Category: Azer News

On October 28, President Ilham Aliyev inspected the newly built 104-apartment residential complex in the city of Zangilan, Azernews reports.

The head of state was briefed on the project.

The nearly 2-hectare complex comprises 12 buildings – eight two-story and four three-story – with 104 apartments. Interior finishing is complete, guided by modern architectural standards.

Amenities include children’s playgrounds, sports grounds, six above- and underground parking areas, electric vehicle charging stations, underground water reservoirs, and a transformer substation.

The Baku Grave Crimes Court has continued hearings in the espionage case against French citizen Martin Ryan and Azerbaijani citizen Azad Mammadli, accused of spying for France and committing treason, respectively.

The trial, presided over by Judge Elmin Rustamov, featured the testimonies of several witnesses who provided detailed accounts of their encounters with the accused and the alleged network of foreign intelligence operations in Azerbaijan.

According to Azernews, witness K.Y., a former colonel of the State Border Service, testified that he met Martin Ryan in 2019 while attending French language classes at the World Business Centre in Baku. Ryan, who taught French there, allegedly expressed an unusual interest in K.Y.’s military background and personal details, including his residence and workplace.

Another witness, N.M., head of ‘Linguist’ LLC, confirmed that Ryan conducted language courses for several individuals, including employees of the State Security Service (STS) and the Russian Embassy in Baku.

Witness Z.M., who first met Ryan in 2008 during their university studies in France, said that upon returning to Azerbaijan, he introduced Ryan to Azad Mammadli, one of his students. According to Z.M., Ryan later connected Mammadli with French embassy officials, including Frederic Devos and Laurent Grandard, who allegedly sought to recruit Mammadli for secret cooperation with the French intelligence services. Z.M. testified that Ryan often spoke about his contacts within the French special services and held regular meetings with their agents in Baku.

Another witness, U.A., recounted meeting both accused individuals and confirmed that Ryan frequently inquired about Azerbaijan’s political landscape and foreign relations. U.A. also stated that he was approached by Laurent Grandard, then the first secretary of the French Embassy, who allegedly attempted to involve him in intelligence cooperation. According to his testimony, Ryan later warned him that Grandard and others at the embassy were engaged in recruiting local agents.

Additional witnesses, including H.A., R.B., and several others, described their interactions with Ryan in various contexts-ranging from professional dealings to casual meetings-highlighting his close connections to diplomatic circles and his cover as a language instructor and businessman.

The indictment presented in court outlines that Martin Ryan, allegedly acting under the direction of the French General Directorate for External Security (DGSE), sought information on Azerbaijan’s military capabilities, weapons production, foreign relations, and potential secret financial operations. His Azerbaijani associate, Azad Mammadli, is accused of providing assistance in these intelligence-gathering efforts.

Both Ryan and Mammadli were arrested by the State Security Service on December 4, 2023. Ryan, who served as the general director of ‘Merkorama’ LLC, faces charges under Article 276 (espionage) of the Criminal Code, while Mammadli is charged under Article 274 (treason).

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 24, when additional witnesses are expected to testify.

In line with President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions, the Great Return to the liberated territories continues, marking another significant step in the restoration of life across Garabagh, Azernews reports.

Families who had long lived in temporary accommodations-such as dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings-are now returning to their native lands in the Khojaly district.

13 families comprising 51 people have been relocated to Ballija village, 17 families (72 people) to Tezabina, and another 17 families (62 people) to Badara village.

The returnees expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive care and attention shown to them. They also conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the valiant Azerbaijani Army and the country’s heroic soldiers and officers who liberated their homeland from occupation.

Residents prayed for the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, vowing to contribute to the rebuilding and flourishing of their ancestral lands.

This new phase of resettlement highlights the state’s unwavering commitment to revitalizing the liberated regions and ensuring dignified living conditions for returning citizens.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone for the second and third residential complexes in Jabrayil city on October 28, Azernews reports.

The second residential complex will be constructed on 5.28 hectares. It will consist of 23 buildings with five and six floors, containing a total of 615 apartments with one to five rooms. The complex will be equipped with all necessary amenities to ensure comfortable living for residents.

Following this, the President laid the foundation stone for the third residential complex, which will cover more than five hectares. The complex will feature 25 buildings with five, six, and seven floors, comprising 746 apartments with one to five rooms.

Both complexes will be built according to modern standards and will include the required social infrastructure, representing a significant step in the restoration of Jabrayil city.

‘Exactly five years ago, this territory (Horovlu village) was liberated from occupation, and this glorious history will always live in our hearts,’ said President Ilham Aliyev during his meeting with residents of Horovlu village in Jabrayil district, Azernews reports.

Stating that in a few days Azerbaijan will celebrate the fifth anniversary of its historic Victory, the head of state emphasized: ‘November 8 – Victory Day – stands as the brightest page in our history. Five years ago, our historic Victory reverberated across the world.’

The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, was a meeting where important and practical proposals were put forward, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said.

As reported by Azernews, President Pezeshkian made the remarks during the meeting of interior ministers of ECO member states held today in Tehran.

He noted that the ECO represents decades of collective effort by its member countries toward strengthening economic solidarity, and that the organization has achieved remarkable progress in this direction.

The Iranian President also emphasized that numerous untapped opportunities still remain. ‘Fortunately, member states continue to demonstrate strong political will to deepen and expand future cooperation,’ Pezeshkian added.

For reference, the 17th ECO Summit took place in July in Khankendi, Azerbaijan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed on Monday that his country will never forget the help it received from North Korean soldiers in what he described as the liberation of the Kursk region from Ukraine, Azernews reports.

Speaking during a meeting with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son-hui, in Moscow, Lavrov noted that “those deeds will, of course, further strengthen the bonds of friendship and historical commonality in our shared struggle for justice.”

He also underscored the boost that the relations between Russia and North Korea have experienced since their respective leaders, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, met in June 2024.

Furthermore, Lavrov confirmed that both he and Choe will attend the III Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, which will be held in the Belarusian capital on October 28 and 29.

The 15th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus is taking place in Baku, marking another step toward deepening bilateral economic collaboration, Azernews reports.

According to Azernews, the meeting is co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov from Azerbaijan and Deputy Prime Minister Natalya Petkevich from Belarus.

Discussions are focused on the implementation of the 2024-2025 Roadmap for cooperation between the two countries. The sides are exploring opportunities for joint projects across multiple sectors, including industry, agriculture, mechanical engineering, urban development, pharmaceuticals, vocational education, transport, logistics, trade, and investment.

As part of the visit, the co-chairs of the Commission are scheduled to travel to the Fuzuli and Aghdam regions on October 29, where they will review several ongoing and potential reconstruction projects, underscoring Belarus’s interest in contributing to Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery and development efforts.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening of the first phase of Horovlu village in Jabrayil district on October 28, Azernews reports.

Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, briefed the head of state on the completed work.

Horovlu village, occupied by Armenia in 1993, was liberated by the Azerbaijani Army on October 4, 2020.

The foundation of the village was laid by President Ilham Aliyev in May 2023. Last October, the head of state and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva inspected the construction of individual houses and social facilities.

Covering 248 hectares, Horovlu now has 334 individual houses with 2 to 5 rooms, equipped with modern utilities including water, electricity, gas, solar panels, and high-speed internet. The facades of the houses feature patterns of Karabakh carpets, and intra-village roads have been asphalted.

In the first phase, on 94 hectares of land, the construction of 334 individual houses, a 624-seat school, a 220-seat nursery-kindergarten, a two-story administrative building, a market complex, multi-functional catering facilities, a medical center, and a sports-health center has been completed.

In the village, historically used kahrizes – ‘Asgar,’ ‘Shighi,’ ‘Orta,’ ‘Gulgasim,’ and ‘Khalifa’ – which had been dismantled during the occupation, have been restored. A portion of Horovlu’s water supply will be ensured through these kahrizes.

President Aliyev inspected the nursery-kindergarten, which features a canteen, play and music rooms, and administrative, computer, and methodological rooms. Outdoor areas have been designed for engaging activities for children.

The head of state toured the modern secondary school building. It includes 26 classrooms, specialized rooms for chemistry, physics, biology, informatics, music, art, and military training; four laboratories; a library; a 180-seat assembly hall; an indoor sports hall; a canteen; and an open sports ground.

A 4.4-hectare park complex has been constructed, including a children’s play area, sports field, basketball court, table games zone, gazebos, and walking paths connecting the Flag Square to the market complex. Landscaping includes olive, plane, and elder trees, as well as natural stones incorporated into the design. Four buildings destroyed during the occupation were preserved as historical evidence.

The two-story administrative building houses a modern situation center employing a Geographic Information System (GIS) for efficient village management. The platform integrates the master plan, buildings, roads, and utilities, enabling real-time monitoring, decision-making, and 3D visualization.

After reviewing the facilities, President Ilham Aliyev met with residents moving to Horovlu and handed over the keys to their new homes.

The 15th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Belarus is being held in Baku.

As reported by Azernews, the meeting is co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov and Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Natalya Petkevich.

During the session, it was noted that assembly of agricultural and special-purpose machinery continues at the Ganja Automobile Plant in cooperation with the Belarusian side.

The parties also emphasized ongoing work to expand local production of elevators in Azerbaijan within the framework of long-term cooperation with Belarus in elevator manufacturing and supply, in partnership with Mogilevliftmash.

According to the report, modernization and installation of 200 elevators are planned for completion in 2025.