The administrator of the "Utro Dagestan" Telegram channel, wanted by Russian authorities, has been killed in Turkey

The body of Abakar Abakarov, the former co-founder of the Russian Congress of the Peoples of the Caucasus and the alleged owner of the "Utro Dagestan" Telegram channel, was found in a rented villa in Istanbul. Media reports indicate the cause of death was stab wounds, although this information has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Turkish newspaper Yenisafak reported that the body was found on October 7 by a cleaning lady in a rented villa in the Eyüpsultan district of Istanbul. According to the newspaper, Abakarov checked in on October 6 and received a guest the following day, who subsequently left with two bags. The deceased had no identification, but police have determined that he is a citizen of another country.

Abakarov has been wanted in Russia for an unknown offense since November 2023. Dagestani authorities suspect the Telegram channel "Utro Dagestan," attributed to Abakarov, of involvement in the unrest at Makhachkala Airport in October 2023. The protesters were protesting the arrival of a plane from Israel.

Последние новости
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
Society
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
16 October 2026

More than 3 billion rubles have been paid out to residents of Dagestan affected by spring floods. Fyodor Shchukin announced this on October 15 while speaking at a session of the republic’s People’s Assembly. On the same day, deputies elected him as the head of the region, following which he took the oath of office and assumed his duties.

Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
Human rights
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
16 October 2026

A Russian military appellate court has rejected the appeals of four Crimean Tatars—Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vokhid Mustafayev, and Enver Khalilyayev—who were convicted of involvement with the organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir.’ The sentences handed down by the Southern District Military Court on May 21, 2026, remain unchanged. According to the TASS news agency, citing court sources, the individuals—part of what is known as the "third Dzhankoy group"—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 14 to 15 years.

Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
Human rights
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
16 October 2026

Six people convicted in connection with the events of October 4, 2025, in Tbilisi have been set free following the conclusion of plea agreements with the prosecutor's office. This was reported on October 16 by the television channel TV Pirveli.

UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
Ecology
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
16 October 2026

On October 16, a Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity is taking place in Yerevan, organized as part of the preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). Participants are discussing how to accelerate the fulfillment of international commitments regarding biodiversity conservation and prompt more decisive action from governments.