Chechnya
Czechia concludes Kadyrov’s horse likely returned to Chechnya in breach of sanctions
The case was reclassified from possible theft to violation of the international sanctions regime.
News Stories
Today, 28 January 2026
Today, 28 January 2026
Maia Sandu
Moldovan President Sandu says ‘Russia pulled Georgia back into its orbit’
Sandu spoke about Russia instilling a fear of war in Georgia.
Armenia
Dr Oz accused of targeting California’s Armenians in fraud ‘investigation’
Mehmet Oz serves as the administrator of the US Centres for Medicare and Medicare Services under President Donald Trump.
Armenian Apostolic Church
Karekin II defrocks bishop pro-Pashinyan bishop
Bishop Gevorg Saroyan challenged Karekin II’s decision earlier in January, dismissing him from his post as Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Azerbaijan to deliver LNG and bitumen to Armenia via railways
The liquified gas and bitumen will reportedly be sourced from Russia.
Georgia
Local leader from Georgia’s Chokhtauri detained for ‘group violence against police officer’
Davit Sharashidze is a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Regional * Armenia and Azerbaijan ‘have reached an agreement’ on the transportation of liquefied gas and bitumen to Armenia by rail through Azerbaijan’s territory, Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan has announced on Tuesday. Armenia * In his message on Army Day, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia had previously been unable to acquire modern weapons and military equipment for two reasons. According to Pashinyan, international partners refused to sell weapons to Armenia as the
Yesterday, 27 January 2026
Georgia
Ally of imprisoned Russian politician Sergei Furgal reportedly detained in Georgia
According to reports, Mikhail Timofeyev applied for asylum in Georgia, citing persecution in Russia.
Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians
Recently transferred Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians allegedly unaware they were being sent to Armenia, sources say
The 11 Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians were transferred to Armenia on 23 January.
Daghestan
Daghestani man arrested after stabbing ex-wife and killing her father
According to preliminary reports, the attacker was under the influence of drugs.
Armenia
Armenians deported from the US sent back to Armenia, authorities in Yerevan confirm
Armenians deported from the US sent back to Armenia, authorities in Yerevan confirm
Azerbaijan
Slavoj Žižek calls for Bahruz Samadov’s release
Žižek and three other scholars decried Samadov’s sentencing for his anti-war stance.
Georgia
Georgia detains another former deputy minister for abuse of power
Ilia Ghudushauri is one of several former high-ranking officials recently arrested.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan thwarts alleged terrorist attack on Israeli Embassy as Foreign Minister Sa’ar visits Baku
The reported plot comes amidst heightened regional tensions with Iran, which has been accused of organising similar attacks in the past.
Chechnya
Human rights activists urge Armenian authorities to release body of murdered Chechen woman for burial
Chechen woman Aishat Baimuradova was killed in Armenia in October 2025.
Armenia
Iranians protesters claim continued pressure from Armenian government
Armenia’s law enforcement agencies are reportedly inviting Iranian protesters to have ‘friendly chats’.
Georgia–Ukraine Relations
After long hiatus, Zelenskyi appoints new Ukrainian ambassador to Georgia
Kyiv hadn’t had an ambassador in Tbilisi for nearly four years.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Regional * The 11 Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians transferred to Armenia on 23 January were reportedly not informed of their final destination, RFE/RL wrote, citing second-hand comments from other Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians in Armenia. Some apparently believed they were being taken to be killed. On the day of the transfer, Armenian officials and Azerbaijani pro-government media claimed the move was based on petitions submitted by those individuals to both Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities. * Th
Monday, 26 January 2026
Georgia
Georgia confiscates apartment buildings related to a Turkish businessperson
The Georgian government has confiscated illegally constructed apartment buildings in the Black Sea city of Batumi from Turkish businessperson Galip Öztürk. He previously faced criminal charges, including over alleged financial crimes. According to the local independent outlet Batumelebi, representatives of the Property Management Agency, accompanied by security police, entered the buildings on Saturday and asked several people who said they were already living in the apartments to leave the pre
Georgia
Georgian security service employee found dead near workplace with gunshot wound
The Prosecutor General’s Office has launched an investigation.
The United States
JD Vance to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan in February
In the announcement, US President Donald Trump also said that US-made defence equipment would be sold to Azerbaijan.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Armenia adopts law banning election monitors who ‘fail to maintain political neutrality’
The draft law was passed five months ahead of the Parliamentary elections.
Azerbaijani Popular Front Party
Two more Azerbaijani Popular Front Party members reportedly detained
The two opposition members were reportedly arrested for comments made on social media.
Georgia
Georgia charges four more members of ‘fascist-Nazi’ group of violent hate-motivated crimes
A total of 22 people have been charged in the case.
Daily Brief
Monday, 26 January 2026
Regional * US Vice President JD Vance will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan in February, President Donald Trump has announced on his social media. The visit aims to ‘build on our Peace efforts, and advance the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’, Trump said. Armenia * Parliament has adopted a draft law allowing the authorities to revoke electoral observation accreditations from missions that do not ‘maintain political neutrality’ during the election period. Azerbaijan * RFE
Friday, 23 January 2026
Georgia
After presiding over Georgia’s free speech crackdown, Kobakhidze calls for ‘healthy’ public debates
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze blamed the ‘deep state’ for the disappearance of public debates in Georgia.
Chechnya
Adam Kadyrov shares first post since his car accident, along with Game of Thrones quotes
The video shows 18-year-old Adam Kadyrov wearing a cowboy hat.
Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians
Eleven Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians transferred to Armenia, authorities in Yerevan say
The number of Armenians remaining in the region is unclear, with some estimates suggesting there could be as few as three.
United National Movement
UNM issues statement in support of ex-Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko, jailed on corruption charges
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Tymoshenko has close ties to former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who headed the UNM.
Ingushetia
Father of Ingush woman who fled domestic abuse says he’s using official channels to track her down
According to him, even Russian MPs are involved in the search for his daughter.
