The Caucasus Digest

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.

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Editor-in-Chief, Robin Fabbro, talks to Luiza Mchedlishvili about the Chechen volunteers fighting against Russia in Ukraine. More: 'We have only one enemy — this is Russia': the Chechens taking up arms for Ukraine Ismi Aghayev talks about the ongoing Avaz Hafizli murder trial. More: Prominent queer Azerbaijani journalist brutally murdered Obituary | Avaz Hafizli And Ani Avetisyan talks about the recently introduced Yerevan-wide musical alarm. More: Yerevan City Hall to blast musical alarm every morning The National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia's rendition of Erebuni-Yerevan, as conducted by Tigran Hekekian, was used in this episode. 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 Azerbaijan's efforts to rehabilitate war veterans of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. Ani Avetisyan talks about Armenia's skyrocketing inflation and its economic ties to Russia. More: A strong dram and rising inflation leave Armenians in a bind And Mariam Nikuradze talks about the viral TikTok posted by an assistant nurse at a Tbilisi clinic condoning rape, and the mismanagement of PR in Georgia. Tbilisi clinic defends nurse over 'joke' advocating date rape Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In the second edition of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Editor in Chief, Robin Fabbro, talks to Ani Avetisyan about Gagik Tsarukyan's proposal to build a massive statue of Christ on Mount Hatis. More: Ground broken for massive Christ statue in Armenia Shota Kincha talks about the departure of several figures from the ruling Georgian Dream party. More: Prominent Georgian Dream MPs 'leave party' to float EU conspiracy And Ismi Aghayev talks about the transparency of Azerbaijan's justice system, and how courts block journalists from attending certain court hearings. Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.

In the very first edition of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Editor in Chief, Robin Fabbro, talks to Mariam Nikuradze about Georgia's stalled pro-EU protests. More: Home to Europe deadline passes as protests appear to stall Prominent Georgian Dream MPs 'leave party' to float EU conspiracy Tata Shoshiashvili and Mariam Nikuradze discuss Georgia's Pride Week. More: Tbilisi Pride week concludes with festival as far-right fails to disrupt event Tbilisi Pride's leading women And Ani Avetisyan speaks about the partial reopening of borders between Turkey and Armenia, and what that might mean for Armenia and the normalisation process with Turkey. Become a supporter at oc-media.org/support_us, or on Patreon.