Azerbaijan
Almost 30 Azerbaijani prisoners declare 18 November ‘Political Prisoners’ Day’
The statement was signed by imprisoned journalists, human rights defenders, labour union activists, and politicians.
News Stories
Today, 02 June 2026
Today, 02 June 2026
Ingushetia
Schoolboy detained after mass knife fight in Ingushetia
Three young residents of Ekazhevo suffered stab wounds during a brawl.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Opinion | Armenia’s elections are a return of Russia’s 2006 Georgia playbook
The 7 June elections may reveal just how much cost Armenian society may be willing to bear in pursuit of greater strategic autonomy.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Saakashvili says Russia will march through Georgia to attack Armenia if Pashinyan wins
Imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili said Moscow will switch to ‘plan B’ in case of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s victory.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia bans import of Armenian fish and fruits
Russia imposed ‘temporary restrictions’ on the imports and transits of Armenian stone fruits to the EAEU.
Chechnya
Chechen security forces reportedly abduct father and son
According to the NIYSO movement, the two have been threatened with criminal charges related to extremism and terrorism.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
Armenia * Russia yesterday banned imports of Armenian fish and fish products, exempting two companies that passed inspections. It also imposed ‘temporary restrictions’ on imports and transit to Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states of Armenian stone fruits, including cherries, apricots, grapes, citing product safety concerns. * Armenian authorities named Mher Mirzoyan as reportedly being behind a video recording in which threats were made to assassinate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Yesterday, 01 June 2026
Georgia
Georgia detains two citizens on espionage charges
Georgia’s State Security Service announced the detentions in two separate briefings.
Chechnya
Chechen MMA fighter goes to fight in Ukraine after club ban for violence against women
It is not known whether a criminal case was opened against him beforehand.
Georgia
Six Georgian police officers detained over beating of two people
An investigation into one of the assaulted men has also been opened and is ongoing.
Ingushetia
Ingushetia’s Supreme Court upholds decision to fine soldier for attacking police officer
Magomet Evloev, an OMON officer who had fought in Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, was fined $2,000.
Eurasian Economic Union
Russia recalls ambassador to Armenia ahead of elections
Armenia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on 7 June.
Reviews
Review | Nail in the Boot — Kalatozov’s futile plea to the Soviet authorities
Famed Soviet director Mikheil Kalatozov’s 1931 film was banned upon release, just like his better-known Georgian documentary, Salt for Svanetia.
Daily Brief
Monday, 1 June 2026
Regional * Today, two freight wagons of wheat and two freight wagons of fertilisers are being shipped from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan. Armenia * The Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEU) member states, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have called on Armenia to hold a referendum ‘as soon as possible’ to choose between accession to the EU and membership in the EAEU. In turn, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Armenia ‘cannot and must not’ deepen relations with the EU
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Opinion | Who gets to decide civil society is ‘legitimate’ in Armenia?
Armenian civil society has become increasingly fragmented ahead of the elections, worsened by delegitimisation narratives and public mistrust.
Sunday, 31 May 2026
Culture
‘Becoming queer to a place’: Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian on indigeneity, queerness, and mushrooms
This Armenian–American author and mycologist’s debut is a loose memoir examining queer ecology and the importance of persevering through dark times.
Friday, 29 May 2026
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani police confiscate EU flag during Independence Day celebrations
The police who confiscated it said ‘this is not an Azerbaijani flag’.
Georgia
Georgian protester found guilty of ‘criminally blocking road’ in first of its kind sentence
Zurab Menteshashvili, 61, has been in detention since November 2025.
Chechnya
Chechen authorities publish video of woman believed to have been missing for over a month
Belkisa Mintsaeva had been out of contact for more than six weeks after being detained by Chechen security forces.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Who’s who in Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections?
Voters are set to choose the country’s next ruling party in what will be the first regularly scheduled parliamentary vote since 2017.
Karachay–Cherkessia
Karachay–Cherkessia convicts nine people in extremism case
The nine local residents allegedly planned to ‘violently change the constitutional order’.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Russia restricts Armenian fruit and vegetable imports ahead of elections
These are the latest in a series of similar restrictions involving Armenian products sanctioned by Russia ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.
Daily Brief
Friday, 29 May 2026
Regional * Today, four freight wagons of wheat and four freight wagons of fertiliser will be shipped from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan. Armenia * Starting from tomorrow, Russia will impose ‘temporary restrictions’ on the import of certain berries and fresh vegetables from Armenia, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, greens, and strawberries, citing an ‘increasing number of violations’. * Armenia reportedly ‘informally’ notified Russia of the ‘undesirability of including certain Ru
Thursday, 28 May 2026
Chechnya
PACE to keep Chechen native who ‘justified honour killings’ on Russian opposition platform
Chechen politician Ruslan Kutaev had previously been temporarily suspended over his remarks.
Georgia
‘A guilty society’ — Ketevan Vashagashvili on breaking taboos through film under Georgian Dream
Her debut documentary, 9-Month Contract, cuts through society’s willful ignorance of Georgia’s problematic surrogacy industry.
OC Insider
Bob Amsterdam brings American-style info wars to Armenia
The Canadian—American lawyer supporting Armenian tycoon Samuel Karapetyan
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.
