Here the president votes for the first time in the disputed territory – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

For the first time, Azerbaijani elections were held in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the largest cities in the region, the president cast his vote. – The election will mark the beginning of a new era, where Azerbaijan has full control over its territory, Aliyev said. A few months ago, the city was completely quiet after 100,000 people had to flee from Azerbaijani attacks. Important victory Until September last year, the region was ruled by Armenian separatists, although it formally belonged to Azerbaijan. Over 100,000 Armenians fled the region in September 2023. Photo: IRAKLI GEDENIDZE / Reuters Azerbaijani forces had for several months blocked the Lachin Corridor, a road that ran from Armenia itself to Nagorno-Karabakh. But at the end of September, after several months of isolation from the outside world, Azerbaijan went on the attack. All that was left in the streets was silence, empty houses and clothes strewn in the streets. Ilham Aliyev voted today in Khankendi, the largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: Reuters The control of Nagorno-Karabakh has been an important victory for the president, and several in the opposition believe that the election was accelerated in order to use the victory for all it is worth. Accused of arresting journalists At the same time, there have been no real alternatives, as several in the opposition have withdrawn from the election in a boycott. The country has also been accused of arresting a number of journalists and editors before the election. Sevinc Vaqifgizi is one of 13 independent journalists jailed after the country sped up the election. The authorities have denied that they deliberately went after journalists. – In Azerbaijan, people are not arrested or interrogated just for their political opinions or just for their profession, said Leyla Abdullayeva, Azerbaijan’s French ambassador, in an interview with France 24. At the same time, the country is ranked 151st out of 180 on Reporters Without Borders ( RSF’s press freedom index, behind Pakistan, Libya and Sudan. According to Reuters, an election day poll shows that the president has received 93.9 percent of the vote. In that case, it will be his fifth term as sitting president.



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