Jehovah’s Witness on trial for ‘extremism’ in Kabardino-Balkaria
Yury Zalipayev faces up to five years in prison for ‘inciting religious hatred’ and ‘calling to extremist activity’ if convicted.
Georgians divided over football captain’s #EqualGame award
While some supported Guram Kashia’s freedom of speech or support for queer rights, far-right groups vowed a rally outside Georgia’s next match.
Chechen blogger publicly challenges Kadyrov’s right hand
A recording of a phone call between Chechnya’s parliamentary chair and an exiled dissident blogger led to speculations over the former’s ambitions.
Angela Merkel concludes visits to Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
Merkel faced questions about Georgia’s Western ambitions, human rights in Azerbaijan, and suggested Georgians may soon be able to work in Germany.
Case opened against Karachay-Cherkessia revenue service head for ₽2.2 billion fraud
Khazret Nirov is suspect of ‘abuse of official powers’ which cost the state budget ₽2.2 billion ($34 million).
Circassian scholars call for creation of single alphabet
At a conference in Nalchik, scholars called for a resolution to the long-running issue.
Georgia takes Russia to ECHR over ‘rights violations on occupied territories’
South Ossetian officials dismissed the move as ‘an absurd propaganda action’.
Georgian footballer receives UEFA award for support of queer rights
Guram Kashia has faced both praise and backlash for his ‘courageous public stand for equality’.
New corruption charges against former Makhachkala mayor
Musa Musayev is charged with giving away five plots of land at a cost of ₽48 million ($700,000) in public money.
‘Five dead’ in coordinated attacks on police in Chechnya
One police officer was killed along with four attackers, according to official sources, the youngest of who was 11.