In the Russian Federation, security forces have shut down a network of fraudulent call centers linked to the former Georgian Defense Minister
The FSB has detained members of an international network of fraudulent call centers in different cities in Russia. Their daily income was $1 million. The scammers swindled about 100 thousand people from more than 50 countries. According to the agency, the network worked in the interests of the former Georgian Defense Minister David Kezerashvili.
 
The call centers were headed by Israeli and Ukrainian citizen Ya. D. Keselman (he was detained), as well as Israeli and Georgian citizen D. Todva (wanted). According to security forces, in 2022, “on instructions from the SBU,” they distributed anonymous messages about impending terrorist attacks in Russian cities.
 
David Kezerashvili left Georgia in 2012, after the change of power in the country. The Georgian Dream government charged him in absentia with five criminal cases (he has already been acquitted of four of them) and put him on the wanted list. He later became a co-owner of the opposition TV channel Formula.
 
Recently, the police conducted searches in Kezerashvili's apartment in Tbilisi. Earlier, the ECHR, following a lawsuit by the Georgian authorities, confirmed that the official had embezzled $5 million intended for the Georgian army during his tenure, and he was not subject to any political persecution.
Последние новости
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
Society
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
18 March 2026

Former Federation Council member Rauf Arashukov from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony in Orenburg, expressed a desire to be transferred to a prison colony in Mordovia. The reason for this transfer is the fact that his father, Raul Arashukov, is also serving a life sentence there for stealing gas and organizing two murders.

The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.

Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Society
Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
18 March 2026

Eid al-Fitr, one of the key Islamic holidays that concludes Ramadan, will begin on the night of March 19-20. Most republics of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared the holiday non-working.

Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
Politics
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
18 March 2026

A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran, Jeyhun Bayramov and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bayramov insisted that Tehran fulfill its promise to investigate the drone attacks launched from its territory on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.