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Georgian Dream Toughens Penalties for Violations at Rallies; Lawyers Warn of Risks to Democracy
Human rights
Georgian Dream Toughens Penalties for Violations at Rallies; Lawyers Warn of Risks to Democracy
14 October 2025

Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, has prepared a package of amendments to the Administrative and Criminal Codes that will toughen penalties for illegal actions committed during assemblies and demonstrations. This was announced by the party's parliamentary leader, Irakli Kirtskhalia.

Zurabishvili welcomed Armenia's decision to release a Georgian soldier who fought for the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Human rights
Zurabishvili welcomed Armenia's decision to release a Georgian soldier who fought for the Ukrainian Armed Forces
13 October 2025

Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, commented on the release in Yerevan of Georgi Kinoyan, who was detained while crossing the Georgian-Armenian border.

The number of detainees involved in the storming of the presidential palace in Georgia has reached 46, with them being taken into custody one by one
Human rights
The number of detainees involved in the storming of the presidential palace in Georgia has reached 46, with them being taken into custody one by one
11 October 2025

The number of people detained in Georgia in connection with the violence during the protest that took place in Tbilisi on the evening of October 4 is rapidly growing. Forty-six detainees are charged with attempted seizure of a strategic and special-importance facility by a group of individuals and participation in group violence. The relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia carry penalties of up to six years in prison.

A Crimean Tatar political prisoner is regularly placed in solitary confinement
Human rights
A Crimean Tatar political prisoner is regularly placed in solitary confinement
11 October 2025

Emil Ziyadinov, convicted in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case, was placed in solitary confinement (SHIZO) shortly after his arrival at Penal Colony No. 5 in the Arkhangelsk Region in September 2024. Following surgery in the hospital in April of this year and his return to the colony in May, he was again subjected to this punishment. The reasons for these measures remain unknown to the prisoner.

A participant in the Makhachkala airport riots was sentenced to seven years in prison
Human rights
A participant in the Makhachkala airport riots was sentenced to seven years in prison
10 October 2025

Bakhtiyar Radzhabov was sentenced to seven years in prison by a court in the Stavropol Territory for participating in an anti-Israeli pogrom at the Makhachkala airport. He was found guilty of participating in mass riots and violating transport security regulations.

Russia is seeking the extradition of an anti-war activist from Armenia
Human rights
Russia is seeking the extradition of an anti-war activist from Armenia
9 October 2025

Twenty-nine-year-old Russian artist and anti-war activist Lilia Manyukhina has been held in custody in Armenia for over a month. She was detained on August 30 in Yerevan at the request of Russian authorities. She is currently in a pretrial detention center, awaiting a decision by the migration service on her application for political asylum.

Armenian authorities have refused to extradite a soldier who fought for Ukraine to Russia
Human rights
Armenian authorities have refused to extradite a soldier who fought for Ukraine to Russia
9 October 2025

Georgian citizen Georgiy Kinoyan, previously detained while crossing the Armenian border, has been released from custody. Russian authorities had sought his extradition.

The EU Special Representative expressed support for persecuted Azerbaijani journalists
Human rights
The EU Special Representative expressed support for persecuted Azerbaijani journalists
8 October 2025

The European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Kaisa Ollongren, expressed concern about the severe restrictions on media freedom in Azerbaijan. During a meeting with Azerbaijani journalists abroad, she learned that independent journalism is virtually impossible within the country.

In Russia, an Armenian citizen was sentenced to 12 years for participating in the war on the side of Ukraine
Human rights
In Russia, an Armenian citizen was sentenced to 12 years for participating in the war on the side of Ukraine
8 October 2025

A Russian court sentenced Armenian citizen Armen Balyan to 12 years in a maximum-security penal colony.

Azerbaijan counts 392 political prisoners
Human rights
Azerbaijan counts 392 political prisoners
8 October 2025

The human rights organization "Freedom for Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" reported the presence of 392 political prisoners in the country. The published report states that among them are 31 journalists and bloggers, 7 human rights defenders, 39 socio-political activists, 5 representatives of national minorities, 2 opponents of the war, 5 deported political émigrés, 249 believers, and 12 people with life sentences.