Azerbaijan detains activist for anti-war social media postsSeptember 29, 2020 - 12:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani activist and former political prisoner Qiyas Ibrahimov was briefly detained by security forces in his home country allegedly for publishing anti-war post on social media. Fighting along the Nagorno-Karabakh line of contact entered a third day on Tuesday, September 29, after Azerbaijan launched a major offensive in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. In footage shared by the activist, one of the two people who enter Ibrahimov's house in Baku for detention is seen wearing civilian clothes, but introducing himself as an officer of the Azerbaijan Intelligence Service (DTK), Gazete Duvar reports. The persons in question have reportedly refused to tell Ibrahimov the reason for his detention. Ibrahimov says in the video that the reason for his arrest is probably the fact that "some people" have complained about his anti-war posts on social media. The activist was released two hours after being detained. In 2016, Ibrahimov and fellow activist Bayram Mammadov were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of drug possession after writing graffiti with a provocative on a monument to President Ilham Aliyev’s father, Heydar Aliyev. In 2019, they were pardoned. 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |