My personal blog, my thoughts.
Aykhan Israfilov, a detained member of the Trade Union Confederation “Workers’ Table,” reports that in recent months he has been subjected to social isolation at Penal Institution No. 10, where he is currently held.
Read more “Detained labor rights activist Aykhan Israfilov reports social isolation and ‘Barracks Dictatorship’ in Baku Prison”
The Munich Security Conference (February 13–15) usually hosts important talks on global strategy. But the 2026 meeting saw a tense face-off between Azerbaijan’s leaders and a journalist in exile. The Aliyev government treated the conference as a carefully planned PR event. To control the message, they flew in a group of friendly journalists from outlets like AZTV, Real TV, and Public TV. This was a move to create a positive image of President Ilham Aliyev in a Western setting.
Read more “The Munich Face-off: Emin Huseynov Confronts Ilham Aliyev Amidst Tight Control”
In recent days the issue of the safety of journalists and bloggers living outside Azerbaijan has reemerged as a topic of concern. A number of media representatives and bloggers working in exile say they face pressure and threats because of their political positions and their statements criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities.
Read more “Europe is also unsafe: Azerbaijani journalists and bloggers are in danger”
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace took place on February 19 at the U.S. Institute of Peace, drawing more than 20 heads of state, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Established last month at an official ceremony in Davos, the council counts 26 founding member countries, Azerbaijan among them. Trump highlighted that several nations, including Azerbaijan, have pledged over $7 billion for the restoration of the region, with the United States contributing an additional $10 billion.
Read more “Ilham Aliyev at the Board of Peace and beating of protesters”
At places like the Munich Security Conference, leaders act polite, but there’s often hidden intimidation. The government of Azerbaijan sees these meetings as places to threaten people using coded language, like a mafia. The incident with human rights advocate Emin Huseynov and Azerbaijani leaders Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva shows how diplomacy can be twisted into something criminal.
Read more “People Who Attacked Emin Huseynov Exposed” According to TolishMedia, Azerbaijan is entering a new stage. This stage is called the era of digital control.
Read more “A very terrible period is coming for our people.”
In a recent interview with Meydan TV, Azerbaijani activist and journalist Mehman Huseynov revealed a disturbing campaign of sexual blackmail allegedly backed by the government, intended to silence his criticisms of the government.
Read more “Threats to Azerbaijani blogger Mehman Huseynov”
The Baku Grave Crimes Court recently finished the cases against some Azerbaijani journalists and activists who live outside the country. On January 14, Judge Nigar Imanova said that Sevinc Osmanqizi (Mirzayeva), Abid Gafarov, and Beydulla Manafov would each get eight years in prison. They were not in court for the decision.
Read more “Azerbaijan Sentences Exiled Critics to Jail”
Regarding the financing of higher education institutions in Azerbaijan, they primarily rely on tuition fees. University revenues from scientific research do not constitute a significant share of their overall budget. Moreover, subsidies from the state budget are allocated to cover the expenses of a number of universities. For example, the 2026 budget allocates 100.1 million manats for this purpose, which is 5.3% or 5 million manats more than in 2025.
Read more “Aliyev talks about science, but 41% of graduates are unemployed (Part 2)”
According to a TolishMedia correspondent in Baku, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in an interview with local media, emphasized the importance of developing science in the country. Moreover, the president’s statements suggest that in the post-oil era, investments in education and science will become the main driving force that can save the country’s economy.
Read more “Aliyev talks about science, but 41% of graduates are unemployed.”