News Stories

Today, 18 July 2025

Georgia’s Prosecutor General requests financial documents from TV Mtavari

Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has requested financial documents from the now-closed opposition TV channel Mtavari. The request followed a complaint by current director Gogi Kurdadze, prompting an investigation into alleged embezzlement in the company. Mtavari, which continued operating online after suspending broadcasting in spring, announced on Wednesday that the Prosecutor’s Office had entered both the TV station and its contracted sales house. ‘The Prosecutor’s Office demanded the c

about 6 hours ago

Today, 18 July 2025

Armenia

Yerevan appoints ruling party member as temporary manager of Karapetyan’s Electric Networks of Armenia

The Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) is run by detained Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan’s Tashir Group.

about 7 hours ago

Daghestan

Daghestani Head Melikov urges district chief not avoid responsibility for mass water poisoning by going to war

Sergei Melikov called on Farid Akhmedov to ‘first answer’ for an outbreak that affected hundreds.

about 7 hours ago

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Georgia

Kobakhidze says EU threats to revoke visa-free status part of ‘global war party’ and ‘deep state’ conspiracy

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze ticked through many of the familiar conspiracy theories while continuing to add new twists.

about 8 hours ago (Updated: about 8 hours ago)

Lorries carrying liquified petroleum gas (L)G) at the Upper Lars checkpoint in Georgia. Photo: RFE/RL.

Armenia

Armenian LPG lorries claim Georgians demanding $1,500 bribe to be allowed through border

The delays caused a 50% increase in LPG prices in Armenia.

about 8 hours ago

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze voting in the 2024 parliamentary elections. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Georgia

Kobakhidze says participation in local elections won’t help opposition parties circumvent ban

Georgian Dream has openly declared its intention to ban the country’s main opposition parties.

about 8 hours ago

Dutch journalist Joost Bosman. Courtesy photo.

Georgia’s EU U-turn

Dutch journalist denied entry to Georgia twice in July

Joost Bosman has been covering the latest wave of anti-government protests in Georgia.

about 9 hours ago (Updated: about 9 hours ago)

A border guard at the Upper Lars border crossing. Photo: TASS.

Georgia

Ninety Ukrainians now reportedly being held in ‘inhumane’ conditions on Georgian border

Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said that they are not allowed to enter the country.

about 10 hours ago

Georgia

Two arrested in Batumi for planning to sell uranium for $3 million

The authorities have not specified how the two suspects came in possession of the uranium.

about 10 hours ago

Georgia’s EU U-turn

Georgian court sentences another protester to 4.5 years in prison

Anri Kvaratskhelia was accused of having allegedly assaulted a police officer during a protest.

about 11 hours ago

Georgia

Georgian minister confirms he did not complete PhD following OC Media report

The fact that Kobakhidze shared inaccurate information about Mikanadze’s biography was first reported by OC Media.

about 11 hours ago

The materials for making explosives. Screengrab from video.

North Ossetia–Alania

FSB accuses two North Ossetian teenagers of planning a terror attack

The investigation alleges that the teenagers were preparing an explosive device after being ‘trained’ in a closed Telegram chat.

about 11 hours ago

Polish Border Guards. Screengrab from official video.

Georgia

Poland deports 27 Georgians over threats to ‘public safety’ and ‘security’

The Polish Border Guard said that one of those deported had 12 prior theft convictions.

about 11 hours ago

Daily Brief

Friday, 18 July 2025

Armenia * The price of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has further increased by ֏10 ($0.03) reaching an increase 50% as lorries bound to Armenia from Russia carrying LPG are barred entry into Georgia. RFE/RL has cited sources suggesting that Georgians were demanding $1,500 from each lorry to allow them passage. LPG is the most common and cheapest fuel used for transportation in Armenia, and its prices skyrocketed after Georgia blocked its transit from Russia. Georgia’s Revenue Service has denied

about 13 hours ago

Yesterday, 17 July 2025

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Official photo.

Georgia

Kobakhidze downplays EU potential visa-liberalisation revocation

The EU’s recommendations to repeal restrictive laws are unacceptable for Georgia’s ruling party.

July 17, 2025 4:11 PM

Akbar Novruzlu Epi. Photo taken from social media.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani rapper jailed on drug charges after criticising Aliyev-affiliated banks

Rapper Akbar Novruzlu Epi was sentenced to a month in prison.

July 17, 2025 3:23 PM

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Offical photo.

Armenia

Pashinyan confirms Armenia received US proposal to unblock regional transit links

The proposal appears to include the creation of a company for generating investments, developing infrastructures and its management.

July 17, 2025 2:59 PM

Make-up competition. Photo: Grozny-inform.ru.

Chechnya

Chechnya threatens to shut down beauty salons over refusal to ‘register’

Chechen officials say only hijab shop owners responded to the call to register.

July 17, 2025 1:40 PM

Armenia

Armenia moves to reclaim building in Yerevan from Nagorno-Karabakh authorities

The building serves as the Representation of Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia.

July 17, 2025 12:10 PM

Riots in Makhachkala airport. Photo: TASS.

Daghestan

Seven Daghestanis sentenced to 14–15 years in prison over Makhachkala airport riot

July 17, 2025 11:40 AM

Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (left) and President Ilham Aliyev (right). Official photo.

Azerbaijan

Turkmen leader Berdimuhamedow visits Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow held several meetings and toured Nagorno-Karabakh.

July 17, 2025 10:56 AM (Updated: 1 day ago)

Daily Brief

Thursday, 17 July 2025

Regional * Georgia’s Revenue Service has denied reports that Armenian cargo shipments, including gas products, are being blocked at the border. The agency stated that ‘amid increased freight traffic, all customs procedures for international transport vehicles are being carried out in a special/active mode to ensure smooth passage’. The statement also claimed that such reports aim to ‘politicise the issue’. Earlier this week, The price of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) widely used in cars in Arm

July 17, 2025 9:00 AM

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Armenia

Russian–Armenian billionaire Karapetyan hit with new charges of money laundering

The detained billionaire has been charged with money laundering through several companies.

July 16, 2025 2:37 PM (Updated: 2 days ago)

Shamil Minkailov. Photo: Grozny-inform.ru.

Chechnya

Religious school in Chechnya forced to shut down after underage teacher beat pupils

The ‘teacher' seen hitting children with a stick turned out to be a 17-year-old with no formal qualifications.

July 16, 2025 2:23 PM

Mutvali Shikhlinski. Photo taken from social media.

Azerbaijan

Russia detains son of Azerbaijani diaspora leader

Russian media claimed that Mutvali Shikhlinski was arrested in connection with an earlier incident.

July 16, 2025 1:36 PM

Eternal flame memorial in Nevvinnomyssk. Photo: social media.

Daghestan

Four Daghestanis detained for warming themselves by eternal flame in Stavropol Krai

A court in Stavropol Krai has imprisoned four men from Daghestan for warming themselves by an eternal flame monument commemorating WWII.

July 16, 2025 1:10 PM

European Court of Human Rights. Photo: via Wikipedia

Georgia

Georgian activists win case in ECHR over 2020 protest arrest

The Georgian state was ordered to pay compensation to both activists.

July 16, 2025 12:59 PM

Daghestan

MMA fighter Timur Khizriev survives gun attack in Daghestan

The athlete’s life is reportedly not at risk despite sustaining five gunshot wounds.

July 16, 2025 10:42 AM

Daily Brief

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Armenia * Former Etchmiadzin Mayor Diana Gasparyan, who resigned at the end of May, has been charged by the Anti-Corruption Committee. The authorities have yet to reveal the charges. * Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan has been handed a new charge of money laundering through several companies. Azerbaijan * E1.ru, a media outlet based in Russia’s Yekaterinburg, has reported that on Monday evening, police detained Mutvali Shikhlinski, the son of the head of the Azerbaijani diaspora

July 16, 2025 8:44 AM

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Mzia Amaghlobeli

Cursing, spitting, no restroom — Mzia Amaghlobeli recounts Georgian police abuse

Amaghlobeli, the manager and founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been in pre-trial detention for over six months.

July 15, 2025 3:17 PM (Updated: 3 days ago)

Georgia

A cynical fight between two authoritarian countries

10 July 2025

Nate Ostiller

Culture Dispatch

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News Stories

Georgia’s Prosecutor General requests financial documents from TV Mtavari

Yerevan appoints ruling party member as temporary manager of Karapetyan’s Electric Networks of Armenia

Daghestani Head Melikov urges district chief not avoid responsibility for mass water poisoning by going to war

Kobakhidze says EU threats to revoke visa-free status part of ‘global war party’ and ‘deep state’ conspiracy

Armenian LPG lorries claim Georgians demanding $1,500 bribe to be allowed through border

Kobakhidze says participation in local elections won’t help opposition parties circumvent ban

Dutch journalist denied entry to Georgia twice in July

Ninety Ukrainians now reportedly being held in ‘inhumane’ conditions on Georgian border

Two arrested in Batumi for planning to sell uranium for $3 million

Georgian court sentences another protester to 4.5 years in prison

Georgian minister confirms he did not complete PhD following OC Media report

FSB accuses two North Ossetian teenagers of planning a terror attack

Poland deports 27 Georgians over threats to ‘public safety’ and ‘security’

Friday, 18 July 2025

Kobakhidze downplays EU potential visa-liberalisation revocation

Azerbaijani rapper jailed on drug charges after criticising Aliyev-affiliated banks

Pashinyan confirms Armenia received US proposal to unblock regional transit links

Chechnya threatens to shut down beauty salons over refusal to ‘register’

Armenia moves to reclaim building in Yerevan from Nagorno-Karabakh authorities

Seven Daghestanis sentenced to 14–15 years in prison over Makhachkala airport riot

Turkmen leader Berdimuhamedow visits Azerbaijan

Thursday, 17 July 2025

Russian–Armenian billionaire Karapetyan hit with new charges of money laundering

Religious school in Chechnya forced to shut down after underage teacher beat pupils

Russia detains son of Azerbaijani diaspora leader

Four Daghestanis detained for warming themselves by eternal flame in Stavropol Krai

Georgian activists win case in ECHR over 2020 protest arrest

MMA fighter Timur Khizriev survives gun attack in Daghestan

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Cursing, spitting, no restroom — Mzia Amaghlobeli recounts Georgian police abuse

Exclusive: Georgian education minister did not complete PhD in Netherlands

Armenian fuel prices surge by 40% as Georgia obstructs transfer of gas from Russia

Pashinyan’s wife enrolls in two-year graduate programme in China

Pashinyan and his wife under fire for using state budget for education campaign

Explainer | What was behind the recent spat between Azerbaijan and Russia?

Former US diplomat and civic sector consultant denied entry to Georgia as cases mount

A cynical fight between two authoritarian countries

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