Caucasian Knot

30/11/2025

Details of Ibrahim Suleimanov's criminal case have been revealed.

Dagestani billionaire Ibragim Suleimanov, previously accused of murdering Georgy Tal, has also been charged with the murder of Vnukovo Airlines trade union chairman Gennady Borisov and the attempted murder of lawyer Ilya Peregudov.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, Ibragim Suleimanov was detained in Moscow on suspicion of organizing the 2004 murder of Georgy Tal, former head of the Federal Service for Financial Recovery and Bankruptcy. The suspected perpetrator of the crime was also detained along with Suleimanov. The businessman's lawyer reported that Suleimanov had not admitted guilt. On October 3, Moscow's Basmanny Court remanded Ibragim Suleimanov in custody for two months. The businessman was charged with three counts of organizing murders, one of which was not completed and classified as attempted murder. On October 5, it was reported that security forces conducted more than 40 searches in Moscow, the Moscow region, and Dagestan in connection with the Suleimanov case.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69949

30/11/2025

Chechen authorities explained threats to confiscate land plots.

Misuse of land, failure to use it for its intended purpose within three years of the lease commencement, and illegal seizure will be grounds for land seizure, the Chechen Ministry of Property and Land Relations emphasized, explaining that this concerns land owned by the republic.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," land plots whose use does not correspond to their intended purpose will be confiscated. The Chechen Security Council stated that authorities intend to monitor the commercial use of plots transferred to residents. Social media users indicated that the criteria for land seizure are not specified. The procedure for land seizure is prescribed in federal law, but it is an extreme measure. In cases of misuse, the demolition of illegal structures is typically considered, according to lawyers. Typically, the threat of demolition is voiced against the backdrop of artificially created document problems, Chechen residents added.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69945

30/11/2025

A Georgian opposition figure has been arrested for attempting to set fire to a courthouse.

Security forces detained Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Lelo Strong Georgia coalition, in connection with the arson attack on the Tbilisi City Court office. Elisashvili was severely beaten, and his defense claimed the politician committed the arson in protest against the authorities.

According to police, at dawn today, Alexander Elisashvili, hiding his face, smashed the glass of the Tbilisi City Court office building with a hammer. He entered the building, where he doused the perimeter, including office supplies, equipment, and documentation, with gasoline, and attempted to set the building on fire," the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement. Elisashvili allegedly resisted bailiffs, used a firearm, and got into a fight.

One of the bailiffs was taken to the hospital. Elisashvili himself was also injured, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69941

29/11/2025

Lawyers called the refusal to investigate the kidnapping of Emkuzhev illegal.

The investigation's refusal to open a criminal case into the kidnapping of Nalchik resident Kazbek Emkuzhev because the kidnappers' faces are not visible in the video recording and the complaint was filed late is illegal.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, the court admitted a video of the kidnapping of 19-year-old Nalchik resident Kazbek Emkuzhev to the case, but his family and defense cannot get a criminal case opened on this matter, according to the defendant's father, Aslan Emkuzhev.

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The investigator's refusal to open a criminal case regarding the kidnapping of Nalchik resident Kazbek Emkuzhev, due to the fact that the kidnappers' faces are not visible on the video recording and the complaint was filed late, is illegal.

29/11/2025

The trial of Karabakh leaders in Baku has become a historical precedent.

The trial of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders in Baku has unique features; there have been no similar trials in world history. International trust in this court has been undermined, but the process is largely designed for a domestic audience, analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" noted.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, the trial of the former leaders of the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, accused of war crimes, concluded on October 31. The prosecution requested life imprisonment for Arayik Harutyunyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and David Manukyan, and 16 to 20 years in prison for the others. The lengthy indictment was prepared in advance, lawyer Siranush Sahakyan is sure.

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The trial of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders in Baku is unique; there have been no similar trials in world history. International trust in the court has been undermined, but the trial is largely aimed at a domestic audience, according to analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot."

28/11/2025

Protesters in Tbilisi have announced a large-scale rally to mark the anniversary of the rejection of European integration.

Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili, defrocked for supporting protesters, held a prayer service at a rally near the Georgian Parliament on the 365th day of protests.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, over the past week, police have repeatedly detained participants in daily protest marches in Tbilisi. On November 26, the 364th day of continuous protests, activists with Georgian and EU flags gathered near the Georgian Parliament, but did not hold a march.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration, carrying national and EU flags, gathered outside the parliament building today, the 365th day of protests, with unwavering demands for new elections and the release of political prisoners.

Protesters did not hold a march through Tbilisi today. According to activists, they are preparing for a large-scale demonstration planned for November 28 and are discussing the details of its organization, Interpressnews reports.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69902

28/11/2025

Witnesses to the riots at Makhachkala airport described the actions of the rioters as organized.

Participants in the 2023 riots at Makhachkala's Uytash Airport attempted to disarm security forces and threw stones at them, according to witness testimony read out in court.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," three alleged organizers of the pogrom—Ilya Ponomarev*, Abakar Abakarov, and Israil Akhmednabiyev (Abu Umar Sasitlinsky)—were wanted in the case of the riots at Makhachkala's Uytash Airport. According to the Investigative Committee, they published posts on Telegram that encouraged residents of Dagestan to participate in mass riots motivated by hatred toward Israel. In July, the cases of all three were submitted to the Supreme Court of Dagestan for trial in absentia. Abakarov was killed in Turkey in October, after which the court sent a request to Turkey to confirm his death.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69901

28/11/2025

Three opposition members ended their hunger strike outside the Georgian parliament.
Currently, six people are continuing their hunger strike in front of the Georgian parliament building. Three people ended their hunger strike due to deteriorating health.

As reported by Caucasian Knot, on the 30th day of the hunger strike, the health of the participants was weakened. Although they claimed to feel well, they declared their readiness to continue the action until their main demands are met: new elections and the release of political prisoners.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69897

28/11/2025

Students' public prayer provoked discontent among officials in North Ossetia.

Public prayer by students at the North Ossetian Medical Academy was captured in photos posted on Telegram channels. The university's ethnic composition has changed, including due to a large number of students from India and Chechnya, the North Ossetian ombudsman noted, calling on the university's leadership to conduct preventative measures.

Students at the North Ossetian State Medical Academy (SOGMA) are performing public prayer in public places, the Telegram channel "Multinational" reported, posting a photo of several people performing namaz in the courtyard. According to the channel, "in classrooms, as well as directly in the courtyard and other places not designated for prayer, certain groups of students regularly engage in unauthorized missionary activity with the goal of demonstrating the superiority of their religion."

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69893

28/11/2025

Damage to a banner dedicated to Imam Shamil in Makhachkala resulted in demands for an apology.

Makhachkala authorities announced the restoration of a banner depicting Imam Shamil damaged by an unknown person. Telegram channel authors demanded that the culprit be found, forced to apologize, and held accountable.

The newspaper "Chernovik" published information about unknown individuals tearing down a banner depicting Imam Shamil. "Vandals tore down a portrait of Imam Shamil on the avenue of the same name in Makhachkala. According to eyewitnesses, someone shouted that it was haram, tore up the banner with the portrait, and threw stones at the bas-relief of the Imam," the publication dated November 26 stated.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69890

28/11/2025

Parishioners of a church in Slavyansk-on-Kuban reported the arrest of Viktor Pivovarov's assistant.

Armed, masked men stole monetary donations and documents from the church of Archbishop Viktor Pivovarov of the Russian Orthodox Church, after which they took his assistant, Ilya Sigida, with them. The latter's mother was informed that he was being detained in connection with a criminal case for discrediting the army.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," in October 2024, Priest Viktor Pivovarov stopped holding services at the church in Slavyansk-on-Kuban because he was unable to get out of bed after a fractured femur. After the criminal prosecution for fake news about the army began, Pivovarov was stalked and threatened; his pursuer insulted the priest online and spread false messages about him.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69905

27/11/2025

An archaeologist from Rostov-on-Don was sentenced to 24 years in prison for treason.

Rostov-on-Don native Andrei Veryanov, according to the FSB, collaborated with Ukrainian intelligence services and was tasked with blowing up the plane of a high-ranking Russian official.

The case of 55-year-old Andrei Veryanov was heard by the 2nd Western District Military Court. The guilty verdict against the Rostov-on-Don native came into force on November 26.

Veryanov was convicted of treason and participation in a terrorist organization. His case file was previously classified, and the charges were not disclosed during the trial.

According to the FSB, in April 2023, he "proactively established confidential cooperation" with a terrorist organization banned in Russia. At the same time, security officials claim, he contacted a representative of the Security Service of Ukraine to assist its employees "in activities directed against the security" of the Russian Federation.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/69883