Wafa Nagi and Shahla Karim detained in Neftchala

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev voiced cautious optimism on Friday about the potential for a breakthrough in the ongoing negotiations between Moscow and Kiev regarding the continuation of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine. This agreement is crucial for a number of European countries as the current transit contract is set to expire at the end of the year.

Baku Serious Crimes Court heard his testimony at the trial of opposition politician Tofig Yagublu.

On Friday, the Khatai District Court in Baku extended the detention of economist Farid Mehralizade for an additional three months. According to the court's decision, he will remain in custody until December 19, his lawyer, Javad Javadov, reported. Mehralizade was arrested in connection with the “Abzas Media” case. However, he denies the charges, stating that he has no connection to the publication and only provided expert comments to this and other media outlets.

On September 6, the Khatai District Court in Baku granted the request of the investigative authorities to extend the detention of journalist Elnara Gasimova, who has been arrested in connection with the “Abzas Media” case. According to the court's decision, she will remain in custody until November 13, a lawyer Gunay Ismayilova told Turan. The defense considers the decision to extend the journalist’s pretrial detention to be unjustified and plans to appeal it to the Court of Appeals.