NIYSO member reports expulsion of his relatives from Chechnya

The Chechen authorities have expelled the parents, brothers, sisters and stepmother of one of the administrators of the opposition Telegram channel NIYSO, Said-Ali Abubakirov.

“The relatives were expelled from the republic – they were taken to Ingushetia, dropped off and told to go wherever they wanted. Now everyone – brothers, sisters, father, mother, stepmother – have left Chechnya,” Abubakirov said.

Earlier, NIYSO representatives said that after publishing a post about the display of Eskarhan Khumashev’s body on a square in Chechnya, security forces kidnapped six of their relatives. Now it has become known that they were taken to Ingushetia, and their property was seized.

On April 7, an attack on a traffic police post took place in the Chechen city of Achkhoy-Martan. 17-year-old Eskarhan Khumashev, armed with a knife, attacked police officers, injuring them. One of the security officers died in hospital. Khumashev was shot dead at the scene.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that the attacker's actions were directed from abroad, in particular, from Ukraine, and some of the organizers are in Turkey. He demanded that the attacker's family be expelled from Chechnya and their property confiscated. Information was also spread online that Khumashev's body was put on public display near the administration of the Achkhoy-Martan district. Local residents, including schoolchildren, were forced to come to the rally so that they could publicly condemn the attack. A video from the scene was published by the opposition Telegram channel NIYSO.

Последние новости
In Azerbaijan, an opposition figure lamented the economic downturn amid growth in neighboring countries
Politics
In Azerbaijan, an opposition figure lamented the economic downturn amid growth in neighboring countries
15 April 2026

Ali Karimli, Chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), offered a critical assessment of the current economic situation in Azerbaijan. Citing official data, he stated that in the first quarter of 2026, economic growth in Georgia was 8.4%, while in Armenia it was 7.4%. In contrast, Azerbaijan's economy showed negative dynamics, contracting by 0.3%.

Oligarch Karapetyan to renounce Russian citizenship to participate in Armenian elections
Politics
Oligarch Karapetyan to renounce Russian citizenship to participate in Armenian elections
15 April 2026

Samvel Karapetyan, Russian billionaire and leader of the opposition party "Strong Armenia," who is currently under house arrest in Yerevan, has initiated the process of renouncing his Russian and Cypriot citizenships. The goal of this step is to qualify for the June 7 parliamentary elections, for which Armenian law requires only Armenian citizenship.

The arrest of journalist Roldugin is linked to revelations about the enrichment of individuals close to Kadyrov
Politics
The arrest of journalist Roldugin is linked to revelations about the enrichment of individuals close to Kadyrov
15 April 2026

The Explainer Project suggests that the arrest of investigative journalist Oleg Roldugin of Novaya Gazeta may be linked to his investigation of assets acquired by individuals close to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov following the "nationalization" of the Russian divisions of the major French dairy producer Danone. The publication's source claims that investigators are attempting to formulate charges against the journalist without disclosing the names of individuals associated with Kadyrov, which explains the lack of official information about any charges against Roldugin.

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.