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Russia and Azerbaijan are among the world's leading countries in the number of journalists arrested and convicted
Human rights
Russia and Azerbaijan are among the world's leading countries in the number of journalists arrested and convicted
10 December 2025

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a report covering the period from December 2024 to December 2025, providing data on the state of press freedom worldwide. Currently, 503 journalists are held in prison worldwide.

Crimean Tatar political prisoner denied medical care
Human rights
Crimean Tatar political prisoner denied medical care
9 December 2025

Crimean Tatar Edem Smailov, serving a 13-year sentence in Correctional Colony No. 1 in Kostroma, has been unable to receive adequate medical care for almost a year. Since his transfer to the colony in January 2025, his request for a dental consultation has remained unanswered.

The North Caucasus diaspora in Turkey has demanded an end to the criminal prosecution of a Circassian activist in Russia
Human rights
The North Caucasus diaspora in Turkey has demanded an end to the criminal prosecution of a Circassian activist in Russia
8 December 2025

Representatives of the North Caucasus diaspora in Turkey have protested the criminal prosecution of Larisa Tuptsokova, a Circassian activist from Adygea, and demanded that the republic's authorities cease pressuring her and her supporters.

Former Golos coordinator wanted by Russia released in Armenia
Human rights
Former Golos coordinator wanted by Russia released in Armenia
7 December 2025

Vladimir Zhilinsky, former coordinator of the Golos voters' rights movement, who was detained in Armenia, has been released. The arrest was related to the activist's status as a wanted activist in Russia.

In the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, an activist was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for criticizing the SVO
Human rights
In the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, an activist was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for criticizing the SVO
6 December 2025

In Karachay-Cherkessia, lawyer and activist Ramazan Mkhtse was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for spreading "fakes" about the Russian army.

The defense requested acquittal of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders
Human rights
The defense requested acquittal of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders
5 December 2025

Lawyers for the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are on trial in Azerbaijan on charges of serious crimes, have declared the cases groundless and politically motivated. They have demanded acquittals for their clients.

The student who burned the Quran has his treason conviction upheld
Human rights
The student who burned the Quran has his treason conviction upheld
5 December 2025

The Supreme Court of Russia upheld the sentence of Nikita Zhuravel, who was found guilty of treason. His combined sentence for two criminal cases, including the Quran-burning case, was 14 years in a maximum-security prison colony.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of attacking Pskov paratroopers in Chechnya
Human rights
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of attacking Pskov paratroopers in Chechnya
5 December 2025

Rustam Murzagishiev from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Ilkhom Shukurov, a resident of Tatarstan, and Chingiz Savchenko, a citizen of Ukraine, have been arrested and charged with armed rebellion, participation in a gang, and attempting to kill military personnel. They were charged with involvement in the attack on Pskov paratroopers during the Second Russo-Chechen War in 2000.

Leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Not Receiving Parcels in Pretrial Detention Facility
Human rights
Leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Not Receiving Parcels in Pretrial Detention Facility
4 December 2025

Relatives of Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), have stated that he is not receiving parcels while in pretrial detention. Azadeh Rojkhan, PACE General Rapporteur on Political Prisoners, called on the Azerbaijani authorities to review the charges against Karimli and ensure that his rights are respected during the investigation.

The Helsinki Commission has proposed sanctions against Georgian authorities responsible for using chemical weapons against protesters
Human rights
The Helsinki Commission has proposed sanctions against Georgian authorities responsible for using chemical weapons against protesters
4 December 2025

The US Helsinki Commission expressed grave concern over a BBC investigation into the use of chemical weapons by Georgia's ruling party to suppress peaceful protests last year. This was stated in a statement released by the organization's chairman and Senator Roger Wicker, co-chair Joe Wilson, and commission members Sheldon Whitehouse and Steve Cohen.