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The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.

An Abkhazian resident was convicted for publishing texts about Shamil Basayev
Human rights
An Abkhazian resident was convicted for publishing texts about Shamil Basayev
18 March 2026

The Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don sentenced Timur Agrba, a resident of Abkhazia, to five and a half years in a general regime penal colony. He was accused of justifying terrorism for his Telegram channel posts, which, according to investigators, glorified Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev.

Georgia's former ombudsman considered his summons to the State Security Service (SSS) to be persecution and refused to appear
Human rights
Georgia's former ombudsman considered his summons to the State Security Service (SSS) to be persecution and refused to appear
17 March 2026

Georgia's former Public Defender, Ucha Nanuashvili, has been summoned to the country's State Security Service (SSS). One of the country's most senior human rights defenders, he now heads the NGO Democracy Research Institute (DRI).

Vardanyan's family claims he was prevented from contacting the ombudsman
Human rights
Vardanyan's family claims he was prevented from contacting the ombudsman
16 March 2026

Relatives of convicted former Karabakh state minister, former Russian citizen, and billionaire Ruben Vardanyan reported that he was prevented from completing his appeal to Azerbaijan's Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva. During a telephone conversation with his family on March 13, the call was forcibly terminated, preventing him from delivering his public message.

Repressive laws force Georgian human rights activists into crisis mode
Human rights
Repressive laws force Georgian human rights activists into crisis mode
15 March 2026

The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), one of the country's oldest human rights organizations, has announced it is entering a crisis mode. From now on, it will provide legal assistance only in strategic litigation.

Crimean Tatar women's pretrial detention extended in Hizb ut-Tahrir case
Human rights
Crimean Tatar women's pretrial detention extended in Hizb ut-Tahrir case
14 March 2026

The pretrial detention of four participants in the "Bakhchisaray women's group" case—Fevziya Osmanova, Elviza Aliyeva, Nasiba Saidova, and Esma Nimetulayeva—has been extended until June 14. This decision was made by the Kyiv District Court of Crimea.

Ten Muslim prisoners have declared a hunger strike in a Yekaterinburg pretrial detention center.
Human rights
Ten Muslim prisoners have declared a hunger strike in a Yekaterinburg pretrial detention center.
13 March 2026

Ten Muslim prisoners have declared a hunger strike in Yekaterinburg's Pretrial Detention Center No. 5. The protest stems from the fact that political prisoner Ilkin Melikov was sent to solitary confinement on March 12.

Georgian citizens top Russia's list of those convicted in absentia for participating in the war on Ukraine's side
Human rights
Georgian citizens top Russia's list of those convicted in absentia for participating in the war on Ukraine's side
12 March 2026

Since 2024, Russian courts have handed down at least 180 in absentia sentences to foreign volunteers who fought for Ukraine. Georgian citizens lead the way (58), followed by representatives of the United States (22) and the United Kingdom (12).

A court rejected a Crimean Tatar political prisoner's request to be transferred to a penal colony closer to home
Human rights
A court rejected a Crimean Tatar political prisoner's request to be transferred to a penal colony closer to home
12 March 2026

The Supreme Court of Crimea dismissed the appeal of human rights activist Riza Izetov. He had sought to challenge the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service's refusal to transfer him to a penal colony located near Crimea.

In Stavropol, the family of a man killed by a police officer has been awarded compensation
Human rights
In Stavropol, the family of a man killed by a police officer has been awarded compensation
11 March 2026

The family of Khalit Mustafayev, who died as a result of a police officer's shooting in 2020, has been awarded 3.8 million rubles in moral damages. This decision was made by the Predgorny District Court of Stavropol Krai, according to the "Team Against Torture."