On Sunday morning the Pope Francis arrived from Tbilisi to Baku. The visit to Azerbaijan began with the Pope’s Mass in the metropolitan church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the afternoon, the Pope is scheduled to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and with the head of the Office of Caucasus Muslims, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Jewish community, the press service of the Vatican.
Before the visit the Pope appealed to the Azerbaijani people with the message: "I'm talking with Azerbaijanis of the truth that I have seen, that I feel. I had previously met and spoke with the president of Azerbaijan. I will also say the Azerbaijanis, that absence of peace on a small plot of land is dark matter. And I say to all: the Armenians, Azerbaijanis. Perhaps they cannot agree on the way to the world, but they need to work on that. I will say what will be at this point in my heart, it is necessary to try to find a solution that would allow to move forward. "
Among people accompanying the Pope at Mass present about 40 priests from other countries who came to the meeting with Francis. Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, which accommodates 300 worshipers is overcrowded.
Politics
-
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit of the President of Somalia to Baku "will open a new page in the close friendly relations" between the two countries. In a press statement after the negotiations, Aliyev noted that the leaders of both countries discussed the geopolitical situation in their regions and confirmed mutual support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and Somalia, as well as a common stance in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
-
Russia is not discussing the possibility of delivering Azerbaijani gas to the EU through Ukraine's gas transportation system, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated on Wednesday. "It is not being discussed," he said.
-
On February 12, the Baku Appeals Court rejected the appeal to transfer journalist Ramin Djebrailzade (Deko) to house arrest, according to his lawyer Nemat Kerimli. The defense considers this decision unjustified, as no investigative actions have been conducted regarding Deko, who was arrested in connection with the Meydan TV case. The journalist denies the charge of currency smuggling. Representatives of the investigating authorities were unavailable for comment.
-
The "Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" has published an updated list of political prisoners, which includes 357 names. Compared to the previous list from December 12 last year, the number of political prisoners has increased by 26 individuals. Among them are journalists Farid Ismayilov, Shamshad Agha, Shahnaz Beylergizi, and 13 arrested during the unrest in Imishli, among others.
Leave a review