News

May 11, 2020 11:08

• Residents of Chechnya note chaotic nature of help distribution by Kadyrov Foundation

  The Chechen authorities have reported on the distribution of monetary help to poor families organized by the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation. However, the residents of the republic interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have claimed that the recipients of the targeted help are often not those who really need it.

May 11, 2020 10:55

• Two PFPA activists arrested for 30 days each

  Ali Imankhanly and Elkhan Aliev, activists of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), received 30 days of administrative arrest each for "violating the quarantine regime" and "disobedience to the police," the party has reported.

May 10, 2020 10:32

• Dagestani MfE apologizes for war songs from loudspeakers on mosques

  The broadcasting of war time songs through the loudspeakers installed by the Ministry for Emergencies (MfE) on mosques in Makhachkala has triggered a mixed reaction in social networks. The action was not agreed with the clergy, the Muftiate has reported. The MfE explained that they wanted to support those who were on self-isolation because of the coronavirus and apologized to believers.

May 10, 2020 10:26

• Residents of Grozny complain of fines for violating "mask regime"

  After the introduction of mandatory wearing of medical masks in public places, law enforcers in Grozny began imposing fines on violators, they would not be lenient, local residents complain.

May 10, 2020 10:20

• Call of Chechen law enforcers to stay at home outrages Instagram users

  A video appeal of law enforcers from the Gudermes District about the need of self-isolation is unconvincing, because they had not lost their salaries and the ability to feed their families, commentators on the Instagram and residents of Chechnya have pointed out.

May 09, 2020 22:52

• Circassian activists help Syrian returnees

  Activists from the group "Help to Syrian compatriots" and the NGO "Paryt" have spread 103 food packages among Circassian repatriates.

May 09, 2020 22:41

• Residents of Chechnya are sceptical about Kadyrov's promise to weaken quarantine

  The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has announced the opening, on May 11, of minor enterprises engaged in the sphere of services. However, local businessmen have suggested that under self-isolation, their work will be unprofitable. Once the motor traffic is very limited, receiving permits to reopen servicing stations is senseless, Instagram users have pointed out.

May 09, 2020 22:36

• Residents of Georgia mark May 9 under restrictions and bans

  Residents of Georgia celebrate Victory Day amid restrictions associated both with coronavirus and political motives. The country's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has reminded about the ban to use of communist and fascist symbols; and the authorities, due to the epidemic, have limited visits to crowded places. The residents of Tbilisi interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have noted that May 9 is a sacred holiday.

May 09, 2020 17:16

• Rights defenders criticize Armenian MPs for brawl in parliament

  At a sitting of the Armenian parliament, after a verbal skirmish of MPs from the ruling party with those of the opposition, a mass brawl broke out. The Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has called the opposition's actions a provocation, while human rights defenders have criticized the ruling party, accusing it of intolerance of opponents.

May 09, 2020 17:14

• Statements of Chechen Speaker show difference of Adats and laws

  The demand of Magomed Daudov, Speaker of Chechen Parliament, to prosecute men for violating the quarantine by their relatives is against the laws, but is fully consistent with Adats (customary law of certain Muslim nations), analysts believe.

May 09, 2020 11:22

• Rights defenders claim religious discrimination in Georgia

  Georgian authorities are supporting the Georgian Orthodox Church in financial, legal and social spheres, while the attitude of the state towards other religions is discriminatory, the Institute of Tolerance and Diversity has stated.

May 09, 2020 11:20

• Four persons detained at protest action in Batumi

  About 100 people came to the Adjara Government House in Batumi on Friday, May 8, demanding the release of two detained men. There were clashes of protesters with policemen; and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported on the detention of four persons.

May 09, 2020 11:18

• Coronavirus death toll in Southern Caucasus increases due to Armenia and Georgia

  In Southern Caucasus, including the unrecognized republics, the number of coronavirus deaths has reached 82. Over the past 24 hours, one person died in Armenia and Georgia each.

May 08, 2020 23:59

• Situation with COVID-19 in Dagestan remains most alarming in Russia, Ministry for Public Health reports

  After an appeal of Dagestani doctors to the Russian President, the Russian Minister for Public Health has stated that the spread of the coronavirus infection in Dagestan and the provision of medical care for infected patients in the republic cause more fears than the situation in other regions.

May 08, 2020 23:57

• Armenian and Karabakh politicians bail out former president Robert Kocharyan

  Four former prime ministers of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh requested the release of Robert Kocharyan from a SIZO (pre-trial prison) because of the threat of the coronavirus infection.

May 08, 2020 18:28

• Social network users criticize detentions of quarantine violators in Chechnya

  In Chechnya, public officers reprimanded almost two dozen men detained without permits and masks, reports a video posted on Instagram. Social network users claim it is a problem in Chechnya to get a permit to leave home.

May 08, 2020 18:16

• Parents with many children in Chechnya complain about deficit of information on benefits

  Chechnya is collecting applications for benefits that are planned to be paid to parents of preschool children since June, the republic's Ministry of Labour has stated. However, recipients of payments to families with many children complain that they learned about the due benefits not from officials, but from acquaintances.

May 08, 2020 18:06

• Ramid Nagiev, PFPA activist, arrested

  Ramid Nagiev, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was arrested for 30 days. The party associates his arrest with Nagiev's political activities.

May 08, 2020 11:59

• KBR benefactors raise money to help those in need

  The "Kavkaz-Nur" Foundation has arranged a fundraising campaign in social networks in order to buy food for the families in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), who found themselves without money due to the epidemic. Volunteers have faced a large number of requests for help; out of 663 such requests, they managed to satisfy 200 so far. Other businessmen are also rendering large-scale help to local residents.

May 08, 2020 11:53

• Azerbaijani authorities report payment of assistance to veterans

  Participants in the Great Patriotic War and home front workers have received lump-sum cash benefits for the Victory Day, the Azerbaijani government has announced. Because of the quarantine regime, we'll have to celebrate the Victory Day at home, local residents have regretted.