OC Media brings you the latest news, commentary, multimedia, and investigations from north and south of the Caucasus, with in-depth analysis of the issues, movements, conflicts and people shaping the region.
Latest posts by OC Media
Georgian police crack down on pro-EU demonstrators after halting EU membership bid ‘until 2028’
Georgian riot police in Tbilisi have violently cracked down on a pro-EU demonstration sparked by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s earlier announcement that Georgia was halting its EU membership bid “until 2028.”
Armenia's path out of Russia's orbit
A series of decisions taken by the government of Armenia in recent years signals the country moving further out of Russia's orbit of influence.
Georgian Dream Party vows to ban opposition if they win parliamentary majority
Speaking at the opening of the new head quarters of the ruling party, it's founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili threatened legal sanctions against opposition figures following the vote.
In Georgia, a series of legal amendments are putting the country's EU aspirations on hold
A foreign agent bill, a ban on gender election quotas, and most recently an LGBTQ+ propaganda bill are just the latest legal amendments proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Georgian Dream's fight against LGBTQ+ people
Georgian Dream's anti-LGBTQ+ narrative is nothing new. Homophobia has been part of the party's toolkit in the years since the party took over the country's leadership in 2012.
In Azerbaijan authorities remain silent over the murder of a trans woman
In general, for many LGBTQ+ individuals who face discrimination and violence, there is little recourse through the police or any official judicial channels in Azerbaijan.
Anger and grief as Russians in Armenia and Georgia mourn Navalny’s death
At the time of writing this story, at least 387 people have been detained at events across 39 Russian cities since Navalny's death, according to the Russian human rights group OVD-Info.
In Georgia cabinet reshuffling begins after former Prime Minister returns to politics
With eight months left ahead of parliamentary election in Georgia, it remains to be seen what Ivanishvili's intentions truly are.
In Georgia, controversy over a Stalin icon makes headlines at home and abroad
Georgia was thrown into controversy when worshipers found a painting of Saint Matrona of Moscow, a 20th-century Russian Orthodox Church saint, with a man who appears to be Joseph Stalin.
Azerbaijan to host next UN Climate Summit
Azerbaijan’s relationship with environmental protesters has been complicated in the past year.
In Azerbaijan, five journalists arrested in ten days
The authorities failed to produce any evidence on the charges leveled against four Abzas Media journalists and in the case of arrested Kanal 13 journalist Aziz Orujov.
European Commission greenlights EU candidacy for Georgia
On November 8, the European Commission recommended that the EU grant Georgia candidate status, paving the way for the bloc to begin the country’s accession process.
The president of Georgia beats impeachment proceedings
In her address to parliament during the impeachment session, Zurabishvili denied violating the constitution, and stated that the vote would harm Georgia’s "European future."
Progress at last? Armenia and Azerbaijan give peace another chance
The leaders of both countries agreed to resume bilateral meetings, and address questions of border delimitation, reopening transport and economic links, and the release of detainees.
Poisoned, soaked, but still dancing: Georgia’s ‘Zoomers’ enter the political arena
Images of young Georgians standing unflinchingly against water cannons, wearing snorkels, face masks, and scarves to protect from tear gas, or dancing as riot police advanced were widely shared.
The Lachin Corridor standoff between Armenia and Azerbaijan ends, for now
On April 28, the Azerbaijani "eco-activists" blocking the Lachin Corridor near Shusha (Shushi) have suspended their action following the installation of an Azerbaijani border checkpoint on the corridor on April 23.
Prospects for peace loom as much as prospects for another war in Nagorno-Karabakh
The Russian Ministry of Defense said the move was a breach and violation of the agreement signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020.
Lachin Corridor standoff between Azerbaijan and Armenia enters third month
Reports of food and energy shortages are continuing to grow in Nagorno-Karabakh as the region enters its third month under blockade.
Blood and democracy: the fight for animal rights in Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, animal rights activists are protesting the culling of strays in the face of legal challenges and police brutality.
A Georgian neo-Nazi group finds a home on YouTube
A prominent Georgian neo-Nazi group, Georgian National Unity, has reemerged online months after their self-described "commander," Giga Chelidze was released from prison.
In Georgia, veteran journalist sentenced to 3.5 years in jail
Gvaramia was first charged in 2020 with abuse of power, embezzling property at Rustavi 2, commercial bribery, and forging documents. He was found not guilty on the last three counts.
