Azerbaijan
Two dead after patient sets off grenade at oncology centre headed by Aliyev’s uncle
Mubariz Aliyev, the patient who set off the grenade, died, along with a radiologist.
News Stories
Today, 01 May 2026
Today, 01 May 2026
Georgia–US Relations
Georgian Dream claims ties with US will improve in May
One ruling party MP claimed that the bilateral relations are now ‘restored’.
Armenia
Armenia arrests two Russian nationals over alleged money smuggling
The arrests come as Armenia prepares for parliamentary elections scheduled for 7 June.
Abkhazia–Russia Relations
How an international economic forum highlighted Abkhazia’s dependency on Russia
While Abkhazia has investment potential, structural vulnerabilities and a key dependence on Russia limit project realisations.
Daghestan
Putin announces that Daghestani Head Melikov will resign in September
The announcement came in the wake of weeks of mass flooding in Daghestan.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia blocks the second batch of Armenian Jermuk water, affecting 1.1 million bottles
Earlier this week, Russia blocked another batch, bringing the total number of bottles under restrictions to around 1.4 million.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan severs ties with EU Parliament over Nagorno-Karabakh resolution
The resolution called for the right of return for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and the release of Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan.
Daily Brief
Friday, 1 May 2026
Regional * Independent Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov, deported from exile in Georgia to Azerbaijan in April, has reportedly received his international passport. His wife, Sevinj Sadigova, wrote on social media that the issuance of her husband’s passport does not mean ‘the search record against him has been removed from the system’. Whether Sadigov would receive his passport had been closely watched as one of the key steps toward his ability to leave the country and reunite with his fami
Yesterday, 30 April 2026
Azerbaijan
Emin Aghalarov wins state tender for construction outside Nagorno-Karabakh
The Cabinet of Ministers ordered the allocation of a total of 55 hectares of Caspian Sea water resources for Aghalarov’s Sea Breeze Resort two weeks ago.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s compensation package for flood victims leaves many in the lurch
The renovation of 61 homes located in the Keshla village of Baku will be carried out using the state budget.
Daghestan
Chechnya and Daghestan graffiti go viral online against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower
Their author, according to social media, is an 18-year-old émigré from Daghestan.
Georgia
Georgian police briefly detain two in farmers protest in Marneuli
Farmers in the municipality were protesting problems related to the sale of their produce.
South Ossetia
South Ossetian opposition demands President Gagloev’s resignation over embezzlement allegations
Opposition figures accuse South Ossetian President Alan Gagloev of misusing funds and causing a governance crisis.
2026 Iran War
Waiting for a free Iran: the exiles who found a home in Armenia
Armenia has become a place of refuge to over 2,000 fleeing repression, religious restrictions, and economic hardship in Iran.
Georgia–EU Relations
Papuashvili says Ukraine and Moldova’s EU integration involves ceding territories, statehood
Papuashvili referred to comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
PACE
PACE suspends Chechen activist after comments in support of ‘honour killings’
Rights groups had earlier called on PACE to suspend Ruslan Kutaev.
Economy
Georgia’s March GDP grows 10.7%, tourism hit hard as Iran tensions continue
Georgia’s National Statistics Bureau (Geostat) has said that the country's economy grew by 10.7% in March, with growth being primarily driven by the IT, transport, manufacturing, and mining sectors. Tourism appears to have taken a hit as the Iran conflict continues to loom over the region. According to Geostat’s executive director Gogita Todradze, in the first quarter of 2026, Georgia’s economy expanded by 9.1% year-on-year. In March, the turnover of Georgia’s private sector — VAT-paying compan
Freedom of the Press
Georgia plummets in World Press Freedom Index amidst decline across Caucasus
Armenia, while ranking the highest, has also dropped in ranking.
Chechnya
Putin backs Kadyrov’s nomination for a new term
Putin met Kadyrov in the Kremlin late on Wednesday evening.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Regional * Yesterday, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with his Armenian counterpart Mher Grigoryan for the first time in Aghveran, Armenia. They met within the framework of the Azerbaijan–Armenia Border Delimitation Commission. * Today, grain and fertilisers will be shipped to Armenia in transit through Azerbaijan. * RSF’s World Press Freedom Index has shown that all South Caucasus countries dropped in ranking. Azerbaijan fell from 167th place to 171st; Georgia from 1
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan places Armenian prisoners in Umbaki high-security prison
All 19 of them were reportedly transferred to a pre-trial detention centre at Umbaki.
The Georgian Orthodox Church
Georgian Orthodox Church shortlists three candidates for next Patriarch — who are they?
The date of the final election has not yet been set.
Chechnya
Russia accuses Germany of security threat after MP meets Ichkherian Head Zakaev
Berlin called Moscow’s statements unfounded after German Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Armenia–Turkey Relations
Armenia and Turkey hold inaugural meeting of joint railway restoration group
Despite reaching an agreement in 2022, the Armenia–Turkey border remains closed.
Chechnya
Serbia revokes decision to grant citizenship to Kadyrov’s nephew
The authorities annulled a decision adopted several days earlier, citing a threat to public security.
Georgia
Georgia’s DMD families and their uphill fight for treatment
Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease that causes rapid muscle loss — in Georgia, there is little state support for healthcare.
Chechnya
Calls to remove Chechen activist from PACE after comments in support of honour killings
Ruslan Kutaev remarked that no one has the right to condemn a family over a decision ‘to kill, return home or marry off’ a family member.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Regional Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan have reportedly been transferred to the high-security Umbaki prison in Azerbaijan from the isolation cells of the State Security Service. Qafqazinfo has reported that an Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev arrived in Yerevan. Mustafayev is also the head of the Demarcation and Delimitation Commission of the Azerbaijan side. Armenia The Chief of the General Staff, Edward Asryan, paid an official visit to India, w
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani diplomat arrested for smuggling 70 kilogrammes of gold
The same day, another bag containing 14 kilogrammes of gold bars was found in the Istanbul airport storage locker.
Georgia
The scarcity of childcare services for children under two in Georgia
Open-search research suggests that less than 35 daycare centres across the whole country accept children under two.
