The Caucasus Digest

On 3 August, a fatal mudslide hit Shovi, a resort in the northwest of Georgia. At least 21 people were confirmed to have been killed as a result of the mudslide. This week on the Caucasus Digest, OC Media journalist and co-director Mariam Nikuradze talks about the mudslide and its aftermath. Aleko Sardanashvili, an activist and winemaker from Racha, talks about the impact of the disaster on the region, while Lasha Sukhishvili, a professor at Ilia State University and the deputy head of of the Institute of Earth Sciences, talks about what needs to be done to avoid such tragedies in the future. Read more: Death toll continues to rise in mudslide in Georgia's Racha Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

On 23 July, Azerbaijani police detained Gubad Ibadoghlu, a prominent critic of the Azerbaijani Government and chair of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party. Ibadoghlu was detained while visiting Azerbaijan from his home in London, and was charged with making, acquiring, or selling counterfeit money. On this week's episode, we spoke to Ibadoghlu's daughter, Jala Bayramova, a human rights lawyer and activist, about her father's current condition and efforts being made to secure his release. Rachel Denber, Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia division's deputy director, talks about the significance of his detention and the importance of international pressure in securing his release. Read more: Azerbaijani opposition party chair detained for 'collusion with a terrorist organisation' Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Last week, a group of North Caucasian immigrants in Tbilisi gathered at the Centre for Contemporary Art to celebrate their culture and discuss the experience of North Caucasians in Georgia. On this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, we are joined by the organisers of the event: the founders of Ored Recordings, Bulat Khalilov and Timur Kodzoko, and Zemfira Gogui, a human rights consultant from Karachay-Cherkessia. Khalilov and Kodzoko broke down the cultural significance of the event and talked about efforts aimed at decolonising the politics of the North Caucasus, while Gogui talked about the stereotypes North Caucasians are subjected to in Russia and the challenges they face in Georgia. Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Nagorno-Karabakh has been under various degrees of blockade for over seven months now as Azerbaijan continues to prevent the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh from leaving or entering the region. Russian peacekeepers stationed there have been barred from accessing the region since mid-June, while the International Committee of the Red Cross was blocked from accessing Nagorno-Karabakh after being accused of smuggling in phones, cigarettes, and fuel. This week, Marut Vanyan, a journalist based in Stepanakert, talks about the dire humanitarian situation and the sense of isolation felt in Nagorno-Karabakh, while Armenian multimedia journalist Arpi Bekaryan talks about the growing apathy towards the crisis in Armenia. Read more: Backlash in Armenia as EU backs Nagorno-Karabakh aid via Azerbaijan Thousands rally in Stepanakert against blockade Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

This week, Tbilisi is celebrating Pride Week. But unlike most Prides, this one is being held behind closed doors. The fight for the right to be queer in public in Georgia is not new. This week, we spoke to Natia Ghvianishvili, one of a handful of activists who gathered on 17 May 2013 only to be attacked by thousands of people led by priests. We spoke to Mariam Kvaratskhelia, co-founder and co-director of Tbilisi Pride, about their activism. And OC Media's Mariam Nikuradze spoke about the changing face of Georgia's anti-queer movement. Read more: Georgian Dream ramps up homophobic rhetoric as Pride Week approaches 16–18 May 2013: the days of human tragedies Why the far right is trying to infiltrate a miners' strike in Georgia Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

The village of Soyudlu in western Azerbaijan was locked down by the police in late June after its residents protested environmental damage caused by a goldmine. The police's response to the protests provoked outrage in Azerbaijan, with many activists criticising for being disproportionate. This week, we spoke to Roya Malikzada a lawyer at Ecobill, an Azerbaijani environmental group that has been providing legal aid to people in Soyudlu, Elmaddin Shamilzadeh, a journalist who was detained for his coverage of the protests, and Bahruz Samadov, a political scientist and PhD candidate at Charles University in Prague, about the protests, the police's response, and the repercussions the incident might have on Azerbaijan. Read more: Azerbaijani activists and journalist detained over mine protests Azerbaijani police lock down village after environmental protests Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

OC Media staff writer Ani Avetisyan and Daniel Ioannisyan, the programmes director of the Union of Informed Citizens, talk about the latest cases of police brutality and violence in Armenia and the progress made to reform the police since the 2018 revolution. Read more: Backlash after Pashinyan appoints 'childhood friend' as Armenia's Interior Minister 'An attack on the clubbing community': popular Yerevan club raided by police Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

'Thousands' of miners employed by Georgian Manganese in the mining town of Chiatura went on strike to protest working conditions in the mines. The miners demanded better pay, paid holiday and sick leaves, and the full resumption of production of mines after it had been put on hold for months. On this week's episode, Robin Fabbro speaks to Mariam Nikuradze about the situation on the ground, and to the Social Justice Center's Salome Shubladze about the legal challenges faced by the striking miners. Read more: 'Thousands' of miners go on strike in Chiatura Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Last week, seven protesters were detained outside the Georgian Parliament for holding signs and posters the police deemed 'offensive'. Three of those detained are being charged with petty hooliganism and disobeying police, as civil society groups questioned the legality of their detention and warned of a worrying deterioration of the state of democracy in Georgia. This week on the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Mariam Nikuradze talks about the protest and how the authorities in Georgia detained activists and journalists in previous protests this year, while Guram Imnadze of the Social Justice Centre discusses the legality of the detentions and charges. Read more: Georgian activist on trial after holding blank sheet of paper at protest Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently been engaged in a series of frequent meetings between the country's leaders and foreign ministers in an attempt to reach a peace agreement. Despite hopes that the two countries would sign new agreements in at least one of Moscow on 26 June or Chisinau on 1 June, neither meeting broke new ground. This week in the Caucasus Digest, we spoke to Bahruz Samadov, a PhD candidate at Charles University in Prague, and Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst and head of the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security, about the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace talks. Read more: Aliyev offers 'amnesty' to Stepanakert authorities if they dissolve government and parliament No new agreements after Pashinyan and Aliyev argue in Moscow

Elizaveta Chukahrova, an independent journalist from the North Caucasus, phones in to talk about the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the North Caucasus and how Russian authorities attempt to hide the number of dead. Read more: Coffins from Ukraine in the North Caucasus OC Media editor Yousef Bardouka talks about the commemoration of the Circassian Genocide in Nalchik and the state of Circassian activism in the diaspora. Read more: Activists commemorate Circassian Genocide in Nalchik despite event ban Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

As Turkey holds a runoff presidential election after Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to gather 50% of the vote, many inside and outside of Turkey are left wondering what the future might hold for them. This week on the Caucasus Digest, we spoke to Ahmad Alili, director of the Caucasus Policy Analysis Center, and Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center to shed light how the outcome of the elections might affect Azerbaijan and Armenia respectively. Read more: What an opposition win in Turkey could mean for the Caucasus Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Azerbaijan has ranked 151st on this year's World Press Freedom Index — the 29th worst in the world. On this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media speaks to Arzu Geybulla, a journalist and media expert, and Orkhan Mammad, an editor at Meydan TV, about how Baku's policies serve to constrict media freedom in Azerbaijan or even force journalists into exile. Read more: Aliyev signs law to muzzle press Censorship and violence: the challenges to press freedom in the Caucasus in 2022 Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst and head of the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security, joins Robin Fabbro to talk about the establishment of an Azerbaijani checkpoint at the start of the Lachin Corridor and what it might mean for the future of Nagorno-Karabakh. Lala Darchinova from the Imagine Centre for Conflict Transformation discusses Azerbaijani narratives around the conflict and the role of peacebuilding in achieving reconciliation between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Read more: Azerbaijan closes Lachin Corridor to install checkpoint PACE rapporteur seeks to visit Lachin corridor Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Luiza Mchedlishvili talks about how Tumso Abdurakhmanov, a popular Chechen opposition blogger, reportedly his own death to fool Chechnya Head Ramzan Kadyrov. Read more: Chechen blogger claims he 'staged own death' to fool Kadyrov Mariam Nikuradze talks about this year's leloburti game — a rugby-like sport played on Easter in the western Georgian community of Shukhuti. Read more: In pictures | Rugby with no rules — Easter in Guria Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Mark Youngman, the executive director of Threatologist and a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, sheds light on the latest insurgent attacks in Ingushetia and Chechnya. Read more: Three police officers killed in latest battle with gunmen in Ingushetia Ismi Aghayev talks about the latest clashes between on the Azerbaijan–Armenia border and the reactions to the Tuesday's clash and the conflict among Azerbaijanis. Read more: Deadly clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan near Lachin Corridor Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Mariam Nikuradze talks about the US sanctions against four senior Georgian judges for 'undermining the rule of law' in the country. She breaks down the judges' ties to an alleged 'clan' in Georgia's judicial system that is associated with the ruling Georgian Dream party. Read more: US sanctions senior Georgian judges for 'undermining rule of law' Ani Avetisyan talks about the recent Russian ban on Armenian dairy products, its effect on Armenia's dairy industry, and whether the decision was politically motivated. Read more: Russia bans Armenian dairy imports Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Bahruz Samadov, a researcher at Charles University in Prague, talks about nationalism in Azerbaijan and the reactions to his opinion piece about the Azerbaijani regime's exclusionary and militant nationalism. Read more: Opinion | Azerbaijan needs an alternative to nationalist militarism Mariam Nikuradze shares the latest on the sexual harassment accusations levelled against POSTV co-owner Shalva Ramishvili. Read more: Pro-government Georgian TV station attacks woman who was harassed by its founder Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst and the head of the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security, phones in to talk about the growing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan as fears grow of a new war between the two countries. Read more: Week of ceasefire violations in Nagorno-Karabakh as tensions mount Tata Shoshiashvili talks about a newborn trafficking scheme that allegedly kidnapping of dozens of thousands of victims between the 1950s and the early 2000s. Read more: Georgia's lost parents and sold children Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Nodar Rukhadze, the co-founder of the liberal activist Shame movement, discusses the participation of millennials and Gen Z in the foreign agent protests of 7–8 March in Tbilisi, and the future political prospects of Georgia's youth. Read more: In pictures | Tear gas and water cannons: Georgia's foreign agent protests In pictures | Georgians defeat the foreign agent law Bashir Kitachayev, an independent journalist from Azerbaijan, phones in to discuss his opinion piece about the closure of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijanis claiming to be eco-activists. Read more: Opinion | Greenwashing a blockade Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Robin Fabbro and Mariam Nikuradze break down the 7–8 March protests against the Georgian foreign agent law, from the moments leading up to the massive demonstrations to Georgian Dream's announcement to drop the controversial bill. Tens of thousands gathered outside parliament to protest the law but were dispersed by riot police equipped with teargas and pepper spray and backed by water cannons and sonic weapons on both nights. Read more: Georgian foreign agent law to be dropped after second night of protests rock Tbilisi In pictures | Tear gas and water cannons: Georgia's foreign agent protests In pictures | Georgians defeat the foreign agent law Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Chai Khana's Executive Director, Lika Antadze, talks about her outlet's decision to boycott the foreign agent bill in Georgia, and what the bill could mean for independent media and civil society organisations. Both Chai Khana, OC Media, and over 60 other media organisations signed a petition vowing to disobey the draft law if it is adopted by parliament. Read more: OC Media joins over 60 media groups in vow to disobey Georgian foreign agent law Editorial | Only decisive action can save Georgia's democracy Narmin Shahmarzade, a psychologist and feminist activist, phones in to talk about how critics of the Azerbaijani government are intimidated into silence through the leaking of their private and intimate images and videos. Read more: Opinion | In Azerbaijan sex is a weapon Intimate footage of imprisoned Azerbaijani activist leaked Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

OC Media's staff get together to discuss the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the South Caucasus. Mariam Nikuradze talks about how the war became a catalyst for the growing rift between Georgia and the west. Read more: Georgian Dream hits out at 'spies' and Western-funded 'extremism' Georgia's (in)human rights strategy Russia's top diplomat compliments Georgia for not 'irritating' them Ani Avetisyan talks about Armenia's shaky relationship with Russia and the latter's role as a major player in the region. Read more: 'Every day I fear the war will return' — the displaced Armenians returning to the border regions Russia slams EU monitoring mission in Armenia Ismi Aghayev breaks down the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's attempt at balancing his relations between Moscow and the West, as Europe scrambles to find alternatives to Russian gas. Read more: Ilham Aliyev looks West Analysis | How Azerbaijan's youth feels towards different countries and the conflict Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Mariam Nikuradze discusses the foreign agent bill that is about to be submitted to parliament by the People's Power — a group of MPs who formally left the ruling Georgian Dream party to 'speak openly' about a supposed Western conspiracy to drag Georgia into war with Russia. She talks about what the bill could mean for OC Media and other media and civil society organisations. Read more: Foreign agent law to be submitted to Georgian Parliament Najmin Kamilsoy, co-founder of Agora, an Azerbaijani thinktank, phones in to breakdown an Agora survey of how Azerbaijan's youth feel about their place in the world, their neighbouring countries, and who they believe poses a security risk to their country. Read more: Analysis | How Azerbaijan's youth feels towards different countries and the conflict Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Ani Avetisyan discusses how the South Caucasus responded to the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria. She breaks down how Armenia's offer of assistance to Turkey could reflect on the normalisation of relations between the two countries. Read more: The South Caucasus sends aid following deadly quake Tata Shoshiashvili discusses reactions to the Georgian Parliament's newly introduced 'code of ethics' which would allow the authorities to ban journalists for questioning MPs. Read more: New accreditation rules threaten to ban media outlets from parliament Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Mariam Nikuradze talks about Levan Khabeishvili's election as the United National Movement's chair and recent statements about pulling the party out of the parliament in exchange for Mikheil Saakashvili's release from prison. Read more: New UNM leader vows party will leave parliament if Saakashvili is freed Ismi Aghayev discusses the fatal 27 January attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran and its effects on the already strained Baku–Tehran relations. Read more: One dead in attack on Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Loujaine Laamal, an MA student in geopolitics at the French Institute of Geopolitics, discusses Ramzan Kadyrov's politicisation of sports in Chechnya, and his attempts to construct a national identity focused on sportsmanship to help secure the future of his regime. Read more: Analysis | How Kadyrov uses 'the Path of Akhmat' in sports to cement his rule in Chechnya Ismi Aghayev talks about imprisoned political activists and figures in Azerbaijan who claim they have been arrested on falsified charges. Read more: Court denies bail to Azerbaijani activist despite 'deteriorating health' Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

More than a month into the closure of the Lachin corridor, Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst and the head of the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security, phones in to discuss rumours surrounding the potential resignation of State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. Read more: Nagorno-Karabakh reports gas cut for second time since start of blockade Mariam Nikuradze breaks down the extremist far-right group Alt Info's activities this week after a Georgian court reduced the sentences of six men involved in the violent group's anti-pride riots of 2021, in addition to the group preventing Levan Berdzenishvili, a philologist and political activist, from holding a lecture in Eastern Georgia. Read more: Tbilisi court reduces sentences for 2021 anti-Pride rioters Georgian extremist group Alt Info thwart lecture by government critic Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Former senior editor Peter Liakhov joins Robin Fabbro and Mariam Nikuradze to discuss the OC Media team's predictions for the past year and how they had panned out. The three share their own hot takes for 2023. Read the full list of predictions made by OC Media's staff members here: What can the Caucasus expect in 2022? Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Tata Shoshiashvili discusses the recently released security footage of imprisoned former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in his hospital room. Georgian authorities released the footage citing 'high public interest' and accused Saakashvili of feigning his illness. Read more: Government releases hospital footage of Saakashvili, citing 'high public interest' Marut Vanyan, a freelance journalist from Stepanakert, talks about the situation inside Nagorno-Karabakh 10 days into the closure of the Lachin corridor — the only route connecting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Read more: Nagorno-Karabakh under siege Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Arman Grigoryan, an associate professor of International Relations at Lehigh University, discusses the closure of the Lachin corridor and its implications for Nagorno-Karabakh. Read more: Lachin corridor blocked by Azerbaijani 'eco-activists' Mariam Nikuradze discusses the latest updates on Georgia–Ukraine relations, as the ruling Georgian Dream party threatens to strip Georgian volunteers in Ukraine of their citizenship. Read more: Georgian Government threatens to strip Ukraine fighters of citizenship Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Keti Bakhtadze, a strategic litigation lawyer at WISG, discusses last week's European Court of Human Rights ruling that deemed Georgia's gender recognition legislation to be vague. The complaint was submitted to the court by three Georgian trans men to whom the Georgian authorities had refused to issue documents with gender markers matching their gender identities. Read more: Three Georgian trans men win gender recognition case at European Court Ani Avetisyan and Ismi Aghayev discuss the latest Lachin corridor and other incidents that have taken place in Nagorno-Karabakh over the past week, including the establishment of a Russian-run customs checkpoint on the corridor. Read more: Russia to open 'mini customs checkpoint' on Lachin Corridor Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

Dustin Gilbreath, a non-resident senior fellow at CRRC Georgia, talks about the prevalence of HIV in Georgia and the stigma surrounding it, and a CRRC Georgia study that suggested that incentivising people to test for HIV and making tests more accessible can encourage more young people to self-test. Read more: Datablog | Nudging Georgians to self-test for HIV Bahruz Samadov, a researcher at Charles University in Prague, discusses the future of the Nakhchivan exclave's autonomous status within Azerbaijan following the arrest of several senior officials in the autonomous republic on charges of embezzlement. Read more: Senior Nakhchivan official arrested by Azerbaijan's State Security Service Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

After Kenya blocked the uprooting and transportation of eight baobab trees to former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's Shekvetili Dendrological Park, the Guardian's East Africa global development correspondent Caroline Kimeu talks about the significance of the trees and how Ivanishvili's contractor secured the license to uproot them. Read more: Kenya blocks export of baobab trees to Georgia citing 'irregularities' Yerevan-based political analyst talks about the significance and the outcomes of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation's meeting in Yerevan. Read more: CSTO summit welcomed with protests in Yerevan Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Samir Sultanov, the general secretary of the Azerbaijani Democracy 1918 movement, talks about the arrest of several members of his group and labour movements in Azerbaijan. Read more: Azerbaijani pro-democracy activist arrested Chair of Azerbaijani democracy group given prison sentence following anti-government posts Voices of dissent: Azerbaijan reacts to war Mariam Nikuradze revisits the village of Itkhvisi in Chiatura seven months after the settlement began to collapse due to mining operations in a nearby area. Read more: A Georgian village falls through the cracks In pictures | Lips sewn shut in Chiatura's sinking village Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Tor, a fighter from the Chechen Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion fighting in Ukraine, phones in to talk about the significance of Ukraine's recognition of Ichkeria as an independent state temporarily occupied by Russia. Read more: Ukrainian Parliament recognises independence of Chechnya Yerevan-based political analyst talks about Nagorno-Karabakh's internal politics and the appointment of Russian–Armenian billionaire Ruben Vardanyan as State Minister of the region. Read more: Billionaire Ruben Vardanyan to serve as Nagorno-Karabakh's State Minister Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Anna Edgar talks to Svetlana Anokhina, a women's right activist from Daghestan, about the recent escape of four young Daghestani women from a life of domestic abuse in their home republic. Read more: Four Daghestani women flee to Georgia citing domestic abuse Ani Avetisyan talks about the tripartite meeting between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia in Sochi, and the mass demonstration that took place in Stepanakert over the weekend. Read more: Thousands rally in Nagorno-Karabakh over fears for region's future Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Anna Edgar talks to Pink Armenia's communications director, Mamikon Hovsepyan, about the suicide of a young queer couple in Armenia. Mariam Nikuradze talks about the high-profile domestic abuse case that saw star Georgian tennis player Nikoloz Basilashvili acquitted of charges of violence against his wife and the precedent it might set for similar cases in the future. Read more: Georgian tennis star Nikoloz Basilashvili cleared of abusing ex-wife Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Robin Fabbro talks to Yerevan-based political analyst Tigran Grigoryan about Armenia's relations with the CSTO after the two-day war with Azerbaijan in September. Read more: Opinion | Russia's shifting interests are leaving Armenia out to dry Opinion | Armenia's old allies have failed it, new ones have yet to appear Tata Shoshiashvili talks about an accident that took the life of a 13-year-old girl and injured two other children following the reopening of Tbilisi's Vake Park, and the backlash against Mayor Kakha Kaladze for his handling of the incident. Read more: Embattled Tbilisi mayor lashes out at critics after death of 13-year-old Calls for Tbilisi mayor to resign after 13-year-old dies in newly re-opened park Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Robin Fabbro talks to Bulat Khalilov and Timur Kodzoko, independent researchers from Nalchik and the founders of Ored Recordings, about the discrimination North Caucasians have experienced attempting to cross the Georgian border. Read More: 'A humiliating experience': 4 days in limbo on the Georgian–Russian border Violence and arrests as anti-war protests hit Russia's North Caucasus Salome Khvedelidze talks about femicide in Georgia, and what the country should be doing to curb violence against women. Read More: Consent not required: how Georgian legislation allows rapists to walk free Tbilisi clinic defends nurse over 'joke' advocating date rape Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Robin Fabbro talks to Ani Avetisyan and Ismi Aghayev about the latest accusations of war crimes levelled against Azerbaijan. Read More: Western countries express horror at Azerbaijan POW execution video Azerbaijan 'investigating' new POW execution footage Footage appears to show desecration of female Armenian soldier OC Media co-director Mariam Nikuradze discusses the Georgian State Security Service's involvement in the abduction of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli in 2017, as well as other controversies surrounding the agency. Read More: Mukhtarli identifies top Georgian security official as one of his kidnappers Kidnap, smuggling, and rigged elections: 5 allegations by Georgia's former security chief Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Anna Edgar talks to Luiza Mchedlishvili about the anti-war protests that have taken place in the North Caucasus throughout the past week, and Tata Shoshiashvili talks about the arrival of thousands of Russians after the partial-mobilisation announcement. Read More: Violence and arrests as anti-war protests hit Russia's North Caucasus Anti-war protest held in Grozny Kadyrov holds pro-war rally in Grozny Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Anna Edgar talks to Dominik Cagara about the international media's coverage of the 13-14 September war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Read More: Explainer | What happened in Armenia and Azerbaijan on 13–14 September? Salome Kobalava joins OC Media to discuss the sale of up to 1,000 square kilometres of forests in Racha to a private company and the implications it might have on local residents. Read more: Opinion | Local voices were ignored in the auctioning of Racha's forests Georgian Government auctions off massive swath of land for hunting Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Anna Edgar talks to Ani Avetisyan and Ismi Aghayev about the Azerbaijani attack on Armenian military positions along their shared border and what it could mean for future peace talks between the two countries. Read More: Live updates: shelling along Armenian border continues for second day Opinion | The war never ended; the peace process never existed Azerbaijan launches attacks along Armenian border Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Anna Edgar talks to Luiza Mchedlishvili about Ramzan Kadyrov hinting at taking an 'indefinite break', and then changing his mind a few days later to continue fighting 'global satanism' in Eastern Ukraine. Tata Shoshiashvili talks about the recent waves of dismissals from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs as part of Minister Tea Tsulukiani's 'reorganisation efforts'. Read More: Georgian Culture Ministry loses wrongful dismissal lawsuits Georgian Culture Minister accused of purging critics from National Museum Ani Avetisyan talks about the Starmus International Scientific Festival in Yerevan — a convention that brings together scientists and musicians — and Armenia's efforts to encourage young people to engage in science, research, and technology. Read More: Armenia's ageing sciences: can the demographic decline be reversed? Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Editor-in-Chief, Robin Fabbro, talks to Mariam Nikuradze about her latest photostory about elektrichkas, or suburban trains, in Georgia. Read More: In Pictures | Georgia's shrinking train lines Ani Avetisyan talks about a new bill pushed by the Armenian Ministry of Defense to allow conscripts to avoid military service in exchange for a fee of $61,000. Read More: Armenian MoD proposes $61,000 fee to avoid conscription Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode, Robin Fabbro speaks to OC Media's staff about the lasting impact Russia's invasion of Ukraine had on the South Caucasus six months into the war. Read More: Ilham Aliyev looks West Russians change Gyumri's rhythm Russian émigrés face chilly reception in Georgia A strong dram and rising inflation leave Armenians in a bind Evictions surge as rents skyrocket in Yerevan and Tbilisi Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Editor-in-Chief, Robin Fabbro, talks to Ismi Aghayev about the latest sex tape scandal in the Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the history of sexual intimidation in the country. Read More: Azerbaijani colonel's sex tapes latest in culture of sexual intimidation Opinion | In Azerbaijan sex is a weapon Mariam Nikuradze talks about the four ex-members of Georgian Dream who have left the ruling party in order to 'speak more freely'. Read More: Ivanishvili supporters accuse the US of attempting coup in Georgia Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode, OC Media's Editor-in-Chief, Robin Fabbro, talks to Ismi Aghayev about Aliyev's overtures to the West. Read More: Ilham Aliyev looks West Luiza Mchedlishvili speaks about Chechen dissidents' vow to 'de-Nazify' Russia. Read More: Is a new armed uprising on the horizon in Chechnya? 'We have only one enemy — this is Russia': the Chechens taking up arms for Ukraine Opinion | The world has woken up to the Russian terror that the Chechens know only too well And Ani Avetisyan talks about the sudden announcement of an evacuation of Lachin (Berdzor). Read more: Lachin residents given 20 days to leave homes ahead of Azerbaijan handover Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Editor-in-Chief, Robin Fabbro, talks to Shota Kincha about the ruling Georgian Dream's series of anti-Western remarks. More: Irakli Kobakhidze: The face of Georgia's turn from the West Georgian Dream defends Kobakhidze's record following OC Media report And Ismi Aghayev and Ani Avetisyan talk about the most recent escalations and clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh. More: Deadly clashes continue in Nagorno-Karabakh Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.