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In Kazakhstan, a lawyer who defended a Chechen refugee has been banned from practicing law
Human rights
In Kazakhstan, a lawyer who defended a Chechen refugee has been banned from practicing law
16 January 2026

Murat Adam, a lawyer with the Almaty City Bar Association who defended Chechen refugee Mansur Movlaev, has been disbarred. He considers the decision politically motivated and intends to appeal it.

Armenia reaffirms friendship with Iran amid Tehran's concerns over the TRIPP project
Politics
Armenia reaffirms friendship with Iran amid Tehran's concerns over the TRIPP project
16 January 2026

Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan emphasized that the country does not plan to take action against Iran, calling it a friendly partner.

Pro-Russian billionaire returned to pretrial detention in Armenia
Politics
Pro-Russian billionaire returned to pretrial detention in Armenia
16 January 2026

The Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling and ordered the return of Russian businessman and billionaire Samvel Karapetyan from house arrest to a pretrial detention facility.

Residents of Dagestan receive harsher sentences for participating in riots at Makhachkala Airport
Human rights
Residents of Dagestan receive harsher sentences for participating in riots at Makhachkala Airport
16 January 2026

Two participants in the riots at Makhachkala Airport have received harsher sentences. The Georgievsky City Court in Stavropol Krai also found Anvarbek Atayev and Rabadan Radzhabov guilty of failing to comply with transport safety requirements.

The BBC will handle Georgian Dream's complaint in accordance with established procedures
Politics
The BBC will handle Georgian Dream's complaint in accordance with established procedures
16 January 2026

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced it had received a formal complaint from the Georgian Dream party and stated that it would handle it in accordance with its internal rules. The complaint concerns a story published on December 1 that discussed the Georgian authorities' possible role in using a chemical agent from World War I to disperse anti-government protests.

In Russia, a Georgian citizen was sentenced in absentia for participating in the war on the side of Ukraine
Society
In Russia, a Georgian citizen was sentenced in absentia for participating in the war on the side of Ukraine
16 January 2026

Georgian citizen Irakli Rurua was convicted in absentia by a Russian court for participating in combat operations on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This was reported by the Investigative Committee.

Solovyov removed from airwaves after calls for
Politics
Solovyov removed from airwaves after calls for "SVO" in Armenia and Central Asia
15 January 2026

Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov has been noticeably less active on air recently. His evening show on the Rossiya-1 channel is temporarily absent, and his morning broadcasts on Komsomolskaya Pravda radio are now hosted by others. The reasons for this disappearance are being actively discussed online.

The Politkovskaya-Soldin Prize for Journalistic Courage was awarded to an Azerbaijani investigative reporter currently behind bars
Human rights
The Politkovskaya-Soldin Prize for Journalistic Courage was awarded to an Azerbaijani investigative reporter currently behind bars
15 January 2026

On the evening of January 14, the Anna Politkovskaya-Armand Soldin Prize ceremony took place in Lille. The awards ceremony took place at the ESJ Lille School of Journalism, the oldest journalism school in France.

Armenian Prime Minister Responds to Iranian Criticism
Politics
Armenian Prime Minister Responds to Iranian Criticism
15 January 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded to the Iranian Ambassador's concerns about Yerevan's possible anti-Iranian bias. He stated that the Armenian government will take all necessary steps to address any concerns Tehran may have. Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia will consistently work to maintain friendly relations with Iran and allay any concerns.

Ramzan Kadyrov has denied rumors of health problems three times in recent days
Politics
Ramzan Kadyrov has denied rumors of health problems three times in recent days
15 January 2026

Over the past three days, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has denied reports of health problems three times. He called the circulated information "fake news" and stated that he does not require hospitalization or medical attention.