Vanuatu reconfirms recognition of Abkhazia's independence June 18, 2011 20:00 The Republic of Vanuatu confirms its decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia, said Alfred Carlot, the Foreign Minister of Vanuatu.
Armenia: 455 persons released under amnesty June 18, 2011 19:30 The Criminal-Executive Service of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia announced the release of prisoners under amnesty declared in connection with the 20th anniversary of independence proclamation, and reduction of punishment terms. 455 prisoners have been already released and 54 prisoners face reduced punishment terms.
Budanov's retinue to be questioned on his murder June 18, 2011 19:00 Close friends and acquaintances of Yuri Budanov, an ex-Colonel of the Russian Army Colonel, will be questioned in the investigation of his murder, said a source from law enforcement bodies.
Dagestan: a woman injured in police car shelling June 18, 2011 18:00 On June 17 a car was shelled in the village of Bayramaul of Khasavyurt District. A woman was injured and a policeman perished.
Georgia: changes to the Tax Code adopted June 18, 2011 17:00 On June 17 the Parliament of Georgia in the first reading adopted amendments to the Tax Code of the country. According to these amendments, together with the current taxation system for owners of private hotels a fixed tax is introduced, and now the owners will be able to choose a payment system by themselves.
Azerbaijan: Russia to pay more for the Gabala Radar Station June 18, 2011 16:00 Russia and Azerbaijan conduct negotiations about renewing the conditions of the lease agreement for the Gabala Radar Station, said Grigory Karasin, the Secretary of State, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation.
NAC claims to prevent a series of terror acts in Dagestan June 18, 2011 15:00 As a result of special operation in Dagestan during one day several terror acts were prevented, reported the Information Centre of the National Antiterrorism Committee of Russia (NAC).
Frog Zoich: unofficial mascot of the Olympic Games in Sochi June 18, 2011 14:00 The Organizing Committee of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games has registered intellectual property rights to the informal mascot of the Olympics, frog Zoich.
Opposition party leader Panakhly sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment in Azerbaijan June 17, 2011 23:00 Today, the Nasimin District Court of Baku, chaired by Judge Elman Akhmedov, has completed the trial of Neimat Panakhly, the leader of the Party of National Statehood of Azerbaijan. He was found guilty under two articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan and sentenced to six years in prison.
In Abkhazia, party in power not to nominate its candidate at early presidential election June 17, 2011 22:00 The country's ruling party "Edinaya Abkhazia" (United Abkhazia) said that at the upcoming early presidential election in August "it would not put forward its own candidate for the president," but would support the candidate who will adhere in his programme to the principles used by Sergey Bagapsh, the deceased party leader and president, in his work. This is stated in the release of the presidium of the political council of the party disseminated today.
Dmitry Novikov restored in his judge status June 17, 2011 21:00 On June 17, Dmitry Novikov, earlier accused of fraud and kept in custody for about a year, has been restored in the status of a judge at a sitting of the Disciplinary Judicial Bench in Moscow.
Nagorno-Karabakh tries murder case of four soldiers June 17, 2011 19:00 Starting from June 16, a trial is on in Nagorno-Karabakh on the murder case of four soldiers who perished at one of the positions of the Defence Army of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in November 2010. The next court session is scheduled for June 29.
Dagestan hosts rallies demanding to open Gimry-Chirkata Tunnel June 17, 2011 18:00 Today, several villages of Dagestan held rallies in support of the demand to open unimpeded automobile traffic through the above tunnel. The hunger strike in support of the demand was stopped, since it is planned that from July 21 the tunnel will operate for 10 hours a day.
Wife of defendant in Nalchik attack case states her husband's poor custody conditions June 17, 2011 17:00 Elena Akhkubekova, wife of Azamat Akhkubekov, a defendant in the criminal case on the events of October 13, 2005, in Kabardino-Balkaria, told rights defenders about bad custody conditions in SIZO-1 of Nalchik.
Isaeva: Dagestani power agents resort to extrajudicial executions, when unable to prove detainees' guilt June 17, 2011 16:00 This year, as compared with last one, Dagestan sees fewer kidnappings but more extrajudicial executions, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Gulnara Rustamova, co-chair of the Dagestani human rights organization "Pravozaschita" (Rights Advocacy).
Kokoity asks people of South Ossetia to refrain from actions in his support June 17, 2011 15:00 After the incident in the parliament of South Ossetia, where initiators of actions in support of extension of the presidential term tried to put pressure on local MPs, Eduard Kokoity made a statement, in which he urged people of South Ossetia to refrain from actions in his support.
Zemo Alvani village in Georgia protests against dismantling Stalin's bust June 17, 2011 14:00 The bust of Joseph Stalin was demolished in the village of Zemo Alvani, Akhmet District (Eastern Georgia) because of the start of rehabilitation works in the park. However, even the temporary removal of the monument caused protests.
Krasnodar court finds killing stray dogs in place unlawful June 17, 2011 13:00 The Pervomaisky District Court of Krasnodar has ruled to recognize the activities of the Limited Liability Company (LLC) "Bastille" of killing stray dogs to be illegal. The LLC specialists engaged in sanitary clearing activities were killing animals in the city and in the eyes of residents.
Journalists accused of kindling hatred in their article on deportation of Caucasian nations go on hunger strike in Chita IVS June 16, 2011 23:00 Journalists from Buryatia Tatiana Stetsura and Nadezhda Nizovkina, accused of inciting hatred to law enforcers in their article about deportation of Caucasian nations, were detained for participating in an unsanctioned rally. While at the IVS (temporary detention facility) of the city of Chita, the women went on hunger strike.
Azerbaijani Court starts considering Jabbar Savalan's appeal June 16, 2011 22:00 Today, the Sumgait Court of Appeal, chaired by Judge Lyatifa Mamedova, held a preparatory session on the case of Jabbar Savalan, a young activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA).