Memorial: Chechen teenagers were released, but their fathers were sent to war

Three teenagers in Chechnya were released after their fathers signed contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry. The schoolchildren were held in the Interior Ministry department for more than six months without access to lawyers, charges, or the opportunity to meet with their families. 16-year-olds Mansur Shabazov, Said Idigov, and Elbrus Saidaev were abducted back in December 2024, according to Memorial Human Rights Center employees. For more details, watch our video.

Последние новости
Tajikistan has demanded that Russia investigate the ethnically motivated murder of a Tajik boy
Human rights
Tajikistan has demanded that Russia investigate the ethnically motivated murder of a Tajik boy
17 December 2025

The Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan following the murder of fourth-grader Kobiljon Aliyev in the Moscow region. Dushanbe handed over a note demanding an immediate and objective investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.

A teenager kidnapped in Kabardino-Balkaria has had his detention extended
Human rights
A teenager kidnapped in Kabardino-Balkaria has had his detention extended
17 December 2025

In Rostov-on-Don, a military court extended the detention of Kazbek Emkuzhev and five other Nalchik residents accused of involvement in a terrorist organization for three months.

A criminal case against the brother of the head of Ingushetia has been submitted to court
Society
A criminal case against the brother of the head of Ingushetia has been submitted to court
17 December 2025

The criminal case against Magomed-Bashir Kalimatov, the former head of the federal postal service of Ingushetia and the older brother of the current head of the republic, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, has been submitted to the Cherkessk City Court. Other defendants include the former heads of Russian Post in Ingushetia and the Pension Fund—Kambulat Sukiyev and Islam Seinaroyev, respectively—and 25 others.

Signatures are being collected in Armenia to remove the Catholicos
Politics
Signatures are being collected in Armenia to remove the Catholicos
17 December 2025

The Armenian government has initiated a signature collection campaign in the country's provinces to demand the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the newspaper Iravunk reported. According to the newspaper, the initiator was ruling party MP Karen Sarukhanyan, who received the support of fellow party members and the approval of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.