Caucasian Knot

Caucasian Knot "Caucasian Knot" - English Portal from Кавказский Узел 18 +

18 + The "Caucasian Knot" – the English version of the Russian news portal 'Kavkazsky Uzel' – provides the global media and human rights community with a free and independent source of information about developments in the Caucasus region. The site is dedicated to informing the global community about human rights violations, the situation in armed conflict zones, cases of ethnic or political discr

imination and the problems facing refugees across the entire Caucasian region of Southern Russia, Northern and South Caucasus.

Pashinyan's position on returning to Karabakh coincided with the opinion of Azerbaijani social media users.Azerbaijani s...
13/12/2025

Pashinyan's position on returning to Karabakh coincided with the opinion of Azerbaijani social media users.

Azerbaijani social media users, commenting on the Karabakh parliamentarians' statement about fighting to return to their homeland, called it unrealistic. The Armenian Prime Minister expressed a similar opinion, also suggesting that Baku close the issue of Western Azerbaijan.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," members of parliament of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic declared their intention to fight for collective return on the anniversary of the independence referendum . Participants in the hearings noted that the Armenian authorities are actively distancing themselves from the issue, encouraging refugees to disperse around the world.

A post about the Karabakh parliamentarians' statement was shared on the Caucasian Knot page*, which has 159,000 subscribers, and had garnered 502 comments by 12:20 p.m. Moscow time.

Some users expressed the opinion that the return of Karabakh Armenians to their homeland is inevitable.

"The people of Artsakh will return! Whether anyone likes it or not, it's a matter of time," commented Esmeralda Gabrielyan .

"Under the Soviet Union, Karabakh was an autonomous region where only Armenians lived, and they have the right to live there and have their own status," says Arojan Arojan .

"Returning today is a matter of illusory politics, not real politics. I'm sure people will return home, but not now and not by force," Igor S. commented on the publication on the "Caucasian Knot" website .

Most of the comments left by users with Azerbaijani surnames on Facebook* boil down to the fact that if the return of Karabakh Armenians is possible, it will only be under certain conditions.

"Those who left Karabakh are all citizens of Armenia. Let them live there," Nigyar Babazade pointed out .

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71160

* Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.

Gravel mining in Liakhva threatens South Ossetia's ecosystem.The Liakhva is the only major river in South Ossetia, and e...
12/12/2025

Gravel mining in Liakhva threatens South Ossetia's ecosystem.

The Liakhva is the only major river in South Ossetia, and economic activity there threatens not only its wildlife but can also lead to shallowing. Meanwhile, local residents have shown little interest in keeping the river clean, even though water samples have only met safety standards at its source.

Gravel mining in the Liakhva River causes significant damage to wildlife and threatens to worsen the environmental situation throughout the republic, Zalina Gabaeva, chair of the Green Alania movement, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent .

"Gravel is mined where trout migrate to spawn, thus blocking their access to their spawning grounds. Instead of spawning in the river branches where they swim, all the way upstream, to the very north, these poor trout deposit their eggs along the shore in shallow water. Overall, mining sand and gravel is definitely harmful because it lowers the river's water level. This eggs dry out on the banks, even when they're in the branches. Furthermore, the inhabitants of the river bottom also die, and the river's ecosystem is destroyed as a result," she told a " Caucasian Knot " correspondent.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71155

Pashinyan was greeted with a rally in Moscow.Participants in a rally outside the Armenian Embassy in Moscow demanded tha...
12/12/2025

Pashinyan was greeted with a rally in Moscow.

Participants in a rally outside the Armenian Embassy in Moscow demanded that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived for a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union Council, release persecuted clergy.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on November 16, at a rally outside the Armenian embassy in Moscow, those gathered demanded the release of priests and businessman Samvel Karapetyan, and also expressed disagreement with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's policies toward the church.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Moscow today to attend a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Intergovernmental Commission, the Novosti Armenia agency reported today.

Before leaving Hamburg, Pashinyan told reporters that the question of leaving the EAEU was not yet on the table, but that Armenia's goal was EU membership.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71153

The court has acquitted Krasnodar security officials for the third time in the case of beating a disabled person.The Kra...
12/12/2025

The court has acquitted Krasnodar security officials for the third time in the case of beating a disabled person.

The Krasnodar Regional Court has acquitted security officers for the third time in the beating of disabled man Yevgeny Manchenko. The case has also been returned to the trial court twice. The prosecutor's office and lawyers are appealing the decision to the cassation court.

In March 2019, Yevgeny Manchenko tried to climb over the fence into his yard because he had lost his keys. At that moment, police officers ran up to him, began pulling him off the fence, and struck him in the leg with a baton. When Yevgeny fell to the ground, the officers continued beating him, according to the victim's mother, who noted that her 23-year-old son has a developmental disability. When the parents left the house after hearing the noise, the young man was already handcuffed in the police car. After being hospitalized, a doctor diagnosed Manchenko with a broken leg. The injuries he sustained were classified by a forensic expert as serious bodily harm. In April 2019, when the investigator opened a criminal case , both patrol officers were suspended from duty. The case was sent to court in June 2020.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71152

A native of Ingushetia spoke about her late sister's struggle to see her child.Pyatimat Yevkurova, a seriously ill resid...
12/12/2025

A native of Ingushetia spoke about her late sister's struggle to see her child.

Pyatimat Yevkurova, a seriously ill resident of Ingushetia, spent seven years seeking to see her son, whom her ex-husband had forcibly taken from her. She died without ever seeing her child grow up. Her sister appealed to the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, demanding that those responsible for violating Pyatimat's rights be punished.

The story of 31-year-old Pyatimat Yevkurova, who died in November 2024 from lung cancer, was told to journalists by her sister, Zalina Yevkurova. She is seeking to hold accountable those who violated her sister's rights to contact with her child.

In 2011, Pyatimat Yevkurov entered into an Islamic marriage with Girikhan Bogayev. The marriage was officially registered in 2012, and the couple had a son. According to Zalina, after the birth of their child, regular conflicts began, with the husband's parents "actively interfering" in the couple's relationship. After a brutal beating in 2013, Pyatimat and her child moved in with her parents. The father took the boy away from his mother for several days, even while he was breastfeeding. Later, the husband's family announced they wanted to "take the child away forever," according to a December 10 Ostorozhno Media report.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71147

Human rights activists criticized Georgian Dream's amendments to the law on rallie.The restrictions on spontaneous prote...
11/12/2025

Human rights activists criticized Georgian Dream's amendments to the law on rallie.

The restrictions on spontaneous protests proposed by the ruling party contradict the Georgian Constitution and make public gatherings without police approval a crime.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on December 8, it became known that the Georgian parliament plans to expedite the consideration of amendments to the law "On Assemblies and Demonstrations" and the Code of Administrative Offenses, proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, banning spontaneous protests near government buildings.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71141

Moskalkova sided with Alaudinov in the conflict with bloggers.Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova calle...
11/12/2025

Moskalkova sided with Alaudinov in the conflict with bloggers.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova called the criticism of Akhmat commander Apti Alaudinov undeserved.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," some Z-bloggers are either covert enemies of Russia or unknowingly serve its interests by criticizing Akhmat, unit commander Apti Alaudinov stated on November 14. He promised to eliminate such Z-bloggers "legally through criminal prosecution" if they do not apologize. That same day, the Gelendzhik City Court fined Oksana Kobeleva, the author of the Telegram channel "Okhranota V vatnik," 30,000 rubles for publishing questions to Akhmat special forces commander Apti Alaudinov, although she later deleted the post and repented for it.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71142

An Azerbaijani journalist has been charged in absentia with incitement against the state.A Baku court has begun hearing ...
11/12/2025

An Azerbaijani journalist has been charged in absentia with incitement against the state.

A Baku court has begun hearing the case of France-based editor-in-chief of the Azadliq newspaper, Ganimat Zahid. The journalist denied the charge of inciting violence against the state, calling the criminal case persecution for his work.

As the Caucasian Knot reported , in November, the human rights organization "End Repression in Azerbaijan," founded by Azerbaijani and foreign activists in 2024, reported that since the beginning of 2025, Azerbaijan has opened criminal cases in absentia against 24 government critics abroad—journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. Most of them are accused of openly calling for repression against the state and inciting unrest, the human rights activists noted, naming journalist Ganimat Zahid among those under investigation .

On December 9, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes began the trial of Ganimat Zahid, the France-based editor-in-chief of the Azadliq (Freedom) newspaper, Meydan TV reported on its website.

Ganimat Zahid is accused of openly calling for violence against the state and was arrested in absentia on May 31. The preliminary investigation into the criminal case concluded on November 17.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71140

Kadyrov awarded the soldier who shot down a drone in Chechnya.A million rubles was awarded to the soldier who shot down ...
11/12/2025

Kadyrov awarded the soldier who shot down a drone in Chechnya.

A million rubles was awarded to the soldier who shot down a drone over Chechnya on December 9, according to the republic's head, Ramzan Kadyrov.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," Kadyrov reported on the afternoon of December 9 that security forces had shot down two drones in Chechnya. Another, he claimed, was shot down over the territory of a neighboring republic.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov reported on his Telegram channel on the evening of December 9 that he had held a meeting with the heads, commanders, and personnel of the republic's security agencies to discuss drone attacks in the region.

Chechen Interior Minister Aslan Iraskhanov spoke at the meeting, announcing "additional counter-UAV tasks." He clarified that "today," that is, December 9, "we managed to promptly detect and eliminate another aerial threat." "A Ukrainian drone was shot down, and the soldier whose actions led to this result has been awarded a letter of thanks from the head of the Chechen Republic and a cash bonus of one million rubles," Kadyrov added.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71139

Karabakh historians have reported vandalism in 17th-century monasteries.A video of destruction inside the Yerits Mankant...
11/12/2025

Karabakh historians have reported vandalism in 17th-century monasteries.

A video of destruction inside the Yerits Mankants Monastery has been published on Azerbaijani social media. Satellite images also show the destruction of the Holy Savior Monastery, both dating back to the 17th century. Historians have called on the international community to respond to the destruction of Armenian monuments in Karabakh.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," in October 2024, the former chairman of the Nagorno-Karabakh Tourism and Culture Development Agency, Sergey Shahverdyan, reported that Azerbaijani authorities had destroyed historic neighborhoods of Stepanakert along Tumanyan Street. Refugees from Karabakh stated that the purpose of the demolition was to deprive people of the opportunity to return to their homes. In November, new instances of building destruction in the city were reported , and in September 2025, Azerbaijan reported the demolition of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. According to Karabakh activists, Azerbaijani authorities removed monuments to cultural figures, participants in World War II, as well as Bolsheviks and revolutionaries from Khankendi

The State Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment of Nagorno-Karabakh announced the desecration of the 17th-century Yerits Mankants Monastery, citing video footage posted on social media by Azerbaijani users.

"The monastery is an outstanding example of late medieval architecture. The church models installed on the altar and the khachkar (cross-stone) leaning against the Holy Altar have disappeared. The lower part of the artistically carved khachkar, which lies on the ground, is broken. The sculpture, placed in the right wall niche, lies face down," the service said.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71138

Victims in Vardanyan's case testified in court about the shelling of LachinAzerbaijani citizens recognized as victims in...
10/12/2025

Victims in Vardanyan's case testified in court about the shelling of Lachin

Azerbaijani citizens recognized as victims in a war crimes case testified in court about the shelling of Lachin by Armenian units. Lachin came under Baku's control even before defendant Ruben Vardanyan became a Karabakh official.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on November 21, at a hearing in the case of former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan , Azerbaijani citizens recognized as victims testified about shelling that occurred on the Armenian side long before Vardanyan moved to Karabakh. Specifically, the victims described shelling in the Kelbajar region, which came under Baku's control following the 44-day war in 2020, and in the Zangilan region, which was also occupied by Azerbaijan in 2020

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71129

Georgian Dream has initiated a new tightening of the law on rallies.Amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstratio...
10/12/2025

Georgian Dream has initiated a new tightening of the law on rallies.

Amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, prepared by the Georgian Dream party, are aimed at banning spontaneous protests near government buildings.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," daily protests have been taking place in Georgia for the second year now, demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of all those detained for participating in the demonstrations. Demonstrators have blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue for 343 consecutive days. Since November 6, security forces have prevented activists from blocking traffic, setting up a human wall of police officers along the roadway. Protesters have been detained for attempting to enter the road. On December 8, the 376th day of continuous protests, protesters marched to the Georgian Ministry of Health building.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/71127

Address

Moscow

Telephone

+74956400527

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Caucasian Knot posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Caucasian Knot:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

The "Caucasian Knot" – the English version of the Russian news portal 'Kavkazsky Uzel' – provides the global media and human rights community with a free and independent source of information about developments in the Caucasus region. The site is dedicated to informing the global community about human rights violations, the situation in armed conflict zones, cases of ethnic or political discrimination and the problems facing refugees across the entire Caucasian region of Southern Russia, Northern and South Caucasus.