The Caucasus Digest
Your weekly view into the Caucasus region with the OC Media team. Every week, we break down some of the biggest topics in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Russian North Caucasus.
Episodes
Has Azerbaijan outgrown its big brother Turkey?
Is Georgian Dream falling apart?
Where is the Azerbaijani opposition?
How we cover conflict in the Caucasus
Caucasus Digest host Robin Fabbro sits down with OC Media co-founder Dominik Cagara and Georgia staff writer Lana Koakaia to talk about how OC Media covers conflict in the Caucasus. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at podcasts@oc-media.org. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.
Pashinyan vs the Church
Caucasus Digest hosts Mariam Nikuradze and Robin Fabbro sit down with OC Media's Armenia staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan to break down the conflict between the Armenian government and Church and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's plans to 'reform' the Church. Read more: Explainer | How Pashinyan is working to topple Catholicos Karekin II Explainer | What's behind Armenia's church-state confli
Examining Armenia's tense relations with Russia
This week, editor Yousef Bardouka sat down with Armenia staff writers Ani Ghulinyan and Arshaluys Barseghyan to break down the worsening Armenia–Russia relations, from the meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, to Russia's economic restrictions on Armenian imports. Read more: Pashinyan says Russian military base not a 'vital necessity' f
Feature Spotlight: how Georgia is handling addiction treatment and harm reduction
OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze and editor Yousef Bardouka sit down with Caucasus Digest co-producer Tamuna Chkareuli to discuss her latest feature for OC Media about the efficacy of the Georgian government's monopolisation of drug addiction treatments and the status of harm reduction organisations in the country. Read the feature here: 'Soldiers who save lives' — Creating safe spaces ami
Reading Bahruz Samadov's letter from prison
OC Media co-founders Mariam Nikuradze and Dominik Cagara sit down with editor Yousef Bardouka to discuss the imprisonment of OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov. Samadov, who is serving a 15-year sentence on charges of treason for allegedly 'collaborating with Armenian security services', is an outspoken advocate for peace with Armenia and Azerbaijan. His work often focused on the peace process b
Armenia's new parliament: what does day one say about Armenian politics?
The Armenian Parliament has recently held its first session after the June elections. This week, OC Media's Mariam Nikuradze, Yousef Bardouka, and Ani Ghulinyan spoke about new reshuffles in the ruling Civil Contract party, the participation of the opposition in parliament, and the government's conflict with the Church. Read more: Armenian Parliament elects new speaker as Catholicos skips sessi
Are there any free journalists left in Azerbaijan?
Is free speech in Georgia dead?
Why can't Georgia's opposition get along?
Who attended Khamenei's funeral from the Caucasus?
This week, Mariam Nikuradze sat down with OC Media editors Yousef Bardouka and Nate Ostiller to talk about the delegations Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia sent out to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's funeral. The three talk about the three countries' dynamics with Iran and its ongoing conflict with Israel and the US. Read more: South Caucasus officials attend Tehran funeral of Iranian Su
Has Georgia's repression plateaued?
This week, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze spoke with Georgia staff writer Mikheil Gvadzabia about the current state of repression in Georgia, over a year after daily protests erupted in the country against the ruling Georgian Dream party's policies. Read more: Two Georgian protesters released, one of them fined immediately Imprisoned Georgian opera singe
Why did Azerbaijan block OC Media's website?
This week, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze spoke with OC Media contributor Javid Agha about Azerbaijan's recent blocking of the outlet's website and the recent establishment of a new National Cybersecurity Agency and the impact it could have on censorship in Azerbaijan. Read more: Azerbaijan blocks access to OC Media website Azerbaijan builds a single eng
Where next for Armenia?
OC Media's Caucasus Digest is back after a year-long hiatus! For our relaunch, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and his new co-host, OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze, chat with Armenia staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan about Armenia's big parliamentary elections. The three discuss the lead-up to the 6 June elections, covering them on the ground in Armenia, and the aftermath of the vote. Read more
We're back!
This Wednesday, 17 June, tune in to listen to listen OC Media editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro, his new co-host OC Media's co-founder Mariam Nikuradze, and Armenian staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan break down the 7 June Armenian parliamentary elections and their aftermath. Be sure to subscribe to catch the latest episodes as soon as they are out. Support our work by becoming an OC Media member for as
Can OC Media survive in a new global reality?
The recent cuts to US foreign aid have affected media outlets across the Caucasus and the world — including OC Media. This week, OC Media editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and co-directors Mariam Nikuradze and Dominik Cagara sit down to discuss how OC Media's plans to survive and thrive in the new global reality through its membership programme and the support of its readers. Read more: OC Media co
Mzia Amaghlobeli's arrest
Mzia Amaghlobeli, the director of Georgian news sites Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer after slapping Batumi's police chief during a heated exchange. Journalists, legal experts, and media watchdogs have criticised the arrest, saying that the charges, under which she could face four to seven years in prison, are wildly disproportionate to what sh
Ukraine's recognition of the Circassian Genocide
On 9 January, Ukraine's Parliament has recognised the Russian Empire's 19th century genocide of the Circassians, during which Russian forced killed or deported hundreds of thousands of Circassians from their homeland in the Caucasus. This week, OC Media's Yousef Bardouka talks about the genocide and its impact on the Circassians and the Caucasus and the significance of the resolution, while Ukra
Georgia marks holiday season with daily protests
OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha sit down and chat about the protests against the Georgian government's decision to halt EU integration, going on for almost a month now as the holiday season descends on Georgia. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
The Caucasus and the regime change in Syria
OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Nate Ostiller, Arshaluys Barseghyan, and Yousef Bardouka talk about the regime change in Syria and what it means for the Caucasian diaspora communities in the country and what it says about Russia's influence and power globally. Read more: Armenia says 'no opportunity' to evacuate Syrian–Armenians Syrian rebel leader condemns Abkhazia and South Ossetia recognition Righ
Georgia's EU U-turn and spontaneous protests
OC Media's Robin Fabbro and Mariam Nikuradze talk about the spontaneous protest movement which erupted after the Georgian government's announcement that the country would 'halt' its EU integration. Mariam shares her experience covering the protests and details how the police injured her and damaged her cameras as she was covering their violent dispersal of the protests. Read more: Anti-governmen
Georgian Dream launch parliament — what's next?
Georgian Dream have launched the new parliament without any opposition, amidst continued calls for an investigation into irregularities in the same parliamentary elections that helped them secure their fourth term as the majority. A month after the elections, OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha sit down and talk about the developments surrounding the protests against electo
Donald Trump and the South Caucasus
Last week, Donald Trump was re-elected for a second term as president of the United States. This week, Robin Fabbro and OC Media editors Alexandra Kuenning and Nate Ostiller discuss what Trump's re-election as president might mean for the Caucasus as he appoints a new administration and the outcome of the war in Ukraine becomes more uncertain. Read more: How a Trump presidency could impact the S
Greta Thunberg on COP29 in Azerbaijan
With the UN COP conference soon kicking off in Baku, we sat down with Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg to talk about the choice of Azerbaijan, an oil-producing state with a questionable human rights record, as host. Read more: Controversy as COP29 to be held in Azerbaijan Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collectiv
Georgia gears up for the 2024 parliamentary elections
With Georgia's parliamentary elections inching closer, both the ruling Georgian Dream party and the many groups representing the opposition are scrambling to prepare for the critical vote on 26 October. This week, OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha discuss how the pre-election campaign period has been going, claims of electoral violations by Georgian Dream, and the atmosph
Shukruti's last stand against Georgian Manganese
The residents of Shukruti, a village in Georgia's western Chiatura region, have been protesting mining under their village carried out by Georgian Manganese for years. In September, they relocated their protest to Georgia's Parliament in Tbilisi, demanding that the government intervene in their dispute with the mining company. Those protesting around the clock in front of parliament are constantly
Kesaria Abramidze's murder and transphobia in Georgia
The high-profile murder of Kesaria Abramidze, a prominent Georgian trans model and media personality, has sent shockwaves through Georgia's queer community, with many accusing the government of enabling her murder through their transphobic and homophobic rhetoric and their 'LGBT propaganda' law. Abramidze's suspected murder, her former partner, was charged with committing a hate crime based on gen
'A year of uncertainty' since Nagorno-Karabakh's surrender
It has been a year since Nagorno-Karabakh's surrender and dissolution following an Azerbaijani assault on the region. The assault pushed the vast majority of the region's population to flee their homes and to seek refuge in Armenia, where they were met with bureaucratic hurdles and insufficient support from the Armenian government. This week, we spoke with Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst and
Brics and the South Caucasus
BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation named after its core members, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, appears to be making inroads in the South Caucasus, with Azerbaijan applying for its membership, and Armenia accepting an invitation to participate in a BRICS summit in Russia, despite its deteriorating relations with Moscow. This week, we speak to Azerbaijani independent research
Podcast | The Bahruz Samadov case
Bahruz Samadov, a political analyst, OC Media contributor, and outspoken advocate for peace with Armenia has been arrested in Azerbaijan and charged with treason. His arrest was preceded by the arrest of another researcher, Iqbal Abilov, on the same charges, leading many to fear that Azerbaijan has begun targeting researchers and peace activists. This week, we spoke with journalist Arzu Geybulla a
The Beslan siege: 20 years on
The siege of Beslan has left a scar on both North Ossetia and Russia. Twenty years on, many in North Ossetia still await the results of an investigation into the Russian authorities' handling of the crisis, which they believe might have contributed to the deaths of over 300 people — among them 186 children. This week, we spoke with Zalina Bogazova, a survivor of Beslan, about how those events have
Why are Evolution Georgia's employees on strike?
On 12 July, employees of Evolution Georgia, an online gambling platform, began a strike demanding better working conditions and pay and an end to abusive behaviour by the company's management. Evolution Georgia, which positions itself as a leading employer of students, is a subsidiary of a company headquartered in Sweden. This week, we spoke to Giorgi Kajaia, an Evolution Georgia employee on strik
Who or what's to blame for the Daghestan attacks?
June's deadly and coordinated attacks on synagogues, churches, and police posts in Daghestan's Makhachkala and Derbent have led to the deaths of 22 people, as well as five attackers. The authorities in the Russian republic and in Moscow have since scrambled to find someone or something to blame, including Ukraine, niqab, and MMA. This week, we speak to North Caucasus analyst and PhD student at Ind
Is Azerbaijan a champion of anti-colonialism?
Azerbaijan appears to be trying to position itself as a champion of the anti-colonial movement by criticising France's colonial past and supporting independence movements in its overseas territories. This week, we speak to political analyst and PhD candidate at Charles University in Prague Bahruz Samadov about the Baku Initiative Group, a group linked to the Azerbaijani government, and its anti-co
Georgian Dream's assault on queer rights
The ruling Georgian Dream party has introduced a legislative package that would ban 'LGBT propaganda', potentially setting back decades of progress on queer rights in the country. This week, we speak to OC Media staff writer Shota Kincha about the contents of the law, to Tbilisi Pride's director Tamar Jakeli about the future of the queer rights movement in light of the law, and to filmmaker Eka Ts
'Greenwashing' in Azerbaijan and COP29
Azerbaijan, a country whose economy depends heavily on fossil fuels, is set to host the United Nations' annual climate change conference, COP29, in November this year, amidst rampant human rights abuses and terrible environmental practices. This week, we speak to journalist Arzu Geybulla talks about human rights abuses in Azerbaijan and her expectations for COP29, while environmental activist Javi
Is it too late for Georgia's democracy?
OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha sit down to discuss whether Georgia's democracy could survive with the passing of the draconic foreign agent law, and October's critical parliamentary elections. Read more: Georgia's parliament passes controversial electoral code amendments Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or do
Why is an Armenian priest leading a crusade against the government?
Tavush for the Motherland, a movement fronted by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, has made headlines protesting in Armenia's north and in the capital Yerevan against the delimitation process with Azerbaijan. This week, we speak to OC Media's Armenian staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan about how the protest movement shifted from protesting border delimitation to calling for the government's resignation
Georgia's foreign agent law passes — what's next?
The foreign agent law has passed its third and final reading in the Georgian parliament despite mass protests against the law throughout the country. This week, OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha talk about President Salome Zourabichvili's expected veto of the law, the possibility of Western sanctions against members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and the future of th
A week of protests against Georgia's foreign agent law
Georgians have once again come out to protest the foreign agents bill after the ruling Georgian Dream party reintroduced the draft law a year after aborting it. This week, we spoke with OC Media's Mariam Nikuradze and Shota Kincha about the daily mass protests against the bill, the government's reactions, and how the coming weeks might unfold. Read more: Georgian foreign agent bill passes first
Is Chechnya banning lezginka?
Chechnya's Culture Ministry said earlier this month that the Russian republic would issue restrictions on music slower than 80 bpm and faster than 116 bpm. At the time, the ministry stated that the Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov had instructed them to introduce the restrictions, however, last week, Kadyrov said that the restrictions were meant to be 'recommendations' for performers and composers of f
The 'Russian Law' returns to Georgia
The ruling Georgian Dream party has reintroduced its controversial foreign agents law, a bill that the party was forced to abort after two nights of mass protests in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. The ruling party's reintroduction of the bill was met with wide condemnation both domestically and internationally due to its similarity to legislation that was used to crush civil society and media in Ru
NATO's stakes in the South Caucasus
Last week, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg toured the South Caucasus to visit the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This week, we speak to political analyst and head of the Regional Center for Democracy Tigran Grigoryan about the significance of a new partnership agreement between Armenia and NATO, to independent researcher Shujaat Ahmadzada about the importance of Azerbaijani g
Azerbaijan's media crackdown continues
In early March, Azerbaijani police raided the offices of Toplum TV and arrested several of their journalists on charges of smuggling. The targeting of the independent outlet was the latest in Azerbaijan's ongoing crackdown on media in the country. This week, we speak to Toplum TV journalist Alya Aghayeva about Azerbaijan's crackdown on their outlet, and to Leyla Mustafayeva, who became the interim
Is Armenia going to join the European Union?
In recent weeks, senior Armenian officials have expressed an intent and interest in the country growing closer to Europe, and perhaps even joining the European Union, particularly in light of recent security concerns and a move away from Moscow. In this week's episode, we speak to MEP Viola von Cramon about Armenia's EU prospects, and to Babken DerGrigorian, a former official in the post-revolutio
Surviving on $8 a month: is Georgia on track for a real living wage?
Georgia's minimum wage has been stuck at $8 a month since 1999, but in recent years, unions and civil society organisations have called on the government to raise the country's minimum wage to match standards of decent living in Georgia. This week in the Caucasus Digest, we speak to Jeff Vize from Human Rights Watch about the background of the current minimum wage, and Raisa Liparteliani from the
Are Armenia and Azerbaijan heading towards war?
Last week, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that Azerbaijan might be preparing to launch a full-scale war. His warning came amidst peace negotiations between the two countries that have been ongoing since the end of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020. This week, we speak to Crisis Group's Olesya Vartanyan, to independent researcher Shujaat Ahmadzada, and to writer and Carnegie
Against shame culture: virginity tests and sex education in Armenia
Last week, a bill on domestic violence passed its first hearing in Armenia's parliament. The changes would classify virginity tests, a controversial practice meant to determine whether a person's hymen is intact, as a form of domestic violence. This week, we speak to Ani Jilosian of the Women's Support Centre about what these amendments could mean and to Tereza Panchoyan, or Girlunmuted an Instagr
The elections that had no one on the edge of their seat
President Ilham Aliyev has prolonged his decades-long rule of Azerbaijan, securing a fifth term after winning the presidential elections this week — elections that were marred by the absence of any real opposition and blatant electoral fraud. On this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, we speak to Meydan TV editor Orkhan Mammad about the role of media in covering the elections, to political ana
Georgians take on predatory lending
The eviction of the Khatiashvili family from their home in Tbilisi last week has led to outrage in Georgia and accusations that the government is taking an 'inhumane' approach towards debt and housing. This week, we hear from Marina Khatiashvili, who was evicted alongside her family, and we speak to OC Media journalist and co-director Mariam Nikuradze about the protests surrounding the eviction,
The Amulsar mine returns
After over a decade of controversy over environmental, labour, and economic concerns, the Armenian government has finally greenlit the operation of the Amulsar gold mine in Jermuk. Since the project's announcement, local communities in and around Jermuk have expressed concern about the mine's potential impact on their lives and livelihoods, while environmental activists have warned about the catas
What's next for Georgia on its path to Europe?
Georgia may finally have secured EU candidate status, but some in Georgia still question just how committed the ruling Georgian Dream party is to taking the country's EU integration to the next stage. This week, we spoke to OC Media journalist and co-director Mariam Nikuradze about Georgian Dream's apparent change of heart towards the EU and to the Social Justice Centre's director of the democracy
Mandatory military service and 'fictional' priests in Georgia
Georgia's defence code is stamping out loopholes that young Georgians use to get out of military service, as rights activists in the country warn that new amendments to the code could lead to discrimination against religious minorities. This week, we spoke to a Georgian student about why he chose to evade conscription, to Ioseb Edisherashvili from the Georgian Young Lawyers Association about the c
Azerbaijan cracks down on the media
Last week, Azerbaijani authorities raided the offices of AbzasMedia, an independent news outlet covering corruption in the country. They arrested four of its employees, including its director, Ulvi Hasanli, and editor-in-chief, Sevinj Vagifgizi, on charges of smuggling foreign currency into the country. They denied the charges and accused the government of falsifying evidence against them by plant
Are the rights of queer Armenians being forgotten?
The recent suicide of a queer Armenian teenager shook many in Armenia, with activists accusing the authorities of lacking the sensitivity or willingness to help queer victims of abuse or bullying. In the absence of any legislation to protect them, queer people in Armenia are frequently subjected to discrimination and violence in Armenia, including in their own homes. This week on the Caucasus Dige
Going against the flow: Georgia's controversial hydropower plants
Georgia generates a staggering 85% of its electricity through hydropower plants; however, while further exploitation of Georgia's hydropower potential sounds promising on paper, local activists and researchers say that a lack of feasibility and safety research before the construction of hydropower plants could pose significant risks. This week on the Caucasus Digest, Hannah O'Sullivan, an energy r
How the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War has reshaped the region
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War has had a lasting impact on the South Caucasus, leading to a massive geopolitical shift. Azerbaijan emerged victorious, taking control of large swathes of territory in 2020, and eventually what remained of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023. Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population was forced to flee the region into Armenia, which since the war, has been forced to rea
Is Georgia getting EU candidate status?
The EU Commission is expected to deliver its recommendation on whether or not the European Union should now grant Georgia candidate status on 8 November. The decision to grant Georgia candidate status hinges on 12 priorities set out by the EU for the country to fulfil before its status could be reconsidered. While the Georgian Dream-led government insists that it has made real progress on those 12
Chechens trying to find their place in Europe
The Kadyrov regime, installed by Moscow in Grozny after the fall of Ichkeria, a short-lived independent Chechen state that existed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, has led to a severe deterioration of human rights in Chechnya, as reports of police brutality, disappearances, torture, and the persecution of people formerly associated with Ichkeria became all too common. Tens of thousands have
Tackling child marriages in Georgia
In early October, Aitaj Shakhmarova, 14, was murdered by a man who kidnapped her and forced her into marriage as she was trying to flee his home. The crime shook Georgia, where child marriage rates are relatively high. This week, we spoke to Samira Bayramova, a human rights activist from Kvemo Kartli, about the murder and prevalence of early marriage in Georgia and the importance of raising awaren
No tents, no stages, no signs: Georgian Dream's war on protest
Georgia's Parliament adopted on Thursday evening amendments to the law on protests that would ban the erection of temporary structures – tents and stages included. Critics of the amendments have argued that the new regulations would stifle freedom of assembly in the country and have already begun dubbing it the 'new Russian law' in reference to the foreign agents law, which triggered a wave of mas
The Nagorno-Karabakh Exodus
More than half of Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population have already sought refuge in Armenia less than a week after Stepanakert's surrender to Azerbaijan. This week on the Caucasus Digest, OC Media's Armenian staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan talks about Armenia's reception of Nagorno-Karabakh refugees and anti-government protests in Armenia. Laurence Broers, an associate fellow at the Russia an
The end of Nagorno-Karabakh?
On Tuesday, Azerbaijan launched a massive offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh. The aim was to 'restore constitutional order' and force the dissolution of the government in Stepanakert. Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered 24 hours later. This week on the Caucasus Digest, Thomas De Waal, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, talks about the short-lived fighting seen in Nagorno-Karabakh and what outcomes it mi
Fighting Russia's colonial legacy in the North Caucasus
Since its conquest by Russia in the 19th century, the North Caucasus has been the scene of genocides, forced deportations, wars for independence, and insurgency. The dozens of nations indigenous to the region continue to be repressed socially and culturally by the Russian Federation. However, Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine has once again raised the imperial nature of the Russian state and has
Tea Tsulukiani's chokehold on Georgian culture
Georgia's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth has seen a lot of changes since Tea Tsulukiani's appointment as minister, with Tsulukiani, a veteran member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, overseeing the 'reorganisation' of the ministry and its agencies. This week on the Caucasus Digest, we spoke to Lika Zakashvili, editor-in-chief of Publika, about Tsulukiani's tenure as minister and her reor
Shovi: an avoidable tragedy?
On 3 August, a fatal mudslide hit Shovi, a resort in the northwest of Georgia. At least 21 people were confirmed to have been killed as a result of the mudslide. This week on the Caucasus Digest, OC Media journalist and co-director Mariam Nikuradze talks about the mudslide and its aftermath. Aleko Sardanashvili, an activist and winemaker from Racha, talks about the impact of the disaster on the re
The arrest of Gubad Ibadoghlu
On 23 July, Azerbaijani police detained Gubad Ibadoghlu, a prominent critic of the Azerbaijani Government and chair of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party. Ibadoghlu was detained while visiting Azerbaijan from his home in London, and was charged with making, acquiring, or selling counterfeit money. On this week's episode, we spoke to Ibadoghlu's daughter, Jala Bayramova, a human rights lawy
North Caucasian art and activism in Tbilisi
Last week, a group of North Caucasian immigrants in Tbilisi gathered at the Centre for Contemporary Art to celebrate their culture and discuss the experience of North Caucasians in Georgia. On this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, we are joined by the organisers of the event: the founders of Ored Recordings, Bulat Khalilov and Timur Kodzoko. Khalilov and Kodzoko broke down the cultural signi
Blockade fatigue in Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh has been under various degrees of blockade for over seven months now as Azerbaijan continues to prevent the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh from leaving or entering the region. Russian peacekeepers stationed there have been barred from accessing the region since mid-June, while the International Committee of the Red Cross was blocked from accessing Nagorno-Karabakh after being accus
A history of homophobic violence
This week, Tbilisi is celebrating Pride Week. But unlike most Prides, this one is being held behind closed doors. The fight for the right to be queer in public in Georgia is not new. This week, we spoke to Natia Ghvianishvili, one of a handful of activists who gathered on 17 May 2013 only to be attacked by thousands of people led by priests. We spoke to Mariam Kvaratskhelia, co-founder and co-dire
Roadblocks and acid lakes: an Azerbaijani village under siege
The village of Soyudlu in western Azerbaijan was locked down by the police in late June after its residents protested environmental damage caused by a goldmine. The police's response to the protests provoked outrage in Azerbaijan, with many activists criticising for being disproportionate. This week, we spoke to Roya Malikzada a lawyer at Ecobill, an Azerbaijani environmental group that has been p
Police brutality in Armenia
OC Media staff writer Ani Avetisyan and Daniel Ioannisyan, the programmes director of the Union of Informed Citizens, talk about the latest cases of police brutality and violence in Armenia and the progress made to reform the police since the 2018 revolution. Read more: Backlash after Pashinyan appoints 'childhood friend' as Armenia's Interior Minister 'An attack on the clubbing community': pop
Chiatura goes on strike
'Thousands' of miners employed by Georgian Manganese in the mining town of Chiatura went on strike to protest working conditions in the mines. The miners demanded better pay, paid holiday and sick leaves, and the full resumption of production of mines after it had been put on hold for months. On this week's episode, Robin Fabbro speaks to Mariam Nikuradze about the situation on the ground, and to
Blank posters and phallic puns: how to get arrested in Georgia
Last week, seven protesters were detained outside the Georgian Parliament for holding signs and posters the police deemed 'offensive'. Three of those detained are being charged with petty hooliganism and disobeying police, as civil society groups questioned the legality of their detention and warned of a worrying deterioration of the state of democracy in Georgia. This week on the Caucasus Digest,
Where are the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace talks going?
Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently been engaged in a series of frequent meetings between the country's leaders and foreign ministers in an attempt to reach a peace agreement. Despite hopes that the two countries would sign new agreements in at least one of Moscow on 26 June or Chisinau on 1 June, neither meeting broke new ground. This week in the Caucasus Digest, we spoke to Bahruz Samadov, a Ph
North Caucasians fighting in Ukraine and remembering the Circassian Genocide
Elizaveta Chukahrova, an independent journalist from the North Caucasus, phones in to talk about the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the North Caucasus and how Russian authorities attempt to hide the number of dead. Read more: Coffins from Ukraine in the North Caucasus OC Media editor Yousef Bardouka talks about the commemoration of the Circassian Genocide in Nalchik and the state of
A view of the Turkish elections from Azerbaijan and Armenia
As Turkey holds a runoff presidential election after Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to gather 50% of the vote, many inside and outside of Turkey are left wondering what the future might hold for them. This week on the Caucasus Digest, we spoke to Ahmad Alili, director of the Caucasus Policy Analysis Center, and Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center to shed light how the outcome
Does a free press exist in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan has ranked 151st on this year's World Press Freedom Index — the 29th worst in the world. On this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, OC Media speaks to Arzu Geybulla, a journalist and media expert, and Orkhan Mammad, an editor at Meydan TV, about how Baku's policies serve to constrict media freedom in Azerbaijan or even force journalists into exile. Read more: Aliyev signs law to mu
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