OC Insider
Bob Amsterdam brings American-style info wars to Armenia
The Canadian—American lawyer supporting Armenian tycoon Samuel Karapetyan
News Stories
Today, 28 May 2026
Today, 28 May 2026
Armenia
Armenia holds first military parade in a decade ahead of elections
The parade showcased weapons purchases made since 2022, along with Armenian-made drones.
Daghestan
Rostov Military Court delivers two sentences against Daghestanis on terrorism charges
Among them was a woman accused of transferring money to the Islamic State.
Abkhazia
Abkhazian Parliament discusses raising minimum age for presidents and MPs
MPs have discussed a variety of other amendments to the electoral code.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
‘Make Armenia Great Again’ — Trump endorses Pashinyan ahead of June elections
Trump offered Armenia his ‘COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement’ ahead of the elections.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 28 May 2026
Regional * Two freight wagons of urea and one carrying of flour were sent from Russia to Armenia through Azerbaijan. * On 2 June, the official opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway will take place at Akhalkalaki station in Georgia. Officials from Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey are expected to attend the opening ceremony. Azerbaijan spent $775 million on the construction of the Georgian section of the project, which is planned to be repaid from the project’s revenues. Armenia * U
Yesterday, 27 May 2026
North Ossetia–Alania
Ex-Russian Deputy Defence Minister from Vladikavkaz stripped of assets worth $77 million
Luxury property, commercial assets, and family funds belonging to Ruslan Tsalikov have been transferred to state ownership.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani observers accuse Central Election Commission of understating number of eligible voters
Every year, figures from the Central Election Commission differ from those of the State Statistical Committee.
Georgia
Georgian Prosecutor General opens investigation after viral video of police beating
The video, taken in the city of Gori, showed a group of police stomping, kicking, and punching several people.
Armenia
Russia reportedly threatens to end tax-free gas exports to Armenia if EU path continues
For its part, Armenia has denied receiving the warning letter reported by the Russian media outlet Kommersant.
Georgia-UK Relations
Tbilisi dodges blame as UK sanctions three Georgian companies over Russian sanctions evasion
The Georgian National Bank has distanced itself from the companies and the sanctions.
Armenia
Armenia to take over Karapetyan’s shares in Electric Networks of Armenia
Following Samvel Karaprytan’s detention in June 2025, Pashinyan said that the time had come to nationalise the ENA.
Daghestan
Daghestani court suspends sentences of police officers convicted of beating detained woman
The republic’s Supreme Court twice overturned previous verdicts, yet the former officers again avoided prison terms.
Economy
Will Armenia–Azerbaijan peace spell the end of Georgia’s transit monopoly?
Georgia’s transit monopoly is eroding, yet the region’s future may largely depend on cooperation, not competition
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Armenia * The Armenian government will initiate a process to expropriate the shares of Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan in the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA). * Arman Tatoyan, prime minister candidate of the Wings of Unity party, has published an audio recording for the second time allegedly showing authorities’ use of administrative resources in their pre-election campaign. * Russian media outlet Kommersant has cited an official document saying that Russia may ‘unilaterally su
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Azerbaijan
France tries 9 Azerbaijanis for plotting to murder exiled blogger
The group was accused of attacking Mahammad Mirzali in 2021 and 2022.
North Caucasus
Heavy rains once again flood North Caucasus and Abkhazia
At least two people have been killed as a result of floods.
Armenia–US Relations
Rubio concludes one-hour visit to Armenia after signing Trump Route framework agreement
The US State Secretary described the document as ‘the biggest step to date’ on making the route a reality.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Bob Amsterdam: the lawyer behind the opposition party trying to take down Pashinyan
The Canadian–American lawyer has emerged as a key mouthpiece of opposition Russian–Armenian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Leaked documents show Russian plans to unseat Pashinyan, ties between Karapetyan and Putin
The revelations were the latest in a series of leaked documents that have been made public in the runup to the election on 7 June.
Georgia
Kremlin-linked NGO launches ‘Council for Monitoring Russophobia’ in Georgia
The council will reportedly ‘pay specific attention’ to anti-Russian statements made after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Reviews
Review | I Had A Dream — a personal story about the last speaker of Ubykh
This film tells a deeply personal story from the point of view of the granddaughter of the last speaker of Ubykh, an extinct Caucasian language.
Georgia–US Relations
Kobkahdize meets with US State Department delegation, again
This is the second time Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has met with a US State Department delegation in May 2026 alone.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Regional * The Chechen State Pedagogical University and Azerbaijan’s Ganja State University have signed an agreement providing for the joint implementation of scientific and cultural-educational projects, as well as academic exchanges involving students and teaching staff. Armenia * US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to arrive in Armenia this afternoon. * Two Russian media outlets have published investigations based on leaked documents obtained from the Russian side, one allege
Monday, 25 May 2026
Georgian Dream’s purge
Former Georgian high-ranking intelligence officer detained on bribery charges
The SSG’s former deputy chief, Levan Akhobadze, was accused of demanding a $188,000 bribe in 2024.
South Ossetia
Russian director who travelled to South Ossetia to screen pro-war documentary drowns in river
Anna Tyts was in South Ossetia to screen her film about local residents taking part in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia suspends sales of more Armenian goods ahead of election
The restrictions have affected Armenian mineral water, alcoholic beverages, and flowers.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani police officer killed in drug bust near Iranian border
The authorities have only confirmed that one police officer was injured.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Lead of Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party widens in new poll
The poll found that 32% of respondents said they would vote for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party.
Chechnya
Chechen resident punches man for jogging with his wife
According to investigators, the suspect considered it unacceptable for a woman to be present at a stadium alongside men.
