Gradual deployment of new 18-metre buses to begin on various routes from September 27

37 OSCE countries regret that their previous "concerns" were not taken...

The authors of the document urge the Georgian authorities to open an inclusive national dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to find a peaceful and democratic solution to the ongoing crisis.“We regret that our concerns, indicated in our previous communications, have gone unacknowledged and that the Georgian authorities have not taken steps against the deteriorating human rights situation, which is in contradiction with Georgia’s OSCE commitments and human rights, democratic norms and values,” reads the statement.Representatives of Western countries highlight that “the upcoming municipal elections in October in Georgia will be held in a climate of heavy political polarisation and in a context of growing repression against authorities’ critics, with several opposition leaders being imprisoned.”OSCE states also criticised the government for “no timely invitation has been sent to ODIHR to allow for meaningful observation.”“The repression against citizens, political opposition, civil society and independent journalists continues. We reiterate our call to the Georgian authorities to investigate all allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials and to hold to account those responsible,” the statement reads.The statement also highlights that the OSCE countries strongly condemn the disproportionate sentencing of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison, and the latest prison sentences against several protestors.“We urge the Georgian authorities to reaffirm their commitment to dialogue and the OSCE principles and commitments,” the statement reads.At the same time, Western partners stressed that they remain open to cooperating with Georgia and are unwaveringly committed to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognised borders.“We stand firmly with Georgia’s people and their pursuit of a democratic, stable and European future,” the document reads.

16 MLN GEL, 33 apartments, 14 plots of land, 21 cars and 6 weapons – W...

To prevent illicit enrichment, public officials are obligated to declare any gift received by them or their family members in their asset declarations, if the value exceeds 500 GEL. They are prohibited from accepting any gift that may influence the performance of their official duties or exceeds 5% of their annual salary.The restrictions do not apply to gifts received by public officials from family members or close relatives. While this exception may seem logical, it also poses a risk: in the absence of proper oversight, it can become a loophole in the law, which dishonest officials may exploit to “launder” income obtained illegally, in other words, to declare income received in violation of the law as a gift from a family member or close relative.Therefore, it is crucial that in every case where a public official declares a large gift, whether it be a significant amount of money, high-value items, or service, the Anti-Corruption Bureau should investigate whether there may be an attempt to legalize illicit income.In 2024, around 6,000 public officials submitted asset declarations. These declarations cover gifts received during 2023, and the data reveals that 308 officials received gifts totaling 22 million GEL in value during that year.Public officials most often receive gifts in the form of cash. In 2023, 303 individuals received a total of up to 16 million GEL, averaging about 53,000 GEL per person. However, the amounts of cash gifts vary, and among them, 55 officials received more than 100,000 GEL each. Additionally, officials declared 47 units of real estate as gifts, of which 33 are residential houses and 14 are land plots. The gifts also included 21 vehicles and 6 firearms.In cases of cash gifts, the money is often received in US dollars or Euros. In 2023, officials received up to 6 million USD and 347,000 EUR.By total value, 72% of the gifts (16 million GEL) were received from parents. Up to 2 million GEL worth of money or items were received from relatives. In total, 1.6 million GEL was gifted by brothers or sisters, and 1.1 million GEL by children.In 2023, officials from about 90 different institutions received gifts. Employees of the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia received the largest total value of gifts - 46 employees received gifts worth a total of 4.5 million GEL. Next are members of Parliament, who received gifts totaling 2.4 million GEL, followed by employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with gifts worth up to 2 million GEL, and judges who received gifts valued at 1.3 million GEL.In 2023, among high-ranking officials, substantial gifts were received by former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili - 150,000 GEL; Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze - 100,000 dollars (an apartment); Deputy Minister of Justice Buba Lomuashvili - 160,000 GEL; Chairman of the Tbilisi City Assembly Giorgi Tkemaladze - 60,000 dollars; and Supreme Court Judge Giorgi Mikautadze - 50,000 dollars. All of them received gifts from family members.10 officials who received the highest value of gifts according to the 2024 declarations:Giorgi Shapatava(Prosecutor at the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, Department for Investigation Process Management in the Ministry of Defense)Giorgi Shafatava received gifts totaling 1,012,000 USD (equivalent to 2,661,600 GEL based on the 2023 average exchange rate). He received 870,000 USD from his father and 142,000 USD from his sister. The declaration states that the gift from his father was obtained through the sale of real estate.Irakli Kirtskhalia(Member of the Parliament of Georgia)In 2023, Irakli Kirtskhalia received real estate worth 250,000 USD as a gift from his father. He also received 185,900 USD and 137,000 GEL in cash from his father. Additionally, he received 1,714 USD in cash from his sister. Based on the 2023 average exchange rate, Irakli Kirtskhalia received gifts with a total value of 1.3 million GEL.Vakhtang Baakashvili(First Deputy Head of the LEPL "Youth Agency")Vakhtang Baakashvili’s spouse, Tinatin Megrelishvili, received an apartment as a gift from her father valued at 295,000 USD, which is equivalent to 775,800 GEL based on the 2023 average exchange rate.Khatuna Totladze(Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Khatuna Totladze received 250,000 USD from her mother, which is equivalent to 657,500 GEL based on the 2023 average exchange rate.Davit Tsereteli(Judge, Tbilisi City Court)In 2023, Davit Tsereteli received an apartment valued at 156,000 USD as a gift from his mother, which is equivalent to 410,000 GEL based on the 2023 average exchange rate.Levan Gamkrelidze(Director of the LEPL "Road Transport Agency," Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development)Levan Gamkrelidze received 150,000 USD in cash as a gift from his mother, which is equivalent to 395,000 GEL based on the 2023 average exchange rate. The declaration states that the gift from his mother was obtained through the sale of a plot of land.Zurab Pataridze(Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Zurab Pataridze received 75,000 USD in cash from his spouse’s mother and 65,000 USD from his mother. The declaration states that both amounts were obtained through the sale of real estate. Based on the 2023 average exchange rate, Zurab Pataridze received gifts with a total value of 368,000 GEL.Sandro Tsabutashvili(Head of the Main Department for Border Management and Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs)Sandro Tsabutashvili received 142,500 GEL and 17,640 USD in cash from his sister. He also received 70,000 GEL from his father-in-law, noted as a wedding gift. His spouse, Elene Jikhvashvili, received 63,000 GEL, 10,100 Euros, and 1,200 USD in cash from her father. Based on the 2023 average exchange rate, Sandro Tsabutashvili and his spouse received gifts with a total value of 353,000 GEL.Vepkhia Lomidze(Judge, Tbilisi Court of Appeals)Vepkhia Lomidze received a cellar (commercial space) valued at 300,000 GEL as a gift from his spouse, Nino Jinjharadze.David Zilpimiani(Former Member of the Parliament of Georgia)David Zilimiani received 105,000 USD in cash as a gift from his grandchild, which is equivalent to 276,000 GEL based on the 2023 average exchange rate.

US Helsinki Commission to Hold Hearing on Zurabishvili and Khidasheli

The commission’s statement highlights concerns over Georgia’s political direction:“Georgia was once a core U.S. partner and a beacon of freedom in the Caucasus. Today, the ruling Georgian Dream party is dragging the country back into Russia’s orbit and deepening their relationship with China and other U.S. adversaries. Over the past few years, Georgian Dream has crippled Georgia’s institutions and further undermined Georgia’s sovereignty by courting Chinese investment while blocking U.S. businesses from Middle Corridor trade and access to Central Asian rare earth minerals. They have jailed opposition, used violence against peaceful protestors, and refused to relinquish their grip on power after elections widely viewed as illegitimate. This poses an immediate and serious threat to U.S. interests in the region.This hearing will examine the global consequences of Georgia’s slide into authoritarianism. Witnesses will also explore U.S. policy options, such as passage of the bipartisan MEGOBARI Act, to assist the people of Georgia as they seek to maintain their independence and longstanding, mutually beneficial relationship with the United States”, - the statement reads.The hearing will examine the global implications of Georgia’s slide toward authoritarianism and explore potential U.S. policy options, including the bipartisan MEGOBARI Act, designed to support the Georgian people in safeguarding their independence and fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.Testimony at the hearing will include Georgia’s fifth president Salome Zurabishvili, former Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli, and Hudson Institute senior fellow Luke Koff.

PACE 51 members sign declaration on "Authoritarian backsliding in Geor...

The declaration warns that, should Georgia fail to make progress in reversing its authoritarian trajectory, the members will consider challenging the credentials of the Georgian delegation.“On 29 January 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly adopted Resolution 2585 (2025) ratifying the credentials of the Georgian delegation on the condition that Georgia meets democratic benchmarks by April 2025, including the release of political prisoners and the announcement of new parliamentary elections under improved electoral conditions.Instead, the situation has worsened dramatically. Senior opposition leaders have been imprisoned. Civil society activists and journalists face politically motivated criminal prosecution. This is no longer a series of isolated incidents but a sustained campaign to eliminate democratic opposition, restrict freedom of expression and silence civil society. Furthermore, the Georgian delegation has unilaterally withdrawn from the Assembly.This path of repression and disengagement violates Georgia’s obligations as a Council of Europe member and defies the Assembly’s authority. The Assembly must uphold its rules and resolutions. Ignoring authoritarian backsliding within a member State undermines the very foundation of this institution.If Georgia makes no progress in reversing its authoritarian course, we will challenge the credentials of the Georgian delegation on substantive grounds and call for the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers to begin the expulsion process of Georgia for serious violations of the basic principles of the Council of Europe mentioned in Article 3 of its Statute,” the declaration reads.

Donald Trump: They took Crimea under Obama, and they took big chunk of...

The United States President believes that the Ukraine-Russia conflict could have evolved into World War III.“Crimea was the heart and soul of that country. It’s beautiful. And Obama said, You give it up to Russia. When Barack Hussein Obama gave away, he told them, You just give it up. It’s not going to be any fighting. And so they gave it up. And that was really the beginning of a disastrous, long period for that country. That was the beginning. And nobody talks about that. If I gave up that land, I’d be on the front page of every paper for the next 20 years. When Obama gave it up, they didn’t even talk about it. Can you imagine?” President Trump stated.“I didn’t give him Crimea. Crimea is massive. I would say like the size of Texas or something in the middle of the ocean. It’s gorgeous. And they gave it up because of Obama. And the press doesn’t even talk about it. Well, they don’t talk about part of Georgia that was taken under the Republican president,” Donald Trump stated.The U.S. President went on to say, “They took the whole thing under Biden. They took Crimea under Obama, and they took a big chunk of Georgia under Bush. Right. But with me, what was taken? Nothing was taken. Nothing. I came in, and this thing was raging. I think it was heading to World War III.”