Azerbaijan
Former Popular Front Party member banned from leaving Azerbaijan
Saleh Rustamli, a Russian citizen, was temporarily residing in Azerbaijan via a valid residence permit.
News Stories
Yesterday, 20 November 2025
Yesterday, 20 November 2025
Chechnya
Kremlin weighs candidates to succeed Kadyrov amidst fresh rumours about his health
Journalists report that candidates range from Kadyrov’s son Adam to the commanders of security structures.
OC Insider
Brussels’ deadlock: EU diplomats on Georgia’s uncertain future
Brussels’ deadlock: EU diplomats on Georgia’s uncertain future In early November, as the EU released its latest enlargement report — describing Georgia as ‘a candidate country on paper only’ — I travelled to Brussels with several other journalists from Georgian online media platforms. During the five-day press trip, organised by the EU Delegation to Georgia, we met with EU officials and diplomats from member states and had a chance to ask them questions about how they see the next steps with G
Armenian–Turkish Normalisation
Armenia says normalisation with Turkey would help, not harm, peace efforts with Azerbaijan
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that the border with Armenia will be opened once Yerevan and Baku sign a peace deal.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
A look back on Georgia’s 100-day theatre strike
Georgia’s theatres have been at the forefront of anti-government demonstrations — yet their strike still failed.
Azerbaijan–Israel Relations
Azerbaijan supplied Israel with 40% of its petrol during Gaza war, report finds
The report found that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijani crude formed 70% of Israel's imports.
Georgia
Former Georgian Interior Minister Okruashvili sentenced to 7 years over 2004 police killing
The case involved the police killing of a 19-year-old in 2004.
Chechnya
Chechen family forcibly sent to fight in Ukraine, NIYSO says
It was later reported that they were returned home.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
Georgian courts consider banning lawyers from bringing phones and laptops into courtroom
A ban on filming and recording trials was first adopted in June, largely targeting journalists from reporting on politically sensitive cases.
Georgia
Freedom Square registered as political party in Georgia after two failed attempts
The group had participated in the 2024 elections as part of the Strong Georgia grouping.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
13 detained after Georgian police move in on protest march
The protest march had been organised to mark the one-year anniversary of imprisoned 21-year-old protester Mate Devidze’s original detention.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 20 November 2025
Armenia * Armenia will receive 10 Toyota vehicles as a donation from the US State Department under its export control and border security assistance programme. The 2025 Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Prado, and Toyota Hiace vehicles — valued at more than $500,000 – will be transferred to Armenia’s National Security Service, where they will be used by its Border Troops. The government is set to approve the donation at today’s cabinet session. * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia recognises o
Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Armenia
US approves Nvidia chip exports for AI supercomputer project in Armenia, Bloomberg reports
The project, announced by Nvidia, is the first large-scale AI data centre in the South Caucasus.
Abkhazia
Abkhazian Orthodox Church suspends services in bid to retake New Athos Monastery
The conflict stems from an argument over whether the Church should align with the Moscow Patriarchate or seek greater independence.
Ingushetia
Ingushetia’s ex-head leads first Russian Defence Ministry delegation to Syria since al-Assad’s fall
Moscow and Damascus are continuing negotiations over the maintenance of Russian military bases in Syria, Russian media reported.
Samvel Karapetyan
Armenian–Russian tycoon Karapetyan to remain in pre-trial detention for two more months
The owner of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan was detained in June.
Azerbaijan
Euronews opens office in Baku despite crackdown on local and international media
Investigative journalists have linked the main shareholder of Euronews to Hungarian President and close Azerbaijani ally Viktor Orbán.
Daghestan
Father of teen shepherds killed by security forces holds solo picket in Makhachkala
The two brothers, 17 and 19, were shot dead in August 2016 near their home village of Goor-Khindakh; the investigation has stalled ever since.
Mzia Amaghlobeli
Georgian Appeals Court upholds two-year sentence for journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli
The hearing lasted around seven hours, five of which consisted of lawyer Maia Mtsariashvili’s concluding speech.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
EU postpones meeting with Georgia ‘due to presence of sanctioned official’
The sides intended to discuss human rights.
Trump Route
US official visits Georgia to discuss Trump Route
Government critics have warned the Trump Route could decrease Georgia’s geopolitical and economic relevance.
Ingushetia
Ingush woman receives suspended sentence for abusing deceased 4-year-old daughter
A family acquaintance suspected of sexually abusing the child went to fight in Ukraine before the verdict was issued A woman in Ingushetia accused of abusing her four-year-old daughter, leading to her death, has been sentenced to three years of suspended imprisonment with a two-year probation and a ₽50,000 ($600). The girl, who also reportedly exhibited signs of sexual abuse, died in April 2023 as a result of her injuries. The Malgobek City Court sentenced 33-year-old Tamila Mutsolgova on 21 O
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Regional * The Washington Post has reported that Russia and Europe are pressuring Baku to detain and extradite Yaroslav Mikhailov, a Russian citizen residing in Azerbaijan who is suspected of setting fire to cargo planes in Europe in 2024. According to officials he coordinated the operation and then fled to Azerbaijan using a fake passport. Armenia * Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, accused of attempting to seize power and committing large-scale economic crimes, will remain in pre-t
Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Adygea
Man sentenced to 14 years in prison for Islamic State recruitment in Maykop
Shamil Aliev, 23, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, 11 of which will be in a high-security penal colony.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
Georgians condemn decision to abolish voting abroad
Over 1.5 million Georgians are believed to be residing outside of Georgia.
Daghestan
Daghestani court sentences businessperson to 5 years in prison over deadly explosion
More than 30 people were killed in the explosion, which occurred at a petrol station in Makhachkala.
Armenia
Armenia seeks defence partnership with UAE
The expected agreement comes as Yerevan moves away from Russian arms supplies.
South Ossetia
Georgia to abolish South Ossetia government in exile
The administration was a failed attempt at creating an autonomous South Ossetia under Georgian control.
North Ossetia–Alania
North Ossetian economist Sergei Guriev added to Russian list of ‘terrorists’
Together with Guriev, a former Russian prime minister and the editor of a Russian independent media outlet were also included in the list.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Armenia * Armenia and the UAE are preparing to sign a defence cooperation agreement, Armenia’s Defence Ministry said, following a high-level meeting in Dubai on Monday. During his working visit to the UAE, Defence Minister Suren Papikyan met with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Crown Prince of Dubai. Armenia’s Ambassador to the UAE, Karen Grigoryan, also attended the meeting. Azerbaijan * RFE/RL has reported
