Georgia
Is the Georgian government secretly killing stray dogs?
Rumours have spread recently regarding the disappearance of street dogs across Georgia and their possible cremation in Gori.
News Stories
Today, 03 April 2026
Today, 03 April 2026
Mzia Amaghlobeli
Georgian state council rejects early release for journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli
The council rejected the request because Amaghlobeli has not ‘expressed remorse’ for slapping police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze.
Daghestan
Three sentenced in absentia for allegedly organising Makhachkala’s antisemitic airport riot
All three organisers are on the international wanted list.
Economy
Georgia’s annual inflation slows to 4.3% as food and services prices rise
Food and beverages contributed 2.57 percentage points to annual inflation.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia applies ‘stricter requirements’ for Armenian goods following tense Pashinyan–Putin talks
Russia has often been accused of implementing stricter trade controls as a punitive measure.
Georgia
Georgian Public Defender says police has not faced persecution for abuse of protesters
The report noted lack of prosecution even in cases where the officers’ faces were uncovered.
Georgia–Moldova Relations
Moldova’s ruling party declines Tbilisi visit over poor bilateral relations
The visiting delegation was headed by pro-Russian lawmaker Bogdan (Bogdat) Țîrdea and controversial former President Igor Dodon.
Chechnya
Chechen officials threaten to force those caught with tinted car windows to fight in Ukraine
The official has confirmed the authenticity of the recording.
Daily Brief
Friday, 3 April 2026
Armenia * Russia’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary department has said that the ‘range and quantity’ of plant and livestock products arriving from Armenia gave them grounds to believe that not all of them originated from Armenia. The agency explained that this led to ‘Russia applying stricter requirements to Armenia’. * Armenian authorities have arrested an employee of Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan’s Our Way of Preservation of National Values NGO. According to investigators, since Fe
Yesterday, 02 April 2026
Georgian Dream
Georgian Dream joins Council of Europe’s Congress group linked to right-wing Patriots for Europe
The group is composed of members from right-wing populist parties.
Azerbaijan
Imprisoned Azerbaijani theologian left covered in sores
Theologian Mansur Velishov’s family stated that he has spent the last four months in this condition without receiving a medical examination.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Putin and Pashinyan hold contentious talks in Moscow
Following the meeting, Moscow offered critical remarks regarding Armenia and its ties and projects with the EU and US.
Daghestan
Daghestani National Policy Minister ‘disappears’ amidst reports of an assassination attempt
The first reports of his alleged assassination appeared in early March.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan ramps up pressure against ‘political prisoners’
One human rights activist has speculated the increased pressure is a sign that some prisoners might be released in the near future.
North Caucasus
Stalin named ‘ideal leader’ by 3% of North Caucasians in recent survey
The survey also found that North Caucasians viewed Rambo, the Terminator, and the Hulk as role models for an ‘ideal leader’.
Georgia–Moldova Relations
Moldovan parliamentary delegation including former controversial former President Igor Dodon visits Georgia
The delegation is led by pro-Russian lawmaker Bogdan Țîrdea.
Daghestan
Court in Makhachkala seizes $15 million in assets from former Daghestani official
The decision was made following a claim by the Prosecutor General’s Office and is subject to immediate enforcement.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Former Armenian President Sargsyan’s Republican Party to sit out elections
The party ruled Armenia for almost two decades.
OC Insider
Pashinyan and the Armenian opposition’s ‘war party’
Absent real alternative plans among Armenia’s main opposition parties for how to deal with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan’s framing rings true.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Opinion | The risks of Pashinyan’s fear-mongering tactics ahead of Armenia’s elections
Pashinyan’s claims that the opposition is preparing a new war with Azerbaijan risks justifying non-democratic and even unconstitutional measures.
North Ossetia–Alania
MMA coach in Vladikavkaz accused of assaulting underage girls
At least four individuals are recognised as victims in the case.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
‘He learned to live on his own’: the hidden toll on Georgia’s women protesters
In a country where rigid gender roles remain, many Georgian women must juggle childcare, housework, and fighting for their children’s future.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 2 April 2026
Regional * Yesterday, at the International Forum on Transport and Logistics, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev announced that the capacity of border crossings with Azerbaijan had increased five fold. He said that in 2025, along the North–South corridor were transported over 21 million tonnes of cargo and the corridor decreased average delivery times from 33 to 16 days. * Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz has stated that the opening of Turkey and Azerbaijan’s borders with Armeni
Wednesday, 01 April 2026
Georgia–Iran Relations
Iranian ambassador’s ‘threats’ spark backlash in Georgia
Several observers linked the statement to a phone call between Irakli Kobakhidze and Marco Rubio.
North Ossetia–Alania
FSB in Vladikavkaz targets Russian anti-war activist in Georgia
Roman Evseev says he was questioned at the border and then pressured to agree to confidential cooperation.
Georgia
Georgian court sentences two anti-government protesters to year in jail
Mindia Shervashidze and Tornike Toshkhua were charged with group violence.
The Georgian Orthodox Church
Russia claims the Constantinople Patriarch seeks to ‘subjugate’ Georgian Church
The Georgian Church stated that it considers such interference impossible.
Armenia
Armenian court bans screening of documentary about Declaration of Independence
The documentary was produced in 2020 to mark the 30th anniversary of Armenia’s Declaration of Independence.
Chechnya
Man beaten by Adam Kadyrov for burning the Quran located after ‘disappearing’ during prison transfer
Human rights defenders had expressed concern about his fate, as his whereabouts had been unknown for more than three months.
Chechnya
Adam Kadyrov reportedly no longer being considered to be Ramzan Kadyrov’s successor
Journalists claim he fell out of favour after a road accident earlier in 2026.
