Victoria Nuland thanked Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's private broadcaster Baku TV aired a report on Friday accusing the "Russian House" in Baku of engaging in anti-Azerbaijani espionage activities under the guise of cultural and humanitarian work. The report, citing "trusted sources" without disclosing details, alleged that the Russian cultural center is fostering inter-ethnic discord and operating as a hub for intelligence activities.

On January 24, the Baku Court of Appeals considered an appeal regarding the arrest of journalist Farid Ismailov. According to his lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova, the defense argued that there was no need to keep the journalist in custody, citing his health problems and the fact that the preliminary investigation had already been completed.

The human rights situation in Azerbaijan in 2024 was characterized by an increase in repression against journalists, activists, and religious groups, the annual report of the NGO "Line of Defense," presented on January 24 by member of the organization, human rights activist Zafar Ahmedov.

On January 24, the Sabail District Court continued the trial of Aziz Orujov, the head of the online publication Kanal-13. According to lawyer Fahraddin Mehdiyev, at the beginning of the  hearing, the judge rejected a petition filed at the previous hearing to transfer Orujov to house arrest. The defense then petitioned for journalists to be allowed into the trial and for conditions to be created for them to conduct filming.