Russian students stage WWII performance in Georgian state theatre
https://oc-media.org/russian-students-stage-wwii-performance-in-georgian-state-theatre/
Published: May 19, 2026 14:13
The Russian Interests Section reported the event.
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Open Caucasus Media
Site URL: oc-media.org/
Feed URL: oc-media.org/feed
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Bank of Georgia signs $45 million Trade Finance Facility with Citi and Asian Development Bank
Published: May 19, 2026 13:39
This transaction highlights the value of strong collaboration between local and global financial institutions.
Arrests and controversy following several heated campaign encounters with Pashinyan
Published: May 19, 2026 13:30
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused the opposition of plotting ‘provocations’ during his campaign.
Baku–Tbilisi passenger rail service to resume from 26 May
https://oc-media.org/baku-tbilisi-passenger-rail-service-to-resume-from-26-may/
Published: May 19, 2026 12:34
Passenger rail service has been suspended for more than six years.
Georgia to create special Interior Ministry department to monitor and penalise ‘hate speech’
Published: May 19, 2026 11:51
The ruling Georgian Dream party has insisted on the department’s creation does not amount to censorship.
Ingush imam rails on men wearing short-sleeved shirts and ‘insufficient control’ over women
Published: May 19, 2026 10:47
Imam Ahmed Ugurchiev considers ordinary T-shirts to be ‘sleepwear’.
Georgian local exports reach record high as trade shows strong growth
https://oc-media.org/georgian-local-exports-reach-record-high-as-trade-shows-strong-growth/
Published: May 19, 2026 10:16
Revenue generated from local exports reached $1.551 billion, marking a 73.5% annual increase.
Tuesday, 19 May 2026
https://oc-media.org/tuesday-19-may-2026/
Published: May 19, 2026 09:00
Regional * The Azerbaijan Economy Ministry has stated that it will resume daily passenger train services on the Baku–Tbilisi–Baku route from 26 May after an agreement was reached with Georgia. Passenger rail service between Baku and Tbilisi was suspended…
Georgian and Ukrainian foreign ministers meet again in latest sign of warming ties
Published: May 18, 2026 14:44
The increased communication has strengthened discussions on normalisation prospects between the two countries.
Akhmat club fighter expelled after assault on women in Grozny
https://oc-media.org/akhmat-club-fighter-expelled-after-assault-on-women-in-grozny/
Published: May 18, 2026 14:05
Dzhikhad Yunusov has still not been detained despite public outrage and an Interior Ministry inquiry.
Gunba focuses on economy and Russian relations in first major press conference since 2025 election
Published: May 18, 2026 13:25
An underlying theme throughout the press conference was Abkhazia’s dependence on external factors, primarily regarding interactions with Russia.
Patriarch Shio III targets abortion, ‘gender ideology’ on ‘Family Purity Day’
https://oc-media.org/patriarch-shio-iii-targets-abortion-gender-ideology-on-family-purity-day/
Published: May 18, 2026 13:04
Patriarch Shio III made remarks after the Family Purity Day March.
Baku hit by mass flooding as it hosts international forum
https://oc-media.org/baku-hit-by-mass-flooding-as-it-hosts-international-forum/
Published: May 18, 2026 12:48
Photos and video taken by a forum participant showed that the area where the World Urban Forum was held was also flooded.
Armenia launches investigation into alleged plot to assassinate Pashinyan
https://oc-media.org/armenia-launches-investigation-into-alleged-plot-to-assassinate-pashinyan/
Published: May 18, 2026 12:47
The investigation was announced after a video appeared online showing masked and armed men issuing direct threats to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
US court sentences Georgian national to 15 years in prison over white supremacist terror plot
Published: May 18, 2026 10:44
Michail Chkhikvishvili was found criminally liable for ‘soliciting hate crimes and distributing instructions to make bombs and ricin’.
Authorities in Kabarda–Balkaria again ban march commemorating Circassian Genocide
Published: May 18, 2026 10:24
Ahead of 21 May, residents began being summoned to police stations to receive warnings against participating in unauthorised actions.
Yerevan court accepts Pashinyan’s defamation case over Kareptyan’s hallucinogenic mushrooms comment
Published: May 18, 2026 10:10
Russian-Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan, who also heads the most popular opposition party, alleged Pashinyan was taking hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Monday, 18 May 2026
https://oc-media.org/monday-18-may-2026/
Published: May 18, 2026 09:06
Regional * The Russian Cabinet of Ministers has supported a cooperation agreement between the governments of Daghestan and South Ossetia. The order was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The agreement would increase trade, economic,…
Childcare workers jailed after allegedly severing toe of two-year-old at Makhachkala kindergarten
Published: May 15, 2026 14:11
The staff members allegedly attempted to conceal that the child had lost a toe.
Azerbaijan hosts neocolonialism-focused Global South conference
https://oc-media.org/azerbaijan-hosts-neocolonialism-focused-global-south-conference/
Published: May 15, 2026 14:09
On 14 May, Baku hosted the first General Assembly of the Global South NGOs Platform.
Criminal cases, insults and claims of foreign control: Armenia’s pre-election campaign heats up
Published: May 15, 2026 12:50
Armenia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on 7 June.
Tbilisi says Russia advances annexation steps in Georgia after new South Ossetia deal
Published: May 15, 2026 12:19
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili spoke on the issue at a Council of Europe event in Moldova.
Friday, 15 May 2026
https://oc-media.org/friday-15-may-2026/
Published: May 15, 2026 12:06
Regional * Former Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili has been appointed CEO of the Italian petroleum company Italiana Petroli (IP), which had recently  been acquired by Azerbaijan’s SOCAR. Davitashvili stepped down as minister in June 2025. *…
Sochi court upholds sentence of Karachay–Cherkessia resident in tourist murder case
Published: May 15, 2026 11:56
Supporters of the convicted man insist he acted in self-defence.
Ex-Georgian Economy Minister appointed CEO of SOCAR-acquired Italian petroleum company
Published: May 15, 2026 11:02
Levan Davitashvili served as Economy Minister from February 2022 to June 2025.
Georgia’s new vineyard rules draw accusations of ‘Soviet-style thinking’ from small producers
Published: May 15, 2026 06:51
While the government insists the regulations will safeguard Georgian wine’s reputation abroad, critics argue they could wipe out smaller producers.
Pashinyan orders dismissal of four school principals for letting teachers and students attend Civil Contract rally
Published: May 14, 2026 14:25
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the resignation letters were submitted per his instruction.
Pro-government Georgian TV Imedi temporarily banned from European Parliament
https://oc-media.org/pro-government-georgian-tv-imedi-temporarily-banned-from-european-parliament/
Published: May 14, 2026 13:53
Imedi noted that it had received an official letter regarding the matter.
Georgians rank second after Turks in deportations from EU
https://oc-media.org/georgians-rank-second-after-turks-in-deportations-from-eu/
Published: May 14, 2026 13:32
Over 10,000 Georgians and 13,000 Turks were deported from the EU in 2025.
Armenian billionaire vows to build Noah’s Ark after construction of world’s tallest Jesus statue
Published: May 14, 2026 12:55
Gagik Tsarukyan, also an opposition figure, had earlier dubbed his signature campaign platform a ‘political and civic Noah’s Ark’.
Iran reportedly revokes passport of anti-government activist in Armenia
https://oc-media.org/iran-reportedly-revokes-passport-of-anti-government-activist-in-armenia/
Published: May 14, 2026 12:31
The Iranian Embassy in Armenia has declined to comment.
Buckets, sticks, and stories — Inside Armenia’s woman-led tradition khabukhaz
https://oc-media.org/buckets-sticks-and-stories-inside-armenias-woman-led-tradition-khabukhaz/
Published: May 14, 2026 10:21
Khabukhaz is a woman-led milk exchange now only practiced in a few villages in Armenia’s Shirak province.
Thursday, 14 May 2026
https://oc-media.org/thursday-14-may-2026/
Published: May 14, 2026 09:08
Regional * In an incident of apparent vandalism at the Armenian Surb Nshan Church in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia, church icons were thrown near the rubbish, prompting an official investigation. Armenia * The US and the EU welcomed the lifting of…
Review | Small Town of Anara — a subversive Soviet Georgian exploration of drinking culture
Published: May 14, 2026 09:04
Georgian director Irakli Kvirikadze’s 1976 film turns a drinking tradition into a portrait of a society trapped in itself.
Azerbaijan imposes travel ban on mother of jailed journalist
https://oc-media.org/azerbaijan-imposes-travel-ban-on-mother-of-jailed-journalist/
Published: May 13, 2026 14:13
Dilruba Amanova’s daughter Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig) was one of 12 journalists detained as part of a 2024 crackdown on independent Azerbaijani media.
Karapetyan hits back at Pashinyan as more affiliates arrested on vote-buying charges
Published: May 13, 2026 13:39
Armenian authorities have launched several vote-buying cases against Samvel Karapetyan’s affiliates in the past months.
Former Georgian rugby captain and players receive lengthy bans amidst doping accusations
Published: May 13, 2026 13:36
The bans affected six players, as well as a doctor.
Seven contract soldiers dismissed after scuffle outside South Ossetian Interior Ministry
Published: May 13, 2026 12:45
Another soldier has been declared wanted.
Turkey opens bilateral trade with Armenia after decades of closure
https://oc-media.org/turkey-opens-bilateral-trade-with-armenia-after-decades-of-closure/
Published: May 13, 2026 11:10
Goods can now pass between Armenia and Turkey without needing additional registration, but further steps remain until the border is officially opened.
French Parliament calls for sanctions on Ivanishvili, with far-right and far-left voting against
Published: May 13, 2026 10:56
The resolution condemned the ruling party’s ‘authoritarian drift’.
Karachay–Cherkessia court confiscates almost $900,000 in assets from former minister, including 22 properties and 3 cars
https://oc-media.org/karachay-cherkessia-court-confiscates-former-ministers-assets/
Published: May 13, 2026 10:28
Prosecutors secured the transfer to the state of 22 properties, three vehicles, and more than $870,000.
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
https://oc-media.org/wednesday-13-may-2026/
Published: May 13, 2026 09:07
Armenia * Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan received a US delegation to discuss the Trump Route (TRIPP). According to the Armenian readout, the sides ‘discussed and agreed on a number of operational and legal issues related to the implementation of…
Karapetyan’s nephew says Trump Route could become target for Iran
https://oc-media.org/karapetyans-nephew-says-trump-route-could-become-target-for-iran/
Published: May 12, 2026 14:22
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused the opposition of intending to ‘revise’ the peace settlement with Azerbaijan, saying it would lead to war.
Chechen security forces reportedly kill man in car crash while chasing drone
https://oc-media.org/chechen-security-forces-reportedly-kill-man-in-car-crash-while-chasing-drone/
Published: May 12, 2026 13:47
It was also reported that security forces opened fire at an aircraft while attempting to shoot down a drone.
Azerbaijani opposition leader Karimli denied permission to attend father’s funeral
Published: May 12, 2026 11:46
He now awaits permission to attend his father’s wake scheduled for 15 May.
Report finds Georgian Dream’s 2025 income, including donations, far outstrip all other parties combined
Published: May 12, 2026 10:55
As in previous years, donations remained the main source of political parties’ income in 2025 as well.
Pashinyan rejects Putin’s ‘divorce’ offer
https://oc-media.org/pashinyan-rejects-putins-divorce-offer/
Published: May 12, 2026 10:30
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Armenia to choose between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
New Georgian Patriarch Shio III enthroned
https://oc-media.org/new-georgian-patriarch-shio-iii-enthroned/
Published: May 12, 2026 09:46
Shio III became Patriarch at the age of 57.
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
https://oc-media.org/tuesday-12-may-2026/
Published: May 12, 2026 08:52
Regional * Armenia’s Catholicos Karekin II has congratulated the newly elected Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Shio III. Armenia * Responding to recent comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting Armenia should choose between…
Armenia’s election season kicks off with Armenian lessons and heated foreign relations accusations
Published: May 11, 2026 13:59
The parliamentary elections are set for 7 June.
South Ossetian Defence Ministry employees detained after attacking police
https://oc-media.org/south-ossetian-defence-ministry-employees-detained-after-attacking-police/
Published: May 11, 2026 12:46
Two people involved in a road traffic accident assaulted police officers who arrived at the scene.
Hand-hearts and drum solos — Pashinyan’s populist social media strategy
https://oc-media.org/hand-hearts-and-drum-solos-pashinyans-populist-social-media-strategy/
Published: May 11, 2026 12:40
The Armenian Prime Minister has turned his social media into a viral regional sensation — but does his charm survive contact with reality?
Shio Mujiri elected Patriarch of Georgia
https://oc-media.org/shio-mujiri-elected-patriarch-of-georgia/
Published: May 11, 2026 12:07
For the first time after more than 48 years of Ilia II’s leadership, the Georgian Church has elected a new patriarch.
Daghestani soldiers fighting in Ukraine ask Putin for help in dispute over seized Makhachkala homes
Published: May 11, 2026 11:18
The soldiers said more than 500 families in a Makhachkala neighbourhood could lose their homes.
Putin offers Armenia an amicable ‘divorce’
https://oc-media.org/putin-offers-armenia-an-amicable-divorce/
Published: May 11, 2026 11:10
Putin also issued a veiled threat, drawing a parallel between Armenia’s path towards the EU and Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Leaked Russian document outlines planned ‘anti-Pashinyan’ campaign ahead of Armenia elections
Published: May 11, 2026 11:06
The plan aims to ‘reduce the popularity’ of Pashinyan’s government.
Monday, 11 May 2026
https://oc-media.org/monday-11-may-2026/
Published: May 11, 2026 08:49
Armenia * Armenia’s pre-election campaign began on 8 May. The ruling Civil Contract party began its campaign in the Syunik region. The head of the Armenia Alliance faction, former President Robert Kocharyan, claimed that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s…