Nagorny Karabakh Conflict Sparks Political Crisis in Armenia

Rallies called on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign, but the opposition provides no real alternative.

People on makeshift beds in a shelter in Stepanakert, Karabakh’s regional centre. “This is one of the city’s main shelters, it is considered to a safe place but safety is a relative concept… Many children from various areas of the city came here,” said IWPR contributor Siranush Sargsyan. © Siranush Sargsyan

“Yesterday We Struggled to Find Bread, Today We Are Struggling to Live”

Hundreds of people have been killed or injured and thousands displaced following Azerbaijan's military action.

Magomed Isayev, a Russian captain accused of cruel treatment of civilians during the occupation of Zhmiivka, a village in Kyiv region. © Still from a video by LUTIY 24

Courtside

Russian Captain on Trial for Cruel Treatment of Civilians

Villagers reported that the occupying forces hunted for young women to sexually assault.

Ukraine Justice Briefing

Tuesday, 19 September ‘23

This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.

Kyrgyz authorities are moving to shut down the nonprofit Kloop Media Foundation, which includes the independent news outlet Kloop.kg. Founded in 2007, Kloop.kg is one of the country's leading journalism outlets, known for its investigations into corruption schemes. © Monica Ellena

Kyrgyz Authorities Move to Shut Down Independent News Outlet

Investigative publication Kloop is the latest target of authorities’ campaign against independent media and critical voices.

Russian sergeant Azamat Kuzbarmakov has been sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for cruel treatment of civilians and robbery during the occupation of Bobryk, a village in Kyiv region, in March 2022. © Still from a video by ГТРК "Саратов"

Courtside

Russian Sergeant Sentenced to Ten Years for Beating and Robbing Civilians

Soldier threatened, beat and stole valuables from locals over several days in March 2022.

In the border town of Kozacha Lopan, in the Kharkiv region, police discovered a jail that they believe Russian soldiers used as a torture chamber September 25, 2022 in Kozacha Lopan, Ukraine. © Paula Bronstein /Getty Images

Interview

“People Need to Know the Terrible Truth About These Prisons”

Russian human rights activist describes efforts to document the torture and sexual abuse of captured Ukrainians.

Ukraine Justice Briefing

Tuesday, 12 September ‘23

This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.

Residents of Nagorny Karabakh protest against Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Armenian-populated region at a Russian checkpoint. Tasked with enforcing the 2020 ceasefire between Yerevan and Baku, Russian peacekeepers did little to prevent Azerbaijan from setting up checkpoints on the Lachin corridor, Kazabakh’s only gateway to Armenia, and shutting down traffic of goods and people.

Yerevan Angry Over Moscow’s Inaction as Nagorny Karabakh Blockade Continues

Russia remains cautious as Azerbaijan’s block of the region’s only gateway drags into its ninth month.

Global Voices: Europe/Eurasia

CABAR logo

THIS WEEK ON CABAR.ASIA

Highlights from IWPR’s Central Asia network of analysis and investigations.

In Kazakstan, ArcelorMittal Temirtau, the country's largest mining company, enjoyed state support for decades. But the death of 46 miners in October brought this backing to an end. Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan, Tajik nationals serving sentences on espionage charges in Uzbek prisons ask for a review of their cases.

Elsewhere, CABAR gets a unique insight into two of the eight Catholic nunneries still operating in northern Kazakstan.