Azerbaijan
EU Parliament adopts resolution condemning human rights situation in Azerbaijan
The resolution ‘strongly’ condemns the arrest of Ali Karimli, chair of the opposition Popular Front Party, and calls for his immediate release.
News Stories
Today, 19 December 2025
Today, 19 December 2025
North Ossetia–Alania
North Ossetian court orders man into conversion therapy for ‘sending nudes’
A district court has found a resident of North Ossetia guilty of distributing pornography.
Armenia
Senior Armenian priests hand demand Karekin II’s resignation
Civil Contract–affiliated media published Armenian Security Service confirmation that Karekin II’s brother maintains ties with foreign intelligence services.
Georgia
US imposes sanctions on Georgian ICC judge over case involving Israel
Gocha Lortkipanidze has been a judge at the ICC since 2021.
Georgia
Georgian opposition leader Japaridze freed after seven months in prison
Zurab Japaridze was among those arrested for boycotting the anti-opposition parliamentary commission.
Armenia
Armenia asks Russia to urgently restore railway near Nakhchivan and Turkey
In 2008, a 30-year concession agreement was signed, on transfer of the Armenian railway system to a Russian company.
Chechnya
Grozny Mayor Khas-Magomed Kadyrov ranked as best mayor in Russia
The ranking was compiled by an organisation affiliated with the Russian government.
Daily Brief
Friday, 19 December 2025
Armenia * On Thursday, the inaugural meeting of Armenia–US Bilateral Working Group in Support of the Outcomes of the Washington summit was held, Armenian Foreign Ministry reported. The sides ‘highlighted the substantial steps towards the implementation’ of the signed Memoranda of Understanding and ‘shared their respective progress reports in that direction’. * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he had asked Russia, which manages Armenia’s railways, to ‘urgently address’ the full restoration
Yesterday, 18 December 2025
Azerbaijan
Baku Film Festival removes film over ‘immoral depiction’ of 12th century poet
After the Culture Ministry’s decision, the filmmakers said they ‘reject such absurd restrictions on how women can be portrayed’.
Ingushetia
Ingush man accused of giving guns to Crocus City Hall terrorists attempts suicide
The attempted suicide may have been caused by prolonged depression.
Bidzina Ivanishvili
Opinion | Tracing Ivanishvili’s rise to power
A deep dive into Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili — the billionaire who sees himself as ‘Georgia’s disappointed saviour’.
Azerbaijan
Detentions of the opposition Popular Front Party members continue in Azerbaijan
Murad Sultanli was reportedly arrested and sentenced to 30 days of administrative detention.
Georgia
Georgian police step up enforcement of new law targeting pavement protests
The new law has sparked fears that protests could become subject to a permit system in Georgia.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Azerbaijan sends first batch of petrol to Armenia
The shipment is being sent through Georgia.
Chechnya
Kadyrov-linked figures connected to German logistics hub, investigation reveals
The ‘overseer’ of Chechens in Germany runs a company at the port of Hamburg.
Armenia
Armenia adopts universal healthcare insurance
The insurance will be introduced gradually over the course of three years.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 18 December 2025
Regional * Today, 22 railcars of SOCAR-produced AI-95 gasoline will be shipped from Azerbaijan to Armenia. According to the APA, Azerbaijani petroleum products will be sold to Armenia at international market prices. * On Wednesday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the controversy around the high tariffs Georgia reportedly requested for transfer to Azerbaijani fuel through its territory to Armenia. According to Armenian state media outlet Armenpress, Kobakhidze expressed con
Reviews
Review | Shared Document — an exhibition by emerging Georgian artists
This group show by four young professionals introduces their practice and a glimpse into the kind of environment Georgian artists are facing.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Georgia
Georgian parliament passes bill banning overseas voting
Critics have described the amendments as a denial of voting rights for Georgian emigrants.
Trump Route
Iran criticises Trump Route while Russia says it wants to participate
Iranian officials have previously made contradictory statements on their stance on the Trump Route.
Ingushetia
Criminal case against brother of Ingush Head transferred to Cherkessk City Court
The defendants are accused of defrauding hundreds of pensioners.
Armenia
Breaking the barrel: Armenia’s quiet wine revolution
Across vineyards and wineries, Armenian women are quietly transforming an ancient craft, bringing precision, creativity, and change to the wine world.
Armenia
Armenia says ‘consensus’ reached in the EU on the provision of aid
Earlier in 2025, Hungary had blocked the dispersal of non-lethal defence aid to Armenia under the bloc’s European Peace Facility programme.
Georgia–Russia Relations
Moscow ‘committed’ to normalising ties with Tbilisi, praises Georgian Dream’s foreign policy
A Russian official commended what he called Tbilisi’s ‘healthy pragmatism’.
Armenia
Armenia reduces compulsory military service by six months
The opposition has viewed the move as a tactic aimed at gaining support ahead of the 2026 elections.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Regional * The trial of former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan has concluded in Azerbaijan. His state appointed lawyer Emil Babishov filed two motions, and both of them were denied by the judge. The next court process is scheduled for tomorrow. Armenia * Parliament has adopted a draft law reducing compulsory military service from 24 months to 18 starting from 1 January 2026. * Armenia and Luxembourg have signed a joint declaration on a strategic partnership. * The Foreign
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Georgia’s EU U-turn
‘I want to know what happened’ — Georgian protesters on the lingering effects of chemical exposure
Testimonies by Georgian protesters highlight their ongoing health impacts, as well as contradictions in the official account of the events.
Kabarda–Balkaria
Nalchik nurse sentenced to prison over accidental HIV, hepatitis infection of patients
Criminal prosecution of the sanatorium’s head and a doctor was terminated due to the statute of limitations.
Georgia
Georgia detains 49 for reported connection to post-Soviet mafia network
A total of 63 people were charged, some in absentia.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan proposes ban on vapes
Under the new legislation, ‘heated tobacco products’, such as those produced by the brand Iqos, would remain legal.
