Category: Azer News

As part of the 11th Baku International Book Fair, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsman) held a presentation on October 1, Azernews reports. The event showcased the Ombudsman’s publications and awareness-raising activities.

At the event, the head of the Legal Awareness Sector of the Ombudsman’s Office, Mugalib Mahmudov, provided information about the awareness-raising activities carried out by the Ombudsman. He spoke about the work done in areas such as citizens’ rights and freedoms, children’s rights, gender equality, the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, and the promotion of international human rights documents.

He noted that the institution regularly prepares and distributes various publications, brochures, and booklets among the public, and also holds awareness-raising events aimed at increasing the legal knowledge of young people.

At the event, Vali Guliyev, acting head of the Analysis and Monitoring Sector of the Department of Access to Information of the Ombudsman’s Office, provided detailed information about the Ombudsman’s activities in this field. He stated that ensuring citizens’ right to access information, cases of violations of this right, and the information access opportunities for vulnerable population groups are always at the center of attention.

A representative of the Ombudsman’s Office added that expanding information access opportunities for vulnerable groups-such as persons with disabilities, low-income families, children, and elderly people-and presenting information in accessible formats for them is one of the priority areas.

Then, Azer Isali, Senior Advisor of the Child Rights Protection Sector of the Department of Human Rights Protection of the Ombudsman’s Office, talked about the protection of children’s rights, the awareness-raising activities carried out in this area, and the publications prepared. He emphasized that the work done in the field of protecting children’s rights serves to educate them, increase their legal knowledge, and ensure their growth in a healthy environment. Azer Isali also highlighted that the Ombudsman’s Office prepares various brochures, booklets, and educational materials to promote national and international legislation on children’s rights.

Shahla Aslanova, Chief Advisor of the Department of Cooperation with International Organizations and Civil Society Institutions of the Ombudsman’s Office, discussed the projects implemented by the institution in cooperation with international organizations, joint work with civil society institutions, and awareness-raising activities. She noted that the joint activities in the field of human rights protection and promotion make a significant contribution to raising public awareness.

On the initiative of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan, books, leaflets, and booklets dedicated to legal awareness were prepared and published in various languages – Azerbaijani, Russian, English, Ukrainian, and French – from 2002 to 2025.

In total, during the Ombudsman’s activities, 278 publications have been printed and presented to a wide readership, including one electronic edition. Of these, 190 are books, 79 are leaflets and booklets, and 9 are posters.

On October 1, a banquet was hosted in Copenhagen on behalf of King Frederik X and Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

The TrkMedya E-Commerce and Retail Summit was held at the Istanbul Financial Center, bringing together senior executives from government, finance, and the business world, alongside industry stakeholders. The summit was attended by Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat and Vice President of the Presidency’s Investment and Finance Office Bekir Polat. Opening remarks were delivered by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, TrkMedya Executive Board Chairman Murat Çiçek, and Halkbank General Manager Osman Arslan.

The summit addressed the effects of digitalization on the retail sector, the growth of e-commerce volume, and future strategies.

In his speech, Minister Bolat underlined the momentum gained by e-commerce during the pandemic:

‘We can easily say that the turning point for e-commerce was the Covid pandemic. That was the period when the importance of e-commerce became clear. I clearly remember that, in those days, whatever the business in computer and information technologies, it grew exponentially,’ he said.

Sharing global and national data, Bolat noted:

‘Global trade is expanding rapidly, and projections for 2026 foresee a global trade volume of $8.1 trillion. This figure was $5.5 trillion just four years ago, in 2022. In Trkiye, the share of people ordering goods and services online was 35 percent in 2020, when Covid began, and has now risen to 55.7 percent-nearly 56 percent-in 2025. This growth is continuing.’

Bolat emphasized the role of the Ministry of Trade in monitoring the sector:

‘As the Ministry of Trade, we operate ETBIS, the e-commerce registration system. Each year we publish a report called The Outlook of E-Commerce in Trkiye. On May 6 this year, we announced our latest report. By the end of 2024, e-commerce volume reached 3 trillion Turkish lira. This includes everything-from ticket sales to clothing and food, essentially all e-commerce transactions. Compared with 2023, this represents an increase of 61.7 percent. Based on the average exchange rate at the time, this 3 trillion lira corresponds to about $90 billion in trade.’

He also highlighted the impact on retail e-commerce:

‘Retail e-commerce reached 1.619 trillion lira in 2024, a 63.7 percent rise compared with the previous year. These figures are huge and growing every year far beyond inflation or revaluation rates. The share of e-commerce in our gross domestic product has reached 6.5 percent. Between 2019, before the pandemic, and 2024, the compound annual growth rate was 30 percent. Globally, e-commerce sales account for more than 19 percent of total retail sales, and this is expected to reach 25 percent by 2027. In Trkiye, e-commerce’s share in total trade has reached 19.1 percent, about one-fifth-similar to the global level.’

Bolat added that order volumes have grown sharply:

‘The number of orders in Trkiye rose from 1.36 billion to 5.91 billion. The number of marketplace sellers increased from 57,000 in 2019 to 584,000. That’s a 919 percent increase-nearly a tenfold jump-in the number of sellers over five years. These figures show that e-commerce in Trkiye is advancing in giant strides. It is impossible for a business to survive in competition without taking digitalization and e-commerce into account.’

He also pointed to the entrepreneurial structure of the sector:

‘Of all e-commerce businesses, 78.5 percent are sole proprietorships, 18 percent are limited companies, and 3.6 percent are joint-stock companies. This means e-commerce has spread widely, been embraced by society, and is seen as a powerful tool for competition, especially for individual entrepreneurs.’

Azerbaijan actively participated in the VII International Transport and Logistics Business Forum ‘New Silk Road,’ held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Minister Rahman Hummatov. The discussions at the international forum focused on strengthening transport cooperation, developing transnational corridors, and unlocking the logistics potential of the region.

Within the framework of the forum, a panel session on ‘Transport connectivity and synchronization of transport corridors’ was organized, along with the VIII meeting of transport ministers of the Organization of Turkic States. In addition, the heads of delegations of the countries along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, Middle Corridor) convened for a dedicated meeting.

The event concluded with the signing of a number of important agreements aimed at improving regional transport infrastructure. These included an Action Plan to eliminate bottlenecks in the railway segment of the TITR, a protocol on the meeting of delegations regarding the Trans-Caspian route, and a communiqué summarizing the results of the VIII meeting of OTS transport ministers.

The forum once again underlined the strategic role of the Middle Corridor as a vital Eurasian route linking China, Central Asia, and Europe, and highlighted Azerbaijan’s role as a key participant in regional transport connectivity initiatives.

Turkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, has said that 5G will serve as a strategic milestone in the country’s digital transformation, underlining the government’s ambition to build an ecosystem based on domestic production.

‘We want to turn our country into a technology hub that not only develops 5G systems locally but also exports them to global markets,’ Uraloglu stated. He emphasized that ongoing projects would pave the way for high-value exports while boosting national technological capacity.

As part of the ‘End-to-End Domestic and National 5G Project,’ Turkiye plans to produce both base stations and core network components within the country. Uraloglu announced that 5G infrastructure will be required to include at least 60 percent domestically produced equipment and 30 percent nationally developed communication technologies. This approach, he noted, will strengthen Turkiye’s telecommunications industry while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

The minister also highlighted the broader economic benefits of the initiative. ‘Through local production, we will both protect our domestic market and achieve the capacity to compete globally,’ he said, adding that the move would also contribute directly to reducing Turkiye’s current account deficit.

Uraloglu pointed to high-tech exports as a key priority of economic policy, stressing that 5G investments would enhance Turkiye’s R and D and patent capabilities. In the longer term, he said, Turkiye aims to be an active player in shaping 6G technologies as well.

Beyond telecommunications, 5G will have transformative effects across multiple sectors. In industry, it will accelerate automation; in transportation, it will enable smart solutions; in healthcare, it will support digitalization; and in finance, it will provide secure data flows. ‘We are not only planning for 5G but also preparing for technologies beyond 5G,’ Uraloglu concluded. ‘These steps will increase Turkiye’s technology exports and strengthen our competitive edge in the global marketplace.’

The Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic continue to reinforce a partnership rooted in mutual strategic interests-particularly in energy, education, and regional diplomacy. The recent official visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Baku underscores a deepening alliance between the two nations, reflecting not only historical cooperation but a growing alignment of political will and shared vision for the future.

Italy has reaffirmed its position as Azerbaijan’s primary oil export destination in Europe, importing over 9 million tonnes in the first eight months of 2025 – a remarkable 47.7% rise year-on-year, reflecting deepening economic interdependence. The importance of this energy-driven relationship was a focal point of discussions held on September 30 in Baku, during a formal state visit that symbolized the maturing ties between Baku and Rome.

President Ilham Aliyev welcomed President Mattarella with full state honors in a square adorned with the national flags of both nations – a visual representation of a diplomatic partnership that has grown more strategic and multifaceted over the last decade.

During the expanded bilateral meeting, President Aliyev emphasized the significance of Mattarella’s second visit to Azerbaijan, calling it a “manifestation of the relations of friendship and partnership between Italy and Azerbaijan.” He highlighted that cooperation now spans multiple sectors – ‘from energy to industrial production’ – and is guided by the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed five years ago.

“Our collaboration is of truly strategic importance,” President Aliyev said, stressing that the declaration is not a symbolic gesture, but a roadmap that is ‘being fully implemented.’

For his part, President Mattarella expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality and reiterated Italy’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Recalling his first visit to Baku seven years ago, he noted that it had laid the groundwork for Italian support of the Southern Gas Corridor and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)-a crucial energy infrastructure delivering Caspian gas to European markets.

“During that visit, we were able to provide significant support to TAP. I am grateful to you for that,” Mattarella told Ilham Aliyev, affirming that energy cooperation remains ‘crucially important’ to both economies.

Energy has long been the cornerstone of Italy-Azerbaijan relations. With Italy as the primary European importer of Azerbaijani oil and a key stakeholder in the TAP pipeline, both sides reiterated the importance of expanding existing infrastructure and deepening cooperation in the renewable energy transition.

President Aliyev made it clear that while both countries can ‘rightly congratulate each other on the results already achieved’, the vision ahead is broader. He pointed to upcoming energy projects involving not only bilateral efforts but also the European Union as a whole.

‘The implementation of new projects in the energy sector… is very important,’ he said, expressing optimism about Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable energy partner for Europe amid ongoing global supply challenges.

Perhaps the most symbolic development of this visit was not in hydrocarbons, but in higher education. On October 1, the two presidents inaugurated the first academic buildings of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku-a joint educational initiative that has moved from vision to reality in just three years.

Described by President Aliyev as a ‘friendship project’, the university aims to serve as a hub for academic exchange, innovation, and cultural diplomacy. Hundreds of Azerbaijani students are already enrolled, with Italian partner universities playing a central role in curriculum design and academic governance.

“They will become ambassadors of Italian-Azerbaijani friendship,” President Aliyev noted, highlighting how education is shaping a new generation of leaders familiar with both cultures.

President Mattarella echoed the sentiment, saying the university ‘demonstrates the magnitude and strength of our collaboration,’ which now extends well beyond economics and energy into culture, youth engagement, and intellectual exchange.

Another theme woven into the visit was the broader geopolitical context-particularly Azerbaijan’s evolving relationship with the European Union. Italy has been a consistent advocate for closer Azerbaijan-EU ties, a role acknowledged with gratitude by Aliyev.

‘Italy has always supported our efforts to build closer relations with the European Union,’ he said, framing Rome as both a partner and a bridge between Baku and Brussels.

President Mattarella’s remarks also carried a clear message of support. He welcomed Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 and praised the leadership shown during international climate negotiations, noting the global relevance of decisions adopted in Baku. He also congratulated President Aliyev on the progress achieved in the Washington-led Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, signaling European interest in regional stability.

The official visit concluded not just with handshakes and ceremonies, but with tangible progress across key sectors. From the strategic continuity in energy trade to the symbolic depth of educational cooperation, Azerbaijan and Italy are crafting a partnership that blends pragmatism with long-term vision.

As President Aliyev put it, ‘Our relations are crucial for the development of the region. and have a positive impact on our relations with the European Union.’ The state visit of President Mattarella was both a reaffirmation of this trajectory and a step forward in building a resilient, multifaceted alliance in an increasingly complex global landscape.

The Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) has reported the discovery and neutralization of an explosive booby-trap device during a house clearance operation in the village of Kichik Galadara, Shusha region, Azernews reports.

According to the agency, two F-1 hand grenades were found on the roof of the house, set in combat condition with a tripwire connected to a pillar and the entrance door. The device was successfully neutralized by ANAMA specialists, ensuring the safety of the area.

Authorities note that booby-trap mines and improvised explosive devices continue to be regularly encountered during ongoing mine clearance operations in the liberated territories.

ANAMA has once again urged citizens to avoid entering areas and facilities whose safety is not confirmed and to refrain from touching unfamiliar objects.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiatives to improve the quality of education extend beyond the capital to include Azerbaijan’s regions. In Samux district, the renovation of Aliusagi village secondary school had become necessary, as the original building, constructed in 1953, had fallen into disrepair over the decades.

In 2024, the Foundation began construction of a new school with a capacity for 360 students. The three-story facility consists of four separate blocks and is equipped with classrooms, physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories, an IT room, a STEAM center, and specialized spaces for military training, medical education, and vocational training. It also includes a kindergarten classroom, library, dining hall, assembly and sports halls, along with an outdoor sports field.

The school is fully furnished and equipped with educational tools and teaching aids for all subject areas and laboratories.

Under the leadership of Azerbaijan’s First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s efforts to construct new educational institutions and renovate schools that have become unfit for use complement the state’s education policy, helping to provide the younger generation with a high-quality, knowledge-based learning environment.

The open court hearing on criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued on October 2, Azernews reports.

The session, held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that each of the accused was provided with an interpreter in their preferred language and defense lawyers.

The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the state’s accusations.

Victim Ilham Mammadov testified first. He stated that on May 10, 2002, while serving in the military and heading to his post, he was captured by Armenian armed forces near Haram. Mammadov noted that he was unarmed at the time. Armenian soldiers beat him and subjected him to torture. He described one officer as particularly cruel and later learned his name was Levon.

Responding to questions from Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, Mammadov identified accused Levon Mnatsakanyan as the perpetrator, stating: ‘He punched me in the head and then struck me with the butt of his rifle. He took me to a rock and fired at me. At that time, my back was facing the positions of the Azerbaijani Army. He forced me to stand in a spot where our forces might have shot me unknowingly. Later, they made me walk through mined areas against my will.’

Mammadov also answered questions from prosecutor Nasir Bayramov, head of the Department for the Protection of State Accusations of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Special Assistant to the Prosecutor General Tugay Rahimli, and other state prosecutors Tarana Mammadova and Vusal Abdullayev. He explained that he was held for a week in Azerbaijani territories then occupied by Armenian forces before being transferred to Armenia. After 6 months and 15 days in captivity, he was handed over to Azerbaijan.

In response to defense questions, Mammadov said he did not know Mnatsakanyan before his capture and was unaware of his position at the time. ‘But based on his attitude, I assume he was the chief of staff,’ he added.

Answering questions from accused Levon Mnatsakanyan, Mammadov confirmed he was born in 1973 and held the rank of lieutenant when captured. ‘I received my officer rank upon graduating from the Azerbaijan State Agricultural Academy, which had a military department,’ he said.

He added that during his extended military service, he initially served on the rear front before being deployed to the front line, where he was captured shortly after.

Accused Mnatsakanyan confirmed an incident in 2002 involving the capture of an Azerbaijani soldier, stating that the individual was brought in for investigation, questioned by the investigators, and later handed over to the relevant authorities. He claimed the prisoner was not subjected to torture and was provided with water and bread.

In response to questions from the prosecutor defending the state accusation, Mnatsakanyan said he did not know if the captured Azerbaijani was Mammadov and that he did not recognize him.

The lawyer for accused Melikset Pashayan requested a confidential meeting with their clients, which Judge Zeynal Aghayev granted during the recess.

Accused Davit Ishkhanyan requested that the court provide a list of internationally registered organizations and media outlets in Azerbaijan. The presiding judge stated that this matter falls outside the court’s jurisdiction and activities. He noted that there are no problems with the activities of international organizations in Azerbaijan; they operate legally and respect the country’s legislation. His lawyer can provide the list to him.

The judge also informed Davit Ishkhanyan that a video interview of Manvel Grigoryan, former Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia, previously presented and admitted as evidence, would be loaded onto the defendants’ tablets.

It should be noted that after the video material was examined in court, Davit Ishkhanyan had requested that the full video be loaded onto their tablets.

The court proceedings continued with the announcement of documents related to the criminal cases.

First, documents regarding the killing and wounding of Azerbaijanis due to Armenian armed forces’ attacks, including mine sabotage incidents, were announced.

Subsequently, documents on crimes committed by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups on September 19-20, 2023, were presented.

The court also announced documents on incidents in liberated territories where civilians were killed or injured due to explosions of mines and other explosive devices.

Additionally, documents related to the killing of telejournalist Chingiz Fuad oglu Mustafayev (posthumously awarded the title of ‘National Hero of Azerbaijan’) were announced.

The court session featured documents on the military operation conducted in Dashalti village of Shusha district on January 26, 1992; the attack on the TEM-2-7065 locomotive on the Gazakh-Barkhudarly railway line on April 23, 1992; the shelling of the Barkhudarly railway station on September 9, 1991; and other incidents.

Furthermore, documents on the shelling of Tartar district during the Patriotic War, the significant damage inflicted on ‘TartarCotton’ OJSC, and the shelling of Fuzuli, Beylagan, Goranboy, Barda, Aghdam, Aghjabadi, Jabrayil (Jojug Marjanli village), and the city of Naftalan during the Patriotic War were announced.

The court also presented documents on rocket attacks on Yevlakh district and Goran village in Goranboy district, the shelling of the city of Mingachevir, and rocket launches toward Siyazan, Kurdamir, and Gabala districts on October 22, 2020.

The next set of documents announced concerned the destruction caused by Armenian armed forces in occupied territories, including damage to individual residential houses, non-residential buildings, and cultural heritage.

The court announced documents on the massive damage to the forest fund of Lachin district and the destruction of houses in Lachin district and other areas.

Documents related to the illegal settlement of the population, the smuggling of weapons to the Karabakh region, and the use of phosphorus shells were also presented.

The examination of the documents was accompanied by photographs related to the criminal cases.

The trial will continue on October 3.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state – including the aforementioned criminal association – on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals – Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan – are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia agree on single long-term tariff for Middle Corridor