Azerbaijani activist sentenced to 6 years for writing “Stalin” on Aliyev statue

A court in Baku sentenced activist of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) Elbeyi Karimli to 6 years in prison. He was found guilty of drug possession.

Karimli stated in court that drugs are a standard falsified accusation. The reason for the arrest, according to him, was that last summer he wrote the word “Stalin” on the statue of Heydar Aliyev, the ex-president of Azerbaijan, the father of the current head of state Ilham Aliyev. Karimli was then detained, the police put pressure on him, and he accepted the accusation. The man was arrested in August 2023 and was kept in Baku pre-trial detention center No. 1.

In fact, Elbai Karimli was convicted based on the testimony of the police themselves. The young man stated that he confessed under pressure. But the court ignored this, the lawyer said.

Последние новости
Drone attack on Volgograd leaves one dead, eight injured
News
Drone attack on Volgograd leaves one dead, eight injured
31 July 2026

The number of people injured in a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian city of Volgograd has risen to nine after rescuers recovered the body of a woman from the rubble of a residential building struck overnight on July 31.

Second Initiative to
Society
Second Initiative to "Protect National Values" Launched in Georgia in a Week
31 July 2026

Another public initiative aimed at protecting "national values" has emerged in Georgia. This time, the launch of a platform was announced by actor Giorgi Shanidze, director Giorgi Sikharulidze, and Kote Mzhavia, the director of the Batumi Drama Theater. They propose drafting a law intended—in their view—to protect the church, sacred sites, historical figures, and other "fundamental values" of the country.

Illegal dumping problem grows in Ingushetia, local media report
Society
Illegal dumping problem grows in Ingushetia, local media report
31 July 2026

While crews attempt to extinguish smoldering hotspots at the closed landfill in Malgobek, a new illegal dump is already forming nearby. Bers Bankhaev, head of Ingushetia’s Regional Management Center, highlighted this issue.

Ukrainian drone strikes hit southern Russia and Dagestan overnight
Politics
Ukrainian drone strikes hit southern Russia and Dagestan overnight
31 July 2026

On the night of July 31, residents of Kaspiysk reported explosions near the seaport, which serves as the base for the Caspian Flotilla. Russian authorities have not officially commented on reports of a possible attack on the port. That same night, Ukrainian drones also struck other Russian regions.