Illustration: Mikroskop Media
Aliyev to the Ukrainian people: Do not accept the occupation. Kremlin: Aliyev's position is “wrong”
On July 13, at the opening of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum organized by the Azerbaijani government, Ilham Aliyev once again expressed his support for the Ukrainian people. This speech was again met with displeasure by the Russian side.
What Ilham Aliyev said: Regarding last year’s question and my recommendation, I think neither the Ukrainian people nor the Ukrainian authorities needed my advice, but I would repeat it today as well: never agree to occupation. And that is exactly what Ukraine is doing - it does not agree to occupation. Although there were difficult moments during this year, and we saw, know, and heard about pressure from certain circles pushing for a cessation of hostilities that would essentially consolidate the occupation. But neither the people of Ukraine nor its leadership agreed to this.
What the Russian side says: Russian President's spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Aliyev's position “incorrect,” saying that Moscow will explain the reasons for this to Baku through all available channels.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister: Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are fully normalized
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, stated at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow that relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are fully normalized.
According to him, the two countries have left a complex phase behind and this normalization was possible thanks to the personal efforts of the presidents. Lavrov, for his part, said that the talks between the ministers were a continuation of the dialogue at the presidential level, emphasizing that the parties were moving forward to implement the potential of the Moscow Declaration signed in 2022.
Why were relations between Baku and Moscow cold: Relations between the two countries had sharply deteriorated after the crash of an AZAL plane in December 2024 and the raids against Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg in 2025.
During that period, Azerbaijan issued an official protest note to Russia, and in Azerbaijan, a group of Russian citizens was arrested on drug charges.
Talish researcher Igbal Abilov was tortured in prison
The Talysh researcher Igbal Abilov, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison, was reportedly beaten after being placed in a punishment cell at the Baku Investigative Detention Center, chained to an iron bed for hours, and sustained numerous injuries.
His relatives released information about this.
According to them, Abilov was placed in a punishment cell for appearing in Yasamal District Court wearing a shirt with verses by the poet Ali Nasir written on it.
The t-shirt read:
The day a nation loses its head, It signs the warrant that strikes its home dead.
The researcher's father, Shahin Abilov, said the violence was carried out under the leadership of Javid Gulaliyev, the deputy head of the Baku Investigative Detention Center.
Who is Igbal Abilov:
Talysh researcher, writer, and translator Iqbal Abilov was detained in July 2024 by the State Security Service and sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges of treason.
He denies the charges, stating that his imprisonment is politically motivated and related to his scholarly work on the history and culture of the Talysh people.
Inmates at a prison complex in Baku complain about detention conditions
Inmates and their relatives held at the Umbaka Penitentiary Complex report that the conditions at the facility are harsh.
The problems are:
Hot water is provided only once a week
The cells lack adequate ventilationIn the summer months, the temperature reaches an unbearable level.
An informal payment is demanded for a fan.
There is a shortage of refrigerators for storing food,
The use of electric heaters to warm food is not permitted.
Outdoor exercise time has been reduced.
Products in the prison canteen are sold at prices significantly higher than market rates.
A group of imprisoned faith-based activists has launched a hunger strike to demand the release of imprisoned women of faith and female journalists
Four members of the Muslim Unity Movement, held in the Umbak Penitentiary Complex, have started a hunger strike demanding the release of imprisoned female journalists and female faith-based activists.
After starting a hunger strike, he was put into a punishment cell.
Currently, 9 female journalists are serving time in Azerbaijani prisons. They are accused of smuggling. None of them has accepted the charges, and they link their arrests to their professional activities.
Believing women activists were detained last year after a protest in support of Palestine. They also say their charges are politically motivated.