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Yagublu continues his hunger strike in an Azerbaijani prison despite health problems
Human rights
Yagublu continues his hunger strike in an Azerbaijani prison despite health problems
2 March 2026

Imprisoned Azerbaijani opposition activist Tofig Yagublu refuses to end his hunger strike, despite persistent entreaties from his family and his deteriorating health. According to his daughter, Nigar Hazi, Yagublu is on his eighth day of hunger strike in a solitary confinement cell in Baku's Pretrial Detention Center No. 1.

Two Crimean Tatars have been arrested in connection with the Hizb ut-Tahrir case
Human rights
Two Crimean Tatars have been arrested in connection with the Hizb ut-Tahrir case
2 March 2026

Yunus Suleimanov, a 40-year-old cook from Bakhchisaray, who was detained on February 12, has been remanded in custody in Simferopol's Pretrial Detention Center No. 2. According to Crimean Solidarity, he is accused of participating in the activities of the Hizb ut-Tahrir party, which is designated a terrorist organization in Russia.

A memorial plaque to Anna Politkovskaya has been reinstalled in Moscow after another act of vandalism
Human rights
A memorial plaque to Anna Politkovskaya has been reinstalled in Moscow after another act of vandalism
2 March 2026

A new memorial plaque has been installed on the building where Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya lived and was murdered. This follows more than twenty previous instances of the plaque being destroyed by unknown assailants. Activists intend to continue their work until it is permanently preserved.

Kazakhstan will not grant asylum to Mansur Movlaev, who is wanted by Russia
Human rights
Kazakhstan will not grant asylum to Mansur Movlaev, who is wanted by Russia
27 February 2026

A Kazakh court in Akmola Oblast has rejected Chechen activist Mansur Movlaev's claim challenging his asylum denial. The court found that the denial of refugee status does not lead to extradition to Russia, and his lawyers failed to provide convincing evidence of a threat to Movlaev's life in his home country.

Crimean Tatar political prisoner transferred to Omsk penal colony for two months
Human rights
Crimean Tatar political prisoner transferred to Omsk penal colony for two months
27 February 2026

57-year-old Crimean political prisoner Yashar Muedinov was transferred to Omsk Penal Colony No. 9, although his return to a penal colony in the Arkhangelsk region was previously planned. The reasons for this transfer are not specified.

A memorial plaque has been reinstalled on Anna Politkovskaya's house
Human rights
A memorial plaque has been reinstalled on Anna Politkovskaya's house
27 February 2026

A memorial plaque has been reinstalled on the house where journalist Anna Politkovskaya died, installed by activists who also brought flowers. This is the 24th attempt to restore the memorial on Lesnaya Street, which is constantly torn down.

Azerbaijani opposition activist goes on hunger strike after being placed in solitary confinement
Human rights
Azerbaijani opposition activist goes on hunger strike after being placed in solitary confinement
26 February 2026

Azerbaijani opposition activist and politician Tofig Yagublu, sentenced to nine years, has gone on a hunger strike to protest his placement in solitary confinement. His daughter believes this is the authorities' retaliation for a protest her brother, Rahim, held outside the hotel where Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was staying in Washington.

Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
Human rights
Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
25 February 2026

Deputies have introduced a bill in the State Duma banning the wearing of niqabs and any other clothing that covers the face. Examples cited include the ban on wearing such clothing in Central Asian countries.

Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
25 February 2026

Billionaire and former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced in Baku to 20 years in prison, rejected the legal force of the ruling and dropped his appeal. His family explained that this decision stemmed from the fact that, in their view, the trial was a "staged performance" rather than a proper trial: the hearings were held behind closed doors, without access to independent observers, and the prosecution's motions were ignored. The full text of the verdict was also not released.

Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
Human rights
Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
25 February 2026

A group of imprisoned activists and journalists from Baku's Penal Colony No. 2 has appealed to the President of the European Commission. They demand the implementation of European Parliament resolutions calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners.