The administration of the Vedensky District in Chechnya has announced a contest for photographs and short videos featuring local mountain scenery. A prize of 100,000 rubles is offered for the best entry, while the runners-up in second and third place will receive 70,000 and 50,000 rubles, respectively.
Imprisoned scholar and activist Bahruz Samedov reported inhumane conditions. He said he is confined to his cell 24/7, with the exception of two-hour walks on a meter-wide balcony.
He also noted the complete lack of communication and information in his cell (TV, radio). Furthermore, Samedov is not provided with the medications prescribed by doctors. Furthermore, the prisoner protested financial manipulation, stating that he was denied power of attorney to access his own money and instead was required to pay extra for a new ID and documents.
Bahruz Samedov was detained in August 2024 in Baku. Security forces came to his home under the pretext of searching for drugs, which they never found. They ultimately took the political scientist, his documents, and his computer with them. He had published articles critical of the Azerbaijani authorities in Western media and analytical publications.
Samedov was accused of treason: allegedly corresponding with Armenians and writing articles at their request. He denied the charges. Bakhruz Samedov is also known as a contributor to the publication "OC Media" and the Western-published resource "Baku Research Institute."