Azerbaijani opposition blogger found dead in GeorgiaJuly 30, 2021 - 18:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani opposition blogger Huseyn Bakixanov has been found dead in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, where he was seeking asylum, FRE/RL reports. Bakixanov's relative Avtandil Mammadov and the Germany-based investigative journalist Afqan Muxtarli say the blogger, known for his criticism of the Azerbaijani government, was found dead on July 29. It is not clear where exactly Bakixanov's body was found. Muxtarli wrote on Facebook that police in Tbilisi said the blogger may have fallen from a high-rise apartment block. Tbilisi police have yet to issue a statement on the situation around Bakixanov. On July 12, Bakixanov posted a video statement on YouTube while in an ambulance saying that five men he had become acquainted with three days earlier attacked him in downtown Tbilisi. "I do not believe that it was a random attack, because it happened just a couple of days before I am scheduled to get my refugee ID card," Bakixanov said at the time, adding that he was not completely sure that the Azerbaijani government was behind the attack. According to Muxtarli, Bakixanov was arrested in Baku during an anti-government rally on May 7. He was then sentenced to 15 days in jail. After his release from custody, Bakixanov said police tortured him, threatening to rape him while he was serving his term. Shortly after that, Bakixanov left Azerbaijan for Georgia, where he continued to criticize the government via media outlets and his YouTube channel. 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 | Kazakh Foreign Minister arrives in Armenia Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu on Monday, March 18 arrived in Armenia for a two-day trip. Aliyev touts “good chances” for normalizing ties with Armenia Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has declared that there are “good chances” for normalizing relations with Armenia. Top Armenian, Indian defense officials discuss cooperation The discussions primarily focused on enhancing cooperation in the defence sector between Armenia and India. IDBank unveils three sad stories about fraudsters IDBank has unveiled three scenarios of card fraud that have been happening more and more often in Armenia. |