Katsanevas got a taste of what life is like off the grid.
Day: October 20, 2025
Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved amendments to the regulations governing public catering establishments, effectively banning separate service charges in cafes and restaurants. Beginning January 1, 2026, businesses across the country will no longer be allowed to list service fees, typically 10-15% of the total bill, as a separate line item.
Under the new rules, the full cost of service must be incorporated into the listed prices of food and beverages on the menu. According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the reform aims to enhance price transparency and better protect consumer rights.
“The consumer must see the final price before placing an order. Information about the cost of services must be transparent, accessible, and understandable,” the ministry stated.
While customers may still tip at their discretion, the tipping culture in Kyrgyzstan remains underdeveloped, largely due to the existing practice of automatically including service charges. Authorities expect the new pricing model to gradually shift public attitudes toward discretionary tipping.
Government officials emphasized that the primary objective of the reform is to eliminate hidden charges and simplify oversight.
“Consumers should understand how much they are paying and what they are paying for. This not only protects citizens’ rights but also streamlines tax control,” the Ministry of Economy and Commerce added.
Restaurant and café operators have been urged to adjust their menu pricing and update point-of-sale systems ahead of the new regulation’s implementation. Staff are advised to inform customers about the changes and ensure that menu prices match the final bill.
Ramiz Mehdiyev
The charges were reportedly revealed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As of mid-October 2025, former Azerbaijani politician Ramiz Mehdiyev is under house arrest following charges of treason and attempting to seize power with Russian support.
Recent developments
Charged with treason: Mehdiyev was placed under a four-month house arrest by a Baku court, which cited his advanced age of 87. The charges include treason, forcible seizure of power, and money laundering.
Failed coup plot: According to pro-government media outlets, Mehdiyev allegedly planned a coup and presented it to Russia, which later informed Aliyev. The timing is linked to a period of tension between Azerbaijan and Russia earlier in 2025, following a plane crash that Baku blamed on Russian air-defense systems.
Potential motive: Analysis suggests that after a series of public humiliations and the sidelining of his allies in recent years, Mehdiyev may have sought Russian assistance to regain power.
Stripping of honors: Mehdiyev, who holds numerous state awards, may have them revoked by a court decision.
Background
“Gray Cardinal”: Mehdiyev earned the nickname “Gray Cardinal” during his long and powerful career. He served as the head of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration for nearly 25 years, from 1995 to 2019.
Dismissal and decline: He was dismissed in 2019, officially to make way for a younger generation, but his public standing later diminished after a controversial family wedding in 2020 violated pandemic restrictions.
Academic role: Following his dismissal from the Presidential Administration, he briefly served as the president of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan before resigning in 2022.
share.google/aimode/5pxerlho…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 20, 2025
Ramiz Mehdiyev
The charges were reportedly revealed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As of mid-October 2025, former Azerbaijani politician Ramiz Mehdiyev is under house arrest following charges of treason and attempting to seize power with Russian support.
Recent developments
Charged with treason: Mehdiyev was placed under a four-month house arrest by a Baku court, which cited his advanced age of 87. The charges include treason, forcible seizure of power, and money laundering.
Failed coup plot: According to pro-government media outlets, Mehdiyev allegedly planned a coup and presented it to Russia, which later informed Aliyev. The timing is linked to a period of tension between Azerbaijan and Russia earlier in 2025, following a plane crash that Baku blamed on Russian air-defense systems.
Potential motive: Analysis suggests that after a series of public humiliations and the sidelining of his allies in recent years, Mehdiyev may have sought Russian assistance to regain power.
Stripping of honors: Mehdiyev, who holds numerous state awards, may have them revoked by a court decision.
Background
“Gray Cardinal”: Mehdiyev earned the nickname “Gray Cardinal” during his long and powerful career. He served as the head of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration for nearly 25 years, from 1995 to 2019.
Dismissal and decline: He was dismissed in 2019, officially to make way for a younger generation, but his public standing later diminished after a controversial family wedding in 2020 violated pandemic restrictions.
Academic role: Following his dismissal from the Presidential Administration, he briefly served as the president of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan before resigning in 2022.
share.google/aimode/5pxerlho…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 20, 2025
What led to Ramiz Mehdiyev’s downfall after his dismissal in 2019?
These factors led to his eventual house arrest in October 2025 on charges of treason.After his dismissal in 2019, Ramiz Mehdiyev’s position eroded due to a combination of political sidelining, a high-profile scandal involving a family wedding during COVID-19 lockdowns, corruption allegations, and a reported failed coup attempt with Russian backing.
Initial dismissal and transition (2019)
Political realignment: In October 2019, President Ilham Aliyev dismissed Mehdiyev from his post as head of the Presidential Administration. The move was framed as making way for a younger generation of reform-minded officials. Aliyev awarded him a state medal for his service, suggesting the departure was amicable at the time, though analysts viewed it as a sign of Mehdiyev losing influence.
New role at ANAS: Mehdiyev was subsequently appointed president of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (ANAS), a position of less political power.
The 2020 wedding scandal
Violating pandemic rules: In August 2020, Mehdiyev’s family held a lavish wedding for his granddaughter that violated strict COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures.
Public backlash: The event caused a public outcry and drew the attention of both the public and state officials. Several attendees, including officials, were detained, and Mehdiyev’s son-in-law was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The scandal significantly damaged Mehdiyev’s public standing and embarrassed the government.
Resignation from ANAS and corruption probe (2022)
Growing pressure: As his influence continued to wane, Mehdiyev resigned from his ANAS position in February 2022, citing his age. His resignation followed persistent pressure from internal factions, with reports that nearly all of the ANAS institutes had demanded he step down.
Corruption investigation: The Prosecutor General’s Office later launched a criminal investigation into “numerous irregularities and illegalities” at ANAS during Mehdiyev’s tenure.
Alleged coup attempt and arrest (2025)
Sidelined and resentful: Analysts suggest that after being politically sidelined and humiliated in the preceding years, Mehdiyev became resentful.
Russia-backed plot: In October 2025, pro-government media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin informed Ilham Aliyev of a coup plot orchestrated by Mehdiyev. Mehdiyev allegedly sought Russian support to seize power during a period of rising tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Formal charges: A Baku court subsequently placed the 87-year-old Mehdiyev under four months of house arrest. He was charged with treason, attempting to seize power by force, and money laundering.
share.google/aimode/zbTLdGoq…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 20, 2025
What led to Ramiz Mehdiyev’s downfall after his dismissal in 2019?
These factors led to his eventual house arrest in October 2025 on charges of treason.After his dismissal in 2019, Ramiz Mehdiyev’s position eroded due to a combination of political sidelining, a high-profile scandal involving a family wedding during COVID-19 lockdowns, corruption allegations, and a reported failed coup attempt with Russian backing.
Initial dismissal and transition (2019)
Political realignment: In October 2019, President Ilham Aliyev dismissed Mehdiyev from his post as head of the Presidential Administration. The move was framed as making way for a younger generation of reform-minded officials. Aliyev awarded him a state medal for his service, suggesting the departure was amicable at the time, though analysts viewed it as a sign of Mehdiyev losing influence.
New role at ANAS: Mehdiyev was subsequently appointed president of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (ANAS), a position of less political power.
The 2020 wedding scandal
Violating pandemic rules: In August 2020, Mehdiyev’s family held a lavish wedding for his granddaughter that violated strict COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures.
Public backlash: The event caused a public outcry and drew the attention of both the public and state officials. Several attendees, including officials, were detained, and Mehdiyev’s son-in-law was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The scandal significantly damaged Mehdiyev’s public standing and embarrassed the government.
Resignation from ANAS and corruption probe (2022)
Growing pressure: As his influence continued to wane, Mehdiyev resigned from his ANAS position in February 2022, citing his age. His resignation followed persistent pressure from internal factions, with reports that nearly all of the ANAS institutes had demanded he step down.
Corruption investigation: The Prosecutor General’s Office later launched a criminal investigation into “numerous irregularities and illegalities” at ANAS during Mehdiyev’s tenure.
Alleged coup attempt and arrest (2025)
Sidelined and resentful: Analysts suggest that after being politically sidelined and humiliated in the preceding years, Mehdiyev became resentful.
Russia-backed plot: In October 2025, pro-government media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin informed Ilham Aliyev of a coup plot orchestrated by Mehdiyev. Mehdiyev allegedly sought Russian support to seize power during a period of rising tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Formal charges: A Baku court subsequently placed the 87-year-old Mehdiyev under four months of house arrest. He was charged with treason, attempting to seize power by force, and money laundering.
share.google/aimode/zbTLdGoq…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 20, 2025