Azerbaijani opposition activist and politician Tofig Yagublu, sentenced to nine years, has gone on a hunger strike to protest his placement in solitary confinement. His daughter believes this is the authorities' retaliation for a protest her brother, Rahim, held outside the hotel where Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was staying in Washington.
According to Important Stories, a behind-the-scenes struggle for the post of head of Chechnya is unfolding in the Kremlin amid rumors of Ramzan Kadyrov's deteriorating health. Citing sources in the security services, the publication reports disagreements between various agencies over the successor.
Kadyrov himself is reportedly keen to hand over power to his 17-year-old son, Adam. However, the presidential administration sees Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat special forces, as the preferred candidate, whom officials consider a "civilized security official." The FSB, for its part, supports the candidacy of State Duma deputy Adam Delimkhanov.
A final decision has reportedly not yet been made by Vladimir Putin, increasing tensions in the Kremlin. Rumors of Kadyrov's serious health problems have been circulating since 2023: various diagnoses have been mentioned, including pancreatic necrosis and kidney failure.