Dutch and Belgian resolutions on Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan trigger outrage in Baku The resolutions demanded the release of imprisoned Armenians in Baku.

The Belgium and Dutch parliaments adopted resolutions which also included imprisoned Armenian prisoners in Baku on 16 April, resulting in condemnations from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the summoning of both countries’ ambassadors on Monday.

On the night of 27 December 2025, police raided the Labyrinth nightclub in central Baku. According to witness accounts, 106 people were detained, the majority of whom were reportedly subjected to psychological or physical abuse.

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Hunting in the Labyrinth: the lasting effects of Azerbaijan’s raid on queer nightlife What the latest raid on a queer nightclub in Baku reveals about the future of queer life in Azerbaijan.

What the latest raid on a queer nightclub in Baku reveals about the future of queer life in Azerbaijan.

US senators appeal to Meta, Google to ‘counter Russian disinformation’ in Armenian election The letters expressed appreciation for the actions the companies made ahead of Moldova’s 2025 election and asked for the efforts to be repeated.

A bipartisan group of US senators have written letters to Meta and Alphabet, Google’s parent company, asking the tech giants to work to ‘counter Russian disinformation’ in the runup to Armenia’s parliamentary elections.

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Georgia arrests two in Batumi for alleged links to Islamic State One of the suspects is a Georgian national, while the other was a foreigner from an undisclosed country.

Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG) has arrested two individuals — one Georgian national and a foreigner from an undisclosed country — in Batumi for having alleged links to the Islamic State.

Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan has said that the continued closure of the Armenia–Turkey land border has been influenced by Azerbaijan ‘through its lobbying and influence’ in Turkey.

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Today, EU foreign ministers approved the launch of a new a two-year mandate civilian mission in Armenia, tasked to help the country to counter 'hybrid threats, including foreign interference in electoral processes, cyberattacks, and illicit political financing', RFE/RL reported.

Locals in a border village in Russia’s west have accused soldiers from the Chechen Akhmat unit of looting several homes and threatening residents with weapons.

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How Ossetian Uatsdin became ‘the most successful’ pagan faith in the world Uatsdin has spread amidst a growing interest in pre-Christian religious traditions as an important part of ethnic identity in the North Caucasus.

How Ossetian Uatsdin became ‘the most successful’ pagan faith in the world

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Azerbaijan places travel ban on wife of jailed opposition politician Samira Gasimli was accused of defamation by the same person who got her husband sentenced.

Samira Gasimli, the wife of imprisoned Azerbaijani opposition politician Azar Gasimli has claimed to have been barred from leaving the country to participate in a conference in Europe.

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Activists report abduction of six Chechen residents The Chechen opposition movement NIYSO has stated that some of those abducted are elderly people.

Activists from the Chechen opposition movement NIYSO have reported the abduction of at least six residents of the republic, including elderly individuals.

oc-media.org/activists-re...

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has appeared to accuse his opponent, the detained Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan, of being a ‘foreign agent’.

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Georgian fans booing the Russian national anthem at the European Judi Championships, currently under way in Tbilisi.

A mass drone incursion raised questions over the authorities’ ability to defend Abkhazia — and in its willingness to warn its own people.

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Adam Kadyrov receives another commemorative medal The son of the Chechen Head has been awarded a commemorative medal marking the 20th anniversary of the Sever (‘North’) Regiment.

Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov’s 18-year-old son Adam Kadyrov has been awarded a commemorative medal in honour of the 20th anniversary of the special motorised Sever (‘North’) Regiment named after his grandfather, Akhmat Kadyrov.

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What’s behind the mass bird deaths along Azerbaijan’s Caspian shore? Multiple cases of mass bird deaths have been recorded along Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea coast, raising concerns of disease or toxic pollution.

What’s behind the mass bird deaths along Azerbaijan’s Caspian shore?

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Ukrainian drones over Abkhazia raise uncomfortable questions for authorities A mass drone incursion in March raised questions over the authorities’ ability to defend Abkhazia — and in its willingness to warn its own people.

A mass drone incursion in March raised questions over the authorities’ ability to defend Abkhazia — and in its willingness to warn its own people.

oc-media.org/ukrainian-dr...

Independent English language journalism in the North and South Caucasus is rare — and fragile. Your membership, starting at just $5/month or $50/year, helps protect our work and gives you access to our exclusive perks.

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The Trump Organisation has announced plans to construct Trump Tower Tbilisi, a 70-storey skyscraper in the Georgian capital. The organisation, owned by US President Donald Trump, said the project will be a joint venture along with four Georgian companies.

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How the Iran war is putting a dent in Georgia’s tourism industry Economic reports suggest that Georgia’s tourism industry might be faltering amidst regional conflict and instability.

Economic reports suggest that Georgia’s tourism industry might be faltering amidst regional conflict and instability.

oc-media.org/how-the-iran...

Review | In the Mountains. He — a comedic ode to the Caucasus mountains Balkar director Said Tolgurov’s second film works to ground the viewer through the breathtaking, mountain landscape of Kabarda–Balkaria.

🎬 OC Reviews: In the Mountains. He — Balkar director Said Tolgurov’s second film works to ground the viewer through the breathtaking, mountain landscape of Kabarda–Balkaria.

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Russia’s Zakharova says Georgia could be named ‘unfriendly country’ if it joins EU Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also warned EU accession would have economic consequences for Georgia.

Georgia’s accession to the EU could result in the country being added to the Kremlin’s list of ‘unfriendly countries’, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

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Russian MP’s visit to flood-stricken Daghestan backfires after clash with blogger A petition to remove the status of the MP has since been filed.

Russian MP Biysultan Khamzaev has sparked widespread anger after publicly rebuking a Russian blogger who donated ₽2 million ($22,000) to flood victims in Daghestan, with residents and social media users turning against the politician.

oc-media.org/russian-mps-...

Yerevan says release of Armenian prisoners key to ‘genuine reconciliation’ with Baku Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan also said uncovering information about the missing people over the decades of conflict is crucial.

Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan has said that the release of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan and clarification of the fate of missing people should be achieved in order to ‘achieve genuine reconciliation’.

oc-media.org/yerevan-says...

Georgia orders massive airspace closure over Ivanishvili residence, allegedly on his ‘whim’ The order closes approximately 2,000 square kilometres of airspace in Georgia's south.

A large no-fly zone established over a sizable area in Georgia’s south, allegedly for the Abastumani Observatory, was introduced on the ‘whim’ of ruling Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, a source told RFE/RL.

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Review | Salt for Svanetia — Kalatozishvili before Kalatozov Long before Mikheil Kalatozov became a master of Soviet cinema, he made a Georgian film the regime could not forgive.

🎬 OC Reviews: Long before Mikheil Kalatozov became a master of Soviet cinema, he made a Georgian film the regime could not forgive — Salt for Svanetia.

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Azerbaijan exports to Armenia reach $5.8 million as its Armenian imports barely hit $1,000 Information about the goods exported from Armenia to Azerbaijan worth $960 has not been disclosed.

In the first quarter of 2026, Azerbaijan exported products worth $5.8 million to Armenia, but imports from Armenia only amounted to $960.

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Imedi claims Czech activist planning revolution with Georgian opposition Imedi further claimed that Georgia’s Security Service (SSG) is ‘is already aware of planned unrest’.

The prominent Georgian pro-government media outlet Imedi has claimed that noted Czech activist Igor Blaževič is planning a ‘revolutionary scenario’ along with members of the Georgian opposition.

oc-media.org/imedi-claims-czech-activ...

Kadyrov has 33,000 troops under personal command, report says According to human rights defenders, the ‘Kadyrov army’ numbers around 33,000 people.

A report by Memorial has found that Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov directly commands upwards of 33,000 security and military personnel, a figure which has appeared to have doubled since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022.

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