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The Committee for the Protection of Journalists demanded the release of the Azerbaijani photographer.
Human rights
The Committee for the Protection of Journalists demanded the release of the Azerbaijani photographer.
Published: 16 February 2023

The Azerbaijani authorities should release the photojournalist Veli Shukurzade and ensure that fabricated charges are not brought against the press. This is stated in the statement of the International Committee for the Protection of Journalists.
In Dagestan, a policeman was released from custody, convicted of beatings and extortion.
Human rights
In Dagestan, a policeman was released from custody, convicted of beatings and extortion.
Published: 15 February 2023

The Khasavyurt City Court mitigated the measure of restraint and released policeman Shamil Aliyev from the detention center under house arrest. He and his partner had previously been found guilty of abuse of authority with violence and falsification of evidence, each being sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment.
An Ingush opposition blogger reported a police visit to his father.
Human rights
An Ingush opposition blogger reported a police visit to his father.
Published: 15 February 2023

A native of Ingushetia living in Ukraine, activist Ruslan Youloy reported on a visit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs CPE staff to his father in the village of Yandar, Nazran district. This, in his view, is due to opposition activities.
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was detained in Azerbaijan.
Human rights
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was detained in Azerbaijan.
Published: 15 February 2023

The Khatai District Court of Baku considered a petition to transfer public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev to house arrest. The defence based the request on the lack of investigative necessity to keep him in detention, as well as on his health due to the prolonged hunger strike. However, the court left the man in pre-trial detention.
Russia has lost the right to search abroad for Amina Gerikhanova.
Human rights
Russia has lost the right to search abroad for Amina Gerikhanova.
Published: 15 February 2023

Data on the Chechen refugee Amina Gerikhanova has been removed from the Schengen Information System (SIS) database. This means that women are not subject to requests for search and extradition from the Russian authorities.
A resident of Chechnya was sentenced to 6.5 years after being tortured into confessing to an NVF organization.
Human rights
A resident of Chechnya was sentenced to 6.5 years after being tortured into confessing to an NVF organization.
Published: 15 February 2023

On more than 10 occasions, Chechen investigative authorities refused to open a criminal case against police officers involved in the abduction and torture of 21-year-old labourer Hasan
The inhabitants of North Ossetia are being persecuted for «discrediting» the Russian army.
Human rights
The inhabitants of North Ossetia are being persecuted for «discrediting» the Russian army.
Published: 14 February 2023

The Industrial District Court of Vladikavkaz found the local resident Dmitry Boev guilty of «discrediting» the Russian military and fined him. The penalty is not known.
An Ingushetia native who had been tortured was taken out of the colony during a procuratorial inspection.
Human rights
An Ingushetia native who had been tortured was taken out of the colony during a procuratorial inspection.
Published: 14 February 2023

Abdul-Malik Albagachiev, a resident of Ingushetia, is being held in torture conditions in IK-10 Astrakhan. He suffers from epilepsy, which appeared after the torture, the background of «Public verdict» reported earlier. Recently, the man was taken to the hospital - ostensibly for examination. This happened during a procuratorial inspection of the colony.
Последние новости
An Azerbaijani opposition figure has been expelled from Georgia and banned from entering for three years
Human rights
An Azerbaijani opposition figure has been expelled from Georgia and banned from entering for three years
5 April 2026

Georgian authorities have fined and expelled Azerbaijani opposition journalist Afgan Sadigov, banning him from entering the country for three years. The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that Sadigov's detention was due to insulting a police officer on social media, taking into account 62 previous administrative violations.
In Russia, a Crimean Tatar battalion member was sentenced to 20 years
Human rights
In Russia, a Crimean Tatar battalion member was sentenced to 20 years
4 April 2026

A Russian court sentenced Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman Seyran Asanov to 20 years in prison for serving in the Noman Çelebidžihan Crimean Tatar Battalion. This unit was previously designated a terrorist organization in the Russian Federation, according to the independent human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial."
An Azerbaijani opposition figure accused the country's authorities of
Human rights
An Azerbaijani opposition figure accused the country's authorities of "vindictiveness"
3 April 2026

Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, commented on the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan's decision against Tofig Yagublu, calling it "an expression of hatred and vindictiveness." Karimli believes that the confirmation of the opposition figure's previously sentenced nine years in prison demonstrates that the country's authorities continue to act based on the principle of revenge. He also noted that historical experience demonstrates the ineffectiveness of regimes guided by such approaches.
In Dagestan, the alleged organizers of the Makhachkala airport pogrom have been sentenced
Human rights
In Dagestan, the alleged organizers of the Makhachkala airport pogrom have been sentenced
3 April 2026

The Supreme Court of Dagestan sentenced three people in absentia to lengthy prison terms (ranging from 15 to 19 years in a maximum-security prison) for organizing mass riots at Uytash Airport in Makhachkala in October 2023.