A deputy from Tatarstan who criticized Kadyrov apologized for the “emotional statement”, and the video with him was deleted

Deputy of the State Council of Tatarstan Azat Khamaev apologized “for his emotional statement” about the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov.

“Speaking at a meeting of the State Council of the Republic, I expressed a purely personal opinion, which was not supported by my colleagues. I apologize for words that could harm relations between fraternal peoples,” Khamaev said.

The apology followed a statement by the head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, that the deputy’s words had nothing to do with the position of the republic’s Muslims. In addition, the State Council of Tatarstan deleted the recording of the 48th session from all accounts. It was there that, during the discussion of the bill on patriotic education, Azat Khamaev raised the topic of the beating of Nikita Zhuravel, accused of burning the Koran, by Kadyrov’s son Adam. “The first question I asked myself: what legal field do we live in? The head of a subject of the Russian Federation awards the title of hero to his son for beating a man. Further, developing his idea, he says that he is the hero of all Muslims,” Khamaev addressed his colleagues.

Последние новости
Georgia has passed a bill banning protests
Politics
Georgia has passed a bill banning protests "in places where people are moving" without notifying the police
10 December 2025

The Georgian Parliament has expeditiously passed a bill in its third and final reading requiring organizers of protests in "places where people gather or where vehicles are moving" (including on sidewalks) to notify the police. The responsible person must contact the Patrol Service Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (located at the location of the demonstration) in writing no later than five days before the rally.
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.