  Blogger jailed in Azerbaijan received death threats from inmates: report September 15, 2017 - 11:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin was threatened with reprisal from inmates at a Baku prison where he was jailed after visiting Nagorno Karabakh, some media reports suggest. According to the blogger himself, he received death threats every day. An Israeli publication reveals that Lapshin, who returned to Israel after seven months in the Azerbaijani prison, in a conversation with friends denied rumors that he made a suicide attempt shortly before his release. Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev on Monday, September 12 signed a decree to pardon Lapshin, who was handed a three-year prison term for visiting Karabakh. Lapshin was sentenced by the Baku court on grave crimes on July 20, 2017 over his visit to Karabakh. The blogger was detained in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in December 2016 at Baku’s request. He was flown to Baku on February 7 and handed over to the Azerbaijani State Security Service. Azerbaijan’s prosecutors opened criminal cases against him envisaging jail terms of between five and eight years. Earlier, Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian said that bloggers from 10 countries will arrive in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) to participate in and cover the wine festival.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
