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The ECHR ordered the Azerbaijani authorities to pay compensation to an arrested human rights activist
Human rights
The ECHR ordered the Azerbaijani authorities to pay compensation to an arrested human rights activist
18 February 2026

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Azerbaijan to pay €4,000 to human rights activist Rufat Safarov, finding a violation of his right to a fair trial in 2016.

A resident of Ingushetia, previously tortured, was convicted of aiding terrorism
Human rights
A resident of Ingushetia, previously tortured, was convicted of aiding terrorism
18 February 2026

The Southern District Military Court sentenced Magomed Kottoyev, a resident of Ingushetia, to 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony. He was convicted of aiding members of a terrorist organization and an illegal armed group.

Ruben Vardanyan Sentenced to 20 Years in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Sentenced to 20 Years in Azerbaijan
17 February 2026

The former head of the Nagorno-Karabakh government, former Russian citizen, and billionaire Ruben Vardanyan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. The sentence was handed down by the Baku Military Court.

An activist from the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic is accused of financing terrorism for aiding Palestinian residents
Human rights
An activist from the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic is accused of financing terrorism for aiding Palestinian residents
17 February 2026

The Southern Federal Military Court has extended the pretrial detention of Rustem Aybazov, an activist from Karachay-Cherkessia and a father of five, for six months. He is accused of financing terrorism based on testimony from law enforcement and a secret witness.

For the first time, the state prosecutor disagreed with the verdict against Zarema Musayeva
Human rights
For the first time, the state prosecutor disagreed with the verdict against Zarema Musayeva
16 February 2026

The Supreme Court of Chechnya overturned the sentence of Zarema Musayeva, who was sentenced to four years in a penal colony on charges of disrupting the colony's operations. The decision was made following an appeal by lawyer Alexander Savin, according to the "Team Against Torture."

A Georgian citizen who fought for Ukraine was sentenced to life imprisonment
Human rights
A Georgian citizen who fought for Ukraine was sentenced to life imprisonment
14 February 2026

Georgian citizen Georgiy Chubetidze was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Russian court in Donetsk. He was captured in late 2023 while fighting on the Ukrainian side. Human rights activists have recognized him as a political prisoner.

Media reports indicate cases of Azerbaijani citizens being forcibly sent to the war in Ukraine
Human rights
Media reports indicate cases of Azerbaijani citizens being forcibly sent to the war in Ukraine
13 February 2026

Azerbaijani citizen Ramin Mamedov died during military operations in Ukraine while fighting on the Russian side. His body was returned to his homeland.

A Crimean Tatar has been arrested on charges of involvement with Hizb ut-Tahrir
Human rights
A Crimean Tatar has been arrested on charges of involvement with Hizb ut-Tahrir
13 February 2026

A Simferopol court has ordered the pretrial detention of 42-year-old Crimean Tatar Nariman Seytaliev. His arrest followed a search of his home in the village of Glubokiy Yar in the Bakhchisaray district. Seytaliev is charged with organizing the activities of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization banned in Russia.

Azerbaijan sees growing number of convictions of compatriots abroad
Human rights
Azerbaijan sees growing number of convictions of compatriots abroad
12 February 2026

Human Rights Watch reports an increase in cases of in absentia convictions in Azerbaijan. HRW Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia, Giorgi Gogia, stated that Baku is intensifying its campaign of "cross-border repression."

A Dagestani resident will be tried under the article on
Human rights
A Dagestani resident will be tried under the article on "confidential cooperation with foreigners."
11 February 2026

Mirzabeg Murtazaliev, a 24-year-old system administrator from the Dagestani village of Botlikh, is under investigation under a new article of the Russian Criminal Code on confidential cooperation with foreigners. His case has been referred to the Supreme Court of Dagestan.