Blogger jailed in Azerbaijan received death threats from inmates: reportSeptember 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 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. For the first time, Armenia votes in favor of Georgia resolution in UN Armenia on Tuesday, June 4 voted for the first time in favor a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. |