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Vardanyan asks the Armenian Ombudsman to visit Armenian prisoners in Baku
Human rights
Vardanyan asks the Armenian Ombudsman to visit Armenian prisoners in Baku
21 April 2026

Billionaire Ruben Vardanyan, a former minister in the government of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and former Russian citizen who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Azerbaijan, has appealed to the Armenian Ombudsman, Anahit Manasyan, through his family. While in a Baku prison, Vardanyan reported his recent meeting with the Azerbaijani Ombudsman, Sabina Aliyeva.

An Ingush schoolgirl was criticized for her hijab at the Moscow Olympics
Human rights
An Ingush schoolgirl was criticized for her hijab at the Moscow Olympics
20 April 2026

Fatima Mamatova, an Ingush ninth-grade student at Karabulak Gymnasium No. 1, faced unethical and racist remarks from a jury member at the International Aviation History Olympiad in Moscow because of her hijab. Serbian pilot and journalist Radmila Tonkovich, calling Fatima's headdress a "national costume," questioned its appropriateness for the event.

New Case Against Seriously Ill Tofik Abdulgaziyev: Release Review to Begin anew
Human rights
New Case Against Seriously Ill Tofik Abdulgaziyev: Release Review to Begin anew
18 April 2026

A new criminal case has been opened against Crimean Tatar activist Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from a number of serious illnesses, including a malignant brain tumor and tuberculosis, under the article on contempt of court (Part 2 of Article 297 of the Russian Criminal Code). This was reported by Crimean Solidarity, citing a comment from lawyer Emil Kurbedinov.

A native of Chechnya faces deportation to Russia
Human rights
A native of Chechnya faces deportation to Russia
17 April 2026

A native of Chechnya, Beslan (last name withheld), has been detained in Lithuania. According to media reports, he faces deportation to Russia. The arrest occurred when he applied to the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs to renew his residence permit.

Simonyan: 19 Armenians Must Be Released for Genuine Reconciliation with Azerbaijan
Politics
Simonyan: 19 Armenians Must Be Released for Genuine Reconciliation with Azerbaijan
17 April 2026

At the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Alen Simonyan called the strengthening of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the context of the Washington Accords a "historic step." He emphasized that this process paves the way for trust, cooperation, and development, noting that Armenia remains committed to deepening dialogue and turning peace into real regional opportunities.

Sapa's editor-in-chief remanded in pretrial detention for bribery of police officer
Human rights
Sapa's editor-in-chief remanded in pretrial detention for bribery of police officer
16 April 2026

Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky District Court has remanded Sapa Media editor-in-chief Alina Dzhikayeva to pretrial detention for two months. She will remain in pretrial detention until June 16. The court's decision followed the investigators' motion for a custodial measure, while the defense insisted on house arrest.

The editor-in-chief of Sapa Media denied bribery charges
Human rights
The editor-in-chief of Sapa Media denied bribery charges
16 April 2026

Alina Dzhikayeva, the editor-in-chief of the Vladikavkaz-based media outlet Sapa Media, has been charged with bribery. During questioning, she denied her guilt.

Searches at Sapa's Vladikavkaz Editorial Office: Editor-in-Chief Detained, Staff Detained by Security Forces
Human rights
Searches at Sapa's Vladikavkaz Editorial Office: Editor-in-Chief Detained, Staff Detained by Security Forces
15 April 2026

On Tuesday morning, searches were conducted at the offices of the regional publication Sapa in Vladikavkaz. According to the media outlet's website, unknown individuals in civilian clothes raided the office. After reporting the raid, the editorial staff disappeared.

In Dagestan, supporters of a nonexistent
Human rights
In Dagestan, supporters of a nonexistent "extremist" organization have been convicted
14 April 2026

A court in Dagestan has sentenced three residents of the republic for participating in the At-Takfir Wal-Hijra organization, which is banned and designated as "extremist" in Russia. The final sentences range from 2.5 years probation to six years in prison.

A Novaya Gazeta journalist has been charged with accessing information through
Human rights
A Novaya Gazeta journalist has been charged with accessing information through "intelligence bots"
14 April 2026

Novaya Gazeta journalist Oleg Roldugin has been charged under Part 3 of Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code (illegal access to computer information as part of a group), the newspaper reports.