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Ali Malikov (left) and Parvin Alakbar (right). Photos via social media.
Azerbaijan

OC Media contributor and Azerbaijani queer activist faces extradition from Turkey

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Ali Malikov, an Azerbaijani queer rights activist and OC Media contributor, along with their transgender Azerbaijani friend, have been detained in Turkey after joining a feminist demonstration. They could face deportation from the country. Ali Malikov and their friend Parvin Alakbar were detained in Istanbul after taking part in a march commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. Alex Shah, an Azerbaijani transgender activist and journ

Seymur Babayev dressed as his drag persona Lady Slim. Photo: Alex Shah
Azerbaijan

Drag, resistance, and identity: the journey of Azerbaijan’s first drag queen

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In Azerbaijan, where queer people are marginalised and forced to express themselves only privately or in the confines of their own homes, there is only one publicly visible drag performer, known by the stage name Lady Slim.  For Seymur Babayev, the first drag performer in Azerbaijan, his drag persona Lady Slim is ‘energetic, stage-loving, a little shy, a little cheeky, and a little crazy’.  Babayev realised from a young age that he was different from others. He thought differently from ot

Bidzina Ivanishvili. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Georgian officials brace for further sanctions

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The threat of further Western sanctions against Georgian officials over democratic backsliding in the country has led to reports of alarm within the ruling Georgian Dream party, weeks ahead of parliamentary elections. On Wednesday, TV channel Formula reported  citing confidential sources that bank accounts abroad belonging to the children of Georgian Dream founder and billionaire, Bidzina Ivanishvili, had been limited. TV station Mtavari Arkhi also reported on Wednesday that Ivanishvili h

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