The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, expressed condolences in Baku regarding the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane and congratulated Azerbaijan on the return of Karabakh. Social media users inquired about the purpose of his visit, with some suggesting that he came on the orders of the Kremlin.

Russia has suspended the import and sale of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks — including Nabeghlavi and Coca-Cola — from several key Georgian producers, Russian media outlet RBC reported, citing a document from the Russian consumer rights and public health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, as well as sources from the “alcohol market” and retailers. Among the producers subject to “temporary sanitary measures” are Nabeghlavi mineral water produced by Healthy Water, Coca-Cola produced in Georgia, beer produced by Georgian Beer Company, wines produced by Teliani Valley, Tbilvino, and Wineman, as well as wine and cognac produced by Askaneli Brothers. The report does not indicate the period of suspension. The outlet says that according to the Rospotrebnadzor document, “a temporary sanitary measure was introduced to suspend the import and circulation within the country of products that do not comply with established requirements for organoleptic and physicochemical indicators, as well as safety indicators.” RBC quoted representatives of the retail industry, including the Association of Companies of Omnichannel Retail Trade (ACORT) and Auchan, the Russian subsidiary of French retailer Auchan recently placed under temporary administration by Russian authorities, as confirming that the products were being removed from stores following instructions from Rospotrebnadzor. More to follow… Also Read: * 03/08/2023 – Georgia Imposes Restrictions on Export of Passenger Cars to Russia and Belarus * 12/03/2010 – Saakashvili: Russia’s Embargo Failed

The 3900 euros awarded by the European Court of Human Rights are incomparable to four years of imprisonment and the suffering that the family had to endure as a result, said Fuad Akhmedli, an activist of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party. The lawyer reminded that the authorities of Azerbaijan stopped paying compensations based on the decisions of the ECHR from 2024.

The European Court of Human Rights recognized violations of the rights of journalist Rauf Mirkadirov and activist Fuad Ahmedli and ordered the authorities of Azerbaijan to pay them a total of 8000 euros in compensation.

Students of a school in a suburban settlement of Baku protested against the tightening of dress code requirements for students. Convicted Azerbaijani journalist Polad Aslanov declared a hunger strike amid reports of schoolgirls in hijabs being denied access to classes.

The Migration Department of Georgia reported the detention of 64 illegal migrants in various regions of the country. Among those detained are citizens of Russia and Azerbaijan.

Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili says Tbilisi is aware of “a number of” EU member states supporting Georgia’s bid to chair the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2027, despite reports of objections within the EU. She has also cited a lack of consensus over the candidacy of Cyprus as an argument for Georgia’s aspired chairmanship, while noting that the OSCE is “not only an EU region.” “Slovakia has openly stated that it will support Georgia’s candidacy for the OSCE chairmanship in 2027,” Botchorishvili said in her October 7 remarks to the pro-government Imedi TV. “Behind closed doors, we are also aware of the positions of a number of EU member states that they will support Georgia’s candidacy,” she added, acknowledging, however, that a single country can block a decision. The OSCE, which brings together 57 participating states from Europe, North America and Central Asia, makes major decisions by consensus, meaning a single state can block it. According to Botchorishvili, Georgia made its first-ever bid for the OSCE chairmanship in January, expecting the decision by the OSCE Ministerial Council scheduled to take place on December 3-4 in Lugano, Switzerland. Botchorishvili has openly campaigned for Georgia’s chairmanship on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Her remarks come after Brussels-based news outlet Rapporteur reported earlier in October that the EU was standing in the way of Georgia’s bid, with Cyprus enjoying support from EU countries and the bloc as a whole despite a deadlock caused by Turkish objections over its candidacy. Citing diplomats, the outlet said that the Baltic states were particularly opposed to Georgia’s candidacy, “reflecting concerns over Tbilisi’s increasingly difficult relationship with the EU and its approach to Russia,” while Serbia was also considering a bid to chair the organization next year. According to Botchorishvili, the EU member states “can agree to adopt a common position, but within the OSCE, it is the position of each individual participating state that is recorded.” She said Tbilisi deliberately refrained from actively campaigning until September as it was ready to back Cyprus in case of a consensus. “Unfortunately, no decision could be reached because of Turkey’s position, which has not changed to this day,” she said, adding that the EU “can, of course, support Cyprus, but we all know very well that reaching consensus on Cyprus is impossible.” “A fact is a fact. Today, Georgia is the only country on which we do not know whether there is a final decision. We do know that no consensus has been reached regarding Cyprus.” OSCE ‘Not Only EU Region’ The GD Foreign Minister further cited Georgia’s geographical position as an argument to support its aspired chairmanship, noting that “no country from our region” has previously held the position, and even from Central Asia, it was only Kazakhstan, which chaired OSCE in 2010. “The organization covers a vast region. It is not only an EU region,” she said. “Georgia is, in a sense, in the middle of the organization.” Botchorishvili said Tbilisi plans to host OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis, the foreign minister of Switzerland, a country that holds the OSCE chairmanship in 2026. Georgia’s bid comes amid strained relations with the EU over concerns about “democratic backsliding” and Georgian Dream’s anti-Western rhetoric. Also Read: * 08/07/2026 – OSCE PA Adopts Hague Declaration, Resolutions Expressing Concerns About Developments in Georgia * 19/03/2026 – U.S. Helsinki Commission Members Call to Use Sanctions for Georgia’s Compliance With OSCE Report * 13/03/2026 – Tbilisi ‘Vigorously Rejects’ OSCE Findings as Member States Call to Fulfill Recommendations * 12/03/2026 – OSCE Moscow Mechanism Report Notes ‘Marked Democratic Backsliding’, Issues Recommendations * 11/03/2026 – OSCE PA Delegation Concludes Visit to Georgia, Notes ‘Absence of Political Dialogue’ * 03/07/2025 – OSCE PA Urges Release of ‘All Political Prisoners’, Holding New Elections in Georgia

Transparency International (TI) Georgia, a local civil society organization, says it identified 93 distinct words and phrases that the Communications Commission, Georgia’s media regulator, “prohibited” government-critical broadcasters from using following last year’s amendments to broadcasting laws, which gave the regulator greater control over TV and radio content. The watchdog said it identified the phrases after reviewing seven decisions issued by ComCom, a public agency chaired by a former ruling party MP, concerning government-critical broadcasters TV Pirveli and Formula. Both of these channels have been fined several times after the regulator found them in violation of amended broadcasting laws. “The review found that the Commission prohibits critical broadcasters from using a total of 101 words and/or phrases: 33 in the case of TV Pirveli and 68 in the case of Formula,” TI Georgia said in its October 9 report. In some cases, the words and phrases prohibited for the two critical broadcasters overlap. Overall, the Commission prohibits the use of 93 distinct words and phrases.” The list includes terms such as “regime,” “prisoners of conscience,” “oligarch,” “false-witness police officers,” “political prisoners,” “political hostages,” “repressive policy,” “Ivanishvili’s prime minister,” “the so-called education reform,” “Georgian Dream police,” “unlawful imprisonment,” “the Scroll-Screenshot Department,” “Georgian Dream government,” “repressive laws,” “the regime’s court,” “Ivanishvili’s president,” “Georgian Dream’s State Security Service,” “judicial clan,” among others, according to TI-Georgia. In addition to prohibiting specific words and phrases, the watchdog argued that the regulator “requires critical broadcasters to report the news in a dry manner, stripped entirely of commentary and analysis.” According to TI Georgia, the memoranda also identify statements by journalists and presenters that the Commission considers unacceptable, citing several examples. The watchdog emphasized that it is “deeply concerning” that ComCom “has the power to regulate broadcasters’ content and, on this basis, impose financial sanctions and suspend their broadcasting licenses.” It also argued that, amid what it described as “firmly established and clearly evident state capture in Georgia,” the Commission has for years been composed of commissioners “loyal to and affiliated with Georgian Dream.” TI Georgia noted that questions remain over the Commission’s decisions and concerns persist that “it has acted to advance the interests of the ruling party and in a biased manner,” warning that “the Communications Commission should not operate as a censor, nor should it be used as a mechanism for punishing critical broadcasters.” Citing “international practice,” the organization said that “disputed issues should instead be addressed through self-regulatory mechanisms,” and that “promoting and supporting self-regulation should be one of the Commission’s primary objectives — rather than serving the interests of Georgian Dream and penalizing broadcasters for criticizing and exposing representatives of the ruling party.” The watchdog also warned that the ComCom “continues to act as a censor,” citing its October 1 decision to fine Formula TV GEL 10,000 (USD 3,850) over what the regulator described as violations of impartiality requirements, arguing that the broadcaster’s coverage was based on “personal views.” “Overall, over the past six months, the Commission has issued formal reports against critical TV channels TV Pirveli and Formula on this same basis seven times – four times against Formula and three times against TV Pirveli,” TI Georgia said. It added that “most likely,” the ComCom will continue what it called “this harmful practice,” and “will fine TV Pirveli for the same reason. This is because the Commission typically follows a predictable pattern, moving in a cycle and penalizing broadcasters one after another.” “It is clear that, through this approach, the Communications Commission is seeking to cripple television channels that are already operating under severe financial constraints. The Commission also has the authority to suspend their broadcasting licenses, which is particularly alarming,” Ti-Georgia argued. ComCom’s Enforcement Record The findings come amid growing concerns over the expanded powers granted to ComCom to regulate broadcasters’ content under last year’s legislative amendments to the Law on Broadcasting. Critics have long accused ComCom, currently chaired by former ruling party lawmaker Goga Gulordava, of acting in line with the ruling party’s interests. ComCom has imposed sanctions on both pro-government and opposition-leaning broadcasters over alleged content-related violations under the amended Law on Broadcasting. The regulator issued a written warning to four television channels, including pro-government Imedi TV and POSTV, and TV Pirveli and Formula TV in April, citing “violations of principles of impartiality” which came shortly after ComCom said it would take a more proactive approach to enforcement, while criticizing the UK’s decision to sanction Imedi TV and POSTV over “Russian disinformation.” In May, Formula TV was fined GEL 2,500 over alleged breaches related to “personal opinions,” “impartiality,” and “balance,” while in July, the regulator issued a GEL 5,000 fine on the TV channel. TV Pirveli has been fined twice under the amended rules. In June, ComCom fined the broadcaster GEL 2,500 over its use of terms including “prisoners of conscience” and “oligarch.” In August, the Commission imposed a second fine of GEL 5,000 over language it said reflected the broadcaster’s personal opinions and violated requirements for accuracy. ComCom issued a written warning to pro-government broadcaster Rustavi 2 in August, saying the channel had violated “impartiality principles” under the amended Law on Broadcasting. Also in August, the pro-government POSTV was fined GEL 2,500 over coverage that the regulator said contained personal opinions and failed to report the facts with due accuracy. While TI Georgia acknowledged that ComCom had also placed pro-government broadcasters under monitoring, it questioned whether the process is meaningful. “Observing the process leaves the impression that this has been merely a formal exercise, intended to present the Commission to interested parties as an objective observer and arbiter,” it argued. “From the outset, it appeared clear that the Commission’s primary objective was to penalize critical media outlets and weaken them and/or force them out of business through financial fines.” Also Read: * 21/07/2026 – TI-Georgia Lists 91 People as ‘Political Prisoners’ Under PACE Criteria * 10/02/2026 – Georgia Falls to 50 in TI Corruption Perceptions Index

The Dutch House of Representatives, the lower house of the Dutch Parliament, adopted a motion calling on the government to work with like-minded partners to bring an interstate case against Georgia before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), citing the Georgian government’s use of “repressive legislation” and “police violence” against demonstrators, among others. The motion, submitted by MP Queeny Rajkowski from People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), calls for invoking Article 33 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which allows one state party that is a party to the Convention to bring a case against another before the ECtHR over alleged violations of rights protected by the Convention. “The House of Representatives, having heard the deliberations, noting that the Georgian authorities are employing repressive legislation and police violence against peaceful demonstrators; considering that these developments form part of a pattern in which Georgia is drifting towards the Russian model […] requests the government, together with like-minded partners, to lodge an inter-state application against Georgia,” the motion reads. The motion is not binding for the Dutch government, and the parliament portal also indicates that the government representatives have opposed the motion and advised rejecting it. The motion also refers to the similar appeal on CoE member states in the June resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). “The Assembly reiterates its call to the relevant bodies of the Council of Europe to use all available means, including those under Article 52 of the ECHR, and its invitation to all Council of Europe member States to consider the use of interstate applications to the ECtHR under Article 33 of the Convention, to ensure that Georgia fully honour all the standards and obligations stemming from Council of Europe membership,” the document said, adding that it “regrets that to date, no use has been made of these mechanisms offered by the ECHR.” Also Read: * 08/10/2026 – EU Parliament Adopts Resolution Against Georgian Dream’s Efforts to Ban Opposition Parties * 13/08/2026 – EU Report Notes ‘Significant Backsliding’ of Georgia’s Democracy, Reduced Ties With Tbilisi * 06/05/2026 – European Parliament Committee Adopts Critical Report on Georgia, Draws Backlash from Tbilisi * 12/12/2024 – Over 35 CoE Countries Say the Authorities are Failing on their Commitments

Journalist Rauf Mirgadirov expressed satisfaction with the ECHR's decision, which allowed him to remove the label of a state traitor. The Strasbourg court recognized a violation of the journalist's right to a fair trial, pointing to the insufficiency of the evidence against him and the lack of proper assessment in the courts, and ordered Azerbaijan to pay Mirgadirov 3,600 euros as compensation for moral damage.

Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office said it is investigating Nana Keinishvili, National Bank of Georgia (NBG) Board member and former Georgian Dream MP, over alleged illegal participation in entrepreneurial activity. The NBG, meanwhile, said its Board would consider temporarily recusing Keinishvili from its sessions pending the outcome of the investigation. Prosecutors said in the October 9 statement that the probe is based on statements and audio recordings provided by executives of BitExchange LLC, a virtual asset service provider, and forwarded by the National Bank to the prosecutors. According to the prosecutors, the materials contain allegations that Keinishvili “is involved in entrepreneurial activities and directly controls a network of enterprises regulated by the National Bank, the shares of which are registered in the names of her family members and persons affiliated with her.” The statements further showed that Keinishvili “also attempted to acquire shares in an enterprise regulated by the National Bank and thereby expand her own business activities,” the agency said. Citing Georgia’s Law on Combating Corruption, the Prosecutor General’s Office noted that “a public servant does not have the right to engage in entrepreneurial activity.” It also cited the Organic Law on the National Bank, under which a Board member and “his/her family members do not have the right to be a partner of a representative of the Georgian financial sector or a legal entity related to it.” The Office said the circumstances surrounding Keinishvili’s alleged involvement in entrepreneurial activities will be examined and “the public will be informed about the results of the investigation.” NBG Statement In a separate statement, the National Bank said it had reviewed the circumstances outlined in letters from the BitExchange representatives and conducted “an initial internal review within its competence.” However, it said the legal verification of the claims fell outside its mandate, and “the materials have been forwarded to the relevant authorized bodies,” expressing hope that the matter would be clarified promptly. “Meanwhile, while the investigation is ongoing and until the matter is fully clarified, given the high reputational standard of the National Bank of Georgia’s activities, the National Bank Board will consider at its next session the question of temporarily recusing Nana Keinishvili from Board sessions,” the statement said. The NBG further noted that it has fined BitExchange “for violating the Rule on Preventing Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism, following its scheduled inspection.” Keinishvili was appointed to the NBG Board in September 2023, having been nominated by then-President Salome Zourabichvili, who later withdrew her support for the appointment. She served as a Member of Parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party from 2012 to 2016, including as Deputy Chairperson of Parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee. From 2001 to 2012, she headed the Georgian Red Cross Society. Under the Organic Law on the National Bank of Georgia, the Board is the institution’s highest governing body and consists of nine members. Board members are elected by Parliament for seven-year terms, following the nomination of candidates by the country’s President. Also Read: * 30/09/2026 – Georgia Tightens Credit Rules by Raising Income Threshold for 25% Payment-to-Income Rule * 09/09/2026 – NBG Keeps Refinancing Rate Unchanged at 8.25%, Expects 5.2% Inflation in 2026 * 01/09/2026 – NBG Introduces Two-Day Wait for ‘High-Risk Transactions’ by People Over 60 * 19/09/2023 – National Bank Makes U-Turn, Shields Sanctioned Partskaladze

A shepherd and his father were injured in explosions in the uncleared territory of the Jebrail district. The number of mine victims in the area of the former Karabakh conflict has reached 443.

The European Parliament called on the authorities of Azerbaijan to release Ali Kerimli, Anar Mammadli, and other political prisoners, and the European Union to consider targeted sanctions in connection with human rights violations. The deputies also suggested taking the human rights situation into account when preparing the future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan. Against the backdrop of the tough rhetoric of the MEPs, no specific sanctions were proposed, analysts noted.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the “immediate withdrawal” of the Georgian Dream’s constitutional lawsuit seeking to ban opposition parties and reiterating calls for the release of what it describes as “political prisoners,” as well as for “targeted sanctions” against key Georgian Dream figures. The resolution, titled “Attempts by the ruling party Georgian Dream to ban opposition parties in Georgia” and adopted on October 8 with 445 in favor, names Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze as those who should be subject to targeted sanctions and visa bans. The document notes that in November 2025, “the Georgian Dream-controlled Parliament” lodged a constitutional claim seeking to ban opposition parties, including the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, and Strong Georgia – Lelo. The Federalists party was added to the lawsuit in April, while For Georgia, described in the resolution as the only opposition party still represented in Parliament, was added in September 2026. The resolution says the proceedings amount to “eliminating legitimate political opposition” and are part of a broader strategy aimed at “turning Georgia into a one-party regime by eliminating political pluralism.” It says this follows the model of Russia and Belarus and “serves the Kremlin’s objective of keeping Georgia outside the European and Euro-Atlantic space.” It says the situation in Georgia “is progressively deteriorating, with further backsliding in democracy, media freedom, human rights and the rule of law due to the Georgian Dream authorities’ actions,” which, according to the resolution, are increasingly “incompatible with Georgia’s international obligations and commitments,” including the Copenhagen criteria. The European Parliament also notes that new judges were appointed to the Constitutional Court in September, saying the appointments raise “serious doubts about their independence in the proceedings.” * 23/09/2026 – Two New Constitutional Court Judges Appointed As Critics Fear ‘No More Dissenting Opinions’ The resolution says that “numerous journalists reporting on the government’s crackdown on opposition and civil society have been imprisoned.” It also cites the closure of the Tbilisi offices of two German foundations, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which it says were “forced to close their Tbilisi offices in September” after authorities rejected their project funding applications under the Law on Grants. It “strongly condemns” the attempt to “outlaw Georgia’s opposition parties” and demands the “immediate withdrawal” of the constitutional claim. It stresses that “a functioning political opposition is an indispensable pillar of democracy and that eliminating legitimate political opposition through judicial means is incompatible with democracy.” The resolution also notes that banning the sole opposition party represented in the Georgian Parliament would “dismantle the regime’s previous narrative of only targeting ‘boycotting’ parties.” * 23/07/2026 – ‘Sabotage’ Case Hearings Adjourned Until Fall Amid Verdict Concerns The EP calls for the “immediate and unconditional release” of people it describes as political prisoners, including Elene Khoshtaria, Mzia Amaghlobeli, Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Baramidze, and Nika Melia, as well as “all those detained for peaceful protest.” It also calls for “dropping politically motivated ‘sabotage’ charges” and for the repeal of provisions enabling “disproportionate restrictions on parties and individuals associated with prohibited parties.” The resolution condemns “the misuse of legislation and state institutions to silence political opponents” and calls for an end to what it describes as the “obstruction of European political foundations.” The resolution “regrets” what it describes as “the persistent lack of action by the EU and most Member States to ensure tangible consequences for the continuously deteriorating situation in Georgia.” It reiterates its call for “targeted sanctions against and visa bans for those responsible for democratic backsliding, violent repression and political persecution, first and foremost Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Papuashvili and Kakha Kaladze.” The EP also reiterates “its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s European aspirations” and recalls its previous warnings that “any attempt to ban established political parties alienates Georgia from the EU and precludes any move towards EU accession.” The resolution instructs the European Parliament President to forward it to the EU Council, European Commission, High Representative/Vice-President, EU Member States and “the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.” More to follow… Also Read: * 17/06/2026 – EU Parliament Adopts Critical Resolution on Georgia, Calls for ‘Targeted’ Sanctions on Ivanishvili, GD Leaders * 09/07/2025 – European Parliament Adopts 2023-2024 Georgia Report * 04/06/2025 – EP’s Foreign Affairs Committee Calls for Targeted Sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili

The UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution on “Cooperation with Georgia” in Geneva, addressing the human rights situation in the country’s occupied territories, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported on October 7. Submitted annually by Georgia since 2017, the resolution reaffirms support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and expresses concern over discrimination and human rights violations against ethnic Georgians in Russia-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions. “As in the previous year, the resolution was adopted by consensus, marking a significant achievement for Georgia and demonstrating the strong support of the international community,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia presented the resolution to the UN Human Rights Council. The resolution “once again reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders and expresses concern over various forms of discrimination and human rights violations perpetrated against the ethnic Georgian population in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions occupied by Russia,” according to the ministry. It also “underscores the importance of the Geneva International Discussions established pursuant to the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement,” and “expresses concern over restrictions on access to the occupied territories for international and regional human rights monitoring mechanisms.” The resolution calls for “ensuring the immediate and unhindered access of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and international and regional human rights mechanisms to the occupied regions,” the ministry said. It also highlights the importance of European Court of Human Rights judgments delivered between 2021 and 2026, condemning “actions undertaken by Russia towards future illegal annexation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions,” the ministry said. Also Read: * 09/09/2026 – Group of 34 Countries Raises Concerns at UN HRC over ‘Deteriorating’ Human Rights Situation in Georgia * 24.02/2026 – Botchorishvili Meets with CoE Secretary General Berset at UNHRC Session * 09/10/2025 – UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution on Occupied Georgian Regions by Consensus

Georgian musician Misho Sulukhia alleged on October 7 that plainclothes men claiming to be law enforcers assaulted him near Tbilisi’s Lisi Lake and attempted to force him to confess to a crime he did not commit. The Interior Ministry disputed his account the following day, saying officers had stopped him for checks and that he fled after refusing to comply with their orders. “On my way to visit a friend near Lisi Lake in the evening, plainclothes young men blocked our path, pulled me out of the taxi, took my phone and physically assaulted me,” Sulukhia wrote in a Facebook post that has since been deleted but was cited by local media. “They told me they were law enforcers, but none of them identified themselves or presented identification documents,” he wrote. Sulukhia alleged that the men surrounded him and restricted his movement for more than an hour. He said they found no illegal substances during a search and that he was sober. “I saw them preparing an object wrapped in black tape, at which point I escaped from the group,” he wrote, adding that none of the seven men managed to catch him. Sulukhia also claimed that the taxi driver had been detained and also pressured to confess. “They were offering me a scenario in which I would confess to a crime I had nothing to do with,” he wrote. The Interior Ministry offered a different account of the incident on October 8, saying Sulukhia, who it described as previously convicted of a drug-related offense and currently serving a suspended sentence, had been walking suspiciously through a wooded area near Lisi Lake when officers stopped him for questioning. According to the ministry, Sulukhia refused to comply with lawful police orders, dropped his mobile phone and fled the scene. The ministry said officers secured and sealed the phone, along with a bank card found in its case, in accordance with established procedures. Authorities said administrative proceedings had been initiated under Article 173 of Georgia’s Code of Administrative Offenses, which concerns failure to comply with a lawful order from a law enforcement officer. The ministry’s statement did not address Sulukhia’s allegations of physical assault or his claims concerning the taxi driver. In a follow-up Facebook post on October 8, Sulukhia expressed concern that authorities could fabricate evidence to justify their actions, citing what he described as the concerns of lawyers and well-wishers. “They will prepare search warrants backdated to the previous day. Eight police officers will say whatever is needed to justify everything I went through,” he wrote. The musician’s allegations came shortly after another reported case of police abuse. On October 7, Sergey Kancheli, 23-year-old anti-government protester, said in a Facebook post that he had left Georgia after six police officers allegedly detained and assaulted him on September 27. Kancheli said the officers took him to a cemetery, scratched his face with a knife, threatened him with a gun and were pressuring him to engage in sexual act. He said he was now in a safe country. Also Read: * 22/09/2026 – Man Behind Police Violence Footage Leaks Jailed for 17 Years on Drug Charges * 13/06/2026 – MIA Says Perpetrators Arrested in February as TV Pirveli Airs Police Violence Footage * 28/05/2026 – Six Arrested Over Gori Police Violence Incident, Prosecutors Say

Allies called the administrative arrest of 20 days of the member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Anar Guseynov, politically motivated.

Georgian anti-government protester Sergey Kancheli said he left Georgia after six police officers took him to a cemetery and subjected him to physical and verbal abuse, including physically assaulting him, scratching his face with a knife, threatening him with a gun, and pressuring him to engage in sexual intercourse. He said he is currently in a safe country. According to Kancheli, 23, who is an active participant in ongoing anti-government protests in Tbilisi, six police officers stopped him while he was out running on September 27, took him to a cemetery, and physically assaulted him. “They scratched my face with a knife and threatened me with a gun, holding it to my head, chest, and other body parts. They were forcing me to engage in sexual intercourse,” Kancheli wrote on Facebook on October 7. He said that “torture” lasted for approximately 50 minutes, after which the police left the scene. According to the protester, the police actions targeted his civic position. He alleged that “throughout the physical and verbal abuse, as well as the sexual coercion,” the police ridiculed his civic position and referred to him as an “Akatsuki,” a Japanese anime-inspired term used by Georgian ruling party circles as a derogatory term for anti-government protesters. “Many of you know how difficult it was for me to come to terms with the fact that I would one day have to leave Georgia, but Georgian Dream and its police regime managed to create this hell for me,” Kancheli said, adding that he has filed a complaint against the officers involved in the alleged abuse. The allegations follow broader concerns over police abuses in Georgia, including throughout 2024-2025 protest dispersals, as well as several controversial incidents reported over the past year, including recordings showing police officers beating persons during or after detention in Georgian regions. Georgian authorities have yet to comment on the allegations. Also read: * 22/09/2026 – Man Behind Police Violence Footage Leaks Jailed for 17 Years on Drug Charges * 13/06/2026 – MIA Says Perpetrators Arrested in February as TV Pirveli Airs Police Violence Footage * 28/05/2026 – Six Arrested Over Gori Police Violence Incident, Prosecutors Say

Up to 35,000 families have stopped receiving subsistence allowances under Georgia’s largest social assistance scheme after authorities reviewed up to 80,000 families, Georgian Dream Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze said during an October 6 press briefing, stressing that in most cases their financial circumstances had improved. The numbers come months after authorities announced a review of families for subsistence allowance after the Covid-era moratorium and following concerns over the high number of people dependent on the scheme, 710,000 as of February, in a country of less than four million. These were the beneficiaries of Georgia’s Targeted Social Assistance scheme, the country’s main social assistance program, which provides a subsistence allowance, monthly cash support, to the poorest households based on their assigned welfare score. “More than 30,000, up to around 35,000, is the number of families that have stopped receiving subsistence allowances because, fortunately, in the majority of cases, their circumstances have improved,” Sarjveladze said in response to a journalist’s question. The minister said the government is continuing to review families receiving the assistance to determine whether they still meet eligibility criteria. “The financial situation of each family is constantly changing,” Sarjveladze said. “This means that the state must monitor as carefully as possible who needs this support and who may no longer need it, as well as who meets the relevant criteria and who does not.” He said the beneficiary database remains subject to constant change, with new families being added and others removed as their circumstances change. Sarjveladze also said the government expects to save tens of millions of GEL once the review is completed and the database is updated, though he did not provide a precise figure or timeline. Sarjveladze’s latest remarks follow his February 20 announcement that authorities would begin an active review of families registered as socially vulnerable to ensure that state assistance goes only to those who qualify. At the time, he said more than 185,000 families, or about 710,000 people, were receiving subsistence allowance, while nearly 400,000 families, or around 1.3 million people, were registered in the Unified Database of Socially Vulnerable Families. The minister argued at the time that the growing number of beneficiaries was no longer consistent with what he described as Georgia’s economic progress. He also attributed the increase partly to a moratorium on eligibility reviews introduced amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the database continued to include families that no longer required state assistance. The review was set to prioritize households considered more likely to no longer meet eligibility requirements, including families that had received monthly income of at least GEL 2,000 over the preceding three months. Sarjveladze said the government’s objective was to ensure that “only those families and individuals who, under current legislation, genuinely qualify for state financial support remain in the database.” Also Read: * 13/12/2025 – Georgia’s Public Employment Program is Ending. Was It Ever About Employment? * 10/07/2023 – Over One-Third of Children Receive Subsistence Allowance, Reports Local Watchdog

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze lauded Georgia’s expanding economic ties with China at an October 6 government meeting, while stressing the government’s efforts to explore new markets, including through ongoing trade talks with South Korea, Serbia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Speaking of China, Kobakhidze highlighted growing exports and investment, an expanded free trade agreement, and increased direct flights between the two countries. “Expanding our economic relations with China is very important,” Kobakhidze said, arguing that the expanded free trade agreement was already producing “concrete, tangible results” and citing recent figures from Georgia’s foreign trade and foreign direct investments. “In January-August, exports of Georgian products to China increased by 177%,” he said, adding “the agreements we conclude in terms of economic cooperation produce concrete results, and this figure is one of the clearest manifestations of that.” He also said that fourteen flights are operated weekly between Georgia and China after the addition of new direct flights, calling it “of great importance” to Georgia. According to the GD Prime Minister, Chinese investment in Georgia is also growing. “China ranked first in the first half of this year,” Kobakhidze said, adding that “in terms of foreign direct investment, investment from China amounted to USD 236 million.” Preliminary data released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) for the second quarter of 2026 showed China overtaking the United Kingdom as Georgia’s largest foreign investor. Kobakhidze also said the government had been “working very actively” with Central Asian countries and had achieved “serious, tangible results,” while free trade talks are ongoing with other countries and regions, including with South Korea, Serbia, and Gulf countries. “Negotiations on free trade agreements with the Republic of Korea, Serbia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council are also in an active phase,” he said. According to Kobakhidze, once the process is completed, Georgia will gain access to a market of 120 million people, which he described as “strategically very important” for the country. * 30/12/2025 – Contesting West, Aligning with Rest: Georgian Dream’s Foreign Policy in 2025 and Beyond Kobakhidze’s remarks come amid deepening ties between Tbilisi and Beijing. Georgia and China elevated their bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in June 2026, three years after establishing a strategic partnership in 2023. In April 2026, the two countries also signed a protocol upgrading their free trade agreement, with the Chinese Embassy saying the changes were intended to further promote and facilitate direct investment between the two countries. The agreement follows Georgia’s intensified ties with China against the backdrop of its deteriorating relations with traditional Western partners, including the U.S and the EU, and concerns over Chinese influence in Georgia. On June 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill requiring a report on Russian and Chinese influence and intelligence assets in Georgia, as well as a five-year strategy for U.S.-Georgia relations. Also Read: * 18/08/2026 – Georgia Among Over 40 Countries Flagged in White House Report Over Risk of Illegal Transshipment of Chinese Goods * 10/06/2026 – Kobakhidze Praises Strategic Partnership with China as ‘Exemplary’ * 03/06/2026 – Rubio Hopes for Change in ‘Trajectory’ of U.S. Relationship with Georgia and of Tbilisi’s ‘Behavior’ * 19/05/2026 – Disputed Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili Visits China

Georgia’s State Security Service (SSSG) said it arrested a Georgian citizen for allegedly attempting to sell uranium-238 to a foreign citizen for USD 700,000. “As a result of a joint operation conducted by officers of the Counterintelligence and Special Operations departments, a Georgian citizen was arrested for the illegal handling of nuclear material, specifically the radioactive substance uranium,” the SSSG said. According to the agency, the investigation established that “the detainee planned to sell the nuclear material in his possession, uranium-238, to a foreign citizen for USD 700,000.” The SSSG said the investigation is underway under Article 230 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which pertains to the illegal handling of nuclear material or equipment, radioactive waste, and radioactive substances, and carries a prison sentence of up to ten years. Also Read: * 19/02/2026 – Georgia Arrests Two Foreigners Over Attempt to Buy Nuclear, Radioactive Materials * 25/10/2025 – Georgia Arrests Three Chinese Nationals Over Attempt to Buy Uranium Illegally * 17/07/2025 – Two Arrested in Batumi for Attempted Sale of Uranium

Georgia’s National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement has regained its registration with the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), an official register within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) framework, nearly two years after the suspension fueled concerns over its feared negative impact on Georgian students. The EQAR register, which emerged within the Bologna Process, brings together quality assurance agencies across Europe that have undergone external expert reviews. Being listed in the register is believed to strengthen the recognition and international comparability of higher education qualifications, thus enhancing academic opportunities for students and institutions in the relevant countries. The Center’s registration in the EQAR was suspended in December 2024, following the 2023 visit of international experts that identified deficiencies in its compliance with European quality assurance standards. Critics feared at the time that losing the European status could damage the reputation of Georgian higher education and affect international mobility, joint and double-degree programs, foreign student enrollment, and university revenues. In an October 6 statement, however, the Quality Enhancement Center said that Georgia regained the status “based on the results of the evaluation conducted by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).” The international experts of ENQA, a framework operating within EHEA, conducted an in-depth review of changes made to Georgia’s higher education quality assurance system in 2024 and 2025, the statement said, noting that the changes were intended to bring the country’s quality assurance system and the center’s activities fully in line with European standards. “According to the assessment of ENQA’s international experts and the decision of the EQAR Register Committee, the activities of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement and the higher education quality assurance mechanisms operating in Georgia fully comply with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG 2015),” the center said. The center said renewed EQAR registration would support the internationalization of Georgia’s higher education system and strengthen international confidence in the country’s quality assurance mechanisms. Also Read: * 11/09/2026 – Georgia’s PISA Scores Improve Since 2022 But Remain Below OECD Average * 01/08/2026 – Promised Free Tuition at Public Universities in Georgia to Be Partly Merit-Based From Third Semester, Tied to ECTS * 13/02/2026 – Professors, Students Vow to Resist ‘Unconstitutional’ Plan to Gut Ilia State University * 12/02/2026 – Georgian Dream Reshuffles University Disciplines Under ‘One City, One Faculty’ Plan * 28/01/2026 – Opinion | Georgia’s University Reform Is Not a Neutral Initiative. It’s a Political Act

Member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Anar Guseynov (Arkiwan) was detained near his home in Baku; people in civilian clothes took the oppositionist away in an unknown direction. The party links the detention of the activist to his political activities.

The Social Justice Center (SJC), a local human rights watchdog, has said the Georgian authorities appear to have violated its moratorium on extraditions to Russia, calling on them to “immediately suspend” the practice until conditions in Russia “change substantially” and there is an international consensus on the issue. The SJC’s October 5 statement follows the death of Dmitry Pushkarev following his extradition from Georgia to Russia, with Russian authorities reporting that the prisoner was killed after he attacked escorts on a train, killing one and wounding three. The case has raised concerns in Georgia’s over the resumption of extraditions to Russia, following a moratorium introduced after Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe in 2022. Separately, another Russian citizen,  Mikhail Timofeyev, a former aide and political associate of imprisoned former Governor of Khabarovsk Sergei Furgal, was recently released from extradition detention in Georgia on bail. According to the lawyers, the release followed the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s interim measure issued earlier in September urging Georgia not to extradite or deport him pending its consideration of his case. The watchdog called on Georgian authorities, the Justice Ministry, and the Prosecutor’s General Office of Georgia “to immediately suspend the extradition of persons to the Russian Federation until the reality in the Russian Federation changes substantially and a consensus on this exists in the international community.” The SJC also called on the Prosecutor General’s Office to publish statistical information on extradition requests received from Russia after March 16, 2022, including the decisions taken and extraditions carried out. “The mere fact that Dmitry Pushkarev was killed does not directly establish that Georgia violated Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights by extraditing him,” the SJC said. “However, his death raises even more serious questions regarding how thoroughly the Georgian authorities assessed the risks he faced in Russia, what guarantees they obtained from Russia, whether an independent mechanism existed to monitor compliance with those guarantees, and whether the Georgian side subsequently conducted any monitoring of the individual’s situation.” The organization recalled that, during the European Court of Human Rights’ examination of Sumbaev v. Georgia, the Georgian authorities had undertaken not to extradite prisoners to Russia until the Court established its approach to the issue. “The Georgian side also submitted statistics by which it argued that, after March 2022, once the Russian Federation was expelled from the Council of Europe, not a single prisoner had been handed over from Georgia,” the SJC said. It added that between 2017 and 2022, Russia submitted 33 extradition requests to Georgia, of which 29 were granted, meaning that Georgia approved “practically 90%” of Russia’s requests. The SJC also cited Russian authorities as reporting several other recent extraditions from Georgia to Russia, naming Nikita Podstavin, who was reportedly handed over in February this year, as well as Maxim Cherbakov and Rasul Kaitmazov in July. “It appears that the Georgian authorities violated the moratorium declared in this case, without the Prosecutor General’s Office making any statement about it, and that the practice of handing over prisoners has been underway since at least February 2026,” the watchdog warned. The SJC cited Georgia’s international obligations, including Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which says that it is prohibited to extradite individuals to countries where they face a real risk of torture or other prohibited treatment. It also cited Georgian laws prohibiting “extradition where there are substantial grounds to believe that the person would face torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the requesting state.” “Continuing the existing practice of extradition to the Russian Federation, especially without proper public justification, a particularly strict individual risk assessment and guarantees of genuinely functioning independent monitoring, creates a serious risk of Georgia violating its obligations under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 3 of the UN Convention against Torture,” the organization argued. Also Read: * 04/09/2026 – Court Allows Pardoned Protester Denis Kulanin to Leave Georgia Voluntarily * 06/08/2026 – Detained Hungarian Journalist László Róbert Mézes to Leave Georgia Voluntarily, Lawyer Says * 05/04/2026 – Georgian Court Rules to Deport Journalist Afgan Sadigov to Azerbaijan After Late-Night Arrest * 03/11/2025 – Calls to Transfer Russian Detainee to Hospital Amid Reports of Worsening Health, Mistreatment

In the near future, Armenia expects the opening of the border with Turkey, as well as railway communication with Azerbaijan, said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Georgia’s prison controversy, which followed allegations by an inmate that he was sexually abused at the hands of prison guards, has escalated amid allegations that more prisoners have been punished, including through physical violence, for expressing support for the inmate. The controversy erupted after convicted Giorgi Davitadze, 36, the son of Avtandil Davitadze, a former Georgian Dream member of the Tbilisi City Council, alleged that prison guards sexually abused him with a finger during a check in a de-escalation cell. While the authorities denied the allegations and published footage of the check, which contains no sound, in an attempt to support their claim, the footage ended up raising more questions, prompting calls for a more thorough investigation and review of the recordings. The footage shows several guards restraining the inmate on a bed, with moments when their positioning makes it impossible to establish the exact procedures carried out on the prisoner. At least one of the guards, standing to the left of the inmate, is seen wearing what appears to be rubber gloves. Davitadze’s allegations were followed by a statement by the Special Penitentiary Service late on October 4 that Davitadze “demonstratively swallowed an unknown small object,” in the presence of a guard. According to the agency, he was offered hospitalization at Vivamedi civilian clinic but refused, saying that his health was being monitored by medical staff at the penitentiary facility and “further appropriate measures are taken based on their recommendations.” Following a meeting with the inmate, the Public Defender’s Office later cited Davitadze as saying that he was refusing hospitalization until three other inmates, whom he said had been transferred to de-escalation cells after joining the noise protest in his support, were returned to their cells. The Penitentiary Service denied that the three inmates had been punished for protesting, saying they had been placed in de-escalation cells after physically attacking prison employees. It released footage showing two separate incidents featuring inmates physically attacking guards. “On October 2, at 22:14, B. Ch. kicked David Nikolaishvili, Deputy Director of Facility No. 6, in the stomach as he attempted to enter the cell. At the same facility on October 4, 2026, at 20:22, convicted J. J. and V. T. physically assaulted facility employees upon returning from a walk,” the Penitentiary Service said. The agency warned that an attack on a prison employee constitutes a “grave criminal offense,” adding that every such case would receive an appropriate legal assessment and response under the law. Separately, Ana Akopova, a lawyer representing another inmate, Lasha Chachanidze, alleged that Chachanidze and four other prisoners were physically assaulted by guards after participating in the noise protest in solidarity with Davitadze. “As Lasha describes, he was beaten with batons, as well as with hands and feet,” Akopova said to Formula TV, adding that, according to Chachanidze, Prison No. 6 Director Shota Trapaidze also took part in the beating. Akopova also noted that Chachanidze complains of a “severe headache” after the incident and has “visible injuries” on his body. After this alleged incident, Chachanidze was taken to Batumi’s Prison No. 3, she added. The Special Penitentiary Service rejected the allegations to the media, saying that no such incident had taken place. Information about alleged tensions at Prison No. 6 was further voiced by Saba Skhvitaridze, an activist jailed in connection with the 2024 pro-EU protests. In a letter, Skhvitaridze described the situation at the Rustavi prison as “tense,” claiming that one inmate had cut his veins, several others had gone on hunger strike, while one was beaten in front of his cell. “Some of the prisoners have been moved to another prison; we don’t know where they are. Some have been moved to a de-escalation room,” Skhvitaridze said, adding that the prisoners are also demanding that the Public Defender be allowed to see all hunger-striking prisoners. Later, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani’s controversial remarks added to the controversy. Responding to a TV Pirveli journalist’s question about whether the alleged insertion of a finger, referring to Davitadze’s sexual assault allegations during checks, is part of the procedure, he said that it should be checked in a relevant “provision” whether such a practice is allowed. “How this is spelled out in the regulation, we need to check there. Whether there is a possibility to search so thoroughly. However, the fact that a search must be carried out, including with a detector and a scanner, is set out in the regulation,” he said. Asked by the journalist to clarify, “But is the search with a finger, a rubber glove, part of the search procedure?” Iolesiani said that “this is his statement,” adding that this allegation is not visible in the circulated footage. Media later cited the actual provision, which apparently states that “internal checks” are to be carried out by medical personnel, in accordance with medical ethics, in an isolated room and only when necessary. The following day, the family and supporters of Davitadze held a rally in Tbilisi, demanding the dismissal of Trapaidze and the prison employees accused of violence. The family also called for the release of full footage of the search, with audio, noting that the video previously published by the Penitentiary Service has no sound. Also Read: * 05/10/2026 – Family Disputes Suicide Account After Inmate Is Found Dead in Rustavi Prison * 20/05/2026 – Georgia Has Fourth-Highest Prison Population Rate in Council of Europe’s 2025 Report * 18/02/2026 – CoE Committee for Prevention of Torture Publishes Report on Georgia * 17/06/2025 – Abuse Allegations as Man Dies After Police Custody

The new list of the Union "For the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" includes 322 people who, according to human rights defenders, are persecuted by the authorities on fabricated charges.

The captain of the cargo ship "Royal Mamedov", a citizen of Azerbaijan, died during a drone attack on the vessel in the Black Sea. Another citizen of the country is missing, and three are hospitalized.

Around 3,300 foreign nationals have been expelled from Georgia so far this year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported on October 6, amid Georgian Dream’s announced crackdown on “illegal migration.” This marks a significant increase compared to past years, with 1,311 foreign nationals deported from Georgia in 2025, according to official statistics. The figure was cited as the ministry announced the expulsion of another 107 foreign nationals. Those expelled included citizens of Jordan, India, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, the Philippines, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria and Thailand, among other countries. The latest expulsions come as the Georgian Dream government steps up enforcement of its immigration policies. Announcing last year’s number in December 2025, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said at the time that the government planned to expel “at least 3,500” more people in 2026. Kobakhidze also said back then that 1,131 expulsions carried out over 11 months of 2025 were equivalent to the total number conducted over the previous seven years. On June 26, the Georgian Dream-controlled Parliament adopted in its final reading a legislative package aimed at tightening measures against illegal migration. Among other changes, the legislation allows authorities to expel foreign nationals and impose reentry bans for certain administrative and criminal offenses. The changes have also prompted concerns over their potential use against foreign nationals taking part in anti-government demonstrations. Over the past year, the ruling Georgian Dream party has also introduced curbs on employment for foreign nationals while tightening the rules for international students who want to enroll at Georgian universities. Also Read: * 27/06/2025 – MIA: Six Detained As Part of Illegal Immigration Checks * 02/06/2025 – 31 Foreign Nationals Expelled from Georgia * 22/05/2025 – 15 Foreign Nationals Expelled from Georgia * 06/05/2025 – MIA: Georgia Expelled 96 Foreign Nationals in April

Special forces servicemen from Azerbaijan worked together with their colleagues from Pakistan on tasks related to the rescue of hostages on a ship captured by terrorists.

The Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musaev may have gotten lost in the mountains and not even realized that he ended up on Armenian territory, but if proven guilty, he should face punishment, noted commentators from Azerbaijan on social media. Users from Armenia questioned how an armed Azerbaijani serviceman passed by border guards and why he was able to go almost 20 kilometers deep into the country.

Access to medical services and socio-economic assistance for Ukrainian citizens residing in Georgia who arrived in Georgia due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been extended until January 1, 2027, the Georgian Dream government administration reported. Under the scheme, Ukrainian citizens and holders of the right of permanent residence in Ukraine who arrived in Georgia because of the hostilities will continue to receive monthly assistance of GEL 300 (USD 115) per family and GEL 45 (USD 17) per individual. The GEL-45 individual payment will be discontinued from the month following a person’s departure from Georgia. The 300-GEL family payment will likewise be terminated if all family members leave the country. The Social Service Agency will administer the socio-economic assistance payments. Health Ministry will provide medical services for eligible Ukrainian citizens. The healthcare package includes immunization; treatment of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, including the provision of specific medications; maternal and child healthcare, mental healthcare; diabetes management and medication; dialysis; treatment for patients with rare diseases and those requiring permanent replacement therapy; and emergency medical services, including childbirth and emergency immunization. Also Read: * 29/09/2026 – Botchorishvili Takes Part in Toronto Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Civilians, PoWs * 24/09/2026 – Georgia Joins Ukraine-Supportive Statement, Takes Part in Crimea Platform Summit in New York * 27/01/2026 – Ukraine Appoints Ambassador to Georgia After Four Years of Vacancy * 29/12/2025 – Georgia Sends Generators to Ukraine, Extends Support Program for Ukrainians

Iakob Guledani, an inmate at Rustavi’s Penitentiary Facility No. 17, was found dead, TV Pirveli reported on October 4, citing a relative. While the Special Penitentiary Service said Guledani had died by suicide after being found hanging in a cell toilet, his family disputed this account. The inmate’s aunt, Valida Guledani, told TV Pirveli that the family was notified of his death on October 2. She said she did not believe he had taken his own life, noting that he had spent about three and a half years in prison and that his sentence was due to end in a few months. The aunt also said that his body reportedly showed signs of violence. Shortly after TV Pirveli’s report, the Special Penitentiary Service released a statement saying that “convict I. G. was found hanging in the toilet in the morning by a cellmate.” The agency said it had “immediately notified” the Kvemo Kartli Regional Prosecutor’s Office, and an investigation was launched. “It should be noted that the convict had been held in Penitentiary Facility No. 17 since 2023 (sentence end date: 2028), where he was serving his sentence in a 20-person cell. On the day of the death as well, since the incident occurred in the morning hours, his cellmates were present in the cell,” the statement said. It added that “the penitentiary service is actively cooperating with the investigative body, and all relevant materials related to the case have already been provided to the investigation.” Guledani’s aunt said she believed there were signs of violence on his body. “I don’t know what the experts established and what they didn’t, but he would never have killed himself; he has also traces of violence, I think,” she said. “He was in prison for three and a half years and didn’t kill himself, and now, when he was due to get out in 2-3 months, he would kill himself?” The case follows a separate controversy last week, when a Rustavi No.6 prison inmate, Giorgi Davitadze, alleged sexual assault by prison guards in a de-escalation cell. Authorities “categorically” denied the allegations and released footage in an attempt to support their account, while the Public Defender said it found “no evidence” of ill-treatment in the video recordings. However, critics did not find the agency’s use of the footage convincing, calling for the recordings to be studied in more detail. Davitadze’s family also disputed the officials’ account and demanded the full release of the recordings, including audio, which they said showed violence against him. They also called for the resignation of prison chief Shota Trapaidze. Also Read: * 20/05/2026 – Georgia Has Fourth-Highest Prison Population Rate in Council of Europe’s 2025 Report * 18/02/2026 – CoE Committee for Prevention of Torture Publishes Report on Georgia * 17/06/2025 – Abuse Allegations as Man Dies After Police Custody * 05/05/2025 – Man Dies in Hospital After Alleged Abuse in Prison

The court in Azerbaijan has sentenced TikToker Muhammad Nasibov to 10 days in jail for using profanity during a live stream.

A native of Azerbaijan, his cohabitant and nephew are accused of legalizing 127 migrants in Volgograd.

Russian authorities reported that a prisoner, Dmitry Pushkarev, who had been previously extradited from Georgia, was killed after he attacked escorts on a train, killing one and wounding three. Initially, on October 3, Russian media cited Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) as reporting that a prisoner was killed after he inflicted fatal injuries on a guard and wounded three of his colleagues in the special railcar of the Vladikavkaz–Adler train in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia. According to the report, the prisoner attacked one of the guards after he was escorted to the toilet, seizing his weapon, killing one and wounding three before being “neutralized” by guards. Later, TASS, Russia’s state-run media agency, cited “law enforcement agencies” as identifying Pushkarev as “previously extradited from Georgia” on charges of drug-related offenses and creating a criminal organization. The report follows concerns about Georgia’s renewed extraditions to Russia after a temporary moratorium citing Russia’s exclusion from the Council of Europe in 2022. Recently, another Russian citizen,  Mikhail Timofeyev, a former aide and political associate of imprisoned former Governor of Khabarovsk Sergei Furgal, was released from extradition detention in Georgia on bail. According to the lawyers, the release followed the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s interim measure issued earlier in September urging Georgia not to extradite or deport him pending its consideration of his case. Also Read: * 04/09/2026 – Court Allows Pardoned Protester Denis Kulanin to Leave Georgia Voluntarily

Ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party candidates won all four majoritarian races in Municipal Council (Sakrebulo) by-elections held on October 3, according to the preliminary results of Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC). According to the official preliminary results, GD candidate Vazha Kheladze secured 87.2% of the votes in the 16th majoritarian district race of the Vani municipality in the Western Georgian Imereti region, with 387 people voting for him. His only rival, opposition Lelo/Strong Georgia’s Beka Kobaladze, secured 12.8% of the votes, with 57 people casting ballots in his favor. In the 9th majoritarian district of the Tsalka municipality of the Southern Georgian Kvemo Kartli region, ruling party candidate Nanuli Khinikadze secured 96,7% of the votes, with 415 people voting for her, according to the CEC. The official results show that only 14 people voted for her rival, Lelo/Strong Georgia’s Zaza Shantadze, who secured 3.3% of the votes. As for the 13th majoritarian district in Kvemo Kartli’s nearby Dmanisi municipality, the results show that Georgian Dream’s Irakli Sarsevanidze secured 98.5% of the votes, with 131 people voting for him, while Lelo/Strong Georgia’s Vazha Noniashvili secured 1.5%, with two people voting for him. In the 7th majoritarian district of the Akhmeta municipality in the Eastern Georgian Kakheti region, ruling party candidate Levan Itiuridze secured 100% of the votes, with 115 people voting for him. He was the only candidate. Only Georgian Dream and Lelo/Strong Georgian candidates registered to contest the October 3 by-elections, as many mainstream opposition parties continue to boycott municipal elections following the fraud allegations of the disputed 2024 parliamentary vote. Who’s Who in Georgian Party Politics? A Guide to the Party Landscape in 2026 Also Read: * 05/10/2025 – CEC Results: GD Claims Sweeping Victory in All Municipalities in Partially Boycotted Race

Designated German Ambassador Barbara Voss spoke about “damage” in the legacy of German-Georgian friendship, efforts to preserve “what has been built” between the two countries, and areas of future cooperation in an address delivered during the German Unity Day reception in Tbilisi on October 2. Voss assumed her official duties in August, succeeding Peter Fischer after his tenure ended late in June amid the deepening low in relations between the two traditional close partners. “Speaking about German-Georgian friendship today also means expressing our sorrow over how much of what we’ve built together has been damaged over the past years,” the diplomat said during her address, stressing “exceptionally long and intensive relations” between Georgia and Germany. “Ilia State University, which has risen over the past 20 years to become Georgia’s internationally most renowned university, backed by immense financial resources, particularly from Germany, and which cooperates closely with Germany in research, is now facing a threat to its very existence,” Voss said. Ilia State University was among the public institutions worst affected by Georgian Dream’s controversial higher education reforms, which stripped the university of many of its key programs. The diplomat then touched upon key German foundations halting their activities in Georgia, with two of them — Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation — recently announcing the closure of their Tbilisi offices after the Georgian Dream government rejected their grant applications under the restrictive foreign funding laws. “All four of our political foundations, which have supported Georgia and its people for decades on its path to European integration, were forced to temporarily suspend their work due to a decision by the Georgian government,” Voss said. The diplomat pledged to “personally dedicate” her efforts “to preserving as much as possible of what has been built” between the two countries, noting she will also “actively advocate for this in [her] dialogue with the Georgian government.” * 28/11/2025 – German Ambassador Speaks with RFE/RL About GD Attacks, Bilateral Relations, EU Prospects “Whether through the scientific cooperation of the Max Weber Foundation, the Eastern Partnership projects, or the scholarship program of the DAAD, or with the excellent German school, the German federal government will continue to allocate significant resources next year to foster exchange and understanding, particularly between the young people of our two countries,” she said. The diplomat then turned to international security, noting that the two countries “share identical interests and threats in this field” with Russia “attempting to destabilize Europe and divide peoples through disinformation, threats, sabotage, and aggression.” “Georgians know the pain of Russian invasion deeply, having 20 percent of their territory occupied, and know that Russia is not seeking to balance power, but to dominate,” Voss said. According to the designated ambassador, Germany continues “to firmly support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its right to determine its own security choices,” including by maintaining cooperation with Georgian Defense Forces through NATO frameworks “to further reinforce their defense capabilities against possible aggression and contribute to security across the South Caucasus and Europe.” Voss further spoke about the prospects of continued development cooperation “in selected areas” despite the differences. “Alongside our support for Georgian civil society, we must continue to support Georgia despite all current differences in our bilateral relations in fields like environmental and nature protection,” she noted. Speaking about Ukraine’s EU integration efforts, Voss also expressed hope that “in the coming years also Georgia will return to the European path.” --- Barbara Voss arrived in Georgia following a turbulent period in bilateral relations. Peter Fischer’s tenure was marked by his public criticism of Georgian Dream policies and anti-Western rhetoric, diplomatic summonses by the Georgian Foreign Ministry and the German Foreign Office, attacks and accusations against Fischer from Georgian Dream officials and allied media, and repeated statements from Berlin defending its ambassador. In a separate controversy, Tbilisi raised concerns over Berlin delaying accepting the credentials of Georgian Ambassador Alexander Kartozia. Kartozia finally presented his credentials to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on July 23, ten months after his appointment in October 2025. Georgian officials, including Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, have expressed the hope that the arrival of a new German ambassador in Georgia would be an opportunity to bring the relations between the two countries “back to a normal framework.” Also Read: * 17/01/2026 – Pro-GD Media Claim German Ambassador Pushed ‘Iranian Scenario’ in ‘Secret’ Meeting with Youth * 10/09/2025 – Germany Defends Its Ambassador as Ruling Party Multiplies Accusations * 04/08/2025 – Authorities Study Leasing Deal Between Khazaradze Family and German Ambassador * 21/05/2025 – German Ambassador Verbally Assaulted in Public Amid Ongoing Attacks from Georgian Dream

46 imprisoned Azerbaijani activists, politicians, journalists, and human rights defenders appealed to international organizations and human rights institutions, urging them to pay more attention to the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and to cover all cases of alleged politically motivated persecution, rather than highlighting only individual persons.

Convicted inmate Giorgi Davitadze told the appeals court that he was sexually assaulted at the hands of prison guards in a de-escalation cell and later attempted suicide. Georgia’s Special Penitentiary Service “categorically” denies the allegations and published footage to support the claim, while the Public Defender said it found “no evidence” of ill-treatment in video recordings. Davitadze, 36, the son of Avtandil Davitadze, a former Georgian Dream member of the Tbilisi City Council, made the allegations during an October 2 hearing at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals. Davitadze is serving a sentence in connection with the wounding of Shalva Peradze, an employee of the Interior Ministry. An audio recording of the hearing was published by opposition-leaning TV Pirveli. In the recording, Davitadze can be heard telling the court that he was sexually assaulted by employees of Penitentiary Establishment No. 6. “They took me down to the de-escalation [room] and raped me — with a finger, with a hand. I am saying this here, in the presence of my family,” Davitadze is heard saying in the recording, noting that the video footage shows the guard making “movement near the buttocks.” He notes that up to 10 prison guards took part in the abuse and did it under the cameras, yet “so that it cannot be seen” in the footage, “but they still cannot conceal it completely.” Davitadze is also heard saying that the cameras do not contain the voice where the guards allegedly use humiliating phrases against him, and that the abuse intensified after he requested forensic examinations. He also criticized the Public Defender’s Office’s response to his allegations, claiming that its representative had reviewed footage related to his case but failed to adequately respond to his complaints. “I attempted suicide because imagine having to look again every day at the same guards who raped you,” Davitadze said. Penitentiary Service Denies Allegations, Publishes Footage Following Davitadze’s allegations in court, Georgia’s Special Penitentiary Service released video footage from December 21, 2025, when the alleged abuse took place, showing scenes in the de-escalation cell, while again rejecting his allegation of sexual assault as “a complete lie.” The footage, which contains no audio, shows several prison employees accompanying the inmate inside the room, with the inmate appearing agitated, with his face blurred and his hands making aggressive gestures. Guards are then seen restraining Davitadze and moving him onto a bed before conducting what the Penitentiary Service described as a mandatory inspection, including with what appears to be a detection device. The footage shows episodes where guards position themselves so that they end up covering part of the inmate’s body, making it impossible to see from the footage the exact nature of procedures they carry out on him. At least one of the guards restraining and inspecting the inmate is seen wearing what appears to be rubber gloves. The Service said Davitadze had refused to undergo an inspection required when a prisoner is placed in a de-escalation cell and had begun verbally insulting prison employees. “The footage also shows that only after this, in order to perform their assigned duties, employees of the establishment forcibly conducted an inspection of the convicted prisoner, which was carried out using an electronic detector on his body,” the Service said. The agency said it had previously refrained from publishing the footage because an investigation into the case was underway. The video footage came after the Service earlier on October 2 “categorically” denied Davitadze’s allegations, calling them “a complete lie” and “a continuation of the Davitadze family’s campaign to discredit the penitentiary system.” The Special Penitentiary Service said that “any form of violence or treatment degrading human dignity by any employee of the agency is unacceptable and, should such an incident occur, it would be met with an appropriate legal response.” The Penitentiary Service has denied allegations of abuse against Davitadze before as well, including in a September 21 statement in which the agency said that Davitadze “systematically violates the penitentiary establishment’s security requirements and internal regulations, creates confrontational situations and verbally abuses prison staff.” “As a result, he has repeatedly been subjected to disciplinary sanctions during his imprisonment,” the September 21 statement said. The Service said Davitadze was placed in the prison’s de-escalation cell on December 21, 2025, for violating prison rules. It said Davitadze’s family alleged that he was subjected to degrading treatment during that period, an allegation the agency described as “completely false.” Family Says Footage Not Complete Responding to the footage released by the Penitentiary Service, Irma Davitadze, the inmate’s mother, said the footage is incomplete and shows only part of what happened. “Many parts are missing — there are five files: how they escort Giorgi [into the room], how they pressure him while he is bent over, how they put him on the bed by bending him, and how ten men jump on top of him,” she told the media. “The footage shows only one perspective. Of course, they did not release what did not suit them, [parts that] clearly show what the [guard] is doing with the movement of his hand.” Public Defender Says Footage Showed No Evidence of Ill-Treatment Georgia’s Public Defender’s Office had not issued a formal statement on Davitadze’s latest allegations as of October 2. Public Defender Levan Ioseliani, however, told TV Pirveli that his office had examined the matter and reviewed video recordings. “We examined this matter in detail. Among other things, we requested that the materials be archived and reviewed the video recordings,” Ioseliani said. “We found no evidence depicting any form of physical violence or ill-treatment.” Ioseliani said Davitadze had also reported verbal abuse and that his office referred that allegation to prosecutors. “He also reported verbal abuse. In connection with this, we referred the matter to the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation,” Ioseliani said. Also Read: * 20/05/2026 – Georgia Has Fourth-Highest Prison Population Rate in Council of Europe’s 2025 Report * 18/02/2026 – CoE Committee for Prevention of Torture Publishes Report on Georgia * 05/05/2025 – Man Dies in Hospital After Alleged Abuse in Prison * 24/04/2025 – CoE Warns Post-Soviet Prison Hierarchies Persist, Citing Georgia in Regional Pattern

Georgian-Israeli dentist Shota Musayev told RFE/RL that he feared he might not survive when he left his wife’s side to help after the lead pilot was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel on September 30. Musayev helped treat the badly wounded captain and urged the crew to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, saying the pilot repeatedly told him: "I don’t want to die here." Israeli officials say the co-pilot attempted to seize control of the aircraft and crash it during the flight and are investigating whether the incident was an attempted terrorist attack. (WARNING: Viewers may find the content of this video disturbing)

Below is the weekly digest of key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and  Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as those concerning Tbilisi–Moscow relations. --- Sokhumi * Abkhazia’s de facto Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits Holds Talks with Sergey Lavrov Abkhazia’s de facto Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks in Moscow on economic, humanitarian and security “cooperation”. Lavrov described Russia-Abkhazia relations as strategic and allied, and highlighted Abkhazia’s support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. He also noted a 16% increase in bilateral trade in 2025 and a 40% rise in Russian excursion trips to Abkhazia in 2026. Tourism and infrastructure were key topics. Lavrov said Moscow would support Abkhazia’s plans to increase annual tourist arrivals to five million by 2030. Bartsits highlighted the reopening of Sukhumi airport, saying around 200,000 people had used the airport since its reopening, as well as ongoing railway and maritime cooperation. The two sides also discussed investment, preferential lending, and cooperation in healthcare, education and culture. Following the bilateral talks, a “trilateral” meeting between Lavrov, Bartsits, and South Ossetia’s de facto Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev was held to discuss regional security. * Russia and Occupied Abkhazia Agree to Mutual Recognition of ‘Customs Inspection Results‘ Sokhumi and Moscow have agreed to mutually recognize “customs inspection” results, a measure expected to facilitate the movement of goods across the so-called Psou border crossing. The relevant “protocol” was signed on 25 September by Russia’s Federal Customs Service and the de facto Customs Committee of Abkhazia, following more than four years of negotiations. According to the document, the two sides will exchange “customs inspection” data electronically. In cases where goods or vehicles have already been inspected by one side, the other side may use the results instead of conducting a duplicate inspection. The de facto Customs Committee said the new mechanism is intended to reduce processing times and ease congestion at the border, particularly during the tourist and citrus seasons when passenger and cargo flows increase. Abkhaz de facto officials described “mutual recognition of customs controls” as an established international practice and said the new system would improve the efficiency and capacity of the “border crossing.” * Russian Tourist Killed in Gagra A 26-year-old Russian citizen, Amina Bikbova, was killed while on holiday in Gagra in late September. The de facto Interior Ministry detained 25-year-old local resident Edgar Abukhba, who confessed to the killing. According to the de facto authorities, Bikbova met Abukhba in Gagra on 23 September and later accompanied him to a rented apartment. He initially denied involvement but subsequently confessed to strangling her and showed investigators where he had left her body. The case has caused widespread outrage because Abukhba had previously been convicted of the rape and violent assault of a Russian tourist in 2019. As he was a minor at the time, his sentence was reduced from nine years, and he was released in February 2024. De facto Ombudsman Anas Kishmaria attributed the incident to what she described as systemic shortcomings in the penitentiary system, including inadequate rehabilitation and post-release supervision. She called for reforms to penitentiary legislation and greater prevention and awareness efforts concerning sexual violence. The Gagra district administration covered the cost of transporting Bikbova’s body to Russia and provided assistance to her relatives. Abukhba has been placed in pre-trial detention for two months. The investigation continues. Read more here. Tskhinvali * Lavrov Announces Moscow’s Support for New Leadership of Occupied Tskhinvali Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held separate bilateral and trilateral meetings with Oleg Bartsits, the “foreign minister” of Russian-occupied Abkhazia, and Akhsar Jioev, acting “foreign minister” of the occupied Tskhinvali region, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. During a separate meeting with representatives of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Sergey Lavrov congratulated the region’s residents on a number of commemorative dates, including “Republic Day,” the anniversary of Russia’s recognition of the region’s independence, and the establishment of diplomatic relations with the occupied region. He noted the early “presidential election” held on September 18, which was won by Marat Kambolov, and stated that “the election was conducted in a completely legitimate manner, without any violations” and that Moscow intends to continue close cooperation with the region’s new leadership. Lavrov also thanked the region’s authorities and residents for their support of Russia and for their assistance in conducting the elections to the Russian State Duma. The Russian minister noted the participation of “foreign observers” in the “presidential election” from Belarus, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Turkey, and Germany. He expressed Moscow’s readiness to facilitate the expansion of the region’s international contacts. According to him, bilateral relations continue to develop: trade volume grew by nearly 15% in 2025, and joint projects are being implemented in the fields of transportation, healthcare, education, and culture. * Gergiev Performs in Tskhinvali, Agrees to Hold Annual Concerts by Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra A concert by the Russian Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev, took place in Tskhinvali as part of the 8th International “Mariinsky–Vladikavkaz” Festival. Local news agency Res reports that the performance took place at “the State Drama Theater” and drew a full house. The event was attended by Marat Kambolov, the leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, former regional leaders, representatives from Russia, and members of the public. Kambolov thanked the ensemble for their visit and expressed hope that the performances would become an annual tradition. Marat Kambolov announced an agreement with Gergiev that the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra would perform in Tskhinvali annually. Valery Gergiev was sanctioned by Canada in 2025 due to his public support for the Russian authorities and his close ties to Vladimir Putin. After Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, many Western cultural institutions ceased cooperation with him; however, these were decisions made by individual organizations, not government sanctions. On August 21, 2008, after the end of the active phase of the Russian-Georgian war, Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra held a requiem concert in Tskhinvali in memory of those killed during the war, performing on the steps of the destroyed “parliament” building before Tskhinvali residents and Russian military personnel. * Kokoity: Tskhinvali Residents Have High Level of Trust in Kambolov Eduard Kokoity, the former leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, stated that the region’s elected leader, Marat Kambolov, had managed to earn the residents’ high level of trust in a short period of time, as evidenced, in his view, by the results of the “presidential election.” Local news agency Res cites Kokoity as saying that Kambolov faces the challenges of strengthening statehood, developing the economy, and improving the standard of living for the population. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strategic partnership with Russia and uniting society around common goals. The former regional leader expressed confidence in Kambolov’s professional and personal qualities, wishing him wisdom and success in his new position. * Jioev, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Discuss Strengthening Partnerships On September 29, Akhsar Jioev, acting “foreign minister” of the occupied Tskhinvali region, held a meeting with Nicaraguan Co-Foreign Minister Valdrack Ludwing Jaentschke Whitaker, who was in Tskhinvali to attend Marat Kambolov’s inauguration ceremony. Local news agency Res reports that during the talks, the parties discussed the development of partnership relations between Tskhinvali and Managua and emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation. Jioev thanked the Nicaraguan side for its support of the region and noted that the Nicaraguan delegation’s visit represents another step in the development of friendly relations between the two sides. Moscow – Tbilisi * Novikova: Development of Ties Between Russia and Georgia Possible Without Resolving Political Disputes In her article published on September 30 by the Russian International Affairs Council, Polina Novikova, an analyst at the Center for Digital Axiology and Hermeneutics at the Institute of Humanities and Social Technologies of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, asserts that Russian-Georgian relations have entered a period of limited pragmatism, during which the parties are developing trade, transport, and humanitarian ties despite ongoing political disagreements. This conclusion was prompted by a statement by Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on the unacceptability of “Russophobia” and “xenophobia,” which is seen as a sign of a softening in Tbilisi’s official rhetoric. The article notes the growth in Russian-Georgian trade, as well as active tourism and humanitarian contacts; however, it emphasizes that diplomatic relations remain absent, and the issue of Georgia’s territorial integrity remains the main obstacle to normalization. The author devotes particular attention to occupied Abkhazia, which, in her assessment, is an independent political entity rather than merely the subject of a Russian-Georgian dispute. She asserts that any attempts at a settlement that do not take Sokhumi’s position into account are doomed to failure. Russian-Abkhaz relations following the crisis surrounding the 2024 investment agreement are examined separately. The author believes that Moscow has adjusted its approach to cooperation, abandoning certain controversial initiatives and emphasizing more cautious socioeconomic integration. According to the author, the key “red line” for occupied Abkhazia remains the preservation of its independence and sovereignty. In this regard, the idea of a possible Russian-Georgian “deal” on Abkhazia is described as unrealistic. The most likely scenario, according to the article, is the development of practical cooperation in the humanitarian, transportation, and economic spheres while maintaining existing political differences. * ‘Putin’s Route’ Through Abkhazia? A transport and logistics initiative called the “Putin’s Route,” which envisages establishing transport links between Russia, Georgia and Armenia through Russian-occupied Abkhazia, is being actively discussed in expert and political circles, Aram Safaryan, director of the Center for Russian Studies at Yerevan State University, told RIA Novosti. The initiative was proposed by Vladislav Gasumyanov, director of Russia’s National Research Institute for Communications Development, and was presented in May 2026. According to RIA Novosti, the initiative was discussed Monday at an international expert conference in Moscow titled “Prospects for the Development of Transport and Logistics Networks in the South Caucasus.” * Brief Overview of Russian Media: Georgia and Russian-Georgian Relations From September 25 to October 2, the Russian media focused on both domestic political processes in Georgia and the economic and humanitarian ties between Moscow and Tbilisi. One of the notable political topics was Georgia’s relations with the United States. The media reported on a meeting between Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Donald Trump and his proposal to resume the strategic partnership between Tbilisi and Washington. At the same time, “positive signals” for the restoration of Georgian-American relations were noted. On the domestic political front, coverage focused on statements by Georgian authorities regarding a decline in protest activity, as well as reports of restrictions on a solidarity rally in support of former President Mikheil Saakashvili. In the economic sphere, the growth in Russian goods shipments to Georgia was highlighted. It was reported that exports of Russian pork had increased nearly fivefold, along with growth in imports of Russian tea and cosmetics. At the same time, Russian media noted a decline in shipments of Georgian mineral water to the Russian market. RIA Novosti reported that in August, Georgia increased its imports of Russian cheese by 43%, to USD 504,000; from January through August, shipments reached 3.7 million, which is 23% more than last year’s figure. Another notable topic was the expansion of transportation links. It was reported that Red Wings had requested permits for flights to Georgia from 23 Russian cities, as well as for increasing the frequency of flights between Yekaterinburg and Batumi. The new routes are expected to operate 2–3 times a week. Russian media also actively published stories about Georgia’s appeal as a tourist destination. According to the OneTwoTrip service, the country ranked among the top three most affordable international destinations for Russian tourists during the 2027 New Year’s holidays. The media devoted considerable attention to sports. The central topic was the Trialeti Trophy international figure skating tournament in Batumi, in which Russian athletes participated. Coverage included master classes by Eteri Tutberidze and Sergei Dudakov, the roster of participants, and the prospects for the Georgian national team, which includes a number of former Russian figure skaters. Also Read: * 25/09/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 18-24, 2026 * 18/09/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 11-17, 2026 * 11/09/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 1-10, 2026

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is another major German foundation, after the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), to announce an exit from Georgia amid funding restrictions introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party as part of its crackdown on media and civil society. FNF said in its October 2 statement that it ceased operations in Georgia and closed its Tbilisi office, saying restrictions under Georgia’s Law on Grants had made it impossible to continue its work, citing, among others, the rejection by Georgian authorities of its applications to continue funding the projects under new grants laws. “The Georgian government’s actions make it impossible for the FNF to continue working in the country,” the statement said. The decision follows a series of funding restrictions introduced in Georgia since 2024, including amendments to the Law on Grants in 2025 that introduced mandatory government approval for foreign donors to disburse local grants, and March 2026 amendments to the same law that further expanded the restrictions to foreign organizations willing to provide funds to their local branches. The Foundation, closely affiliated with Germany’s liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), has operated in the country since 2002. It said that the “unavoidable” decision was made after it had applied this year under Georgia’s Law on Grants to continue funding projects and working with partner organizations, but “the Georgian authorities demanded that every single program component be subordinated to the priorities of the Georgian government and that appropriate approvals be obtained for all activities.” The FNF said that such conditions “fundamentally undermine the necessary freedom of action required of a liberal foundation.” It noted that it then had sought to “exhaust all possibilities” to continue its work in Georgia and “support those forces committed to a democratic future for the country,” however, “this application was rejected on July 28, 2026.” “Therefore, we no longer see any possibilities for work that aligns with our values and principles.” The FNF said that it has been active in Georgia since 2002, working with “many partner organizations” and “liberal leaders” to promote “a free society, a European future for Georgia, and a close dialogue between societies.” The Foundation said Georgia had previously been “a symbol of hope and democratic progress,” while noting that it “will continue to stand alongside all Georgians who are committed to a free and democratic order in their country.” “We will give them a voice from outside the country and support them in working toward a free and democratic future for their nation,” the statement said. The FNF thanked its staff and partners, saying that in recent years “many of them have had to take on increasing personal risks when they have worked for a democratic liberal order in their country.” “We therefore view Georgia’s political developments with great concern.” The announcement came a day after the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) said that it had closed its Tbilisi office on September 30 after more than two decades of work in Georgia, similarly citing Georgia’s grant restrictions Georgia’s Tightening Funding Environment As part of its crackdown on civil society and media, the ruling Georgian Dream party has gradually restricted access to foreign funding through a series of laws since 2024, including the Georgian version of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and a repeatedly amended Law on Grants. Under the current versions, both laws carry criminal penalties, including several years in prison, for certain violations related to foreign funding. That includes failure to seek government consent for certain foreign grants under the Law on Grants, punishable by up to six years in prison, and failure to register as a foreign agent under FARA, punishable by up to five years in prison. While dozens of civil society organizations have reported inspections by the now-abolished Anti-Corruption Bureau over the past year, the cases never grew into criminal prosecutions. However, local and international watchdogs have repeatedly pointed to the chilling effects of what they consider vague and arbitrary legislation, leading many organizations either to shut down or scale back their activities. Recently, Tbilisi also revived pressure and scrutiny of foreign organizations, including the Council of Europe, for working with local groups. Also Read: * 17/09/2026 – Kobakhidze Expects State Grant Agency, Created Amid NGO Crackdown, to Shut Down Soon * 24/07/2026 – Deputy FM Zurabashvili Briefs Foreign Diplomats on ‘Recent Amendments’ to Georgia’s Grants Law * 09/07/2026 – HRW Reports on Key Trends, Figures Behind Civil Society Crackdown in Georgia * 07/04/2026 – GD to Exclude Diplomatic, Int’l Organization Missions from Part of New ‘Grant’ Definition * 02/04/2026 – CoE Body Calls on Georgia to Repeal Laws Restricting Grants, Political Activity

Russian citizen Mikhail Timofeyev, a former aide and political associate of imprisoned ex-Khabarovsk Governor Sergei Furgal, detained since January following a Russian extradition request, was released from extradition detention on a GEL 50,000 bail, his lawyer, Rusudan Mchedlishvili, confirmed to Civil.ge Timofeyev’s defense has argued that the extradition request is politically motivated and raised concerns that Timofeyev could face ill-treatment if returned to Russia. According to Mchedlishvili, Timofeyev’s release follows the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s interim measure issued earlier in September urging Georgia not to extradite or deport him pending its consideration of his case. While the UN measure is not binding, Georgian authorities have routinely complied with similar decisions, the lawyer said. The measure came after the Tbilisi City Court approved his extradition to Russia and the Supreme Court subsequently upheld the decision. Revised sentence The bail motion, requested by prosecutors, came some three weeks before Timofeyev’s maximum nine-month detention period expired, Mchedlishvili said, with the lawyer suspecting that the move was intended to leave prosecutors some period to detain Timofeyev again if the UN Committee rules his extradition permissible in a final decision that may take years to issue. Under the bail decision, Timofeyev is prohibited from leaving Georgia and from leaving his home between 22:00 and 06:00. He must also report to the prosecutor’s office three times a week, notify the relevant agency 24 hours in advance of any change of address or telephone number, and hand over his passport or other valid travel document to the prosecutor’s office. Timofeyev, 60, has been detained in Georgia since January based on an Interpol Red Notice issued in April 2024. His lawyers have said that Interpol initially blocked and later annulled the notice in September 2025, arguing that his continued detention in Georgia was therefore unlawful. He was also then denied international protection in Georgia after authorities and the court argued that his case did not demonstrate political motives behind his prosecution, according to the lawyers. Timofeyev previously spent eight years in a Russian prison after being sentenced on extortion charges in 2013. European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) subsequently found violations concerning his treatment and detention. According to Mtchedlishvili, Timofeyev suffers from several health issues, including neurological and cardiological problems and a herniated disc, and requires the use of a crutch. The lawyer also said before that he is a vegetarian and has a permanent disability status, which he was assigned while serving time in prison in Russia, adding to the concerns about his treatment and health if extradited. Further concerns include the lack of effective international mechanisms to monitor Timofeyev’s treatment in Russia, particularly given Russia’s exclusion from the Council of Europe in 2022 and its subsequent withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. According to the Russian investigative outlet The Insider, Timofeyev was a close ally of Sergei Furgal, who served as governor of Khabarovsk Krai from 2018 to 2020 under the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR). Furgal was arrested in 2020 and later sentenced to 22 years in prison for allegedly organizing the murders of business competitors in 2004–2005. His arrest sparked mass protests in Khabarovsk, with supporters claiming the case was politically motivated and “punishment for daring to beat the Kremlin’s candidate in elections.” Following Furgal’s arrest, Timofeyev left Russia and was later charged in absentia in a case involving murders and attempted murders of businessmen from the same period. According to The Insider, in 2021, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office claimed that Timofeyev was a member of an organized group allegedly created by Furgal and his business partner, Nikolai Mistryukov, to eliminate business rivals. He was subsequently placed on a wanted list. Timofeyev has reportedly sought protection abroad since 2020, first fleeing to China, then attempting to obtain asylum in Thailand, before arriving in Georgia in 2024. Also Read: * 04/09/2026 – Court Allows Pardoned Protester Denis Kulanin to Leave Georgia Voluntarily * 06/08/2026 – Detained Hungarian Journalist László Róbert Mézes to Leave Georgia Voluntarily, Lawyer Says * 05/04/2026 – Georgian Court Rules to Deport Journalist Afgan Sadigov to Azerbaijan After Late-Night Arrest

Georgia’s annual inflation rate remained at 5.6% in September, while consumer prices increased by 0.4% month-on-month, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (Geostat) on October 2. The annual inflation rate was driven mainly by higher prices in transport, which increased by 18.7%, followed by miscellaneous goods and services (9.4%), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (9.2%), healthcare (8%), restaurants and hotels (7.3%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.2%). Education prices decreased by 12.5%. Within the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, the highest annual price increases were recorded for fish (18.1%), meat (9%), bread and cereals (6.9%), oils and fats (4.8%), coffee, tea and cocoa (4.6%) and vegetables (0.4%). Meanwhile, prices declined for fruit and grapes (-4.3%), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (-0.7%), and mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (-0.6%). On a monthly basis, transport prices increased 2.9%, healthcare 2.8%, clothing and footwear 1.7%, miscellaneous goods and services 1.4%, restaurants and hotels 1.2%, and recreation and culture 1.1%. Education prices fell 12.2%, while food and non-alcoholic beverage prices declined 0.2%. The European Commission’s European Economic Forecast projects inflation to remain elevated in 2026 due to high energy prices. According to Fitch Ratings, one of the major credit rating agencies, inflation in Georgia will “remain high over the coming months and decline gradually thereafter towards the 3% target.” Also Read: * 30/09/2026 – Georgia Tightens Credit Rules by Raising Income Threshold for 25% Payment-to-Income Rule * 30/09/2026 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 6.3% in August 2026 * 25/09/2026 – NBG Reports USD 555.6 Million Net Purchases in August as Reserves Reach ‘All-Time High’ USD 8.14 Billion

In order for a final peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia to become a reality, changes must be made to the part of the Armenian Constitution that contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan, Baku officials stated. The Prime Minister of Armenia promised to publish the text of the new Constitution by the end of the year.

Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarch Shio III received a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on October 1, a day after a similar visit from Moscow’s Patriarchate, the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service Reported, with the two sides discussing relations between their churches. The service said the delegation included Metropolitan Arsenios (Kardamakis) of Austria, Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe, as well as Chorbishop Maximos, with the delegation accompanied by 50 pilgrims planning to visit the holy sites across Georgia. “The sides discussed relations between the churches and the assistance Metropolitan Arsenios provides to the Georgian parish in Austria, for which the head of the Georgian Church and other participants in the meeting thanked him,” the Patriarchate said. At the end of the meeting, the sides “exchanged gifts,” while the visiting delegation thanked Shio III “for the warm reception,” the Patriarchate said. On the Georgian side, the meeting was attended by Metropolitan Theodore (Chuadze) of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, chorepiscopus of the Catholicos-Patriarch; Metropolitan Gerasime (Sharashenidze) of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, head of the Patriarchate’s Foreign Affairs Department; Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze; Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Department; and Archpriest Archil Khachidze, deputy head of its Foreign Affairs Department. The meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation came a day after Shio III received a delegation from the Moscow Patriarchate. Reports have indicated that Shio III is preparing for a visit to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul. He has also discussed the prospective visit with representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Shio III was enthroned as Patriarch of Georgia on May 12, a day after his election to succeed Ilia II, who died at age 93 in March after nearly half a century at the helm of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Also Read: * 12/06/2026 – Five Ambassadors Meet Patriarch Shio III * 01/06/2026 – U.S. State Department Representatives Conclude Georgia Visit, Issue Statements

Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) announced that it has closed its Tbilisi office on September 30 after more than two decades of work with the country, citing Georgia’s grant restrictions and the Georgian government’s rejection of its applications for funding its project work. The closure is “a direct consequence of the political and legal framework created by the Georgian government, under which the KAS can no longer fulfill its core mission as a political foundation on the ground,” KAS, one of Germany’s largest foundations, affiliated with the Christian Democratic Party (CDU), said in its October 1 statement. KAS said that on July 28, Georgian authorities rejected its applications for funding its project work under Georgia’s amended Law on Grants. Amendments to the Law on Grants in 2025 introduced mandatory government approval for foreign donors to disburse local grants, while March 2026 amendments further expanded the restrictions to foreign organizations willing to provide funds to their local branches. “Intensive efforts, including on the part of the German federal government, to enable the foundation to continue its work under the new framework conditions were unsuccessful,” the foundation said, noting that the government’s approval “appeared possible only if they no longer corresponded to the foundation’s political character and mandate.” According to KAS, maintaining a presence in Georgia without the ability to fulfill its actual mandate would not be a viable alternative for the foundation, describing the office closure as an “unavoidable consequence of the Georgian government’s restrictions” on its work. Listing its activities since 2003, KAS said its work focused on promoting democracy, the rule of law, parliamentary development, German-Georgian relations, and Georgia’s rapprochement with the EU, as well as facilitating regional programs focused on cooperation in the South Caucasus and interfaith dialogue. The foundation has also regularly offered academic scholarships for Georgians. According to the foundation, its work has been funded through grants from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Federal Foreign Office (AA), and the EU. KAS said, however, that it will maintain its registration as a legal entity in the country “in order to enable a return should the political conditions change.” Nona Kurdovanidze, former head of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, a Georgian human rights group, linked the KAS decision to the March amendments extending the requirement to obtain government consent for funding to local branches of foreign organizations. “In such a case, the government’s refusal cannot be regarded merely as a refusal to provide or allow the use of a grant and, in effect, amounts to the organization being expelled from the country,” Kurdovanidze wrote on Facebook. Georgia’s Tightening Funding Environment As part of its crackdown on civil society and media, the ruling Georgian Dream party has gradually restricted access to foreign funding through a series of laws since 2024, including the Georgian version of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and a repeatedly amended Law on Grants. Under the current versions, both laws carry criminal penalties, including several years in prison, for certain violations related to foreign funding. That includes failure to seek government consent for certain foreign grants under the Law on Grants, punishable by up to six years in prison, and failure to register as a foreign agent under FARA, punishable by up to five years in prison. While dozens of civil society organizations have reported inspections by the now-abolished Anti-Corruption Bureau over the past year, the cases never grew into criminal prosecutions. However, local and international watchdogs have repeatedly pointed to the chilling effects of what they consider vague and arbitrary legislation, leading many organizations either to shut down or scale back their activities. Recently, Tbilisi also revived pressure and scrutiny of foreign organizations, including the Council of Europe, for working with local groups. Also Read: * 17/09/2026 – Kobakhidze Expects State Grant Agency, Created Amid NGO Crackdown, to Shut Down Soon * 24/07/2026 – Deputy FM Zurabashvili Briefs Foreign Diplomats on ‘Recent Amendments’ to Georgia’s Grants Law * 09/07/2026 – HRW Reports on Key Trends, Figures Behind Civil Society Crackdown in Georgia * 07/04/2026 – GD to Exclude Diplomatic, Int’l Organization Missions from Part of New ‘Grant’ Definition * 02/04/2026 – CoE Body Calls on Georgia to Repeal Laws Restricting Grants, Political Activity

Ninety-two participants of the wedding celebration in Kyurdamir sought medical help with symptoms of poisoning. The restaurant where the event took place has been suspended during the investigation.

Georgia is hosting “SHARP LYNX 2026,” a computer-assisted exercise of the NATO Multinational Military Police Battalion hosted and directed by the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (JTEC) within the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP) Military Police Initiative. NATO Liaison Office in Georgia reported on October 1 that the exercise “is a step towards achieving “Participant Status” (a two-year cycle) in the NATO Multinational Military Police Battalion (NATO MNMPBAT), which will improve interoperability, staff procedures, coordination and command capabilities.” “Following the completion of the exercise, the capabilities of the Military Police Units of the Georgian Defence Forces will be assessed,” the statement said. Representatives from military police units from Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia are participating alongside Georgia. Also Read: * 02/09/2026 – Georgian, U.S. Agencies Hold Chemical, Biological Threat Response Drills in Batumi * 17/06/2026 – Georgia Hosts Caucasian Eagle 2026 Exercises * 13/05/2026 – Georgia Hosts U.S.-led Trojan Footprint 2026 Drills * 05/11/2025 – Georgian Military Police Unit Joins NATO Field Exercises in Croatia * 25/07/2025 – Georgia Hosts Agile Spirit 2025 Multinational Exercise