Georgia
Two more Georgian opposition leaders jailed bringing total to six in one week
The ruling Georgia Dream party’s ongoing crackdown on political opponents has placed the majority of Georgia’s pro-Western opposition leaders in jail and sparked a huge international backlash.
Fourth Georgian opposition leader handed prison sentence
bne IntelliNews witnessed a heavy police mobilisation leading Giorgi Vashadze roughly from the Unity-UNM headquarters and forcing him into an unmarked police car.
Three Georgian opposition leaders jailed in one day
Girchi leader Zurab Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of the Lelo party have also been barred from holding public office for two years.
COMMENT: Georgia goes from sanctions-dodging transit country to Russia’s oil export backdoor into Europe
Georgia has long been suspected of being a major transit country for European sanctioned goods travelling to Russia, but now it appears the trade is flowing in the other direction: Georgia has become a major backdoor into the EU for Russian oil.
Israeli embassies worldwide suspend operations
Israeli diplomatic missions globally have suspended operations amid the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran which has killed nearly 80 people.
Georgian opposition leader’s husband “abducted” in Tbilisi, forced to apologise for calling Ivanishvili’s son gay
UNM chair Tina Bokuchava said her husband was ambushed and forced into a car by masked individuals outside the family’s Tbilisi residence.
Georgian interior ministry undergoes major reshuffle
Reshuffle follows the resignation of sanctioned former Georgian interior minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and his deputy.
Abkhazian president says Russia will build “technical support base” on separatist region’s Black Sea coast
Badra Gunba's announcement conflicts with his predecessor's statement that Russia would establish a permanent naval base in the Georgian breakaway republic.
Georgian ruling party launches legal offensive against critical TV channels
Georgian Dream accused Formula and TV Pirveli of using anti-government terminology in their coverage.
Georgia’s Ivanishvili refuses to meet with US ambassador to hear message from Trump
US-Georgia relations soured in late 2024 after Washington froze its Strategic Partnership with Georgia in response to the authorities’ use of violence to disperse protests.
Sanctioned Georgian interior minster resigns
Opponents of the ruling Georgian Dream party suggested Vakhtang Gomelauri's departure could signal a growing rift within the Georgian legislative, as anti-government, pro-EU protests continue nightly in Tbilisi.
M360 GSMA Eurasia event spotlights rich promise of mobile tech, 5G and AI
Mobile technologies and services said to have generated 7.7%, or $220bn, of GDP across region last year.
HALLIGAN: Georgia on my mind — and China's too
Having long ignored the Caucasus region, China is now showing intense interest in developing Black Sea infrastructure, not least in Georgia. The West is pushing back.
Georgian prime minister laments lack of communication in open letter to Trump
Irakli Kobakhidze appeals for resumption of US-Georgia Strategic Partnership, writes of “striking alignment of values and ideology” between Tbilisi and Washington.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
US MEGOBARI Act met with mix of resentment and jubilation in Tbilisi
The MEGOBARI Act mandates sanctions against senior officials from the Georgian Dream government and pledges support for the Georgian people’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
First commercial flight arrives in Georgia’s separatist Abkhazia region after 33 years
Tbilisi protested over resumption of "illegal" direct flights from Moscow to Sokhumi.
Post-war order teetering – rights watchdog
Eurasia “at forefront” of assault on individual freedoms.
COMMENT: Middle Corridor makes progress, but playing second fiddle to the Northern Route
The Middle Corridor linking China to Europe through the South Caucasus and Central Asia has expanded significantly in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but its long-term prospects remain uncertain.