Red Fedora Diary • All Things Travel Blog (2025)

12/03/2025

Professors dismissed, former MoD employee forced to fabricate statements, new opposition party founded, and 3 Georgians detained near Gori by Russian forces. Here’s a more in-depth overview of this news.

➡️ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨-𝐄𝐔 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬

Two law professors from Tbilisi State University—Associate Professor Giorgi Tsertsvadze and Professor Irine Kherkheulidze—have been dismissed, reportedly due to their support for pro-EU protests.

Tsertsvadze confirmed his dismissal in a sarcastic Facebook post, mocking the familiar Georgian Dream narrative, which blames so-called “Deep State” and “Global War Party” forces for influencing EU and U.S. decisions on Georgia.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Just a day earlier, S***a Rustaveli Theater and Film University revoked the student status of some protesters and fined them GEL 5,000 (about $1,800) for demonstrating inside the university.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense has also dismissed several employees, officially citing "reorganization needs" following amendments to the Civil Service Law.

Many of those let go had previously signed a petition supporting Georgia’s European integration and opposing the Georgian Dream’s decision to suspend EU accession talks.

According to Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, around 400 civil servants have been dismissed from state institutions since these protests and legal changes began.

➡️ 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬

A report by TV Pirveli has brought to light disturbing allegations of abuse and coercion by officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

Giorgi Kukhaleishvili, a veteran of the 2008 August War and a former employee of the Ministry of Defense, claims he was pressured to make false statements about a violent attack on TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli.

According to him, MIA officials tried to force him to say that the attack—carried out during pro-European protests—was actually orchestrated by opposition groups.

As a reminder, on December 8, during the pro-EU demonstrations, Chikhladze and Shetsiruli were violently assaulted by masked men known as the “men in black.”

Shocking footage aired by TV Pirveli showed Chikhladze being thrown to the ground and Shetsiruli being kicked repeatedly, including in the head. Their equipment was stolen and never returned.

Three days later, on December 11, Kukhaleishvili says he was abducted by masked men while leaving a protest on Rustaveli Avenue.

He was reportedly forced into a car and taken to a police parking lot, where he endured psychological and physical abuse.

Photos of him were taken and allegedly sent to senior police officials, who continued pressuring him to take the blame for the attack on the journalists and shift responsibility onto the opposition.

When he refused, he was arrested on charges of “disobeying a lawful order” and sentenced to seven days in detention.

Upon his release, he discovered that his phone had not been returned. His lawyer argues that this clearly violated his rights, especially since no legal documentation justifying the seizure.

Since then, Kukhaleishvili has fled Georgia, fearing for his safety, but he continues to speak out about what he says happened to him.

Meanwhile, no investigation has been launched against those allegedly responsible for his mistreatment.

➡️ 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝

Freedom Square, originally a movement, has officially become a political party. It was founded in 2024, just months before the October 26 elections. The party initially ran as part of the Strong Georgia coalition, but now it’s stepping out independently.

“We were in an electoral coalition, and we are very proud of it… We are continuing our development independently,” said party leader Levan Tsutkiridze, who founded the original movement.

According to Simon Janashia, one of the party leaders, their key priorities are justice, security, and freedom.

- **Justice** – They’re pushing for fair, non-discriminatory laws that serve the public good, not just those in power. Independent institutions like the police, prosecutors, and judiciary will play a significant role in upholding these principles.
- **Security** – Their vision includes strengthening national and personal security, emphasizing a better social security system.
- **Freedom** – Their view of freedom goes beyond just removing restrictions. They believe in creating the right conditions—economic, cultural, and social—that allow people to thrive and improve their lives.

➡️ 𝟑 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞—𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐝

Three Georgian citizens were unlawfully detained by Russian occupying forces near Plavismani, a village in the Gori municipality, within the occupied territory.

According to the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), one of them has already been released and is now back in Tbilisi-controlled territory, while the other two remain in illegal detention.

As soon as the incident was reported, the SSSG immediately activated the EU Monitoring Mission’s emergency hotline and alerted international partners, including the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID).

The agency reassured that all available mechanisms are being used to secure the swift release of the detained citizens.

“The responsibility for all destructive acts committed in the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line, lies with the occupying power,” the SSSG stated

11/03/2025

Lodged on the historic Zurtaketi Plateau, Gomareti village is home to ancient stone pillars from the early Christian era, adorned with inscriptions and intricate carvings. Unfortunately, many inscriptions are not visible and/or have been destroyed.

The stelae was awarded the category of an immovable cultural monument of national importance by the decree of the President of Georgia in 2006.

Thanks to Timothy's Tours for showing me this!

10/03/2025

With warm, sunny days in Tbilisi, protests persist, and I believe they will become even bigger after a long and difficult winter.

Instead of easing up, repression has only intensified not only with fines, but with thugs and violent men targeting those that represent “threat” to the GD.

While the government is “busy” adapting absurd laws, our land borders are not as secure as they seem because the former CEO of the Co-Investment Fund, Giorgi Bachiashvili, has secretly left the country without border police suspecting anything.

Here’s a pretty detailed overview of the Bachiashvili case if you're interested: https://transparency.ge/en/post/bachiashvili-case-prosecution-and-judiciary-service-ivanishvilis-private-interests

Here’s a summary of the other key events:

➡️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 + 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐆𝐄𝐋 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞

For over 80 days, students of the Theater and Film University have been actively participating in public protests. Now, some of them are facing serious consequences— the university has suspended their student status.

The students were informed via email, with the news quickly spreading through the university's student movement.

“As you know, a meeting of the Ethics Commission was held to discuss violations of the university’s code of ethics. We inform you that, based on the Ethics Commission's decision, your student status has been terminated. This decision can be appealed within three working days,” the email stated.

On March 9, the situation escalated when the university began sanitary works inside the building without prior notice.

Students say they were asked to relocate to another space for their protest, but they refused, claiming the alternative space was too small.

The disagreement led to university officials calling the police, resulting in several protesting students being fined 5,000 GEL.

The fines were issued under a recently introduced law that bans protests inside buildings without the owner's permission. The students, however, see this as an attempt to silence their movement.

➡️ 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐈𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟖 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Russia has issued a statement reminding Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili of his pre-election pledge to apologize to South Ossetia for the events of the August 2008 War.

Ivanishvili made this promise back in September 2024, stating that he would apologize to South Ossetians for the actions of Georgia’s previous government.

The statement, framed as part of his campaign, sparked outrage, especially among the families of Georgian soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict.

Now, months later, the promised apology has yet to materialize, despite Georgian Dream and its allied parties securing a parliamentary majority.

➡️ '𝐌𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐈' 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐒 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤

The U.S. Senate will discuss the MEGOBARI Act, a bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on Georgian Dream (GD) government officials for human rights abuses and attacks on democracy.

Introduced earlier this year by Congressmen Joe Wilson and Steve Cohen, the bill has already gained 18 co-sponsors, and the number is growing. Washington-based journalist Alex Raufoglu shared the update on social media, emphasizing the bill’s increasing traction.

The MEGOBARI Act (Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence) was first introduced on May 23, 2023, and reintroduced on January 4, 2024, by Wilson and Cohen, then chairs of the Helsinki Commission.

This legislation is separate from the Georgia People’s Act (GPA), which is also making its way through the Senate. While the two bills are moving on different tracks, congressional insiders suggest they might be merged later.

What does the MEGOBARI Act actually do?

✔️ It sanctions Georgian officials responsible for human rights violations and democratic backsliding.

✔️ It requires U.S. agencies to report on Russian intelligence activities and sanctions evasion in Georgia.

✔️ It responds to Georgia’s shifting political climate, where the GD government has grown increasingly hostile toward Western allies while cozying up to Moscow.

✔️ It provides U.S. support for democratic development in Georgia, including security assistance, election monitoring, and economic incentives tied to democratic reforms.

➡️ 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

During a press briefing on March 7, Georgian Dream parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili slammed international organizations, foreign diplomats, and Western governments, claiming they were meddling in Georgia’s political and judicial affairs.

Papuashvili called the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) a “fraudulent organization.” He also accused the Baltic states of trying to replace Georgia’s government and criticized diplomats from Belgium, Lithuania, and the UK for allegedly undermining the country’s sovereignty.

Read details here: https://civil.ge/archives/667736

09/03/2025

Asureti is a former German village in Kvemo Kartli, located around 40 km from Tbilisi. It is one of Georgia's hidden gems that rarely gets on tourists' radars.

In the early 19th century, German settlers, primarily Swabians from Württemberg, began arriving in Georgia due to various socio-economic factors.

By 1820, six German colonies, including one in Tbilisi, had been established in the country. Ausureti was another one, called Elizabethtal at the time.

Swab Street features some intact original houses built with white stone, clay, and cement. The typical timber framing without nails is also noticeable.

At the heart of the village stands a Gothic Lutheran Church, restored in recent years.

Nearby, a German cemetery offers further insight into the community's past.

There's also a სადგური Bahnhof Station restaurant serving delicious German and Racha-inspired food.

08/03/2025

The Technical University metro station was initially called Politeknikuri Instituti (Polytechnical Institute) until 2011, named after the former title of the Georgian Technical University.

Opened in 1979, it's a piece of Tbilisi's Soviet artistic and architectural heritage and one of my top favorite stations.

Its vaulted ceiling features geometric rhombus patterns, while its mosaic panels at both ends showcase themes of Art & Sport on the west panel and Labor & Education on the east.

On the west panel, a "Queen of Chess" symbolizes the legendary Nona Gaprindashvili, Georgia's world chess champion and the first woman ever to be awarded the FIDE title of Grandmaster!

Radish Tordia, Iden Tabidze, and Apolon Kharebava did the mosaic work.

07/03/2025

Today marks the 100th day of the ongoing protests.

Here’s a summary of the past two days' events:

➡️ 𝐓𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝟏𝟗 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Over the past two days, Tbilisi City Court judges decided to keep 19 individuals in pretrial detention on charges of participating in group violence during the pro-EU protests near Parliament under Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code.

In the March 6th hearing, the prosecution argued that the defendants posed a flight risk and might commit further offenses, insisting that only imprisonment could prevent these threats. According to the prosecutor, the defendants were unlikely to accept any sentence lighter than jail time.

These individuals are facing jail time from 4 to 9 years.

➡️ 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨-𝐄𝐔 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬: 𝐊𝐑𝐀𝐁 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢

Kristi Pirveli and Barbare Rokita, the founders of KRAB Coffee, have been violently attacked. They actively support pro-EU protests, offering free refreshments to demonstrators behind the Opera. I’ve been there a few times myself during the protests.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one man was arrested in connection with the incident, and the authorities have launched an investigation under Article 126 of the Criminal Code, which addresses acts of violence.

Kristi Pirveli shared on social media that she suffered an internal tooth fracture and a bruised spleen. Meanwhile, her friend Barbare Rokita has a broken nose and required surgery.

➡️ 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐞

Denis Krivosheev, the regional director at Amnesty International, has seen a lot of governments tightening control. But in a recent interview with Voice of America, he admitted that what’s happening in Georgia now is unprecedented.

“We’ve worked across this region and have witnessed many parliaments passing restrictive laws,” he said. “But I can’t recall any that have done it on such a scale and speed as the Georgian Dream.”

According to Krivosheev, the Georgian government treats fundamental human rights as if they can be switched on and off at will.

“This new legislation follows the same pattern—limiting the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. We’ve seen attacks on the media, civil society, and anything that doesn’t align with their agenda. Now, it seems, even the people themselves are becoming targets.”

He pointed out that what’s even more concerning is how the government is tightening restrictions on public spaces and the right to protest, making it increasingly difficult for citizens to exercise free speech.

➡️ 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐏 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚

During a recent debate in parliament on changes to the broadcasting law, Sozar Subari, a member of the People’s Power party—closely aligned with the ruling Georgian Dream party—suggested it might be time to regulate ‘social networks.’

Subari argued that social media has an even greater influence on public opinion than traditional TV and radio. However, he didn’t specify whether he was referring to platforms like Facebook and X, online news outlets, or both.

"It would be great if we started working on regulations in this area as well," he said, emphasizing the need to protect human dignity and privacy and prevent insults. "What is happening in the media today is unacceptable in many cases."

06/03/2025

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05/03/2025

Today's update is a bit long, so I'll get to the point.

Photo: The banner says 'Fire to the Oligarchy'

➡️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐬

Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), has introduced a series of major legislative changes, pushing them through in the first reading.

These amendments impact various laws, from parliamentary procedures and gender equality to criminal codes and media regulations.

One of the most talked-about changes is the approval of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Here’s a breakdown:

🚩 Limiting the Role of NGOs in Decision-Making

One of the key amendments affects the Rules of Procedure in parliament, significantly reducing the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in public decision-making.

While NGOs can still take part in discussions, they no longer have a guaranteed say in the final decisions.

Davit Matikashvili, Chairman of the Procedural Issues and Rules Committee, defended this move, claiming that CSOs are influenced by foreign powers.

He specifically referenced allegations against USAID, suggesting that it and other international organizations have funded protests and even attempted to organize revolutions in various countries.

Another significant change in this amendment concerns the process of electing members to the Central Election Commission (CEC).

The requirement for a three-fifths majority vote to appoint candidates has been removed, streamlining the process but also raising concerns about transparency and fairness.

🚩 Gender Equality Law Gets a Redefinition

Another hot topic is the amendment to the Law on Gender Equality. With 83 votes in favor, “gender equality” has been replaced with “equality of women and men.” The definition of “gender” has been completely removed from the law.

Matikashvili justified the change by saying that the original wording was imposed under foreign influence and reflected global trends rather than local values.

Additionally, the amendment removes the requirement for gender equality councils in parliament and other governmental bodies, though Matikashvili assured that the principle of equality would still be upheld.

🚩 Criminal Code Amendments

The GD party has also introduced stricter penalties for crimes related to national security. Under the new amendments, treason—including espionage and conspiracy to overthrow the government—will carry harsher consequences.

Rati Ionatamishvili, one of the key figures behind this amendment, explained that treason is one of the most serious crimes and that Georgia needs strong legal protections to safeguard its sovereignty.

🚩 Changes to the Civil Service Law

A new category has been introduced in civil service law: individuals who are "equated with civil servants.”

This means hiring processes for key government positions will change, including heads and deputies of Legal Entities of Public Law (LEPLs).

Instead of a competitive selection process, appointments will now be directly handled by the heads of relevant ministries or agencies.

According to Tornike Cheishvili, First Deputy Chairman of the Legal Issues Committee, these changes will make appointments more efficient.

Additionally, employees dismissed due to reorganization or staff reductions will receive compensation.

🚩 New Restrictions on Foreign Funding for Media

The GD party also passed a draft law restricting foreign funding for broadcasters. The amendment prohibits media outlets from receiving direct or indirect funding from foreign sources, except for commercial advertising, teleshopping, sponsorship, and product placement.

Additionally, foreign governments can no longer purchase broadcasting services or co-finance media content in Georgia.

Rati Ionatamishvili, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration, defended the move, stating that Georgia is a sovereign state and its media should not be influenced by external forces.

He argued that when media is managed from abroad, it serves foreign interests rather than providing unbiased information to the public.

➡️ 𝐀𝐥𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲

The controversial far-right group Alt Info, known for its homophobic views and pro-Russian stance, is once again trying to enter Georgia’s political scene. This time, it is registering a new party called Conservatives for Georgia—just months after its last party, the Conservative Movement, was de-registered in April 2024.

According to Georgia’s Public Registry, Alt Info filed their application last Thursday, with leader Giorgi Kardava listed as the official applicant.

Another key figure in the group, Konstantine Morgoshia, told RFE/RL that the new party was formed in response to “the demand of the people and our supporters.”

He also revealed that they didn’t put much effort into originality—admitting they just copied and pasted parts of Georgian Dream’s party charter and submitted it.

Read about Atl Info’s detailed political journey and what they stand for here: https://oc-media.org/georgian-extremist-group-alt-info-to-register-new-political-party/

➡️ 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚.𝐠𝐞

The Georgian government has shut down Agenda.ge, an English-language state media outlet that’s been around since 2013.

Rumors about the closure started circulating on February 28, when Gvantsa Gabekhadze, a political editor at Agenda.ge, took to Facebook to share that she, her colleagues, and the outlet's head had all been dismissed.

Gabekhadze, currently pregnant, didn’t hold back in criticizing the government’s decision. She called out the so-called ‘reorganisation’ process, saying it had become a tool for public sector repression.

Many public sector employees have lost their jobs after voicing concerns over the government’s decision to delay Georgia’s EU accession bid until 2028.

Georgian Dream, the ruling party, has repeatedly used ‘reorganisation’ to dismiss employees who don’t follow the rules. Gabekhadze argued that keeping skilled and ethical public servants is no longer a priority for the government—rather, they’re seen as a threat.

As of Monday morning, Agenda.ge’s website and social media pages have all disappeared. It was one of Georgia's few English-language news sources, mainly covering government affairs and projects.

➡️ 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have once again tightened their stance against Georgian officials, imposing fresh travel bans on individuals they say are responsible for serious human rights violations and political repression.

The announcement came on Monday, with all three Baltic foreign ministers sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter). Estonia was the only country to provide a detailed breakdown, initially listing individuals by their roles and names before linking to the official sanctions registry.

According to Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, the country has added 55 more Georgian individuals to its entry ban list, bringing the total to 83. Those affected include judges, prosecutors, police officials, commissioners, platform creators, and members of parliament.

“These individuals have either participated in violence or threatened it,” Tsahkna stated, emphasizing that the violence against protesters, journalists, and opposition leaders in Georgia is “unacceptable, criminal, and a violation of human rights.”

Among those banned are Georgian Dream MPs Irakli Zarkua and Viktor Sanikidze, who were recently fined in the UAE for attacking a Georgian national in Abu Dhabi.

Also on the list are far-right Alt Info leaders Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze, who are from the above info. Additionally, judicial officials involved in the case against Batumelebi and Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli have been sanctioned.

Latvia, meanwhile, has been more discreet, simply announcing that they’ve added 16 Georgian citizens to the list of personae non gratae, with an indefinite travel ban in place.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister announced that 74 Georgian officials have been added to the country's travel ban list, citing “severe human rights violations and repression in Georgia.”

As a reminder, in December 2024, Baltic states imposed restrictions on several key figures, including Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, in response to the government’s crackdown on protesters opposing its EU policy shift. Later that month, Latvia followed up with an additional ban on 13 more Georgian citizens.

04/03/2025

The best moments of this Sunday's Berikaoba spring festival in Didi Chailuri 👺👹

Thank you to everyone who came with me on this special day ❤️

03/03/2025

Today is Mother's Day in Georgia, so a big shoutout to all the incredible moms out there! 💐💖

Meanwhile, over the past few days, volunteer groups have been working tirelessly to help villages in western Georgia that were completely cut off by heavy snowfall. And, as always, they’ve gone above and beyond—doing even more than the government itself.

Here’s a summary of other key events:

➡️ 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞

The Georgian Interior Ministry (MIA) is looking to spend 6.8 million GEL (around 2.5 million USD) on forensic tools and licenses from Israeli company Cellebrite.

These tools, provided through Communal Technology Ltd—Cellebrite’s official representative in Georgia—will allow authorities to access and analyze data from locked smartphones and laptops.

Cellebrite’s advanced forensic technology can extract crucial digital evidence and retrieve cloud-based data from multiple sources, including social media.

The package also includes a specialized tool to streamline forensic investigations by centralizing operations.

The MIA is seeking a three-year license for these tools, with delivery expected within 20 days once the contract is signed. However, the procurement agency has yet to approve the deal.

The Ministry is eager to finalize the purchase quickly, as Cellebrite’s sales director, Albert Katzir, warned in a letter dated February 13 that Georgia could lose access to the company’s equipment “at any time this year.”

He urged the MIA to complete the purchase “as early as possible” to avoid potential restrictions.

➡️ 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 “𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬” 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥

The ruling party is pushing for changes to the country’s Criminal Code that could result in hefty fines—or even up to five years in prison—for those who fail to comply with a new law modeled after the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The proposed bill, introduced in Georgia’s single-party parliament on February 24, is reportedly a direct translation of FARA—so much so that it still includes terms like Congress, State Department, and President of the United States, which don’t apply to Georgia’s political system.

Even Alexander Tabatadze, head of the Georgian parliament’s legal department, pointed out that the bill doesn’t fit within the country’s legal framework.

Given these concerns, the legal department has advised lawmakers to reconsider proceeding with the bill’s review.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze insists that the law is necessary to ensure transparency in NGO activities. He claims that even the U.S. government has admitted that organizations like USAID have been involved in destabilizing situations in various countries, including Georgia—so, in his view, passing this law is the only option.

➡️ 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

According to the 2024 Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Georgia saw the steepest decline in democracy in the region and ranked 4th globally in terms of democratic backsliding.

The report points to several decisions by the ruling Georgian Dream party as key reasons for this decline, though it also suggests that Russia played an indirect role in Georgia’s domestic politics.

Among the most significant concerns highlighted were:

🔹 The controversial foreign agent law

🔹 The October parliamentary elections which were marred by irregularities, including pressure on journalists and NGOs and allegations of vote buying and ballot stuffing.

The Economist noted that the election reflected a broader geopolitical struggle, with Georgia’s future seen as a choice between aligning with Russia or moving closer to the EU.

In terms of the speed of democratic decline, Georgia was outpaced only by Bangladesh, Tunisia, and Kuwait—a concerning trend for a country that has long aspired to deepen its ties with Europe.

28/02/2025

For the past week, Georgia has been blanketed in heavy snowfall. While Tbilisi only got a chilly icy grip, the western regions have been buried under more than a meter of snow.

Many villages and hundreds of homes in Guria, Adjara, and Imereti have been cut off, roads have been blocked, and people have been left without electricity, water, or gas.

Volunteers from Tbilisi and beyond have been stepping up to deliver food and essential supplies to those who need them the most. Sadly, the severe weather conditions have also taken a tragic toll, with a few lives lost.

The snowstorm impacted the entire infrastructure - roads across the country are blocked, flights have been canceled or rerouted, and trains have stopped running.

As expected, the Georgian Dream government’s response was slow. It wasn’t until volunteers started heading out to help that they decided to send in army units.

The situation has raised questions about their priorities, especially since the credit for responding quickly often goes to the volunteers – just like it did during the Shovi landslide tragedy in 2023.

And, unfortunately, it's been more of the same with this crisis, with the government doing the bare minimum.

To make matters worse, there have been some bizarre moments, like when a viral video surfaced of Batumi’s sanitation team standing in front of piles of garbage with shovels, pretending to clean it up for a photo op. Once the cameras were off, they left the trash right where it was. See the video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/128W896LP8y/

Here are the key developments over the week:

➡️ 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐙𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

President Salome Zurabishvili has proposed a bold five-step plan to resolve Georgia’s ongoing political crisis and prepare for new elections.

She first shared the plan during a rally near Parliament on February 25, emphasizing that it was a necessary and inevitable response to Georgian citizens' demands.

Zurabishvili later posted the plan on her X account, outlining these five key steps:

✅ Setting up the right conditions for fair elections
✅ Training an “army” of election commission members and observers
✅ Ensuring international oversight to prevent electoral fraud
✅ Strengthening cooperation among political forces
✅ Creating a unified electoral program, the “Georgia Charter,” which calls for the release of political prisoners, repealing Russian-style laws, and restoring judicial independence

To implement this plan, the President has been actively meeting with key political players—specifically, the four opposition groups that crossed the 5% threshold in the October 26 parliamentary elections.

She has also engaged with diplomats, civil society organizations, and media representatives to discuss the future of Georgia’s elections and political landscape.

➡️ 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

On February 26, several MPs from Georgian Dream and the pseudo-opposition People’s Power introduced a bill that could shake up how theaters in Georgia are run.

If passed, the new law would completely change the current two-tier management structure, putting all leadership responsibilities in the hands of a single director. This means the role of the artistic director—who currently oversees the creative aspects of the theater—would be eliminated.

Right now, Georgia’s theaters operate under a dual leadership model. The artistic director makes creative decisions while the theater director handles administration, finances, and logistics. However, the new bill argues that this setup is outdated and too rigid to meet modern challenges.

According to the proposal, merging these roles would create a single theater director in charge of everything.

The bill also includes how theater directors are appointed and dismissed. Currently, there isn’t any clear process for selecting directors through a competitive hiring system.

The bill states that the Minister of Culture would have the power to appoint state theater directors at their discretion. While the Recommendation Board or Artistic Council may suggest candidates, the final decision rests with the Minister, who could accept or reject the recommendations and appoint whomever they see fit.

If the bill becomes law, all current state and municipal theater directors would be dismissed immediately.

The appointment process for municipal theaters would work similarly, with mayors having the authority to choose directors as they see fit.

➡️ 𝐄𝐔 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

Rasa Juknevičienė, the European Parliament’s permanent rapporteur on Georgia, made a quick visit to Tbilisi and met with President Salome Zurabishvili, the EU ambassador, opposition leaders, and civil society representatives.

After the meetings, President Zurabishvili took to X plafrom to share that she had presented Juknevičienė with “a plan for new elections, ensuring a democratic and transparent process.” She also expressed her gratitude for the “continued support of our European partners.”

➡️ 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐳𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐠

Defense lawyer Tornike Migineishvili has announced plans to appeal actor Andro Chichinadze's pretrial detention to the Strasbourg Court. Chichinadze was arrested during the pro-EU protests on December 5, and according to Migineishvili, the legal team is finalizing the appeal.

“We will challenge both the initial decision to impose pretrial detention as a preventive measure and the court’s later ruling to uphold it,” Migineishvili told reporters.

On January 10, Judge Ketevan Jachvadze reviewed the cases of 11 individuals, including Chichinadze and comedian Onise Tskhadadze, who were detained at the rally. The court upheld their detention, citing charges of group violence.

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