Fourteen men convicted in ‘secret terror trial’ in Chechnya
Relatives said they were promised the men would receive lighter sentences if they did not contact rights groups or the media.
Ingush Mufti unexplainedly absent from North Caucasus Muftiate conference
Muftiates of all North Caucasus republics attended except Ingushetia whose Mufti has been in public conflict with the authorities since 2015.
Cannabis production bill on hold in Georgia after Church protests
The head of the Church, Patriarch Ilia II, spoke out against producing cannabis in Georgia, warning it would spread drug addiction in the country.
Armenian news site raided by police in wiretapping case
The search of Yerevan.Today’s offices was connected to recordings of phone conversations between two top security chiefs which leaked online last week.
Top-level sackings at education ministry as Georgia unveils reforms
The education minister vowed to introduce a new model of national exams after firing the long-serving head of the National Exams Centre.
Cancelled rap concert sparks freedom of speech debate in Daghestan
The cancellation of a concert by a Russian rapper in Daghestan and a spat with a local MMA star sparked a debate on freedom of speech and religion.
Daghestani minister questioned over unspent money for Afghan-war veterans
Daghestan’s acting Prime Minister Artyom Zdunov questioned where funds had gone after veterans protested in August over the lack of promised housing.
Armenian security service pressured judge according to wiretapped phone calls
The head of the National Security Service claimed to have ordered a judge to detain former president Robert Kocharyan.
Daghestani village demands end to water extraction in ‘unique forest’
The National Guard were sent to the village of Samur in southern Daghestan as local residents demanded an end to drilling in the Samur Forest.
Georgia may export cannabis
New plans announced by the Interior Ministry would allow licensed entities to produce and export cannabis.