Journalists Detained for Filming Protest

Historian Jamil Hasanli's recent Facebook post has reignited debates over Azerbaijan's pension system and labor market, exposing significant shortcomings in social welfare and employment policies. The sharp critique followed Minister of Labor and Social Protection Sahil Babayev's parliamentary statement that individuals who have never worked or contributed to social insurance should not be eligible for pensions. The statement has drawn attention to entrenched structural issues in Azerbaijan's labor and pension frameworks, where employment gaps and limited social safety nets exacerbate inequality.

A group of ticktockers was arrested in Azerbaijan under administrative procedure. According to the press service of the Interior Ministry, the detainees ‘showed disrespect to society, posted unethical posts and appeals in social networks that are contrary to moral values’.

High-ranking officials at the Ministry of Health have been arrested, and six individuals suspected of issuing illegal certificates for performing plastic surgeries have been detained. According to press reports, Saida Rustamova, head of the Department of Personnel, Science, and Education, whose name was mentioned in scandalous publications about counterfeit certificates, was detained today. Other individuals named in investigative articles may also have been arrested, including Deputy Minister of Health Ilgar Gasymov.

December 25 in the capital and Apsheron will be cloudy, without precipitation. Wind is north-west. Humidity 70-80%.  Air temperature will be +4+6 at night and +8+11 during the day.