Subsequently, Hikmet Hajiyev, an assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, claimed<\/a> that Azerbaijan had not allocated any funds to the $7 billion Gaza reconstruction initiative mentioned at the Board of Peace meeting. He stated, \u201cIn the future, Azerbaijan may consider participating in investment projects in Gaza through the Board of Peace. However, I would like to clarify one point: Azerbaijan doesn\u2019t envisage to participate in the USD 7 billion financial initiative related to Gaza that was announced during today\u2019s meeting of the Board of Peace.\u201d Hajiyev emphasized that, as a founding member, Azerbaijan continues to support the goals and objectives of the Board of Peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A protest<\/a> organized by Azerbaijani exiles critical of the government took place outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, where Ilham Aliyev was staying, with demonstrators chanting slogans like \u201cFreedom for political prisoners\u201d and \u201cFreedom for Tofig Yagublu,\u201d while videos show security personnel confronting some participants; pro-government Azerbaijani media accused the exiles of trying to provoke a disturbance and force entry into the hotel, claims the protesters have denied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the demonstrators was Rahim Yagublu, son of imprisoned Azerbaijani government critic Tofig Yagublu, who said<\/a> seven to eight exiles had gathered for a peaceful protest to demand freedom for all political prisoners, including journalists and human rights defenders, explaining that protesting in Azerbaijan has been banned since 2019; he accused Azerbaijani authorities and Aliyev\u2019s bodyguards of responding violently, tearing his clothes and hitting him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The released videos appear to show that the actions were carried out under the personal direction of Farid Asgarov, head of the President\u2019s Security Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to The Washington Post, citing Rahim Yagublu and fellow protester Adil Amrahli, at least four people were injured<\/a> after physical confrontations with Aliyev\u2019s bodyguards, with Amrahli reportedly hurting his leg while fleeing; Washington police spokesperson Tom Lynch said the city\u2019s special operations unit and the U.S. Secret Service were present during the incident but did not clarify if police intervened or whether the bodyguards remained in the U.S. overnight, noting the matter is being handled by the State Department. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi emphasized that the agency\u2019s role is to provide security for heads of state, including the hotel where the Azerbaijani delegation was staying, and attempts to get further comment from the State Department or Azerbaijan\u2019s embassy were unsuccessful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rahim Yagublu told The Washington Post that although police were nearby, they did not intervene; after a few minutes, Aliyev\u2019s bodyguards left, and the protesters called an ambulance, with medical personnel treating injuries on-site but taking no one to a hospital. Adil Amrahli said the group ran from the hotel\u2019s main entrance to another exit to prevent Aliyev from leaving unnoticed, emphasizing that their aim was a peaceful demonstration demanding freedom for political prisoners in Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty reported<\/a> that the D.C. Attorney General\u2019s office is investigating the incident outside the Waldorf Astoria involving Azerbaijani exiles. U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey, affiliated with the Armenian National Committee of America, condemned<\/a> Aliyev on X, saying “Bloodsoaked strongmen like Aliyev have no place being paraded around Washington” and called on the President and Department of Justice to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. In response, Azerbaijani parliamentarian and New Azerbaijan Party board member Hikmat Babaoghlu criticized<\/a> Pallone\u2019s remarks, claiming they opposed Azerbaijan\u2019s national interests and exposed the forces behind radical protests. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed concern<\/a> over the reported abuse of journalists Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova), Khayala Aghayeva, and Aysel Umudova, who are in detention in connection with the \u201cMeydan TV case.\u201d The incident reportedly occurred on February 18 at the Kurdakhani Investigation Detention Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to CPJ, the female journalists were subjected to violence and were threatened in court that if they did not watch their behavior, things could get \u201cworse.\u201d This has raised serious concerns about the treatment<\/a> of journalists in custody and their safety while detained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On February 18, the Meydan TV female journalists faced physical and psychological pressure from the detention center\u2019s deputy chief, Cavid Gulaliyev. Around ten staff members conducted a search in their cell. During the process, the journalists were bent by the neck and their arms were twisted, causing Aytaj Tapdig\u2019s health to deteriorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn January 22 in Davos, Trump\u2019s son-in-law, businessman Jared Kushner, unveiled a master plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, estimating that more than $25 billion would be needed. The Gaza restoration, along with the establishment of a Board of Peace, forms part of Trump\u2019s 20-point peace plan. While some of Washington\u2019s Middle Eastern allies have joined the Board, Western countries have largely stayed outside, with Azerbaijan agreeing to be represented.
The ceasefire in Gaza has been repeatedly violated since October, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian deaths and the deaths of four Israeli soldiers.
On October 7, 2023, the Hamas militant group launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, prompting a series of Israeli strikes on Gaza that are estimated to have claimed at least 70,000 lives.<\/pre>\n\n\n\nProtests in Washington call for political prisoner releases<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nCommittee to Protect Journalists raised concerns over the abuse of detained Meydan TV journalists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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On December 6, 2024, several Meydan TV journalists\u2014Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzada), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunesh), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Aghayeva, Natig Javadli\u2014and civil society member Ulvi Tahirov were arrested under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for alleged organized smuggling. Over the following months, additional journalists collaborating with Meydan TV, including Shamshad Aghayev, Nurlan Libre, Fatima Movlamli, Ulviyya Ali, and Ahm\u0259d Mukhtar, were also detained. On August 28, 2025, charges were intensified, with the detainees now facing seven criminal code articles. The journalists deny the allegations, asserting their arrests are politically motivated efforts to suppress independent media and free expression in the country.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Ex-Azerbaijani diaspora leader Shahin Shikhlinski faces 23-year sentence in Russia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n