Caucasian Knot

29/09/2026

The report on the persecution of Kadyrov's critics abroad angered Soltaev.

The Commissioner for Human Rights in Chechnya, Mansur Soltaev, accused the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Russia, Marianna Katzarova, of defending "extremists and terrorists" following her report on the practice of persecuting critics of the Chechen authorities abroad.

Chechen authorities have been persecuting their critics abroad for many years. In July 2020, bloggers from the Chechen diaspora who criticized Kadyrov's regime reported regular threats. They reported this after the murder in Austria of Mamikhan Umarov, known as "Anzor from Vienna." The "Caucasian Knot" collected stories of the elimination of Ramzan Kadyrov's opponents in the EU in the report "Murders of Kadyrov's Critics in EU Countries".

Mansur Soltaev commented on the statements of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, Marianna Katzarova, regarding transnational repression against critics of the Chechen authorities on September 28.

The report that Katzarova presented to the UN Human Rights Council on September 21 describes the Russian practice of persecuting critics of the authorities outside the country, noting that this practice "threatens the sovereignty of the host states." A separate section of the report is dedicated to the persecution of Ramzan Kadyrov's critics.

Soltaev declared Katzarova's report a "provocation against Chechnya." "Once again, attempts are being made to whitewash terrorists and other criminals wanted for their bloody atrocities. (...) Today's West has taken the side of extremists and terrorists," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

The Commissioner claims that the critics of the Chechen authorities listed in Katzarova's report were "identified and legally recognized" as "members of extremist and terrorist groups."

"Long before their destructive activities outside the republic, these elements were declared wanted at the federal level as criminals with blood on their hands up to their elbows," Soltaev stated.

Addressing Katzarova, the Chechen ombudsman deliberately distorted her surname to give it an offensive sound. "It is people like you who shelter them in Europe, and now, with your report, you have aligned yourself with them," he added.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78957

29/09/2026

Kardashov's mother shared her hope for justice for her son.

The case of former Rosgvardiya officers Dukaev and Abdurashidov from the Supreme Court of Chechnya should be returned to the prosecutor for further investigation, human rights activists insist. This possibility has given the mother of the murdered pharmacist from Khasavyurt, Alexey Kardashov, a small hope for an objective investigation.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the cassation instance returned the case against former Rosgvardiya employees Aslan Dukaev and Bekhan Abdurashidov to the Supreme Court of Chechnya, emphasizing that the court representatives in Chechnya ignore the arguments of the victim's side and the prosecutor's office.

In the summer of 2023, the Gudermes City Court of Chechnya found former Rosgvardiya employees Bekhan Abdurashidov and Aslan Dukaev guilty of the illegal detention of Alexey Kardashov. They were sentenced to two years probation under the article on abuse of power. This sentence was overturned on appeal, and in June 2024, the Sheikh-Mansurovsky Court terminated the case against Abdurashidov and Dukaev due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution.

The cassation instance canceled the appellate ruling in the case of Dukaev and Abdurashidov, as the representatives of the victim had filed a motion to return the case to the prosecutor, but the court that ruled to terminate the case did not assess it, explained a representative of the "Team Against Torture"*.

"The ruling was superficial. The refusal to satisfy the motion is unsubstantiated, meaning the court did not properly respond and did not study our motion to return the case to the prosecutor," he told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot".

The Deputy Prosecutor of Chechnya also refers in his submission to a number of procedural violations that were committed by the first instance court.

"But it should be noted that neither in the first instance court nor in the Supreme Court of Chechnya did the representatives of the Chechen Republic prosecutor's office advocate for the case to be returned to the first instance. The cassation submission from the prosecutor's office came only after the victim's side filed a cassation complaint in the Fifth Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction, which, in fact, accepted the arguments of this cassation complaint, partially satisfied it, and took into account the arguments of the cassation submission," the human rights activist said.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78956

* included in the register of foreign agents.

29/09/2026

Khalilov's defense is seeking to terminate his case on aiding terrorism.

The Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria denied the prosecution's request to arrest developer Andzor Khalilov in the case of illegal attraction of funds from shareholders. Khalilov remains in pre-trial detention on charges of financing terrorism, and the defense insists on terminating this case.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the case against developer Andzor Khalilov for illegally attracting citizens' money was transferred to court separately from the charges of financing terrorism in May. Khalilov's lawyer called his prosecution a "legal absurdity," and the accused himself complained about the conditions in the isolation facility.

The charges against developer Andzor Khalilov from Kabardino-Balkaria, who was arrested after being deported to Russia from the UAE, are based on the testimony of witness Kardanov, whom the accused himself calls fictional. Another figure in the case of collecting money for militants also denies the charges. At a session in the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria, the arrested Khalilov stated that he "did not hide and did not run away." The defense believes that the case under the article on financing terrorism should be terminated.

The Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria today granted the complaint of Andzor Khalilov's defense against the ruling on his detention measure, reported "Gazeta Yuga" citing lawyer Vyacheslav Blazhko.

As explained by the lawyer, under the article on illegal attraction of funds from shareholders (part 2 of article 200.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), Khalilov was previously arrested for three months, until August 3, after which the court did not extend this measure. "The state prosecutor did not petition for an extension of the measure, and then suddenly, after 10 days, declared that a measure should be chosen, although there could be no grounds for its selection. Khalilov is in pre-trial detention, and he cannot not pressure witnesses or destroy evidence," Blazhko said.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78954

29/09/2026

A resident of Baku was injured in a mine explosion in the Shusha district.

aku resident Bakhtiyar Bayramov was injured as a result of a mine explosion in the area of the former Karabakh conflict.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 6, a tractor driver detonated a mine in the uncleared territory of the Agdam district. The man was hospitalized.

In the area of the former Karabakh conflict, security forces, sapper units, and local residents periodically detonate mines. The villages where residents are relocated have been cleared of mines, but outside the populated areas, dangerous zones remain.

Today, in the village of Jamillyar in the Shusha district, a car driven by Baku resident Bakhtiyar Bayramov ran over an anti-tank mine, reports APA, citing a joint statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan, and the Mine Clearance Agency.

According to the agencies, the driver, born in 1979, sustained injuries of varying severity. The incident occurred in an uncleared mine area. The Shusha district prosecutor's office has launched an investigation, writes Haqqin_az.

more: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78949

28/09/2026

The journalist urged Putin to investigate systemic corruption in Dagestan and Ingushetia.

The editor-in-chief of the Omsk publication "Glager_ru" Konstantin Skachkov recorded a video message to Vladimir Putin, in which he stated that the appeals he collected from entrepreneurs, residents, and law enforcement officials indicate systemic corruption and raider seizures in Dagestan and Ingushetia. He urged the president to instruct his subordinates to verify this information, noting that the problem can only be solved at the federal level.

The video message from the editor-in-chief of the Omsk publication "Glager_ru" Konstantin Skachkov to Vladimir Putin was published on September 27 by the Instagram*-public dagestan_like.

"Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, this is not about one person, not about one fact of corruption, not about one crime. This is about two entire republics – Ingushetia and Dagestan. About thousands of facts of corruption, hundreds of crimes, and millions of people. I started an investigative journalism project in January of this year," Skachkov said.

According to the journalist, during the investigation, he received a large number of appeals from entrepreneurs, residents, and law enforcement officials. These appeals formed his opinion that corrupt practices are widespread at various levels, affecting both entrepreneurs and ordinary residents. As one example, he cited the situation with a local enterprise that, according to him, was subjected to a raider seizure, and a criminal case was initiated against its director more than two years ago based on fabricated testimonies and accusations. The case is still inactive, the journalist stated.

Skachkov also stated that appeals to local authorities and law enforcement structures did not yield results, so he is counting on verification at the federal level. "Give assignments to your specialists to simply monitor social networks. There, they write more or less truthfully. I am ready to provide any, absolutely any documentation prepared by lawyers, with evidence, photos, video materials, and testimonies of people," he said.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78935

28/09/2026

Kadyrov reported on another aid delivery to the children of Gaza

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, reported on the distribution of school supplies to children in Gaza on his Telegram channel on September 27.

According to Kadyrov, 200 students of the school and kindergarten at the Children's Home in Gaza received school supplies and sweets. "Helping educational institutions and children in Gaza is not just about providing necessary items. It is support for those who continue to live and learn despite circumstances beyond their control," he wrote.

The distribution of aid was carried out on the instructions of the president of the Regional Public Fund named after Ahmad Kadyrov, Aymani Kadyrova, and was supervised by the secretary of the Security Council of Chechnya, Adam Kadyrov. "In total, it is planned to assist one million people within the framework of charitable actions," added the head of Chechnya.

Let us remind you that in the elections for the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov received 99.85% of the votes, while his opponents Ismail Denilkhanov and Khalid Nakaev received 0.05% each, the Central Election Commission reported after processing 100% of the ballots. This result became a record for Kadyrov. Analysts considered that the logic of such a victory is unclear.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78933

28/09/2026

American senators asked Rubio to link the partnership with Baku and the release of political prisoners.

Two Democratic senators and one Republican senator sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging to link the development of strategic partnership with Baku and the release of all political prisoners in the country. They pointed out the need to release those involved in high-profile criminal cases.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Armenia on February 9-10 and visited Azerbaijan on February 10-11. Following the negotiations between Vance and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a Charter of Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and the U.S. was signed on the evening of February 10, according to the Azerbaijani presidential website. The charter outlines the main areas of cooperation, particularly in regional connectivity, energy, trade and transit, economy, investment and technology, security and defense.

"Trump's Route", TRIPP - is a project for a transport corridor between Azerbaijan and its exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, through the territory of Armenia. The project was created with the mediation and exclusive rights of the U.S. for 99 years. It became a key element of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed in August 2025 in Washington, according to the reference "Caucasian Knot" "Trump's Route (TRIPP): transport corridor through Armenia".

A bipartisan group of American senators - Democrats Peter Welch and Tim Kaine, as well as Republican Tom Tillis - sent an official letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging to link the development of strategic partnership with Baku to the release of all political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

The document notes that although the U.S. Administration has taken positive steps - including signing the Charter of Strategic Partnership, promoting the initiative "Trump's Route to International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), and temporarily suspending the 907th amendment to the "Freedom Support Act" - this "goodwill" should not be perceived by the Azerbaijani authorities as a “blank check for internal repression.”

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78929

28/09/2026

Participants of the march in Tbilisi demanded the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity.

The march "Abkhazia is Georgia, glory to the heroes" took place in Tbilisi on the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Sukhumi. The participants demanded the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the march "Georgia against Ivanishvili" gathered in the center of Tbilisi on the 668th day of daily protests by supporters of Georgia's Euro-integration. They demanded the release of political prisoners and stated the necessity of Georgia's territorial integrity. The rally also included a call not to extradite Mansur Movlaev to Russia.

34 years ago, on August 14, 1992, the war in Abkhazia began. The conflict flared up after the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR restored the 1925 Constitution of Abkhazia and proclaimed the independence of the republic. The State Council of Georgia annulled this decree and decided to send National Guard forces into Abkhazia, according to a report by the "Caucasian Knot" "War in Abkhazia 1992-1993: main facts".

A march "Abkhazia is Georgia, glory to the heroes" took place in Tbilisi. The participants gathered at Tbilisi State University and began moving towards Heroes Square. Representatives of political parties were also present at the march, reports "Interpressnews".

On the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Sukhumi, residents of Tbilisi, who marched from the university to Heroes Square, paid tribute to the heroes who died for Georgia's territorial integrity and read their names, reports Publika.

The leader of the "Coalition for Change" Nika Gvaramia stated before the march that to restore the territorial integrity of the country, it is necessary to take "the veins of Georgia" where the "Georgian Dream" rules.

"Today is a difficult day. This day will always be remembered in Georgia, we will remember, but we cannot rely only on memory - we need to move forward, to restore our territorial integrity, and this is very realistic. But this is connected with such things that under Bidzina Ivanishvili are simply impossible to achieve - this is membership in the European Union, this is high-level security, this is a secure life for all, including our citizens living in Abkhazia. Therefore, first we must return those territories and that country which are under our control, and then we can do everything else, including restoring territorial integrity," - his words were quoted by "Interpressnews".

To return Georgia's territories, strong international allies' support is necessary, the participants of the march believe, reports the TV company "Pirveli".

"Today is a day of memory and commemoration. First of all, we remember the heroes who died so that Georgia could live. The current government, which does not dare to say who the occupier is, mainly speaks in phrases about the occupied territory, the return of Abkhazia, the return of Tskhinvali, and the return of displaced persons - this means clearly stating who the enemy is," says Malkhaz Pataraya, leader of the "Assembly of Abkhazians" platform.

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The march "Abkhazia is Georgia, glory to the heroes" took place in Tbilisi on the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Sukhumi. The participants demanded the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity.

28/09/2026

The availability of AI-95 at gas stations raised questions from users in North Ossetia.

Chat users "Gasoline Ossetia" exchange tips on where to buy AI-95, and to purchase this brand of gasoline at network gas stations, one has to stand in queues. The authorities of the republic named only two gas stations where AI-95 is available.

In the Telegram chat "Gasoline Ossetia", which has 3,371 subscribers as of 10 PM, users exchange information about the availability of gasoline.

"At Gazprom on Leonova, does anyone know when they will start refueling? And is there 95?" asked Stas.

"I can't see the display around the corner. But the queue has started moving. I think they have started refueling," Zarina replied after 20 minutes.

"Krasnogvardeyskaya, Gazprom, 92 and 95 gasoline is available, but the queue is almost from the roundabout. Plus, ambulances are periodically coming in," writes a user who uses an emoji instead of a nickname.

User dochche, responding to a question from one of the users, said that gasoline can be bought in cans at Gazprom gas stations. "At Intergaz, they also sell, but there it’s 125 ₽ per liter," he added.

"Is anyone aware of the situation at Zortova?" asked zaya3009.

"I stopped by there yesterday evening. They said they no longer have 95 and it's unclear when it will be available," Zarina writes.

"They announced: 'We no longer refuel 95, only those who are at the pumps, we will let them go and that's it.' I begged for about 5 liters just to get to another gas station," complained Elya.

On the website of the RSO-Alania gas stations, managed by the Ministry of Housing and Utilities, fuel and energy of RSO-Alania, data on gas station networks and the availability of gasoline at stations is provided. Today, data for 15 stations has been entered. According to the agency's data, diesel fuel is available at six stations, and at two of these gas stations, AI-92 and 95 are also available, both located in Vladikavkaz. There is no fuel at the other gas stations listed.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78925

28/09/2026

A resident of Abkhazia confessed to the murder of a tourist from Russia.

A resident of Abkhazia, Edgar Abukhba, has been detained on suspicion of murdering a tourist from Russia, who had not been in contact with her relatives for three days. According to the investigation, he confessed to the murder during interrogation.

Earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia reported that relatives of a resident of the Orenburg region born in 2000 had contacted the police in the Gagra district, as she had not been in touch for three days. According to preliminary data, the girl was vacationing in Gagra with a friend. They were supposed to leave on September 24, but the girl decided to stay in Abkhazia for a few more days and extended her rental agreement. However, the tourist was not at her temporary residence, and her phone was turned off.

"During the search activities conducted by the criminal investigation department in conjunction with the public security police of the Gagra district, a circle of people with whom the missing [Amina Bikbova] communicated was established. The operatives became suspicious of Edgar Garievich Abukhba, who was temporarily residing and working in Gagra, born in 2001, a resident of Gudauta, who met Amina Bikbova on the evening of September 23 on Ardzinba Avenue, after which they left by taxi. He was taken to the internal affairs department, where he confessed to the murder during interrogation," the message on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia states.

When checking the testimony at the scene in the presence of witnesses, Abukhba indicated that he was alone with the girl in a rented room in the village of Psakhara, where during a quarrel he strangled her. Trying to cover up the crime, on the morning of September 24, the suspect borrowed a car from an acquaintance, loaded Bikbova's body, and took it to the area of the Bzyb Gorge, where he planned to drown it, but failed and left the body wrapped in a blanket in the bushes by a dirt road. The suspect threw the tourist's phone and belongings into trash containers on the Sukhum highway.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/78924