Armenia–Azerbaijan relations played a key role in the pre-election campaign, with Azerbaijani media appearing to back the incumbent prime minister.

Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov’s son has become the holder of the region’s highest award for the second time.

Regional * The foreign ministers of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria have adopted a joint declaration during a video conference. ‘All our foreign policy activities are carried out with the direct, partnership-based, friendly, and allied support of the main guarantor of our states’ security, our ally and partner, the Russian Federation. We maintain our cooperation at a high level’, Abkhazian Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits said. Armenia * Today, the Strong Armenia Alliance will appl

The ‘patrol’ harassed locals for consuming alcohol or allegedly using drugs.

So far, 22 of the more than 60 people detained in the case have been released through plea agreements.

Giorgi Bakhuashvili reportedly worked in Georgian Dream founder and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s security detail for at least a decade.

Moscow has not yet congratulated Pashinyan on his victory.

The court refused to place her under house arrest despite her having two young children.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spent nearly eight minutes praising and defending the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The new draft law will apply to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and other similar social networking apps.

Simon Rovensky is reportedly being held at Tbilisi’s Gldani prison and is awaiting his next court hearing.

He will reportedly be replaced by a North Ossetian official who will ‘oversee integration into Russia’.

Regional * Today, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov departed for a working visit to Istanbul. During his visit, Bayramov is expected to participate in a trilateral meeting with his Georgian and Turkish counterparts. Armenia * Armenians went to the polls yesterday to vote in the first regularly scheduled parliamentary elections since 2017. * According to the final results, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Civil Contract party have gained the most votes, and will receive 58

Nearly 2.5 million Armenians are expected to vote in what are the first regularly scheduled parliamentary elections since 2017.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has noted that Russia invested over $10 billion into projects in Azerbaijan.

The move comes following reports that Russia organised the bussing of ‘tens of thousands of Russian–Armenians’ to influence the election outcome.

The arrests follow nationwide raids targeting an alleged scheme to pay citizens to attend political rallies.

Armenia * Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan did not rule out that Armenian citizens returning from abroad may be sent to 25-day military training camps. The news came amidst media reports of the organised transport of Russian–Armenians to vote in the 7 June parliamentary elections. * Armenia has issued arrest warrants against four major former officials of former President Serzh Sargsyan’s cabinet on charges of corruption and money laundering. * More affiliates of Strong Armenia and A

A preliminary draft document on partnership priorities for the period 2026–2030 was prepared during negotiations in Baku.

The decline came after the bank raised its refinancing rate for the first time in four years.

David Tarkhan-Mouravi also claimed that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had manipulated the vote.

This is not the first time Ambassador Ali Moujani has had to issue clarifications in the context of historical Georgia–Iran relations.

Exiled blogger Mahammad Mirzali had been attacked on 14 March 2021 in Nantes.

Azerbaijan insists that Armenia amend its constitution before the two countries sign their peace treaty.

They are reportedly being denied access to medical care, medicines, and basic necessities.

According to the republic’s authorities, there were no casualties or injuries.

Mamuka Artmeladze, 45, was found ‘unresponsive’ in ICE custody.

For Georgia criticised the ruling Georgian Dream party for its ‘complete inaction’.

Regional * Georgian citizen Mamuka Bagauri has been expelled from South Ossetia for ‘illegally crossing’ the boundary line on 6 June, South Ossetia’s security service reported. Bagauri also received a fine. * Azerbaijan Railways will add one carriage wagon to the Baku-Tbilisi train from 11 June to meet passenger demand. * The opposition For Georgia party has stated that Russia has begun a ‘new phase of annexation’ in South Ossetia. The party’s statement followed the nomination of former Russ

The latest changes were published on Monday.

Ukraine said the hit ships were illegally transporting sanctioned grain from territories occupied by Russia.

Simon Rovensky is reportedly being held at Tbilisi’s Gldani prison and is awaiting his next court hearing.

Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia Alliance, Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance, and Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia have also entered parliament.

Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia alliance was the main challenger to the ruling Civil Contract party.

Armenia’s youth have undergone different experiences than their elders, affecting what they consider important when voting in a new parliament.

Georgia said the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may have understood and said ‘something based on their own interpretation’.

The unit reportedly included members of Israel’s special operations forces, its heliborne combat and rescue force, and Mossad personnel.

The announcement was made on Thursday after a meeting with the parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Bislan Nekhai faces a possible life sentence for the double murder.

Russia has restricted the imports of a number of Armenian products ahead of parliamentary elections on 7 June.

Karapetyan was previously placed under investigation over allegations he concealed his foreign citizenship status while registering for the elections.

Russia has imposed further restrictions on the import and transit of Armenian goods. As restrictions continue streaming in, the Armenian government has rolled out a support package for exporters, adding that goods originally intended for Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) had been diverted to the EU. The restrictions, which came into effect on Friday, affect nuts, dried peaches, and dried tomatoes imported from Armenia, Russia’s Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance S

The new figure is an upward revision from the 5.3% the IMF projected in April.

Important Update OC Insider is moving to email only From July, OC Insider will no longer be published on the website. Subscribe below to keep receiving it straight to your inbox. Subscribe Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emerged from Armenia’s 7 June parliamentary elections with a decisive victory, securing another term for his ruling Civil Contract party after he came to power through the 2018 Velvet Revolution. While often portrayed as pro-Western, Pashinyan’s government h

According to sources, the Kremlin wants to strengthen a common Russian civic identity among the region’s residents.

Regional * Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said he ‘respects’ China’s ‘specific reasons’ for abstaining from UN votes on the annual resolution concerning IDPs from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He added that China ‘firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’. Armenia * US president Donald Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his ‘decisive victory’ in the elections. Russian President Vladimir Putin has still not yet done so. * Armenian

Some of the defendants have also been convicted in other countries for similar offences.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has welcomed the latest figures from the country’s National Statistics Bureau (Geostat) showing nearly 50% growth in foreign direct investment (FDI), while promising further economic measures to sustain the trend. Geostat reported that FDI reached $271 million in the first quarter of 2026 — 48% higher than the preliminary figure for the same period in 2025. ‘Very large investors are entering our country, and there have been numerous such cases over the

The investigation is being launched despite it being unclear whether his party will enter parliament, or not.

Regional * In Gagra, Abkhazia, a tourist from Sochi has apologised after wearing a hat showing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as a part of Georgia with a Georgian flag. The woman stated that she did not intend any political commentary, adding ‘On the contrary, I recognise that Abkhazia is a sovereign, independent state. I vacation here about 10 times a year, and I really appreciate the warmth and hospitality of this city. Therefore, I offer my sincere apologies’. Armenia * Prime Minister Nikol

Earlier, a support group reported the abduction and torture of the activist’s brother.

Former Supreme Court judge of Ingushetia Sergei Boichuk has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

The party triumphed over the Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia Alliance.

While in Georgia, Hadi Rostami has actively protested against the Iranian regime.

The Interior Ministry announced the seizure of almost 150 mining devices from the Mestia Municipality.

Ahead of elections, incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has found an unlikely cheerleader — Azerbaijani pro-government media.

Abkhazian authorities had previously refused to strip Kan Kvarchiya of his parliamentary immunity.

Giorgi Udzilauri, who was detained in May on espionage charges, believes he was charged over his government criticism.

What happens when words such as ‘peace’ and ‘peacebuilder’ become politically instrumentalised in Armenian discourse?

The former official was convicted in absentia of financing terrorism and for organising the killing of a counter-extremism officer.