Chechnya
Ramzan Kadyrov awarded ‘for contribution to the development of science’
The merits for which he received the award remain unclear.
News Stories
Today, 07 April 2026
Today, 07 April 2026
Georgia
Georgia hides asset declarations of Security Service chief Mdinaradze
Declarations of SSG chiefs are traditionally available for public inspection.
Armenia
Armenian Defence Committee chair says son avoided military service because he is ‘high-class’
He has apologised for his statement after facing criticism.
Georgia
Georgia’s opposition attempts a political reset with new alliance
Georgia’s opposition are seemingly attempting something broader than simply defeating the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Economy
IMF sees continued economic growth for Georgia in 2026 barring Iran war escalation
The IMF concluded that Georgia’s economic performance will remain at 5% 2026.
Azerbaijan–Georgia Relations
Aliyev meets Ivanishvili before leaving Georgia
He had earlier met with President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Chechnya
Grozny court recognises the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as a terrorist organisation
The organisation’s activities are now banned on the territory of Russia.
Daily Brief
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
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.
Yesterday, 06 April 2026
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.
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.
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.
Afgan Sadigov
Journalist Afgan Sadigov briefly detained in Azerbaijan after deportation from Georgia
It is yet unclear on what grounds Sadigov was detained.
Ilham Aliyev
Aliyev visits Georgia day after deportation of independent Azerbaijani journalist Sadigov
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is in Tbilisi for a state visit.
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
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.
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.
Friday, 03 April 2026
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.
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.
Daghestan
Three sentenced in absentia for allegedly organising Makhachkala’s antisemitic airport riot
All three organisers are on the international wanted list.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Daghestan
Daghestani National Policy Minister ‘disappears’ amidst reports of an assassination attempt
The first reports of his alleged assassination appeared in early March.
