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A human rights lawyer has been arrested in Azerbaijan
Human rights
A human rights lawyer has been arrested in Azerbaijan
11 December 2025

An Azerbaijani court has remanded lawyer and human rights activist Namizad Safarov in custody for four months on fraud charges. He is accused of embezzling 53,000 manats (approximately $31,000).

A South Ossetian activist complained about authorities' refusal to renew her passport
Human rights
A South Ossetian activist complained about authorities' refusal to renew her passport
11 December 2025

South Ossetian activist Tamara Mearakishvili has been unable to obtain a new passport for over a year. She claims the lack of a document prevents her from moving freely, even within the republic, or finding employment.

A journalist is being tried in absentia in Azerbaijan on charges of anti-state incitement
Human rights
A journalist is being tried in absentia in Azerbaijan on charges of anti-state incitement
10 December 2025

The trial of Ganimat Zahid, editor-in-chief of the Azadliq (Freedom) newspaper, who resides in France, has begun in Baku. The journalist denies the charges of anti-state incitement, viewing the criminal case as persecution for his professional activities.

An opposition activist was attacked in Armenia
Human rights
An opposition activist was attacked in Armenia
10 December 2025

Opposition activist and former Republican Party MP Mihran Hakobyan was attacked in Yerevan. Unknown masked assailants attacked him near a shopping center. Authorities have opened a criminal case for causing moderate bodily harm by a group of individuals motivated by hooliganism.

Russia and Azerbaijan are among the world's leading countries in the number of journalists arrested and convicted
Human rights
Russia and Azerbaijan are among the world's leading countries in the number of journalists arrested and convicted
10 December 2025

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a report covering the period from December 2024 to December 2025, providing data on the state of press freedom worldwide. Currently, 503 journalists are held in prison worldwide.

Crimean Tatar political prisoner denied medical care
Human rights
Crimean Tatar political prisoner denied medical care
9 December 2025

Crimean Tatar Edem Smailov, serving a 13-year sentence in Correctional Colony No. 1 in Kostroma, has been unable to receive adequate medical care for almost a year. Since his transfer to the colony in January 2025, his request for a dental consultation has remained unanswered.

The North Caucasus diaspora in Turkey has demanded an end to the criminal prosecution of a Circassian activist in Russia
Human rights
The North Caucasus diaspora in Turkey has demanded an end to the criminal prosecution of a Circassian activist in Russia
8 December 2025

Representatives of the North Caucasus diaspora in Turkey have protested the criminal prosecution of Larisa Tuptsokova, a Circassian activist from Adygea, and demanded that the republic's authorities cease pressuring her and her supporters.

Former Golos coordinator wanted by Russia released in Armenia
Human rights
Former Golos coordinator wanted by Russia released in Armenia
7 December 2025

Vladimir Zhilinsky, former coordinator of the Golos voters' rights movement, who was detained in Armenia, has been released. The arrest was related to the activist's status as a wanted activist in Russia.

In the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, an activist was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for criticizing the SVO
Human rights
In the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, an activist was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for criticizing the SVO
6 December 2025

In Karachay-Cherkessia, lawyer and activist Ramazan Mkhtse was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for spreading "fakes" about the Russian army.

The defense requested acquittal of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders
Human rights
The defense requested acquittal of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders
5 December 2025

Lawyers for the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are on trial in Azerbaijan on charges of serious crimes, have declared the cases groundless and politically motivated. They have demanded acquittals for their clients.