Economist Criticizes Tax Burden and Bank Account Blocking Practices in Azerbaijan

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Aze.US Azerbaijani economist Natig Jafarli has sharply criticized the country’s tax policy and banking practices, arguing that excessive tax pressure and pre-emptive account freezes are pushing citizens and small businesses toward informal financial transactions. Jafarli said that in cases of suspected illegal transfers, authorities and banks often block accounts before completing an investigation, a sequence … Read more

“You Can’t Do Anything With That Money”: Why Drivers Refuse to Scrap Old Cars

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Aze.US Azerbaijan’s vehicle scrappage program has processed more than 20,000 cars since its launch, yet many drivers still refuse to participate, citing compensation of just 1,000–1,500 manat-far below the cost of purchasing another vehicle. Thousands of cars that have effectively reached the end of their service life continue to circulate on Azerbaijan’s roads, many with … Read more

Aliyev Says War Is Over as Peace With Armenia Moves Toward Formalization

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Aze.US President Ilham Aliyev said the conflict with Armenia has effectively ended and border violence has ceased for more than six months, framing the remaining peace process as a legal formality tied to constitutional amendments in Yerevan. President Ilham Aliyev stated in an interview with France 24 in Munich on February 13 that Azerbaijan considers … Read more

Taxi Drivers in Baku Struggle to Find Stopping Space as Demand Outpaces Infrastructure

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Aze.US Taxi drivers in Baku report growing difficulty finding legal places to stop and pick up passengers, highlighting infrastructure pressures as ride demand and the number of operating taxis continue to increase across the city. Drivers say designated taxi stands are often occupied by private vehicles, forcing them to stop elsewhere and risk fines or … Read more

Fraudsters Impersonate Relatives and Bank Staff as Cyber Scams Spread in Azerbaijan

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Aze.US Cases of phone and online fraud involving criminals posing as relatives, sellers, or bank employees are drawing renewed attention in Azerbaijan, as authorities and experts warn of evolving cyber-scam tactics targeting bank card data and personal information. Specialists say attackers continue to adapt their methods while pursuing the same objective – gaining access to … Read more

Scandal Around PashaPay’s m10: Users Report Suspicious Multi-Million Transfers

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Aze,US A controversy has emerged around Azerbaijan’s digital wallet platform m10 after users reported unexplained incoming funds and temporary account restrictions, while no official figures or confirmed investigation results have been disclosed so far. m10 is a rapidly growing electronic wallet operated by PashaPay, a fintech company fully owned by Kapital Bank. In recent years, … Read more

Aliyev Says Armenia Peace Deal Possible After Constitutional Changes

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Aze,US President Ilham Aliyev said a formal peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia could be signed once Yerevan amends its constitution to remove territorial claims, adding that peace between the two countries has already been achieved “de facto.” Speaking to Azerbaijani television channels in Munich on February 13, Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s message at the Munich … Read more

Iran Faces Slow Internal Shift Rather Than Sudden Collapse

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Aze.US Rising pressure on Iran’s economy and political system is fueling renewed debate about the country’s future. Yet current trends point less to an imminent collapse than to a gradual internal transformation shaped by sanctions, regional tensions, and elite power dynamics. Iran is confronting overlapping structural challenges. International sanctions continue to restrict access to global … Read more

The Mehdiyev Case and the Cash Discovery

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Aze.US During a live broadcast on Reaksiya TV, journalist Kamran Hasanli voiced a series of high-profile assumptions regarding the so-called “Mehdiyev case,” the discovery of large sums of cash, and the possible political implications of the unfolding events. In the discussion, Hasanli said the reported amount of cash raises serious questions and does not fit … Read more

Georgia Plans Tighter Car Import Rules, Raising Concerns for Azerbaijan Market

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Aze.US Proposed restrictions on vehicles older than six years could disrupt regional transit routes and reshape supply flows. Tbilisi is preparing to tighten regulations on automobile imports, a move that could have direct consequences for Azerbaijan’s car market. Under the proposed initiative, the import and initial registration of passenger vehicles older than six years may … Read more