Georgia
Georgia fines opposition-leaning TV channel, accusing it of breaching broadcasting standards
TV Formula was accused of violating several principles, including impartiality and balance.
News Stories
Yesterday, 22 May 2026
Yesterday, 22 May 2026
Azerbaijan ranks 2nd, and Georgia 4th, for prisoners per capita in Europe
Azerbaijan also has a high prison overcrowding rate: 98 prisoners per 100 places.
Daghestan
Women-only car wash opens in Daghestan
Female customers can wash their cars in fully enclosed areas.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court rejects Bahruz Samadov’s appeal
Bahruz Samadov dedicated his speech at the hearing to the memory of deceased activists Mehman Galandarov, Bayram Mammadov, and Elbayi Karimli.
Daghestan
Thousands of children made to take part in patriotic parade in Makhachkala with military themes
The children’s march is being held for the second year in a row.
Georgia
Georgian students raise almost $100,000 for children with DMD in less than 2 days
The fundraising came amidst parents’ protests demanding access to new medication for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in Georgia.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Armenia launches what appears to be first-ever investigation of Russian-backed espionage
The focus of the investigation, opposition politician Andranik Tevanyan, is a candidate on tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan’s electoral list.
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Georgia
Man detained after crashing into Georgian Patriarchate courtyard
The investigation is ongoing, with one person being detained.
Kabarda–Balkaria
Circassians in Nalchik commemorate genocide despite warnings from the authorities
Commemorative events took place in several republics of the North Caucasus.
Georgia
Georgian opposition politician Levan Khabeishvili sentenced to 2.5 years in prison
The verdict was announced on Thursday.
OC Insider
The paradoxical reopening of the Baku–Tbilisi railway
One of my most poignant memories of travelling on the Baku–Tbilisi passenger train dates back to September 2019, the last time I rode this route and said ‘goodbye’ to my homeland. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world, with the Azerbaijani government taking advantage of the situation to completely close its land borders for over six years. During these last six years, Azerbaijanis living in areas near the Georgian border had to spend 16 hours travelling in order to visit relatives l
Reviews
Review: Prayer of the Outsiders — blending contemporary art and cultural heritage
Centred around historic prayer rugs, this exhibition celebrates Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Georgia and the women artists behind it.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Candidate from Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia party investigated for treason
Gagik Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia is believed to be among Pashinyan’s Civil Contract’s main challengers.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia denies reporting on influence operations in Armenia while escalating economic pressure
The Russian Foreign Ministry described The Insider’s reporting as ‘false anti-Russia propaganda’.
Abkhazia
Head of Abkhazia’s Gali district talks economy, infrastructure, and social issues
The district is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Georgians.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Regional * According to a new report by the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan ranks second in Europe in terms of prison population per capita with 270 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants, while Georgia is ranked at fourth, with 232 inmates per 100,000. * Yesterday, Azerbaijan Railways announced new prices for the Baku–Tbilisi passenger train, which have increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Prices range between $30 and $50, depending on the distance. * A Georgian man, Giorgi Tsatava, has been sente
Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Samvel Karapetyan
Investigation suggests Karapetyan had ties to Russia’s FSB
In turn, Karapetyan accused Pashinyan of being behind the publication.
Georgia–EU Relations
Georgia condemns Danish police brutality, despite years of own history of police violence
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze released an open letter addressing the EU officials.
Chechnya
Adam Kadyrov’s friend reportedly kills 9-year-old in car accident
Opposition activists allege that the driver responsible for the traffic violation is friends with Kadyrov’s son.
Georgia–Germany Relations
Tbilisi Mayor Kaladze accuses Germany of obeying ‘deep state’ amid twin-city rift
Kaladze’s letter was preceded by reports about Saarbrücken cutting ties with Tbilisi.
Chechnya
Chechnya’s Akhmat unit reportedly suffers heaviest casualties since beginning of full-scale war
Opposition activists claim that 60 soldiers were killed.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Regional * The Baku–Tbilisi passenger train will operate once daily at night to and from Tbilisi, and is expected to carry over 200 passengers in each direction. The train, manufactured by the Swiss company Stadler Rail Group, was inspected by President Ilham Aliyev in 2019. The passenger rail service is resuming after a six-year hiatus. Armenia * Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Lithuanian counterpart Kęstutis Budrys have signed a strategic partnership agreement. * The i
Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Azerbaijan
Aliyev says Nagorno-Karabakh reconstruction ‘main priority’ for Azerbaijan
Presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev stated that Azerbaijan is the only country ‘which has restored more than 300 villages using its own resources’.
Georgia
Russian students stage WWII performance in Georgian state theatre
The Russian Interests Section reported the event.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Arrests and controversy following several heated campaign encounters with Pashinyan
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused the opposition of plotting ‘provocations’ during his campaign.
Azerbaijan
Baku–Tbilisi passenger rail service to resume from 26 May
Passenger rail service has been suspended for more than six years.
Georgia
Georgia to create special Interior Ministry department to monitor and penalise ‘hate speech’
The ruling Georgian Dream party has insisted on the department’s creation does not amount to censorship.
Ingushetia
Ingush imam rails on men wearing short-sleeved shirts and ‘insufficient control’ over women
Imam Ahmed Ugurchiev considers ordinary T-shirts to be ‘sleepwear’.
Economy
Georgian local exports reach record high as trade shows strong growth
Revenue generated from local exports reached $1.551 billion, marking a 73.5% annual increase.
