Former Azerbaijani journalist Shain Rzayev, who had been imprisoned on charges of spreading fake news, has been released, according to reports from Azerbaijani media. The decision to release Rzayev was made by the Baku Court of Appeals. He was released from detention after serving a 15-day administrative arrest, which was replaced with a fine of 50 manats on January 15. Recently, Rzayev gained attention following President Ilham Aliyev’s comments on the “Zangezur Corridor” announced by the Armenian President. It is worth mentioning that arrests of journalists, civic activists, and opposition figures have increased during Azerbaijan’s parliamentary elections, as stated by the US State Department. On the other hand, Yerevan has consistently denied any involvement in the “Zangezur Corridor”.

In other news from Armenia, there have been reports from NEWS.am regarding the release of former Azerbaijani journalist Shain Rzayev, who had been imprisoned on charges of spreading fake news. The Baku Court of Appeals made the decision to release Rzayev from detention after his 15-day administrative arrest was replaced with a fine of 50 manats on January 15. Rzayev gained attention in connection with President Ilham Aliyev’s comments on the “Zangezur Corridor” announced by the Armenian President. The US State Department has recently highlighted the increasing number of arrests of journalists, civic activists, and opposition figures during Azerbaijan’s parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, Yerevan continues to deny any intermediation in the “Zangezur Corridor”.