Court sentences Zurab Girchi Japaridze to seven months in prison and two-year office ban

Additionally, the court imposed a two-year ban on Khazaradze holding public office. Judge Zviad Sharadze announced the verdict; Khazaradze did not attend the hearing.The case was referred to the Prosecutor’s Office on March 25 after Khazaradze refused to appear before the Temporary Investigative Commission tasked with examining the activities of the regime and political officials from 2003 to 2012. He was formally indicted on April 1. As a preventive measure, he paid a bail of GEL 50,000 within the legally prescribed timeframe.A verdict is also expected today in the case of Lelo co-leader Badri Japaridze, who was similarly ordered to pay a bail of GEL 50,000.In response to the ruling, Khazaradze stated that no form of intimidation would deter his political movement.“We may face different decisions or even imprisonment today, but regardless of the outcome, I want to send a clear message to Bidzina Ivanishvili: neither I nor my team are afraid of you. This is a fight for the future of our country — for freedom, for integration with the democratic world, and not with the countries whose leaders your so-called Prime Minister attends funerals for.We entered politics to stand against injustice. For five years, they’ve been trying to imprison us with a 12-year sentence. We did not leave the country then, and we will not leave now.The fight continues. Our team is ready. We will see this through to the end. I also want to express my solidarity with Zura Japaridze — our friend and comrade-in-arms. No matter where we are, we will keep fighting. The only way forward for this country is to free it from occupation once and for all — and we will do it,” Khazaradze stated.

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As of the document, compared to May 2024 the XPI increased by 3.9 percent. The prices for mining and quarrying increased by 18.8 percent, for manufactured products by 2.0 percent, for products from electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning by 8.3 percent and for water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation services by 2.0 percent.

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The prices for mining and quarrying increased by 1.9 percent compared to April 2025, resulting in a 0.12 percentage point contribution to the overall monthly PPI change. In the same period, the prices for manufactured products decreased by 0.5 percent, contributing -0.37 percentage points to the monthly index change.Within the group, a noteworthy price decrease was registered for basic metals (-2.6 percent). Besides, the prices decreased for electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning by 2.2 percent, contributing -0.23 percentage points to the monthly index change.The annual PPI rate was mainly affected by price changes for the following products:• Mining and quarrying: the prices were 13.3 percent higher, contributing 0.84 percentage points to the overall annual index change. Within the group, the prices were higher for the subgroup of metal ores (18.1 percent);• Manufactured products: the prices increased by 3.2 percent, contributing 2.62 percentage points to the overall annual index increase. There was a notable increase in the prices for food products (4.9 percent) and beverages (4.6 percent);• Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning: the annual price increase amounted to 13.8 percent, which contributed 1.39 percentage points to the annual index change;• Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation services: the annual price increase amounted to 0.4 percent, which contributed 0.01 percentage points to the annual index growth.

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Lion Finance Group (BGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 66.15/share (+0.15% w/w and +2.16% m/m). More than 414k shares traded in the range of GBP 65.30 - 67.10/share. Average daily traded volume was 45k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of BGEO shares traded was at 0.93% of its capitalization.TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN) closed the week at GBP 44.15/share (- 1.34% w/w and -1.23% m/m). More than 417k shares changed hands in the range of GBP 43.45 - 45.65/share. Average daily traded volume was 64k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of TBCG shares traded was at 0.74% of its capitalization.Georgia Capital (CGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 18.14/share (-2.16% w/w and -2.79% m/m). More than 245k shares traded in the range of GBP 17.94 - 19.18/share. Average daily traded volume was 44k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of CGEO shares traded was at 0.62% of its capitalization. 

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According to the document, from Q1 of 2019 to Q1 of 2025, nominal salaries nearly doubled, rising from 1,093 GEL to 2,170 GEL. However, when adjusted for inflation, real salaries showed a more modest increase - from around 900 GEL to 1,300 GEL.The number of wage earners in 1Q25 amounted to 937 thousand people, which decreased by 6.6% q.q, and increased by 0.8% y.y.In 1Q25, 15% of wage earners had a salary of up to GEL 600, 22% in the GEL 600-1199 range, 33% in the GEL 1200-2399 range, and 29% had a salary above GEL 2400.

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The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mzia Amaglobeli,  founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti online newspapers, and the dropping of all charges against her.It also urges the “immediate repeal of all repressive legislation”.“The European Parliament, having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia, having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,A. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti outlets, was arrested during pro-European protests on 12 January 2025 and faces four to seven years in prison for a provoked incident involving a police officer;B. whereas the adoption of draconian legislation – such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, Code of Administrative Offences and Law on Grants – constitutes a dangerous acceleration of democratic backsliding and deliberate authoritarian strategy by Georgian Dream to silence critical voices in civil society and independent media and persecute the political opposition;C. whereas the authorities have virtually annihilated remaining independent media outlets in the country; whereas the public information space is fully dominated by pro-government media, spreading Russian-style propaganda and anti-European disinformation;D. whereas in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, the authorities ignored procedural safeguards, imposed pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis, contested by the Public Defender, and assigned a presiding judge lacking qualifications in criminal law; whereas she is being punished for exposing corruption and reporting on election fraud during the 2024 elections;E. whereas she reportedly suffered inhumane treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;F. whereas Estonia and Lithuania have imposed personal sanctions on Georgian judges and police officers linked to Mzia Amaglobeli’s case;1. Demands Mzia Amaglobeli’s immediate and unconditional release and the withdrawal of all charges against her, and denounces her politically motivated arrest and prosecution;2. Strongly condemns the Georgian Dream regime’s systemic assault on democratic institutions, political opposition, independent media, civil society and judicial independence;3. Expresses deep concern over arbitrary detentions and the harassment of, and violence against, journalists in Georgia, including smear campaigns, legal persecution, abuse and gender-based violence in detention; calls for independent investigations and urges the authorities to immediately end intimidation and ensure journalists’ safety and freedom;4. Urges the Georgian authorities to release all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons without delay, including activist Mate Devidze, opposition leaders Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia, and former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and denounces the violent abduction of UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband and the reported threats to her children’s safety;5. Calls for the immediate repeal of all repressive legislation, the restoration of democracy, and full protection of media freedom and civil liberties;6. Calls for the EU to step up support for Georgia’s independent media and civil society following the entry into force of the FARA, and monitor ongoing trials;7. Regrets the persistent inaction of the Council, Member States and Commission and reiterates its repeated call on Member States to impose bilateral sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders and officials responsible for democratic backsliding;8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, President Zourabichvili, and the self-appointed authorities of Georgia”, - the document reads.

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According to the NBG, the regulation outlines the conditions for registering currency exchange providers, the issuance of licenses, and the obligations operators must fulfill to offer non-cash exchange services.Importantly, the regulation will not affect existing currency exchange points that operate exclusively in cash. These entities may continue operating under the current framework. However, if they intend to add cashless exchange services, they will be required to comply with the new regulations and apply for a separate operating license.The NBG is accepting proposals and feedback on the draft regulation until June 27, 2025. Submissions must be sent electronically to Non-Banking@nbg.gov.ge. Only substantiated comments submitted in the prescribed format will be considered.This move marks another step in Georgia’s ongoing effort to modernize its financial infrastructure and align with international best practices in digital finance.

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Significant contributions to the real GDP growth in Q1 2025 are related to increase of valueadded of the following activities: Information and communication (28.6 percent), Education (27.7 percent), Real estate activities (12.9 percent), Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (6.1 percent), Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (11.0 percent), Human health and social work activities (17.9 percent), transportation and storage (9.5 percent), Financial and insurance activities (8.7 percent).A decrease in the real value-added occurred in Agriculture, forestry and fishing (-4.6 percent), Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (-5.1 percent).The largest share in GDP by activity is held by Trade (13.1 percent) and Real estate activities (10.6 percent), followed by Information and communication (9.5 percent), Manufacturing (8.3 percent), Public administration (7.5 percent), Education (7.2 percent), Construction (6.9 percent), Financial and insurance activities (5.7 percent), Transportation and storage (5.4 percent).

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