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Crimean Tatar political prisoner denied transfer to penal colony closer to home
Human rights
Crimean Tatar political prisoner denied transfer to penal colony closer to home
23 March 2026

A Simferopol court denied political prisoner Ametkhan Abdulvapov's request to invalidate his transfer to a penal colony in Angarsk (Irkutsk Region). The colony is located more than 5,500 kilometers from Crimea.

In Vladikavkaz, the mother of a convicted serviceman has been picketing outside the Government House for five days
Human rights
In Vladikavkaz, the mother of a convicted serviceman has been picketing outside the Government House for five days
23 March 2026

For five days in a row, Maira Babayan has been sitting on a bench outside the Government House in Vladikavkaz. She is protesting the sentence of her son, who was found guilty of leaving his military unit without leave.

A political prisoner in Azerbaijan ends his hunger strike
Human rights
A political prisoner in Azerbaijan ends his hunger strike
21 March 2026

Azerbaijani opposition politician Tofig Yagublu has ended his 26-day hunger strike. This information was released by his daughter, Nigar Khezin. The decision to end the protest was made after contacting the prisoner.

Freedom House Records Decline in Rights and Freedoms in Georgia
Human rights
Freedom House Records Decline in Rights and Freedoms in Georgia
20 March 2026

According to the latest report from Freedom House, an international organization that assesses freedoms and human rights, Georgia's freedom score declined by four points, dropping to 51 out of a possible 100. The main reasons cited for this deterioration were the large-scale anti-government protests that began in 2024 and continued into 2025.

Freedom House has reported a strengthening of dictatorship in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Freedom House has reported a strengthening of dictatorship in Azerbaijan
19 March 2026

According to the international human rights organization Freedom House's "Freedom in the World 2026" report, authoritarian rule in Azerbaijan, centered around President Ilham Aliyev and his family, has continued to strengthen for two decades.

A memorial plaque to Anna Politkovskaya has been installed in Moscow for the 29th time
Human rights
A memorial plaque to Anna Politkovskaya has been installed in Moscow for the 29th time
19 March 2026

The 28th temporary plaque installed on the building where Anna Politkovskaya lived and was murdered was destroyed by unknown persons. Activists have placed a new plaque in its place—the 29th.

The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.

An Abkhazian resident was convicted for publishing texts about Shamil Basayev
Human rights
An Abkhazian resident was convicted for publishing texts about Shamil Basayev
18 March 2026

The Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don sentenced Timur Agrba, a resident of Abkhazia, to five and a half years in a general regime penal colony. He was accused of justifying terrorism for his Telegram channel posts, which, according to investigators, glorified Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev.

Georgia's former ombudsman considered his summons to the State Security Service (SSS) to be persecution and refused to appear
Human rights
Georgia's former ombudsman considered his summons to the State Security Service (SSS) to be persecution and refused to appear
17 March 2026

Georgia's former Public Defender, Ucha Nanuashvili, has been summoned to the country's State Security Service (SSS). One of the country's most senior human rights defenders, he now heads the NGO Democracy Research Institute (DRI).

Vardanyan's family claims he was prevented from contacting the ombudsman
Human rights
Vardanyan's family claims he was prevented from contacting the ombudsman
16 March 2026

Relatives of convicted former Karabakh state minister, former Russian citizen, and billionaire Ruben Vardanyan reported that he was prevented from completing his appeal to Azerbaijan's Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva. During a telephone conversation with his family on March 13, the call was forcibly terminated, preventing him from delivering his public message.