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Open Caucasus Media — the Caucasus with depth. News, commentary, and multimedia from the North and South Caucasus.
Mihran Hakobyan, an opposition activist and former MP from the former ruling Republican Party, was attacked early afternoon on Monday by masked people adjacent to a shopping centre in Yerevan.
Masked assailants attack government critic in Armenia
Mihran Hakobyan’s lawyer Ruben Melikyan has linked the attack to Hakobyan’s political stance.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Mihran Hakobyan, an opposition activist and former MP from the former ruling Republican Party, was attacked early afternoon on Monday by masked people adjacent to a shopping centre in Yerevan.
Zviad ‘Khareba’ Kharazishvili, the former head of Georgia’s Special Tasks Department who oversaw the brutal dispersals of anti-government protesters in Tbilisi, has reportedly funded the construction of a church.
Former Georgian riot police head who oversaw brutal crackdowns ‘funds church construction’
Zviad Kharazishvili, also known as ‘Khareba’, has become a synonym for police brutality for many.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Zviad ‘Khareba’ Kharazishvili, the former head of Georgia’s Special Tasks Department who oversaw the brutal dispersals of anti-government protesters in Tbilisi, has reportedly funded the construction of a church.
Journalists have established that Chechen woman Aishat Baymuradova, who was killed in Armenia in mid-October, was a relative of Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov. Preliminary reports also suggest that she may have been poisoned.
Chechen woman killed in Armenia reportedly related to Kadyrov
Journalists discovered that Aishat Baymuradova, who was found dead in mid-October in Yerevan, could have been poisoned.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Journalists have established that Chechen woman Aishat Baymuradova, who was killed in Armenia in mid-October, was a relative of Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov. Preliminary reports also suggest that she may have been poisoned.
Zaur Ismailov, a native of Daghestan’s capital Makhachkala and an amateur MMA fighter, has been remanded to pre-trial detention for two months in connection with a case of desecrating a monument to veterans of the Emergency Situations Ministry.
Daghestani MMA fighter arrested in Moscow for ‘desecrating a monument’
According to investigators, Zaur Ismailov used the monument for training purposes.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Zaur Ismailov, a native of Daghestan’s capital Makhachkala and an amateur MMA fighter, has been remanded to pre-trial detention for two months in connection with a case of desecrating a monument to veterans of the Emergency Situations Ministry.
Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has sought to further tighten protest-related legislation with another draft law which would require protesters to ‘notify’ the state in advance if a demonstration is held in areas designated for ‘people’s movement’.
Georgia further tightens protest rules, targets pavement rallies
The draft law would require ‘prior notification’ even when a protest does not block vehicle traffic.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has sought to further tighten protest-related legislation with another draft law which would require protesters to ‘notify’ the state in advance if a demonstration is held in areas designated for ‘people’s movement’.
The Armenian Economy Ministry has confirmed it held discussions with Georgia on the possible transit of Azerbaijani fuel through Georgian territory.
Historic first: Armenia to receive Azerbaijani fuel via Georgia
Armenia previously received Russian and Kazakh wheat through Azerbaijan and Georgia via rail.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The Armenian Economy Ministry has confirmed it held discussions with Georgia on the possible transit of Azerbaijani fuel through Georgian territory.
🎬 OC Reviews | The Real Beings — a slow-paced tragedy set amidst Georgia’s bewitching wetlands
Review | The Real Beings — a slow-paced tragedy set amidst Georgia’s bewitching wetlands
Georgian director Vakhtang Jajanidze’s first feature film explores selfishness, alienation, and loveless relationships within two families.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:18 AM
🎬 OC Reviews | The Real Beings — a slow-paced tragedy set amidst Georgia’s bewitching wetlands
🎬 OC Reviews | Parallel Movements — uncovering Paris through the lens of health-driven Georgian migrants
Review | Parallel Movements — uncovering Paris through the lens of health-driven Georgian migrants
Shorena Tevzadze’s short documentary follows four different protagonists to weave a larger story of Georgian migrants seeking healthcare in France.
oc-media.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
🎬 OC Reviews | Parallel Movements — uncovering Paris through the lens of health-driven Georgian migrants
The Azerbaijan–Georgia Media Forum was held in Baku, bringing together pro-government figures from both countries. Georgian and Azerbaijani individuals pledged further cooperation between the two countries, criticised the spread of so-called fake news.
Baku hosts Azerbaijan–Georgia Media Forum, bringing pro-government figures from both countries
No representatives of independent media outlets from either country participated in the forum.
oc-media.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The Azerbaijan–Georgia Media Forum was held in Baku, bringing together pro-government figures from both countries. Georgian and Azerbaijani individuals pledged further cooperation between the two countries, criticised the spread of so-called fake news.
A resident of Ingushetia, Mansur Tochiev, has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison in a Crocus City Hall case.
Information was published on Friday in the Telegram channel Rozysk Ingushetia, which is linked to the security services.
Information was published on Friday in the Telegram channel Rozysk Ingushetia, which is linked to the security services.
Ingushetia resident sentenced to three years and two months in prison in Crocus City Hall case
Mansur Tochiev was accused of unlawful possession of an explosive device.
oc-media.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:43 PM
A resident of Ingushetia, Mansur Tochiev, has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison in a Crocus City Hall case.
Information was published on Friday in the Telegram channel Rozysk Ingushetia, which is linked to the security services.
Information was published on Friday in the Telegram channel Rozysk Ingushetia, which is linked to the security services.
The Baku Court of Appeal has denied the appeal against the chair of the opposition PFP chair Ali Karimli’s pre-trial detention period. According to the PFP, police briefly detained more than 20 members of the party during the court hearing.
More than 20 members of Azerbaijani opposition party Popular Front detained during leader’s court hearing
Raids were also conducted at the homes of his brother-in-law Elnur Seyidov and party member and journalist Tazakhan Miralamli.
oc-media.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The Baku Court of Appeal has denied the appeal against the chair of the opposition PFP chair Ali Karimli’s pre-trial detention period. According to the PFP, police briefly detained more than 20 members of the party during the court hearing.
Chechen Ramzan Kadyrov has officially commented on the drone strike that hit the high-rise complex in Grozny, promising to exact ‘cruel revenge’ for the attack while insulting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
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December 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Chechen Ramzan Kadyrov has officially commented on the drone strike that hit the high-rise complex in Grozny, promising to exact ‘cruel revenge’ for the attack while insulting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
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Armenian PM Pashinyan suggested that the choirs in all Armenian Apostolic churches perform the national anthem prior to Sunday morning services. The proposal comes amidst increasing tensions between the government and the Church.
Pashinyan proposes playing national anthem before liturgies in Armenian churches
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also suggested adding Armenian flags at the entrance or inside church buildings.
oc-media.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Armenian PM Pashinyan suggested that the choirs in all Armenian Apostolic churches perform the national anthem prior to Sunday morning services. The proposal comes amidst increasing tensions between the government and the Church.
An Abkhazian–Turkish activist from Turkey’s Federation of Caucasian Associations (KAFFED), Elçin Adzinba, has said she was the victim of a cyberattack after receiving threats from people who identified themselves as the ‘Georgian mafia’.
Abkhaz activist says she was harassed by ‘Georgian mafia’ ahead of UN forum
Elçin Adzinba has additionally said that she became the victim of a cyberattack after delivering her remarks.
oc-media.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM
An Abkhazian–Turkish activist from Turkey’s Federation of Caucasian Associations (KAFFED), Elçin Adzinba, has said she was the victim of a cyberattack after receiving threats from people who identified themselves as the ‘Georgian mafia’.
Russia’s Supreme Court has upheld the 14-year sentence of 20-year-old Nikita Zhuravel, confirming the legality of the investigation and trial and leaving the verdict unchanged.
Supreme Court upholds sentence of Nikita Zhuravel, the detainee beaten by Adam Kadyrov
Nikita Zhuravel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for burning a Quran and for ‘state treason’.
oc-media.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Russia’s Supreme Court has upheld the 14-year sentence of 20-year-old Nikita Zhuravel, confirming the legality of the investigation and trial and leaving the verdict unchanged.
Amidst the escalating rift between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government, Armenian authorities have arrested a fourth high-ranking clergyman — Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan.
Armenia arrests fourth high-ranking clergy member
Archbishop Khachatryan is accused of arranging the placement of drugs on a demonstrator at a 2018 protest against Catholicos Karekin II.
oc-media.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Amidst the escalating rift between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government, Armenian authorities have arrested a fourth high-ranking clergyman — Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan.
The opposition party For Georgia is calling for the creation of a parliamentary investigative commission to examine the legality of the ‘special means’ used by police during the 2024 dispersal of protests in Tbilisi following BBC investigation.
oc-media.org/georgian-ex-...
oc-media.org/georgian-ex-...
Georgian Ex-PM Gakharia’s party calls for parliamentary inquiry into protest dispersals after BBC report
For Georgia stated that it will raise the issue of establishing a parliamentary investigative commission at the next Bureau meeting.
oc-media.org
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The opposition party For Georgia is calling for the creation of a parliamentary investigative commission to examine the legality of the ‘special means’ used by police during the 2024 dispersal of protests in Tbilisi following BBC investigation.
oc-media.org/georgian-ex-...
oc-media.org/georgian-ex-...
A skyscraper in the Grozny-City complex, which includes several residential buildings and houses Chechnya’s Security Council, has come under what were presumably Ukrainian drone strikes.
oc-media.org/drone-strike...
oc-media.org/drone-strike...
Drone strikes high-rise in Grozny
A number of ministries and agencies are located in this building.
oc-media.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:29 AM
A skyscraper in the Grozny-City complex, which includes several residential buildings and houses Chechnya’s Security Council, has come under what were presumably Ukrainian drone strikes.
oc-media.org/drone-strike...
oc-media.org/drone-strike...
US Senate Majority Leader John Thune has twice blocked the MEGOBARI Act from advancing in the Senate despite bipartisan support, The Hill has reported.
oc-media.org/republican-s...
oc-media.org/republican-s...
Republican Senate leader Thune blocks MEGOBARI Act
Senate Majority Leader John Thune turned down a personal request to advance the bill from his Republican colleague, House Speaker Mike Johnson.
oc-media.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:04 AM
US Senate Majority Leader John Thune has twice blocked the MEGOBARI Act from advancing in the Senate despite bipartisan support, The Hill has reported.
oc-media.org/republican-s...
oc-media.org/republican-s...
Foreign students will no longer be accepted at Georgia’s state universities starting next academic year, leaving private universities as their only option to study in the country.
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🔗 Read more: oc-media.org/georgia-to-s...
December 4, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Foreign students will no longer be accepted at Georgia’s state universities starting next academic year, leaving private universities as their only option to study in the country.
🔗 Read more: oc-media.org/georgia-to-s...
🔗 Read more: oc-media.org/georgia-to-s...
The Ganja Court of Grave Crimes has sentenced Ismail Hasanov, 51, to three years and six months in prison after finding him guilty of participating in the activities of an armed group.
Azerbaijani member of Wagner Group sentenced to 3.5 years in prison
Ismail Hasanov spent six months fighting for the Wagner Group in Ukraine after being recruited from a Russian prison in 2022.
oc-media.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The Ganja Court of Grave Crimes has sentenced Ismail Hasanov, 51, to three years and six months in prison after finding him guilty of participating in the activities of an armed group.
Police in Saint Petersburg have threatened to open an extremism case against Lena Patyaeva, the friend of missing Chechen woman Seda Suleymanova. Officers claim that Patyaeva’s poster, which she recently protested with, could contain ‘signs of extremism’.
Police threaten extremism charges against friend of Seda Suleymanova
Lena Patyaeva is currently serving a 10-day sentence for an alleged violation of the rules on holding a picket.
oc-media.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Police in Saint Petersburg have threatened to open an extremism case against Lena Patyaeva, the friend of missing Chechen woman Seda Suleymanova. Officers claim that Patyaeva’s poster, which she recently protested with, could contain ‘signs of extremism’.
The Southern Military District Court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Daghestani blogger Arslan Mirzaev, who also writes under the pseudonym Ali Charinsky, to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of publicly justifying terrorism.
Daghestani blogger sentenced to eight years in prison over posts on Bucha and Mariupol
Blogger Arslan Mirzaev was found guilty of spreading false information about Russia’s Armed Forces as well as publicly justifying terrorism.
oc-media.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The Southern Military District Court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Daghestani blogger Arslan Mirzaev, who also writes under the pseudonym Ali Charinsky, to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of publicly justifying terrorism.
Turkey is considering reopening the land border with Armenia 'in the next six months', Bloomberg has reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Despite agreements between the two countries in 2022, Turkey has kept the border closed.
Bloomberg: Turkey considering opening border with Armenia in ‘next six months’
Despite prior agreements dating back to 2022, Turkey has kept its land border with Armenia closed.
oc-media.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Turkey is considering reopening the land border with Armenia 'in the next six months', Bloomberg has reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Despite agreements between the two countries in 2022, Turkey has kept the border closed.