Georgian citizens top Russia's list of those convicted in absentia for participating in the war on Ukraine's side

Since 2024, Russian courts have handed down at least 180 in absentia sentences to foreign volunteers who fought for Ukraine. Georgian citizens lead the way (58), followed by representatives of the United States (22) and the United Kingdom (12).

Human rights activist Nikolai Polozov admits that the significant number of Georgian citizens among those convicted may be due to the current Georgian authorities, who, he says, are loyal to Russia, sharing their personal data with Moscow. This poses risks to the return of Georgian Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters to their homeland.

Lawyers are challenging the classification of most of the sentences as "participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict," emphasizing that all of the convicted are career servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It is noted that Interpol is likely refusing to issue a wanted list for them, considering the prosecution politically motivated.

Последние новости
Pashinyan Warns of the “Beginning of the End” for the EAEU
Politics
Pashinyan Warns of the “Beginning of the End” for the EAEU
29 July 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has warned that Russia’s restrictions on Armenian exports are calling into question the future of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), saying the dispute could mark “the beginning of the end” for the Moscow-led bloc if it is not resolved soon.
Nauru becomes the third country to withdraw recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Politics
Nauru becomes the third country to withdraw recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
29 July 2026

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has severed diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed entities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, effectively revoking its earlier recognition of their "independence." The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced the move.
Imam in Georgia Beaten After Speaking Turkish
Society
Imam in Georgia Beaten After Speaking Turkish
29 July 2026

An attack on the family of a Meskhetian Muslim in the southern Georgian town of Akhaltsikhe has raised questions about the police response. The victims say more than ten men assaulted the local mosque’s imam, Shevket Dvalidze, but only two suspects were detained and later released on bail. Human rights groups are calling for investigators to examine whether the attack was motivated by ethnic, linguistic and religious hatred.
Reporters Without Borders Calls Sentences Against Azerbaijani Journalists Politically Motivated
Human rights
Reporters Without Borders Calls Sentences Against Azerbaijani Journalists Politically Motivated
29 July 2026

The international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the sentences handed down to staff members of the Azerbaijani YouTube channel Toplum TV, describing them as further evidence of the persecution of independent journalists in the country.