OC Media
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Open Caucasus Media — the Caucasus with depth. News, commentary, and multimedia from the North and South Caucasus.
Russian police have again detained Lena Patyaeva for holding a solo protest demanding an investigation into the alleged death of her friend, Chechen native Seda Suleymanova.
➡️ Read more: oc-media.org/russia-again...
➡️ Read more: oc-media.org/russia-again...
November 26, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Russian police have again detained Lena Patyaeva for holding a solo protest demanding an investigation into the alleged death of her friend, Chechen native Seda Suleymanova.
➡️ Read more: oc-media.org/russia-again...
➡️ Read more: oc-media.org/russia-again...
A Georgian court has sentenced the co-leader of the opposition Ahali party, Nika Melia, to one-and-a-half years in prison for throwing water towards a judge during a court session where he stood trial.
Georgian opposition leader Nika Melia sentenced to additional 1.5 years for throwing water at judge
Melia is already serving an eight-month sentence for failing to appear before an anti-opposition parliamentary commission.
oc-media.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A Georgian court has sentenced the co-leader of the opposition Ahali party, Nika Melia, to one-and-a-half years in prison for throwing water towards a judge during a court session where he stood trial.
The Georgian authorities have vowed to ban certain single-use plastic items, including plates and cups, starting from 2026. The government has already submitted the draft law to parliament and is requesting that it be fast-tracked.
🔗 Read more: oc-media.org/georgia-to-r...
🔗 Read more: oc-media.org/georgia-to-r...
November 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The Georgian authorities have vowed to ban certain single-use plastic items, including plates and cups, starting from 2026. The government has already submitted the draft law to parliament and is requesting that it be fast-tracked.
🔗 Read more: oc-media.org/georgia-to-r...
🔗 Read more: oc-media.org/georgia-to-r...
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined Azerbaijan €29,500 ($34,000) for violating the right to freedom of expression of the Azadlig newspaper, and imposing monetary sanctions on it.
oc-media.org/echr-fines-a...
oc-media.org/echr-fines-a...
ECHR fines Azerbaijan for 2013 crackdown on Azadlig newspaper
The court found Azerbaijan had violated the newspaper’s freedom of expression.
oc-media.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined Azerbaijan €29,500 ($34,000) for violating the right to freedom of expression of the Azadlig newspaper, and imposing monetary sanctions on it.
oc-media.org/echr-fines-a...
oc-media.org/echr-fines-a...
A military court in Nalchik has sentenced the head of the military police in Kabarda–Balkaria, to 11 years in prison after finding him guilty of falsifying ‘acts of valour’ and the combat wounds of soldiers in order to secure state awards for them.
oc-media.org/ex-major-fro...
oc-media.org/ex-major-fro...
Ex-major from Nalchik sentenced to 11 years in prison for unlawfully issuing state awards
Vladimir Puzenko was found guilty of ‘falsifying acts of valour’ to help soldiers secure state awards.
oc-media.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
A military court in Nalchik has sentenced the head of the military police in Kabarda–Balkaria, to 11 years in prison after finding him guilty of falsifying ‘acts of valour’ and the combat wounds of soldiers in order to secure state awards for them.
oc-media.org/ex-major-fro...
oc-media.org/ex-major-fro...
Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan says a constitutional referendum will be held after the 2026 parliamentary elections, arguing it is needed to create the ‘aerodynamics’ for long-term stability and clarify Armenia’s political direction for decades.
oc-media.org/pashinyan-sa...
oc-media.org/pashinyan-sa...
Pashinyan says Armenian constitutional referendum to take place after 2026 elections
The referendum encompasses a number of questions, some of them directly linked with Azerbaijan’s preconditions for a peace deal.
oc-media.org
November 26, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan says a constitutional referendum will be held after the 2026 parliamentary elections, arguing it is needed to create the ‘aerodynamics’ for long-term stability and clarify Armenia’s political direction for decades.
oc-media.org/pashinyan-sa...
oc-media.org/pashinyan-sa...
Adam Kadyrov, Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov’s third son, has turned 18. The young Kadyrov has for years appeared to have been groomed to succeed his father as head of Chechnya amidst rumours of Ramzan Kadyrov’s deteriorating health.
Adam Kadyrov turns 18
His father, Ramzan Kadyrov, is widely believed to have been grooming Adam to be his successor for years.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Adam Kadyrov, Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov’s third son, has turned 18. The young Kadyrov has for years appeared to have been groomed to succeed his father as head of Chechnya amidst rumours of Ramzan Kadyrov’s deteriorating health.
The Cypriot Criminal Court has sentenced Azerbaijani national Orkan Asadov to six and a half years in prison on charges of conspiracy. The prosecution had previously dropped additional terrorism-charges that alleged Asadov was targeting Israeli citizens.
Cypriot court sentences Azerbaijani national to 6.5 years in prison on conspiracy charges
The prosecution had previously dropped additional terrorism-charges that alleged Orkan Asadov was targeting Israeli citizens.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The Cypriot Criminal Court has sentenced Azerbaijani national Orkan Asadov to six and a half years in prison on charges of conspiracy. The prosecution had previously dropped additional terrorism-charges that alleged Asadov was targeting Israeli citizens.
Tbilisi City Court has terminated a case in which jailed media founder Mzia Amaghlobeli was seeking a retraction from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze over accusations he had made against her.
➡️ Read more: oc-media.org/georgian-jud...
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November 25, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Tbilisi City Court has terminated a case in which jailed media founder Mzia Amaghlobeli was seeking a retraction from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze over accusations he had made against her.
➡️ Read more: oc-media.org/georgian-jud...
➡️ Read more: oc-media.org/georgian-jud...
Georgian police have ramped up the number of detentions occurring during the ongoing daily anti-government protests in Tbilisi, which have shifted from static rallies to marches.
Georgian police ramp up detentions as protesters turn to marches and rubber chickens
Georgia’s daily anti-government movement is marking its first year against a backdrop of ongoing arrests.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Georgian police have ramped up the number of detentions occurring during the ongoing daily anti-government protests in Tbilisi, which have shifted from static rallies to marches.
A 72-year-old pensioner has been detained in the village of Psedakh in the Malgobek district of Ingushetia, and a case has been opened against him for participation in an armed group.
Ingush authorities detain pensioner on charges of participating in armed group
According to investigators, the 72-year-old pensioner allowed militants to live in his house.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A 72-year-old pensioner has been detained in the village of Psedakh in the Malgobek district of Ingushetia, and a case has been opened against him for participation in an armed group.
A senior judge from the Shovgenovsky District Court in Adygea, Adam Voitlev, is facing charges of fraud after being accused of receiving a bribe.
Adygea judge faces bribery charges
Russia’s Higher Qualification Collegium of Judges has authorised a criminal case be opened against Judge Adam Voitlev.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
A senior judge from the Shovgenovsky District Court in Adygea, Adam Voitlev, is facing charges of fraud after being accused of receiving a bribe.
Armenia will not take part in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation summit scheduled for 27 November in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a Kremlin aide has said, signalling another setback in Yerevan’s strained relationship with the Russia-led security bloc.
Armenia to skip upcoming CSTO summit in Bishkek
The country has been boycotting most CSTO meetings for years as tensions between Yerevan and Moscow deepened.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Armenia will not take part in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation summit scheduled for 27 November in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a Kremlin aide has said, signalling another setback in Yerevan’s strained relationship with the Russia-led security bloc.
Over 1,500 firefighters and a military helicopter have been deployed to combat a major wildfire in Armenia’s northeastern Tavush Province, officials said Monday, as the blaze continued to spread across dry hillsides for a fourth day.
Military helicopter joins 1,500 personnel to fight Armenian wildfires
The fire, which has been raging for its fourth day, is located in one of Armenia’s densest forests.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Over 1,500 firefighters and a military helicopter have been deployed to combat a major wildfire in Armenia’s northeastern Tavush Province, officials said Monday, as the blaze continued to spread across dry hillsides for a fourth day.
Georgia’s theatres have been at the forefront of anti-government demonstrations — yet their strike still failed.
oc-media.org/a-look-back-...
oc-media.org/a-look-back-...
A look back on Georgia’s 100-day theatre strike
Georgia’s theatres have been at the forefront of anti-government demonstrations — yet their strike still failed.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Georgia’s theatres have been at the forefront of anti-government demonstrations — yet their strike still failed.
oc-media.org/a-look-back-...
oc-media.org/a-look-back-...
Kazakhstan has expressed interest in joining the US-administered Trump Route, a planned transit project connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhichevan and Turkey via Armenian territory.
oc-media.org/kazakhstan-e...
oc-media.org/kazakhstan-e...
Kazakhstan expresses interest in Trump Route
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the corridor would boost trade between Armenia and Kazakhstan.
oc-media.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Kazakhstan has expressed interest in joining the US-administered Trump Route, a planned transit project connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhichevan and Turkey via Armenian territory.
oc-media.org/kazakhstan-e...
oc-media.org/kazakhstan-e...
The Georgian pro-government TV channel, Imedi, has accused leading online media covering the country, including OC Media, of operating as a ‘network’ for ‘foreign security services’, suggesting the Georgian SSG was investigating their activities.
OC Media among 22 outlets targeted by Georgian pro-government TV ‘exposé’
The report, filled with numerous accusations, aired on the channel’s main analytical programme.
oc-media.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The Georgian pro-government TV channel, Imedi, has accused leading online media covering the country, including OC Media, of operating as a ‘network’ for ‘foreign security services’, suggesting the Georgian SSG was investigating their activities.
A Daghestani court has recognised former MP Magomed Gadzhiev and several members of his family as an ‘extremist association’, ordering the confiscation of property the family owns with a total value of about ₽2 billion ($25 million).
Court recognises former Daghestani MP and his family as an ‘extremist association’
This decision is based on accusations that former MP Magomed Gadzhiev and his family supported the Ukrainian army.
oc-media.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A Daghestani court has recognised former MP Magomed Gadzhiev and several members of his family as an ‘extremist association’, ordering the confiscation of property the family owns with a total value of about ₽2 billion ($25 million).
A London court has unanimously dismissed Credit Suisse’s appeal against Georgian Dream founder and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili in the Bermuda case, only accepting corrections to the start date for the assessment of damages.
British court rules in favour of Ivanishvili in Credit Suisse case
It was the third and final decision in the so-called Bermuda case.
oc-media.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
A London court has unanimously dismissed Credit Suisse’s appeal against Georgian Dream founder and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili in the Bermuda case, only accepting corrections to the start date for the assessment of damages.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has signed an agreement with Kabarda–Balkaria’s Education Ministry to launch specialised cadet classes in 10 schools in the republic. Graduates of the classes will be expected to work in Russia’s security services.
Russian Investigative Committee to give law enforcement classes in Kabarda–Balkaria schools
Graduates of the special cadet classes will be expected to work in the security services.
oc-media.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Russia’s Investigative Committee has signed an agreement with Kabarda–Balkaria’s Education Ministry to launch specialised cadet classes in 10 schools in the republic. Graduates of the classes will be expected to work in Russia’s security services.
Daghestani police have detained the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Molodyozh Daghestana, Magomed Magomedov, on charges of large-scale fraud allegedly committed during his tenure as general director of state-run news agency RIA Daghestan.
Daghestani editor-in-chief detained on charges of large-scale fraud
Magomed Magomedov was accused of defrauding state news agency RIA Daghestan.
oc-media.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Daghestani police have detained the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Molodyozh Daghestana, Magomed Magomedov, on charges of large-scale fraud allegedly committed during his tenure as general director of state-run news agency RIA Daghestan.
Azerbaijan’s presidential website has briefly published, then quietly removed, a detailed regulation outlining how the State Security Service would collect and access personal data on citizens and residents through a new centralised system.
Azerbaijan deletes plan for detailed surveillance system minutes after publication
The plan outlined how the State Security Service would collect and access personal data.
oc-media.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Azerbaijan’s presidential website has briefly published, then quietly removed, a detailed regulation outlining how the State Security Service would collect and access personal data on citizens and residents through a new centralised system.
Four men aged between 18 and 28 have died after being electrocuted while on shift at a Baku hotel. The manager of the hotel has been detained as part of the investigation into their deaths.
Four hotel staff die after being electrocuted in Azerbaijan
One person was detained on charges of labour violations and negligence.
oc-media.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Four men aged between 18 and 28 have died after being electrocuted while on shift at a Baku hotel. The manager of the hotel has been detained as part of the investigation into their deaths.
📚 OC REVIEWS: Lasha Bugadze’s 2009 novel critiquing the art of literature, particularly the ‘Georgian author’, falls flat in its obsession with sex and sexism.
oc-media.org/review-the-l...
oc-media.org/review-the-l...
Review | The Literature Express — misogyny dressed up as literary satire
Lasha Bugadze’s 2009 novel critiquing the art of literature, particularly the ‘Georgian author’, falls flat in its obsession with sex and sexism.
oc-media.org
November 22, 2025 at 7:48 AM
📚 OC REVIEWS: Lasha Bugadze’s 2009 novel critiquing the art of literature, particularly the ‘Georgian author’, falls flat in its obsession with sex and sexism.
oc-media.org/review-the-l...
oc-media.org/review-the-l...
Sonic geographies: How NOPA Festival turned Yerevan’s buildings into living soundscapes
oc-media.org/sonic-geogra...
oc-media.org/sonic-geogra...
Sonic geographies: How NOPA Festival turned Yerevan’s buildings into living soundscapes
More then 30 artists from Armenia and around the world collaborated to turn some of Yerevan’s spaces into a whole new sonic experience.
oc-media.org
November 22, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Sonic geographies: How NOPA Festival turned Yerevan’s buildings into living soundscapes
oc-media.org/sonic-geogra...
oc-media.org/sonic-geogra...