On July 16, British citizen Matthew Roy Desmond has reached a plea agreement with the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office. The agreement was approved by Judge Nino Galustashvili. Desmond was found guilty, fined 100,000 GEL, ordered to be deported from Georgia, and banned from re-entering the country for 20 years. The war veteran was arrested on Georgian …
Category Archives: Articles in English
Georgian Opposition Leader Zurab Japaridze Hospitalised After Being Hit by a Car
According to a family member, opposition politician Zurab (Girchi) Japaridze has been taken to hospital after being hit by a car. Japaridze himself confirmed the incident in a Facebook post. “A car hit me while on scooter, I am good. Have no fractures, only bruises. I have a concussion, and I can’t remember certain things. …
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Critical Broadcaster Formula TV Loses Defamation Case Brought by Georgian Dream Propagandist
Tbilisi City Court Judge Liana Kajashvili has fully upheld the civil lawsuit filed by Georgian Dream propagandist film director Goga Khaindrava against the critical TV broadcaster Formula TV. The court ordered “Shabatis Formula” to retract the “materially false statements containing information damaging to the claimant’s reputation, honour and dignity” broadcast in its report. It also …
Kobakhidze Does Not Rule Out Refusing to Invite OSCE/ODIHR Election Observers for the 2028 Parliamentary Elections
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has not ruled out the possibility that the government may choose not to invite an OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission to monitor the 2028 parliamentary elections. Asked whether the government would invite the mission, Kobakhidze said the decision would only be made in 2028. “I can’t tell you anything about …
Anaklia Reset: Government Takes Full Ownership as Strategic Port Plan Shifts
After years of delay, Georgia’s Anaklia deep-sea port is being relaunched under a new model, which the government claims will protect national interests. Yet, following nearly a decade marked by political controversy, failed partnerships, and international disputes, the latest announcement prompts a familiar question: Is Anaklia finally emerging as a truly strategic infrastructure project, or …
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Inside Russia’s Shadow Fleet: The Hidden Risks for Georgian Seafarers
“There was a cracked pipe that should have been welded and properly repaired. Instead, they just covered it with a thick layer of paint. All that mattered was that the inspector took a quick look and said, ‘Yes, it’s been fixed,’” recalls Sandro (name changed), a young Georgian seafarer describing the most harrowing voyage of …
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Closed-Door Trial of Eight Georgian Opposition Leaders Speeds Toward Verdict
The substantive hearings in the so-called “sabotage” case against Georgia’s eight opposition leaders are continuing at an accelerated pace. The defendants and their lawyers expect a verdict by the end of this month or, at the latest, in August. While the court initially held roughly one hearing per month, over the past month proceedings have …
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British Veteran Faces Up to 12 Years in Prison in Georgia Over Drugs Lawyers Claim Was Doctor-Prescribed
A British citizen, Matthew Roy Desmond, faces between 8 and 12 years in prison in Georgia. According to his lawyers, the Prosecutor’s Office has charged him under Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 262 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which concern the illegal importation of large quantities of narcotic and psychotropic substances into the country. His …
October 4 Trial Nears End as Eight More Defendants Sentenced
Proceedings have concluded in another branch of the October 4 case. On June 22, Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili delivered verdicts against Zura Chavchanidze, Vladimer Gvelesiani, Amiran Dolishvili, Anton Vardanidze, Aleksandre Chilachava, Genadi Kupreishvili, Sulkhan Tughushi, and Ramaz Mamuladze. All eight defendants received five-year prison sentences. During the hearing, Zura Chavchanidze—also known as the Flag Bearer of …
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Concerns Grow Over Elene Khoshtaria’s Health in Prison
Lawyers for imprisoned opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria report her health has deteriorated significantly in prison, warning that inadequate treatment could cause irreversible harm. Authorities insist she is receiving proper medical care. Concerns intensified on June 17 when Khoshtaria’s lawyer, Shota Tutberidze, and Droa’s executive secretary, Giga Lemonjava, reported a significant decline in her health over …
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Freed Journalist Andrzej Poczobut Calls for Release of Fellow Sakharov Prize Laureate Mzia Amaglobeli
Belarusian journalist of Polish origin, Andrzej Poczobut, believes that receiving the European Union’s highest award influenced the decision to release him. In 2025, while still imprisoned, Poczobut was awarded the European Union’s top human rights award — the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought — jointly with Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi.. “The …
Lawyer Fined 4,000 GEL Over MP Post Comment | Social Media Speech Cases Expand in Georgia
Lawyer Shota Tutberidze was first issued an administrative offence report by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and was later fined 4,000 GEL by Judge Davit Makaridze over a comment he posted under a social media post by Georgian Dream Parliament member Nino Tsilosani. The fine was imposed under Article 173¹⁶ of Georgia’s Code of Administrative …
Kobakhidze Holds Special Briefing on Georgia-China Ties, Calls Them a Model of “Equal Partnership”
On June 10, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze held a special press briefing to announce the elevation of Georgia–China relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — a move that was announced yesterday, on the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Georgia. On June 9, Chinese …
Three Political Forces Enter Armenia’s New Parliament as Pashinyan’s Civil Contract Secures Majority
According to the final results of the latest parliamentary election, three political forces will be represented in Armenia’s new National Assembly (Parliament): Civil Contract Party Strong Armenia Alliance Armenia Alliance The distribution of seats will be as follows: Civil Contract Party – 64 seats 64 – 29 seats Armenia Alliance – 12 seats At the …
Rasa Juknevičienė: Armenians are already taking the European Union flag from Georgia
On June 17, the European Parliament will discuss the annual report on Georgia as a candidate country. Rapporteur on Georgia Rasa Juknevičienė expects the European Parliament to adopt the report with a large majority, as the main political groups in Europe are united in their assessment of Georgian Dream. In an interview with Netgazeti, Juknevičienė …
David McAllister on Georgia and Enlargement: The EU Cannot Treat a Candidate Country Purely as a Transactional Partner
“There is no more time for grey zones,” says David McAllister, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs. He answered Netgazeti’s questions about the enlargement process and relations between Georgia and the European Union. In June, the European Parliament will debate a critical report on Georgia, which AFET has adopted. Representatives of the …
Journalist Afgan Sadygov Detained in Azerbaijan After Authorities Reopen Case Previously Closed, Enabling His Deportation from Georgia
A court in Azerbaijan has ordered the detention of journalist Afgan Sadygov after reopening a criminal case that Azerbaijani authorities had officially closed just two months earlier. Sadygov — who was forcibly deported from Georgia in April despite legal concerns raised by the European Court of Human Rights — says the case is politically motivated …
Scheme Long Linked by Batumelebi to Pre-Election Mobilisation Now Admitted as “Fictitious Employment” by Kobakhidze
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze acknowledged that the social employment programme paying 300 lari per month was, in reality, fictitious employment and did not address unemployment. “The reduction in employment is entirely formal and has one specific reason: there was a programme replacing social assistance, and 30,000 people can be said to had been …
‘I Don’t Think the Course Against the EU Is Fixed’ — Farewell Interview with the Outgoing German Ambassador [Video]
The German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, will soon complete his mission. The ambassador says that during his 40-year diplomatic career, Georgia has differed from other countries in one important way: apart from Georgia, in none of the countries where he worked did he witness a “backslide.” Batumelebi interviewed Peter Fischer. We spoke with him …
Detained While Putting Up a Poster: Over A Year Later, Court of Appeal Orders Review of Amaglobeli’s First Arrest
On April 23, Batumi City Court was due to hear another case involving imprisoned Georgian journalist and Sakharov Prize laureate Mzia Amaglobeli, but the hearing was postponed until May 11. The case concerns an incident on January 11, 2025, when Amaglobeli placed a sticker on the fence of the Adjara Police Department building. She has …
Court Dismisses Yet Another Defamation Case Filed by Mzia Amaglobeli Against PM Irakli Kobakhidze
On April 24, Tbilisi City Court has terminated proceedings in yet another defamation lawsuit brought by journalist Mzia Amaglobeli against Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The hearing was held in Kobakhidze’s absence, as neither he nor his legal representative attended court. The court was also informed that no written defence had been submitted, despite …
Azerbaijani President Aliyev Meets Georgia’s Informal Ruler Ivanishvili in Tbilisi
An oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili — the honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream party, former Prime Minister of Georgia, and widely regarded as the country’s informal ruler — hosted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at his business center. The meeting also included government delegations. The party published a video of the meeting with the original sound replaced …
Aliyev Visits Georgia a Day After Tbilisi Deports Journalist Afghan Sadygov
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, arrived in Georgia today, on April 6. The Georgian government confirmed the visit only today, despite reports about Aliyev’s trip having circulated unofficially as early as yesterday. According to official information, Ilham Aliyev is scheduled to meet with Irakli Kobakhidze and Mikheil Kavelashvili. His program also …
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Early Release for Mzia Amaglobeli Denied Over “Unrepentant Attitude”
Cover Photo: Mzia Amaglobeli holding a handwritten poster that reads: “Don’t Stop! Don’t Register” (referring to registering as a foreign agent when receiving foreign grants) The Local Board of the Special Penitentiary Service reviewed Mzia Amaglobeli’s case for conditional early release (parole) and rejected it because she “still does not repent her actions.” The law …
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ECHR Registers Mzia Amaglobeli’s Application Over Degrading Treatment in Police Custody
The European Court of Human Rights has registered a third application submitted on behalf of Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Batumelebi&Netgazeti, concerning ill-treatment that took place on January 12, 2025. The application was submitted by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA). It was submitted on March 4, 2026, and the ECHR registered the case within one …
Switzerland to Require Visas for Georgian Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders Starting April 3
Starting April 3, 2026 holders of Georgian diplomatic, official, or service passports will require a visa to enter Switzerland. The decision was made by the Swiss Federal Council at its meeting on April 1. Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it has aligned itself with a decision taken by Brussels on …
Judge Dismisses Case Against Tabula Journalist After MIA Video Evidence Confirms She Was Filming the Protest
Judge Tornike Kapanadze has dismissed the administrative offence case against Tabula journalist Mariam Kuprava, who had been accused of “artificially blocking the road” while covering the weekly protest, the “Saturday March.” Kuprava had faced up to 15 days of administrative detention, even though video evidence presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs showed that she …
Four Highlights from the Ombudsman’s Annual Report on Rights Violations in Georgia
Georgia’s Public Defender has presented its 2025 annual human rights report to parliament, also flagging concerns over protest-related enforcement, due process violations, prison deaths, and rising child poverty. The 427-page report, released on March 31, reviews the state of human rights and freedoms across the country and highlights several systemic problems. Double jeopardy concerns in …
Trump Extends Emergency Order, Keeping Sanctions on Ivanishvili in Force
U.S. President Donald Trump has extended for another year the national emergency declared by Joe Biden. Joe Biden declared the national emergency related to the harmful foreign activities of the Russian Federation in April 2021. It was under this executive order addressing the Russian Federation’s harmful foreign actions that, on December 27, 2024, the United …
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“I’m a Journalist, Publicity Is Important”: Eliso Kiladze Speaks Out as Court Closes Proceedings
The court hearing of Eliso Kiladze, founder of Qronika+, was closed at the request of the prosecution. The defendant herself opposed the prosecution’s motion, stating that, as a journalist, publicity is of fundamental importance to her. Kiladze’s statement prior to the closure of the hearing was reported by InterpressNews (IPN). “I do not agree with …
Iran’s Ambassador to Georgia: “No Country Is Protected from the Consequences of a Regional Crisis”
“Let us pay attention to this phrase: no country is protected from the consequences of a regional crisis. The crisis is much closer than it may seem at first glance,” Iran’s Ambassador to Georgia, Seyed Ali Moujani, wrote in a social media post on March 31. He accompanied the post with an image showing a …
Aleksandre Elisashvili Charged With Second Terrorism Count Over Court Archive Fire
On March 30, the Prosecutor’s Office brought a new charge against a Georgian opposition politicion Aleksandre (Aleko) Elisashvili. This time, he is accused of starting a fire in the archive building of the Tbilisi City Court. The prosecution alleges that, Elisashvili set the fire in the court archive on May 4, 2025. As a result, …
Davit Gabaidze Resigns as Chair of Adjara Supreme Council
Davit Gabaidze has resigned from his position as Chair of the Georgian Dream’s Supreme Council of Adjara. He announced this himself at a briefing held today, March 30. According to our information, Tsotne Ananidze is expected to take over his post. He currently serves as Chair of the Human Rights Protection Committee in the Supreme …
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Journalists on Trial: Hearing for Netgazeti Reporter Postponed; Photojournalist’s Case Dismissed, Mediachecker Reporter’s Decision Delayed
The hearing of Netgazeti journalist Mariam Dzidzaria, who is facing up to 15 day detention for covering protest, was postponed just minutes after it began. Judge Tornike Kapanadze has not yet set a date for the next session. The postponement request was made by Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia representative Tinatin Kachkachishvili, who said …
Bacho Akhalaia Faces New Charge for Calling to Overthrow Government
Bacho Akhalaia has been charged with a new offense following a statement he made in court. He has been charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which criminalizes calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order and the toppling of state authorities. This article carries a penalty of up to three …
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U.S. Diplomats Visit Georgia Port Project as Sole Chinese–Singaporean Bid Awaits Award
Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly referred to the Chinese–Singaporean consortium as the tender winner. While the consortium is the sole remaining bidder, the official decision by the commission has not yet been announced Peter Andreoli, a U.S. State Department official, is visiting Georgia and travelled to Anaklia on March 26 to observe …