The International Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed strong disapproval of the prison terms requested by the prosecutor for nine activists and journalists from Toplum TV, which range from 13 to 16 years. Gulnoza Said, CPJ program coordinator, emphasized that such harsh punishments demonstrate the Azerbaijani authorities' desire to respond to courageous reporting and sow a climate of fear.
The head of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, expressed concern about the drug problem in the region, calling it a serious threat to youth and the future of the republic. He reported on the preventive work carried out by volunteers and preparations for the launch of the Youth Information Security Center.
Kalimatov noted that, despite the presence of over 2,000 registered drug addicts at the drug treatment center, the actual scale of the problem significantly exceeds official figures.
"The actual scale of the problem is much greater. Drug addiction is not only a medical or law enforcement issue, but also a threat to national security," Kalimatov emphasized.
This spring, mass arrests of activists from the "Antilirika" movement, which claimed to be fighting drug trafficking, took place in Ingushetia. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the "Antilirika" case, and another 10 are wanted. The Ministry of Internal Affairs believes that the movement's members committed robberies under the guise of fighting drugs and attempted to replace law enforcement agencies.