News

On International Day of Political Prisoners, the Council of Europe and the OSCE highlighted the cases of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia, calling for their release and targeted sanctions against human rights violators.

Russia's Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar called on leading Muslim figures to distance themselves from the anti-Semitic statements made by Chechen Mufti Salakh Mezhiyev, who called Jews "enemies of Allah." Following the rabbi's statement, the Chechen News Agency removed this portion of Mezhiyev's speech from its publication.

FSB officers in the Stavropol Krai detained a suspected member of a terrorist organization in Kislovodsk. The detainee admitted to conducting "reconnaissance" at the local police station.

For the second time in 24 hours, the Volgograd airport stopped accepting and dispatching flights due to a threat to flight safety.

A court in Chechnya has ruled to ban the Chechen opposition movement NIYSO throughout Russia, deeming it extremist.

For the 337th day in a row, supporters of Georgia's European integration blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue, demanding the release of political prisoners and new parliamentary elections. At least four activists were detained after the road reopened.

Fuel oil emissions were detected near the village of Volna and on the Bugayskaya Spit; Anapa's beaches were not affected.

Memorial events in Vladikavkaz and the Prigorodny district took place on the 33rd anniversary of the start of the Ossetian-Ingush conflict.

The hearing to review the administrative protocol against Yulia Melnichenko, who was detained during a solitary picket outside the North Ossetian prosecutor's office, did not take place; she was released home.

The State Security Service conducted a special operation at the editorial offices of the Hurriyet newspaper, the website Hurriyyet.az, and Hurriyyet TV. Editor-in-chief Vugar Mammadov was detained.

In Azerbaijan, during the trial of political scientist Azer Gasimli, the prosecutor pressured a witness, demanding he reveal his testimony during the investigation. The defense protested the prosecutor's actions. Gasimli's wife reported that the witnesses were confused in their testimony and contradicted their own statements.

In Azerbaijan, during the trial of political scientist Azer Gasimli, the prosecutor pressured a witness, demanding he reveal his testimony during the investigation. The defense protested the prosecutor's actions. Gasimli's wife reported that the witnesses were confused in their testimony and contradicted their own statements.

A military court in Nalchik sentenced Marat Zagazezhev to five years in prison, finding him guilty of prolonged absence from his unit.

At a rally in Kabardinka, those gathered remembered the victims of Stalin's repressions. During the Great Terror, NKVD officers arrested 13,500 Greeks, 11,000 of whom were executed, according to historian Ivan Dzhukha.

A prisoner in the Rostov region is suspected of preparing a terrorist attack and taking hostages at a prison facility; he was previously convicted of terrorism-related charges.

The police filed a report against Yulia Melnichenko for violating the decree of the head of North Ossetia on the procedure for holding public events, although the decree does not apply to solo pickets. Melnichenko was taken to court.

The rally in support of political prisoners took place against the backdrop of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly plenary session in Yerevan. Participants expressed hope that MEPs would intervene in the situation.

Mozdok resident Yulia Melnichenko held a picket outside the North Ossetian prosecutor's office demanding an end to the repression against her family. Security forces took her to the police station.

The Dagestani parliament has terminated the mandate of Magomed Magomedov, the son of the republic's former Secretary of State, Magomed-Sultan Magomedov. The reason for the revocation was a violation of the anti-corruption law.

Chechen authorities are failing to investigate Aishat Baimuradova's death and have used her murder to intimidate potential Chechen fugitives and discredit human rights activists. Human rights activists believe the actions of Mansur Soltayev, who has become the face of this campaign, are aimed at deflecting responsibility from the Chechen authorities.