Last news today
Human rights activists recognize Georgian citizens who fought for Ukraine as political prisoners
Human rights
Human rights activists recognize Georgian citizens who fought for Ukraine as political prisoners
21 March 2025

Georgian citizens Mamuka Gatsrelia, Georgy Chubetidze, and Georgy Goglizde, persecuted by Russia for serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, have been recognized as political prisoners. This statement was made by the independent human rights project "Memorial".

Lawyer claims fabrication of criminal cases against residents of the KBR
Human rights
Lawyer claims fabrication of criminal cases against residents of the KBR
21 March 2025

According to lawyer Ramzan Uzuyev, the defendants in two criminal cases under investigation in Kabardino-Balkaria became victims of security forces. We are talking about Salikh Osmanov and Kazbek Emkuzhev. The defense attorney claimed that the cases were fabricated in order to improve reporting.

A Circassian activist living outside of Russia has been put on the wanted list
Human rights
A Circassian activist living outside of Russia has been put on the wanted list
20 March 2025

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has put a native of Kabardino-Balkaria, Circassian activist Martin Kochesokov on the wanted list. He was previously recognized as a "foreign agent".

Alleged member of Basayev's unit gets long prison term
Human rights
Alleged member of Basayev's unit gets long prison term
20 March 2025

The Southern District Military Court sentenced Alexander Umantsev to 19 years and 6 months in prison. He was found guilty of attacking the Novolaksky District of Dagestan during the second Russian-Chechen war.

The court considered the claim of a Crimean Tatar against the Federal Penitentiary Service
Human rights
The court considered the claim of a Crimean Tatar against the Federal Penitentiary Service
20 March 2025

A court in Khakassia considered the claim of citizen journalist Remzi Bekirov against the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The Crimean Tatar complained that during the transfer from the Yeniseisk prison to IK-33 in Abakan, the guards violated both his rights and the rights of other prisoners. The plaintiff has not yet received a response.

In North Ossetia, the ombudsman asked to check the legality of the refusal to initiate a case on torture in the police
Human rights
In North Ossetia, the ombudsman asked to check the legality of the refusal to initiate a case on torture in the police
19 March 2025

The ombudsman of North Ossetia Tamerlan Tsgoev called for a review of the refusal to initiate a criminal case against the Ministry of Internal Affairs officers accused of torture. He sent an appeal to the acting prosecutor of the republic and the head of the regional Investigative Committee with a demand to review the decision on the case of Batraz Gogaev.

Azerbaijan extends arrest of human rights activist
Human rights
Azerbaijan extends arrest of human rights activist
18 March 2025

A Baku court has extended the arrest of human rights activist Rufat Safarov for a month. He was detained on December 3, 2024.

Crimea is among the most repressive regions: the largest number of criminal cases were opened against Crimean Tatars
Human rights
Crimea is among the most repressive regions: the largest number of criminal cases were opened against Crimean Tatars
18 March 2025

Since Crimea joined the Russian Federation, 349 people have been involved in politically motivated criminal cases. Such data is presented in the OVD-Info report dedicated to repressions on the peninsula. This is the highest figure after Moscow.

In Chechnya, a man died after being tortured by police
Human rights
In Chechnya, a man died after being tortured by police
18 March 2025

Aslan Dombaev, a resident of Urus-Martan, was kidnapped by police officers. He was then tortured, as a result of which he fell into a coma and died. This was reported by the Chechen opposition movement NIYSO.

Crimean Tatar taken from prison to hospital due to fainting spells and heart problems
Human rights
Crimean Tatar taken from prison to hospital due to fainting spells and heart problems
18 March 2025

59-year-old Ruslan Mesutov, sentenced to 18 years, was transferred from IK-1 in Yakutsk to the hospital. According to his relatives, after the transfer, the man was kept in solitary confinement almost continuously.