Features and Multimedia from the Caucasus - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2012

Friday, February 10, 2012

News and Features from the Caucasus

Disqualified presidential candidate Alla Dzhioyeva

S. Ossetia's Dzhioyeva In 'Serious Condition'

A former opposition candidate for the de facto presidency of the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia is in "serious but stable" condition after being taken to a hospital on February 9.

Swiss Probe Armenia Genocide Remarks

Swiss prosecutors have launched an initial investigation to see whether Turkey's EU minister breached the law by denying that the mass killings of Armenians a century ago were genocide.

Hospital Cleared Over Azeri Writer's Death

Law enforcement officials in Azerbaijan have ruled that medical personnel were not to blame for the death of a prominent writer being treated in a Baku hospital.

Chechnya -- A screen grab shows Islamist rebel leader Doku Umarov ecording his appeal in an undisclosed location, undated

Umarov Calls End To Attacks On Civilians

The leader of the Islamist group known as the Caucasus Emirate has ordered fighters under his command to halt further attacks on Russia’s civilian population.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) met his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama in Washington earlier this week.

Saakashvili Regrets 'Compromises'

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili says he regrets having compromised on certain reforms during his presidency.

Leading Armenian opposition figure Levon Zurabian

Armenian Opposition To Push For Change

The main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) has reaffirmed its stated intention to use upcoming parliamentary elections to try to and bring down President Serzh Sarkisian.

U.S. President Barack Obama (right) welcomes his Georgian counterpart, Mikheil Saakashvili, to the White House on January 30.

U.S., Georgia Discuss Free-Trade Pact

U.S. President Barack Obama told visiting Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili that a free-trade agreement with Tbilisi was a "possibility" and would be a "win-win" situation for both countries.

Armenian Opposition Unites For Elections

The nearly two dozen opposition groups aligned in the main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) have decided to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections jointly.

Georgian Wine Exports Up

According to Georgia’s state statistics agency, the country’s wine exports jumped nearly 40 percent in value last year to more than $54 million.

In Baku, Eurovision Supervisor Talks Of Human Rights, Hopes For Event

Azerbaijan has hosted its first formal ceremony as this year's host of the Eurovision Song Contest, unveiling its logo and slogan and participating in the official handover of the contest to Baku from last year's host, Duesseldorf, Germany.