Riot police deployed to Svaneti in ‘illegal logging’ crackdown
Local residents claim the authorities are trying to thwart their resistance to hydropower plant construction in the area.
Protests over forced resettlement in Makhachkala
Some have accused the authorities of using a federal resettlement programme as a ‘land grab’ to acquire valuable land in the city centre.
Ivanishvili: two banks have ‘eaten up’ Georgia
In an interview with the GPB, the Georgian Dream leader discussed falling out with the former PM, the Khorava Street murders, and the next president.
Georgian street children are ‘used as shields’ in crimes
According to a study by UNICEF, there are places in Georgia known for criminal activities that involve children, but untouched by authorities.
Trial begins of Chechen rights activist Oyub Titiyev
The head of Memorial in Chechnya has been in custody since January on drugs charges.
New Adjara head faces conservative backlash after approving Batumi mosque
Ultra-conservative groups called the new Chair of Adjara’s government a ‘traitor’, after he promised to authorise a new mosque in Batumi.
North Caucasian women appeal to Putin over families imprisoned in Iraq
Around 50 women appealed for the authorities to do more to return the families of Russian-born IS fighters from detention in Iraq, including children.
Azerbaijan celebrates National Press Day
As the country commemorated the founding of its first newspaper activists highlighted Azerbaijan’s poor record in media freedom.
Chechen government announces ‘10,000 new jobs’
But local residents cast doubts over the republic’s official employment statistics.
Georgia may increase citizenship requirements
A bill before Georgia’s parliament could increase the residency requirement from 5 to 10 years to be eligible for citizenship.