Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan does not rule out taking its dispute with Russia over the management of the South Caucasus Railway to an international court if the issue cannot be resolved through negotiations. At the same time, he stressed that the Armenian authorities hope to settle the matter through talks.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio also joined numerous calls to the Azerbaijani authorities to release the chairman of the Democracy and Welfare Party, academic economist Gubad Ibadoglu. “Gubad Ibadoglu, an Azerbaijani opposition leader and economist, has been facing unsubstantiated criminal charges and is being held without access to medical care. His only crime is that he spoke the truth. He should be released immediately,” Rubio tweeted.
The day before, the investigation opened a new case against Gubadu Ibadoglu for the production, storage or distribution of extremist materials. During a search in his house, security forces allegedly found books and speeches by Turkish preacher Fetulahh Gülen, who is accused of attempting a coup d'état in 2016 in Turkey. Thus, along with Art. 204.3.1 (Production, purchase or sale of counterfeit money) Gubadoglu is also charged under Art. 167-3.1 (Production, storage or distribution of religious extremist materials).
Gubad Ibadoglu denies the accusations, considering them absurd. Many international organizations and officials called on Baku to immediately release the politician.