Azerbaijani diplomat detained with 70kg of gold in Turkey

Incident sparked a major investigation, with initial findings suggesting a smuggling operation that involved exploiting diplomatic immunity to bypass border inspections

Azerbaijani and Iranian forces begin joint border exercises

Georgian opposition gears up to disrupt inaugural parliament session

Tensions are mounting in the Georgian capital in what looks set to be a decisive couple of days for the opposition’s efforts to overturn the election results.

Georgian women march against mass emigration and rigged election

Protesters dragged suitcases and carried large bags to highlight Georgia’s acute issue of mass emigration.

UAE confirms death of missing Moldovan-Israeli rabbi as Israel suspects murder

United Arab Emirates authorities have confirmed the discovery of Moldovan-Israeli dual national Rabbi Zvi (Hakohen) Kogan's body following an investigation into his disappearance that began on November 21.

Iranian officials in uproar over police beatings of students in Russia

Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali has called for disciplinary action against police officers involved in detaining Iranian students following a mass brawl near Kazan Federal University.

Russia’s population is shrinking, the economy needs migrants, says Kremlin spokesman Peskov

Remarks made amid ongoing xenophobic backlash against Central Asian workers in response to spring’s major terrorist attack in Moscow suburb.

Students demand release of 21-year-old detained during election protest crackdown

Mate Devidze was among the demonstrators violently apprehended when a protest camp was demolished on November 19.

Turkmenistan tightening exit rules for citizens seeking to travel to Uzbekistan

Quick shopping trips supposedly cause Ashgabat “shame”.

Georgian academics stand with student protesters occupying Tbilisi State University

Activists and students say they will stay until university rector Jaba Samushia, accused of collaborating with the government, resigns.

Award seen as Nobel Prize for human rights won by Kabul women’s rights activist and jailed Tajik lawyer

Jury recognises “exceptional courage and determination” in “deeply repressive environments”.

Georgian opposition reclaims protest site

Ten of thousands of demonstrators have reoccupied a key traffic intersection after being violently dispersed by police and special forces.

Tbilisi protest camp raided by police

Opposition calls for “mobile protests” after police forcibly disperse camp in early hours of November 19.

Protest camp in Tbilisi enters second night as Georgian president calls for new elections

Protesters camped on main city centre road reject the results of October general election that delivered a victory for Georgian Dream.

Several top Armenian officials resign amid political shake-up

Resignations announced after PM Nikol Pashinyan criticised judicial and law enforcement reforms.

President of Georgia's separatist Abkhazia resigns

Aslan Bzhania stepped down after protesters occupied government offices to prevent the adoption of a controversial investment agreement with Russia.

Opposition put up tents in central Tbilisi, announce phase of civil disobedience

Intermittent rallies and marches have given way to indefinite protest after final general election results confirmed Georgian Dream’s victory.

Animal rights activist detained after protesting stray dog killings at Baku COP29 climate summit

Animal rights activists have repeatedly demonstrated against the shooting of strays in Azerbaijan.

Election commission head smeared with black paint as he confirms Georgian Dream victory

Clashes with police at mass protest in Tbilisi sparked by announcement of final result of general election marred by widespread fraud allegations.

Protesters attack parliament building in Abkhazia

Resistance to the disputed Russian-Abkhaz investment agreement is gaining momentum in the breakaway Georgian republic.