Georgia’s EU U-turn
EU Parliament condemns democratic backsliding in Georgia
MEPs have condemned Georgian Dream’s crackdown on critics and its turn from the West.
News Stories
Today, 10 July 2025
Today, 10 July 2025
Georgia
Georgian Foreign Ministry ‘fires entire Euro-Atlantic Integration Department’
In recent months, numerous signatories of protest petitions have been dismissed from public institutions.
Azerbaijan
Water supply in Azerbaijan — a story of coordinated corruption and impunity
Despite the illusion of transparency, water supply in Azerbaijan’s Nardaran district shows high levels of corruption and state interference.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict
Pashinyan and Aliyev hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi
The two have discussed border delimitation and continuing work on the peace treaty.
Azerbaijan
Russia deports head of Azerbaijani diaspora in Moscow Oblast
The move comes amidst a breakdown in relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.
Georgia
Georgian court sentences 19-year-old to 4.5 years in prison for ‘attacking a police officer’ during a protest
Saba Jikia, the convicted protester, has maintained his innocence.
OC Insider
A cynical fight between two authoritarian countries
Over the past few weeks, the South Caucasus once again came into the global spotlight, but this time for a rather unexpected reason, even for those who have long been watching the region. Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, two authoritarian, highly-militarised countries, appeared to come close to the breaking point. Once weary allies, the cause for the seemingly sudden deterioration can be primarily connected to two separate violent incidents that have occured over the past year — the de
Daily Brief
Thursday, 10 July 2025
Regional * Today, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are meeting face to face in Abu Dhabi as part of the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia * Yesterday, Pashinyan met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, Pashinyan emphasised the potential of bilateral cooperation in the economic, investment, and humanitarian spheres. * MP Artur Sargsyan has been arrested and remanded
Yesterday, 09 July 2025
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani Parliament votes to allow casinos on artificial islands in Caspian
There are numerous ongoing projects to create artificial land in the Caspian Sea.
Daghestan
Daghestani sports commentator given suspended sentence for illegal possession of ammunition
The convicted commentator Ramazan Rabadanov claimed that the grenade was planted on him.
Georgia
Georgia’s Maritime Transport Agency head sacked amid gunshot scandal
Tornike Rizhvadze suffered a gunshot wound to the chest while staying at the home of Aleksi Akhvlediani Maritime Agency head Aleksi Akhvlediani.
2025 Armenia Coup Attempt Allegations
Armenian oligarch Tsarukyan summoned as witness in coup case
Tsarukyan’s name was listed among others as a ‘human resource’ to be used in the alleged coup.
Georgia
Georgian activist jailed for calling official a goose on Facebook
Activist Rosto Zarandia’s comment was directed at Zugdidi City Hall’s spokesperson, Magdalena Todua.
Chechnya
Chechnya has the highest divorce rates in Russia in 2025
Experts suggest that many of the divorces may be fictitious, aimed at gaining access to increased social benefits for children.
Daghestan
Daghestan bans swimming in Caspian Sea beaches due to cholera-like bacteria
Epidemiological authorities insist the detected microorganisms do not pose an epidemic threat.
Georgia
Sanctioned deputy head of Georgian Police’s Special Tasks Department resigns
Mileri Lagazauri is the latest high-ranking Georgian official to either resign or be demoted.
2025 Armenia Coup Attempt Allegations
Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia offers to mediate in ‘shameful’ feud between church and Yerevan
Armenian Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia has offered to mediate between the Armenian Church and the government in their ongoing conflict.
Georgia
Nine arrested for a neo-Nazi-affiliated group violence against a minor in Tbilisi
The group of suspects are thought to be affiliated with a local neo-Nazi movement.
Abkhazia–Russia Relations
Abkhazian Cinema Fund head apologises for ‘provocative statements’ to Russian tourists
Aleksander Basariya’s public apology follows the firing of a Tourism Ministry employee for making similar comments in June.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Regional * Azerbaijani media has reported that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will meet in Abu Dhabi tomorrow for peace talks. Armenia * The authorities have charged the leader of Armenia Alliance faction’s parliamentary leader, Seyran Ohanyan, for illegally seizing land around Lake Sevan. Parliament had stripped Ohanyan of immunity earlier this week to allow the Prosecutor General to charge him. * Yesterday, the Investigative Committee cond
Tuesday, 08 July 2025
Daghestan
Fourth suspect arrested in Makhachkala police torture case
Relatives of Ahmed Dzhabrailov, who died following torture in police custody, claim six officers were involved in his death.
Armenia
Armenian Parliament waives immunity for 3 MPs, including one accused in coup plot
This allows the Prosecutor General to press charges against all three MPs.
2025 Armenia Coup Attempt Allegations
Authorities raid Electric Networks of Armenia and home of Samvel Karapetyan’s nephew
The raid came days after parliament passed a bill allowing it to nationalise the company.
Georgia
Head of Georgia’s Silk Road Group released on bail following gun arrest
Giorgi Ramishvili was detained on Saturday on charges of illegal firearm possession.
Georgia
Poll suggests majority of Georgians unhappy with country’s direction
Almost 60% of those surveyed also said the country is heading in the wrong direction.
Caucasus Datablog
Datablog | Armenians and Georgians are more interested in domestic politics than foreign affairs
At the same time, data from the 2024 Caucasus Barometer showed that Armenians were generally more politically interested than Georgians.
Daghestan
Over 100 people infected after drinking contaminated water in Daghestan
Most of those affected were young children.
2025 Armenia Coup Attempt Allegations
Armenian ambassador visits Russian MFA after Yerevan summons Russian ambassador
Relations between Armenia and Russia have grown increasingly tense since Armenia claimed to have thwarted a violent coup attempt.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Armenia * Since early hours on Tuesday, news has been circulating that law enforcement officers are currently conducting a search at the head office of the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) and the home of its chair, Narek Karapetyan. Armenia’s Investigative Committee has only responded to official inquiries that ‘urgent investigative actions’ were being carried out as part of the criminal proceedings initiated by the Economic Crimes and Smuggling Department and that an official statement wou
Georgia
Tbilisi judge fines journalist for ‘sitting down too soon’ in court
Journalists are encountering growing challenges while reporting in Georgian courts.
