News Stories

Today, 07 April 2026

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

Regional * Before concluding his state visit to Georgia, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. During the one-day visit, he had earlier met with President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Armenia * Andranik Kocharyan, a Civil Contract MP and the chair of Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Security, stated during a press briefing on Monday that his son, Levon, did not complete mandatory m

about 1 hour ago

Today, 07 April 2026

A scene from Jocasta: Raw Material. Photo via social media.

Reviews

Review | Jocasta: Raw Material — a feminist comparison of two civil wars

Mariam Megvinyte’s latest play contrasts Thebes’ fall in the Oedipus cycle with the Georgian Civil War, all via a feminist perspective.

about 4 hours ago

Yesterday, 06 April 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Moscow on 1 April 2026. Official photo.

Armenia–Russia Relations

Yerevan threatens to leave Russia-led blocs in latest diplomatic row with Moscow

Yerevan has threatened to leave Moscow-led economic and security blocs in response to economic pressures if they occur.

April 6, 2026 1:46 PM

A collapsed building in Makhachkala following floods caused by heavy rain. Screengrab via social media.

Daghestan

Daghestan floods kill at least 4 as fears of a dam overflow trigger evacuations

This was the second major flood to have hit the republic in weeks.

April 6, 2026 11:45 AM

Daghestan

Daghestani National Policy Minister resurfaces after month-long absence and assassination rumours

The minister has hinted that he was ‘out of action’ due to a traffic accident.

April 6, 2026 10:53 AM

Afgan Sadigov

Journalist Afgan Sadigov briefly detained in Azerbaijan after deportation from Georgia

It is yet unclear on what grounds Sadigov was detained.

April 6, 2026 9:56 AM (Updated: about 24 hours ago)

Ilham Aliyev

Aliyev visits Georgia day after deportation of independent Azerbaijani journalist Sadigov

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is in Tbilisi for a state visit.

April 6, 2026 9:39 AM (Updated: about 24 hours ago)

Daily Brief

Monday, 6 April 2026

Regional * A court in Georgia has ordered the deportation of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov in a late night hearing that lasted mere hours, following his surprise arrest several hours earlier for ‘insulting police’ online. The decision was implemented immediately, with Sadigov reportedly in Baku as of yesterday. The ruling came despite the journalist being under an international protection order blocking his extradition to Azerbaijan over human rights concerns. * The day after Sadigov’s

April 6, 2026 9:00 AM

Azerbaijan

Is Azerbaijan banning the hijab in public schools?

Reports of girls being expelled or banned from school for wearing hijab have led to speculation on the further repression of religious expression.

April 6, 2026 8:49 AM

Sunday, 05 April 2026

Afgan Sadigov

Georgia deports journalist Afgan Sadigov to Azerbaijan following late night arrest

The court ordered Sadigov’s deportation in a late night hearing following his surprise arrest several hours earlier for ‘insulting police’ online.

April 5, 2026 9:49 AM (Updated: 2 days ago)

Friday, 03 April 2026

Bata, a blind and deaf stray dog from Zugdidi. Photo via Salome Partsvania/Facebook.

Georgia

Is the Georgian government secretly killing stray dogs?

Rumours have spread recently regarding the disappearance of street dogs across Georgia and their possible cremation in Gori.

April 3, 2026 1:40 PM

Mzia Amaghlobeli

Georgian state council rejects early release for journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

The council rejected the request because Amaghlobeli has not ‘expressed remorse’ for slapping police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze.

April 3, 2026 12:53 PM (Updated: 4 days ago)

Daghestan

Three sentenced in absentia for allegedly organising Makhachkala’s antisemitic airport riot

All three organisers are on the international wanted list.

April 3, 2026 12:41 PM

Vendors in Marneuli, Georgia. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Economy

Georgia’s annual inflation slows to 4.3% as food and services prices rise

Food and beverages contributed 2.57 percentage points to annual inflation.

April 3, 2026 12:36 PM

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting in Moscow on 1 April 2026. Official photo.

Armenia–Russia Relations

Russia applies ‘stricter requirements’ for Armenian goods following tense Pashinyan–Putin talks

Russia has often been accused of implementing stricter trade controls as a punitive measure.

April 3, 2026 12:33 PM

A man covers his eye while behind held by police during a protest dispersal in December 2024. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Georgia

Georgian Public Defender says police has not faced persecution for abuse of protesters

The report noted lack of prosecution even in cases where the officers’ faces were uncovered.

April 3, 2026 11:17 AM (Updated: 4 days ago)

Moldovan Parliamentary Speaker Igor Grosu. Official photo.

Georgia–Moldova Relations

Moldova’s ruling party declines Tbilisi visit over poor bilateral relations

The visiting delegation was headed by pro-Russian lawmaker Bogdan (Bogdat) Țîrdea and controversial former President Igor Dodon.

April 3, 2026 11:14 AM

Chechnya

Chechen officials threaten to force those caught with tinted car windows to fight in Ukraine

The official has confirmed the authenticity of the recording.

April 3, 2026 10:13 AM

Daily Brief

Friday, 3 April 2026

Armenia * Russia’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary department has said that the ‘range and quantity’ of plant and livestock products arriving from Armenia gave them grounds to believe that not all of them originated from Armenia. The agency explained that this led to ‘Russia applying stricter requirements to Armenia’. * Armenian authorities have arrested an employee of Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan’s Our Way of Preservation of National Values NGO. According to investigators, since Fe

April 3, 2026 8:50 AM

Thursday, 02 April 2026

Georgian Dream

Georgian Dream joins Council of Europe’s Congress group linked to right-wing Patriots for Europe

The group is composed of members from right-wing populist parties.

April 2, 2026 2:59 PM (Updated: 5 days ago)

Azerbaijan

Imprisoned Azerbaijani theologian left covered in sores

Theologian Mansur Velishov’s family stated that he has spent the last four months in this condition without receiving a medical examination.

April 2, 2026 2:16 PM (Updated: 5 days ago)

Armenia–Russia Relations

Putin and Pashinyan hold contentious talks in Moscow

Following the meeting, Moscow offered critical remarks regarding Armenia and its ties and projects with the EU and US.

April 2, 2026 1:43 PM (Updated: 5 days ago)

Daghestan

Daghestani National Policy Minister ‘disappears’ amidst reports of an assassination attempt

The first reports of his alleged assassination appeared in early March.

April 2, 2026 12:52 PM

<strong>High-security Umbaki Correctional Prison, November 2023. Photo: Qafqazinfo.</strong>

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan ramps up pressure against ‘political prisoners’

One human rights activist has speculated the increased pressure is a sign that some prisoners might be released in the near future.

April 2, 2026 12:42 PM

A vandalised monument dedicated to Stalin in Tskhinvali. Photo: Sapa.

North Caucasus

Stalin named ‘ideal leader’ by 3% of North Caucasians in recent survey

The survey also found that North Caucasians viewed Rambo, the Terminator, and the Hulk as role models for an ‘ideal leader’.

April 2, 2026 12:26 PM

Petru Burduja, MP from PSRM (left) and Igor Dodon, former President of Moldova and PSRM leader (right) in the Georgian Parliament. 2 April 2026. Photo via social media.

Georgia–Moldova Relations

Moldovan parliamentary delegation including former controversial former President Igor Dodon visits Georgia

The delegation is led by pro-Russian lawmaker Bogdan Țîrdea.

April 2, 2026 11:55 AM (Updated: 5 days ago)

Magomed-Sultan Magomedov. Photo: officials.

Daghestan

Court in Makhachkala seizes $15 million in assets from former Daghestani official

The decision was made following a claim by the Prosecutor General’s Office and is subject to immediate enforcement.

April 2, 2026 11:53 AM

Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. Official photo.

2026 Armenian parliamentary elections

Former Armenian President Sargsyan’s Republican Party to sit out elections

The party ruled Armenia for almost two decades.

April 2, 2026 11:02 AM (Updated: 5 days ago)

OC Insider

Pashinyan and the Armenian opposition’s ‘war party’

Absent real alternative plans among Armenia’s main opposition parties for how to deal with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan’s framing rings true.

April 2, 2026 10:39 AM

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Official photo.

2026 Armenian parliamentary elections

Opinion | The risks of Pashinyan’s fear-mongering tactics ahead of Armenia’s elections

Pashinyan’s claims that the opposition is preparing a new war with Azerbaijan risks justifying non-democratic and even unconstitutional measures.

April 2, 2026 10:15 AM

Chechnya

Pashinyan and the Armenian opposition’s ‘war party’

2 April 2026

Nate Ostiller

Culture Dispatch

Tracking the rise of authoritarianism in Georgia

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News Stories

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

Review | Jocasta: Raw Material — a feminist comparison of two civil wars

Yerevan threatens to leave Russia-led blocs in latest diplomatic row with Moscow

Daghestan floods kill at least 4 as fears of a dam overflow trigger evacuations

Daghestani National Policy Minister resurfaces after month-long absence and assassination rumours

Journalist Afgan Sadigov briefly detained in Azerbaijan after deportation from Georgia

Aliyev visits Georgia day after deportation of independent Azerbaijani journalist Sadigov

Monday, 6 April 2026

Is Azerbaijan banning the hijab in public schools?

Georgia deports journalist Afgan Sadigov to Azerbaijan following late night arrest

Is the Georgian government secretly killing stray dogs?

Georgian state council rejects early release for journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

Three sentenced in absentia for allegedly organising Makhachkala’s antisemitic airport riot

Georgia’s annual inflation slows to 4.3% as food and services prices rise

Russia applies ‘stricter requirements’ for Armenian goods following tense Pashinyan–Putin talks

Georgian Public Defender says police has not faced persecution for abuse of protesters

Moldova’s ruling party declines Tbilisi visit over poor bilateral relations

Chechen officials threaten to force those caught with tinted car windows to fight in Ukraine

Friday, 3 April 2026

Georgian Dream joins Council of Europe’s Congress group linked to right-wing Patriots for Europe

Imprisoned Azerbaijani theologian left covered in sores

Putin and Pashinyan hold contentious talks in Moscow

Daghestani National Policy Minister ‘disappears’ amidst reports of an assassination attempt

Azerbaijan ramps up pressure against ‘political prisoners’

Stalin named ‘ideal leader’ by 3% of North Caucasians in recent survey

Moldovan parliamentary delegation including former controversial former President Igor Dodon visits Georgia

Court in Makhachkala seizes $15 million in assets from former Daghestani official

Former Armenian President Sargsyan’s Republican Party to sit out elections

Pashinyan and the Armenian opposition’s ‘war party’

Opinion | The risks of Pashinyan’s fear-mongering tactics ahead of Armenia’s elections

Iran claims Chechnya will send troops if the US starts ground invasion

Foreign artist defaces painting by Georgian artist at Tbilisi’s Stamba Hotel

Is the Georgian government secretly killing stray dogs?

Russia applies ‘stricter requirements’ for Armenian goods following tense Pashinyan–Putin talks

Georgia deports journalist Afgan Sadigov to Azerbaijan following late night arrest

Commander of Chechnya’s Akhmat says he is ready to go fight in Iran

Pashinyan and the Armenian opposition’s ‘war party’

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