion euros, of which 729 million euros (30 percent) will be financed through equity capital, while 1.7 billion euros (70 percent) will be provided through bank loans.

The lenders include 14 financial institutions – eight international (three based in China, two in Saudi Arabia, one in Kuwait, one in Germany, and one in Greece) and six domestic. The financing received more than double the demand, which means that we will continue implementing such feasible projects, as we can attract funding from around the world. We will continue to meet our country’s infrastructure needs through proper channels and favorable credit terms.

The Antalya-Alanya Motorway will be integrated with the planned Denizli-Burdur and Burdur-Antalya motorways in the coming years, forming part of a continuous motorway network extending from Izmir to the European border. This project holds strategic importance not only for the region but also for Trkiye’s role in the global logistics network.’

Director General of Highways Ahmet Glsen stated that upon completion of the project, traffic congestion in the region would be significantly reduced, travel times would be shortened, and the quality of service would be elevated to a higher level.

He emphasized that the project would directly contribute to the development of strategic sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and trade, thereby strengthening the regional economy, and added:

‘It will launch a new wave of development in Antalya and across the Mediterranean region. Once the Denizli-Antalya section is also completed, a continuous motorway corridor will be established along the Izmir-Aydin-Denizli-Antalya route, creating another nationally and internationally significant transport corridor.’

Ebru Özdemir, Chairperson of the Limak Holding Board of Directors, said that they viewed the project as a strategic investment that would serve as a new driving force for regional development.

Özdemir noted that 87 percent of the total investment amount was provided by foreign-capital financial institutions within the framework of the PPP model, adding:

‘In addition to financing provided by 14 financial institutions, the strong 2.1-fold oversubscription during the financing process clearly demonstrates confidence in Trkiye’s future.’

She highlighted that the Silk Road Fund, established by the People’s Republic of China under the Belt and Road Initiative, had for the first time provided credit to a project in Trkiye, and stated:

‘With the completion of the project, there will be a significant reduction in travel times, increased economic activity, and life-saving speed improvements in emergency responses. During the investment phase, approximately 9,000 jobs will be created. This employment will provide direct vitality to the local population and economy, reinforcing regional development.’

Following the speeches, a signing ceremony was held to finalize the project’s financing, with the participation of representatives of the lending banks, Director General of Foreign Economic Relations at the Ministry of Treasury and Finance Kerem Dönmez, Director General of Highways Ahmet Glsen, and Limak Chairperson Ebru Özdemir.