Armenia
Pashinyan vows ‘not to leave Christ alone’ in face of Karekin II’s ‘sectarianism’
The statement was made during an anti-Karekin II rally in Yerevan during Armenian Christmas.
News Stories
Yesterday, 06 January 2026
Yesterday, 06 January 2026
Azerbaijan
Aliyev says Azerbaijan will not send troops for Gaza peacekeeping force
President Ilham Aliyev said that ‘the Arab countries must resolve the problems of the Arab countries’.
Chechnya
Ramzan Kadyrov’s eldest son appointed acting vice-premier of Chechnya
At the same time, 20-year-old Akhmat Kadyrov has retained his post as minister of sport.
Azerbaijan
US delegation, led by Senator Mullin, meets with Aliyev in Baku
Senator Markwayne Mullin has repeatedly blocked efforts to bring the MEGOBARI Act to a vote in the Senate.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 6 January 2025
Armenia * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is scheduled to lead an anti-Catholicos Karekin II march in Yerevan in the afternoon, following the Christmas liturgy. * The acting head of the Armenian Diocese of Switzerland, Proto-Archimandrite Goossan Aljanian, has joined a ‘church reform’ statement signed by 10 senior clergy members alongside Pashinyan. The statement announced the launch of church ‘reforms’ and renewed demands for the resignation of Karekin II. Shortly after Aljanian’s statement,
Monday, 05 January 2026
Azerbaijan
Imprisoned Azerbaijani activist ends 8-day hunger strike after prison meets demands
Following the death of imprisoned activist Elbayi Karimli, several prisoners formed a committee to defend prisoners at Correctional Facility N2.
Ingushetia
Ingushetia to begin producing drones
The republic is set to open its first scientific and production centre for unmanned aerial systems at the Serdalo technopark.
Georgia
Georgian Church claims it repeatedly sought pardon for detained protesters and Mzia Amaghlobeli
According to a Patriarchate representative, the issue was also raised directly with the prime minister.
Chechnya
Chechnya denies Kadyrov’s hospitalisation after absence from State Council meeting
Officials and Kadyrov himself publish videos showing his presence at events.
Armenia
Pashinyan launches ‘reform’ of Armenian Church, renews call for Karekin II’s resignation
Pashinyan, together with a group of High-ranking clergy members formed a council for the reforms of the Armenian church.
Georgia
Georgia calls on Venezuela to revoke recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia following Maduro’s removal
Venezuela recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2009.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s attempts to project power abroad places critics under psychological and legal pressure
Since late November, the Azerbaijani authorities have targeted at least seven Azerbaijani activists and media representatives based abroad.
Daily Brief
Monday, 5 January 2025
Armenia * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has published a statement on the reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church, signed by himself and 10 senior clergymen. The document outlines a roadmap for reform to be implemented by a ‘Coordinating Council’ composed of the signatories. One of the document’s stated aims is the removal of Karekin II from office. * Pashinyan has also called for an anti-Karekin II march in Yerevan tomorrow to coincide with Armenia’s Christmas celebrations. The march is desc
Thursday, 01 January 2026
Georgia
Georgian court sentences members of ‘fascist’ group for brutal assault of 15-year-old boy
Most of the 10 people sentenced were minors.
Chechnya
Kadyrov misses meeting chaired by Putin due to ‘emergency hospitalisation’
According to journalists, Chechen Head was urgently hospitalised ahead of the event attended by Vladimir Putin.
Wednesday, 31 December 2025
Tamar Mearakishvili
Vocal critic detained in South Ossetia released to Georgian-controlled territory
A vocal critic of local authorities, Mearakishvili was detained on ‘espinoge’ charges in December.
Reviews
Review | Nothing Political — theatre in resistance and the anxiety of what remains
Nothing Political examines life inside Georgia’s protest movement through documentary footage and live performance.
Cinema
Caucasus cinema in 2025 — this year’s top 10 films as reviewed by OC Media
A round-up of the top 10 films released in 2025 reviewed by OC Media.
Armenia
Russian–Armenian tycoon Karapetyan placed under house arrest following six month pre-trial detention
Samvel Karapetyan has been detained since 18 June on charges of calling for usurpation of power.
Tuesday, 30 December 2025
Feature Stories
OC Media’s 10 best articles of 2025
A round-up of OC Media's top articles published this year, from opinions to investigations, highlighting the region’s most notable happenings.
Armenia–Turkey Relations
Armenia and Turkey ‘simplify’ visa procedure for diplomats and other officials
More steps for the normalisation of bilateral relations are expected to take place ‘very soon’.
Monday, 29 December 2025
North Ossetia–Alania
North Ossetian theatres to be censored after Othello production
A modern production by the Ossetian Theatre of the classic Shakespeare play has led to controversy.
Azerbaijan
Police raid queer club in Baku, reportedly detain 100
Those detained have claimed to have been subjected to physical violence and harassment by the police.
Georgia
Georgia charges disgraced former Prosecutor General with ordering high-profile murder
Otar Partskhaladze was accused of ordering a hit on Levan Jangveladze, who according to media, is linked to thieves-in-law.
OC Insider
Fighting for the paws-ibility of Georgia’s European future
Meet the dogs frequenting Georgia's daily protests
Friday, 26 December 2025
Georgia
Formerly imprisoned ex-minister Akhalaia detained again over alleged role in 4 October protests
Bacho Akhalaia is accused of being the ‘chief organiser’ of the 4 October events.
Azerbaijan
Kazakhstan’s interim report finds ‘warhead elements’ caused Azerbaijan Airlines crash
The following day, the Russian side sent a letter to Azerbaijan saying their criminal case connected to the crash is being terminated.
Abkhazia
Abkhazia investigates threats made against Russian political consultants ‘working illegally’
Videos of the confrontation between the Abkhazian opposition figures and the Russian political consultants were spread on social media.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan sentences ‘mentally unstable’ Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian to 16 years on terrorism charges
Karen Avanesyan was arrested in September 2025 for allegedly planning ‘an armed provocation’.
Armenia
Pashinyan tells Putin Armenia could retake control of railways if restoration works are delayed
The comments were omitted from the official Russian readout of the bilateral meeting.
