Georgia
Georgia cuts visa-free stay for Ukrainians down to one year
Georgia had raised the limit for visa-free stays for Ukrainians to three years following the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war.
News Stories
Today, 04 April 2025
Today, 04 April 2025
Georgia
Georgian Dream pledges to discuss ban on LGBT marches and ‘related colourful items’
Georgian Dream continues targeting the queer community.
Georgia
The UN joins Norway and Sweden in condemning Georgia’s new ‘restrictive’ and ‘repressive’ laws
The latest statements came in the wake of several new pieces of legislation critics argue are aimed at cracking down on media and civil society.
Georgia
Tornike Rizhvadze resigns as head of the Autonomous Government of Adjara
He informed the public about his decision to resign in a Facebook post.
North Caucasus
Eight fined in North Caucasus for refusing to stand during Russia’s national anthem
The courts imposed an administrative fine of ₽2,000 ($25).
Daily Brief
Friday, 4 April 2025
Regional * On Wednesday, French Jean-Noël Barrot and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, discussed the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The French side stated on behalf of both sides that ‘with due respect for the two States’ territorial integrity and sovereignty, [the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan] should enable the South Caucasus to become an area of peace, integration and cooperation’. * On Thursday, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Af
Yesterday, 03 April 2025
Economy
US slaps 10% tariffs on Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia
The move came despite the US having trade surpluses with all three countries.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan media says Chinese companies will work to construct ‘Zangezur Corridor’
Pro-government media also reported that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev would visit China later sometime in April.
OC Insider
After insulting journalists, Armenia’s ruling party refuses to apologise
In Armenia’s highly polarised media landscape, which features only a handful of independent media outlets, it is challenging to convey to the public what real journalism is and should be. Indeed, there are frequent cases whereby journalists exceed the professional standards, making their work more akin to activism, or turning their writing into tools in the hands of their owners, funders, or other affiliated figures to publish propaganda or leak materials. However, journalists are not alone in
Armenia
Using the example of Ukraine, Russia appears to warn Armenia of building relations with the West
The warning followed the recent adoption by the Armenian Parliament of a bill that calls on the government to seek EU integration.
Daghestan
Daghestani village head dismissed following local protests
Village residents were outraged that Kamilpasha Khaibulaev ‘gifted’ 236 hectares of land to the Daghestani government.
Georgia–US Relations
US State Department issues first comment under Trump administration about Georgia
The ruling party has consistently stated their hopes of a reset in relations with the US after officially winning in the parliamentary elections.
Daghestan
Daghestan’s former prime minister Gamidov sentenced to 13 years in prison for corruption
Abdusamad Gamidov was found guilty of accepting a large-scale bribe.
Chechnya
At least 17 teenagers reportedly kidnapped in Chechnya
According to Chechen opposition figures, the teenagers have been illegally held by the police for a week.
Azerbaijan
Group of Western conservative journalists visit Azerbaijan and meet with well-known anti-Iran MP
The journalists met with Azerbaijani MP Fazil Mustafa, who is best known for surviving a possibly Iranian-linked assassination attempt in 2023.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
Families of detained Georgian demonstrators announce new public movement
The newly formed movement called on the public to protest and announced an overnight demonstration from 8–9 April.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict
Armenia denies Azerbaijani allegations of ceasefire violations, again
At the same time, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan’s preconditions for the signing of the peace deal.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 3 April 2025
Regional * On Wednesday, Armenia again refuted Azerbaijani accusations of ceasefire violation. Armenia * On Thursday, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan met with EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono. They discussed ‘the security situation and existing challenges in the South Caucasus’, exchanged views around the Armenia–Azerbaijan normalisation process, and discussed Armenia–EU partnership agenda items. * Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan met
Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Georgia
Georgian Dream vows to amend law to ban new and future opposition parties
Banning the political opposition was one of the ruling party’s pre-election promises for 2024.
Georgia
Uproar after Russian state media photographer awarded for coverage of Georgian protests
Mikhail Tereshchenko took the photos as part of his work with the Russian state media agency TASS.
Azerbaijan
Iranian President Pezeshkian set to visit Azerbaijan in April
The news came during the visit of Iran’s Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs Mehdi Sanayei to Baku.
Georgia
UK imposes financial sanctions on two members of group locally known as Georgia’s ‘Clan of Judges’
In recent years, watchdogs have criticised what they say are close ties between the ruling Georgian Dream party and a ‘clan’ inside the judiciary.
Georgia
Investigation reveals Georgia’s largest dairy farm fed chicken faeces to its dairy cows
The media investigation is based on the legal dispute between the poultry company and the dairy-producing farm.
Chechnya
Kadyrov’s 17-year-old son appointed ‘supervisor’ of Chechnya’s Interior Ministry
The decision to appoint Adam Kadyrov to his new position was made by order of his father.
Reviews
Review | Tesnota — a taut portrait of Jewish diaspora life in the North Caucasus
This unsettling domestic drama is an admirable directorial debut from dissident Kabardian director Kantemir Balagov.
Ingushetia
Ingush activist walks free after six years in prison
The activist, convicted of ‘organising protests’ against the land agreement between Chechnya and Ingushetia, had served his full sentence.
Azerbaijan
German President Steinmeier arrives in Baku for historic visit clouded by controversy
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Baku is the first time a German president has been to the country.
Armenia
Armenia brings charges of official negligence against two former high-ranking military officials
The two accused, Movses Hakobyan and Armen Harutyunyan, have maintained their innocence.
Georgia
Head of Georgia’s State Security Service demoted to Minister of Regional Development
Critics have accused the government of using Liluashvili’s new position in order to ‘secure the regions for elections’.
Abkhazia
Badra Gunba inaugurated as president of Abkhazia
Gunba’s inauguration was attended by representatives of Russia, South Ossetia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Transnistria.
