The Caucasus Digest

This week, editor Yousef Bardouka sat down with Armenia staff writers Ani Ghulinyan and Arshaluys Barseghyan to break down the worsening Armenia–Russia relations, from the meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, to Russia's economic restrictions on Armenian imports. Read more: Pashinyan says Russian military base not a 'vital necessity' for Armenia EU moves closer to easing Armenian imports amidst Russian restrictions Pashinyan and Putin clash over Armenia's EU aspirations, agree to continue talks in Moscow If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze and editor Yousef Bardouka sit down with Caucasus Digest co-producer Tamuna Chkareuli to discuss her latest feature for OC Media about the efficacy of the Georgian government's monopolisation of drug addiction treatments and the status of harm reduction organisations in the country. Read the feature here: 'Soldiers who save lives' — Creating safe spaces amidst Georgia's drug crackdown If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

OC Media co-founders Mariam Nikuradze and Dominik Cagara sit down with editor Yousef Bardouka to discuss the imprisonment of OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov. Samadov, who is serving a 15-year sentence on charges of treason for allegedly 'collaborating with Armenian security services', is an outspoken advocate for peace with Armenia and Azerbaijan. His work often focused on the peace process between the two countries, the decades-long conflict, and authoritarianism in Azerbaijan. Read more: OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov's eyesight deteriorates in maximum-security Azerbaijani prison 'The state plans to end my life' — Bahruz Samadov calls for solidarity in prison lette Jailed Abzas Media journalists call on von der Leyen to address human rights ahead of Baku visit   You can find all of Bahruz Samadov's articles in his author profile on our website here and find Ulviya Ali's letters from prison here. Here is the article by Bahruz Samadov that Dominik quotes in the episode: Opinion | To stand for peace, in spite of everything

The Armenian Parliament has recently held its first session after the June elections. This week, OC Media's Mariam Nikuradze, Yousef Bardouka, and Ani Ghulinyan spoke about new reshuffles in the ruling Civil Contract party, the participation of the opposition in parliament, and the government's conflict with the Church. Read more: Armenian Parliament elects new speaker as Catholicos skips session for first time Opinion | Pashinyan's cabinet shakeup shows he is weaker than he appears Armenian Catholicos Karekin II to stand trial in historic first If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

This week, Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Javid Agha sat down to discuss the recent sentencing of several journalists from Azerbaijani independent media outlet Toplum TV. The three discuss the state of media in Azerbaijan and the country's continued persecution and crackdown on independent media and journalists, resulting in the arrest of over 30 journalists since 2023. Read more: Azerbaijan prison dispatches: isolation, self-harm, silence — the psychological toll of detention 'The state plans to end my life' — Bahruz Samadov calls for solidarity in prison letter Opinion | By imprisoning Abzas Media, Azerbaijan has turned its prisons into newsrooms If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

This week, Robin Fabbro and Mariam Nikuradze sat down with Georgia staff writer Mikheil Gvadzabia to discuss the Georgian authoritie' crackdown on free speech in the country, from fines and prison time for insulting public figures to state surveillance. Read more: Georgian comedian attacked over joke after pro-government media smear campaign Georgian journalist sentenced to 14 days over Facebook post Georgian Dream is watching: how AI-powered surveillance is used against Tbilisi protesters Read more about Rustaveli Avenue's closure here. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

This week, Robin Fabbro and Mariam Nikuradze sat down with Georgia staff writer Mikheil Gvadzabia to talk about Georgia's oppositon, including the charges pressed against major opposition leaders and internal conflicts within the parties and the Opposition Alliance. Read more: Georgian opposition figure Elisashvili sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism-related charges Georgia brings charges of sabotage against main opposition leaders Saakashvili announces plans to 'reform' UNM Read more about the 'Rike Tubes' set to be demolished in Tbilisi here. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected].

This week, Mariam Nikuradze sat down with OC Media editors Yousef Bardouka and Nate Ostiller to talk about the delegations Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia sent out to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's funeral. The three talk about the three countries' dynamics with Iran and its ongoing conflict with Israel and the US. Read more: South Caucasus officials attend Tehran funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Israel sent troops to Azerbaijan during Iran War, sources tell CNN Waiting for a free Iran: the exiles who found a home in Armenia Israel says it uncovered Iranian terror network following failed attack on Baku pipeline How the Iran war is putting a dent in Georgia's tourism industry Additional topics mentioned during the episode: You can find the episode we have mentioned in the show about Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili's attempt to transport baobab trees from Kenya to Georgia here. You can find short report on the lion cub given to Tbilisi Zoo by judoka Lasha Bekauri here. Check out this Guardian article on how Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov turned to social media in a bid to find his lost cat, Toyger. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected].

This week, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze spoke with Georgia staff writer Mikheil Gvadzabia about the current state of repression in Georgia, over a year after daily protests erupted in the country against the ruling Georgian Dream party's policies. Read more: Two Georgian protesters released, one of them fined immediately Imprisoned Georgian opera singer's protest fines reach $270,000 Georgian activist fined for wishing Ivanishvili and loved ones death on Facebook Report says Georgia uses Russian surveillance software against anti-government protesters If you are interested in attending our screening of the Armenian documentary Tonratun in Yerevan or remotely through Discord, please fill out this form. if you are already an OC Media member, you can RSVP through the form to directly claim your spot. If you are not a member, you can still grab a seat for a symbolic €5 fee. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected].

This week, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze spoke with OC Media contributor Javid Agha about Azerbaijan's recent blocking of the outlet's website and the recent establishment of a new National Cybersecurity Agency and the impact it could have on censorship in Azerbaijan. Read more: Azerbaijan blocks access to OC Media website Azerbaijan builds a single engine for online control Here are links to the Google Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia country profiles for data on government content removal requests mentioned in the episode. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.