GEORGIA: EU Freezing Millions & more – 11th July 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 11th of July twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

On Thursday the 4th, the EU Ambassador to Georgia said the Union froze a planned 30 million euro transfer to the Ministry of Defense because Georgia's political and judicial systems don't match EU standards. The money was supposed to be for the defense sector, but the EU held it back to push Georgia to make the necessary changes to have judicial independence and fight corruption. The EU’s decision affects Georgia’s military readiness and international defense deals.

Moving on to political tensions, on Friday the 5th, Gogi Gakharia, the leader of For Georgia or the Sakartvelostvis party, said Russian intelligence is trying to mess with the October elections. He thinks they want to help the Georgian Dream or Otsneba rig the results. This came after Russian intelligence questioned the election process in Georgia, criticizing it for not being transparent and fair. Gakharia believes this questioning is a tactic to influence the elections and create doubts about their legitimacy. He asked international watchers to keep a close eye on the elections to ensure fairness.

Next up, on Wednesday the 10th, Bidzina Ivanishvili's Cartu Foundation gave the national football team 30 million lari (around 11 million dollars) for their recent successes. The foundation says this generous gift is meant to help the team prepare for future competitions and improve their training facilities. However, the timing of Bidzina’s donation raised questions, as he might be trying to get support before the elections. During the Euro twenty twenty-four, there were rumors that Otsneba didn’t allow certain football players to participate because they supported the "anti-Russian law" movement during the protests.

In some legal issues: On Monday the 8th, the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (or GYLA) criticized the government for not punishing those responsible for the violent events that took place on the 5th and 6th of July twenty twenty-one. They pointed out that even after three years, there has been no accountability. The events involved attacks by anti-LGBTQ+ protesters on journalists and activists during a demonstration for LGBTQ+ rights. The GYLA called for a full investigation and prosecution of those involved, but the justice system has been slow and hasn’t responded quickly. There are suspicions that those opposing LGBTQ+ rights might have support from certain political factions, possibly including Otsneba.

Still on legal matters, on Tuesday the 9th, Davit Katsarava, a member of the anti-occupation movement, was called to court. He faces charges related to his activism against Russian occupation, specifically for organizing unauthorized protests and allegedly causing public disorder. Katsarava’s supporters say the charges are politically motivated, that they are attacks on free speech and meant to silence voices against the occupation.

Going back to Georgia’s defense, on Wednesday the 10th, the US stopped its military exercises, called Noble Partner, in Georgia. These exercises have been key for US-Georgia military cooperation, boosting their defense skills. The cancellation caused concerns as these exercises are vital for Georgia’s defense, especially with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

On Thursday the 11th, President Salome Zurabishvili also commented on the cancelation of the exercises and said that this could be seen as a drop in US support, which could encourage hostile actions from nearby countries.

Unfortunately, on Thursday the 4th, the Ministry of Defense reported that a Georgian Defense Forces aircraft crashed during a training exercise. The collision resulted in the death of all five personnel onboard. Early investigations suggest a technical problem caused the crash.

In other news, on Wednesday the 10th of July, the Prosecutors Council selected three candidates for the General Prosecutor's post. The candidates’ names are not yet public, but the council aims to choose someone with strong legal expertise and a commitment to justice.

Moving on to health, on Friday the 5th, Tengiz Tsertsvadze, a well-known Georgian doctor, announced a new state program to tackle Hepatitis B in the country. Hepatitis B is a significant health issue in Georgia, with thousands of cases reported every year. In twenty twenty-three alone, over 5,000 new cases were recorded. The plan is to provide widespread vaccinations and treatments, focusing on high-risk groups and improving health services. Georgia will be importing the vaccines, and the program will also introduce some new innovative treatments to manage better and potentially cure the disease.

The famous Georgian violinist Liana Isakadze passed away at seventy-eight. Isakadze is known for her contributions to classical music, both as a performer and teacher, and her influence on many musicians. She won many awards throughout her career, gaining international recognition for her talent.

On Thursday the 11th, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili visited the construction site of Public School No. 16 in Batumi. The construction is part of a government initiative to improve education infrastructure across Georgia.

Still on infrastructure: the reconstruction of the bridge across the Ksani River will be completed by the 5th of August. The Roads Department of Georgia is overseeing the project. The improved bridge is expected to boost the local economy and connectivity.

In regional news, on Monday the 8th, the government announced that "Mountain Days" will be held in different regions throughout July, with activities including guided hikes, eco-tourism workshops, and cultural exhibits. These events aim to promote tourism and boost the local economy.

In some cultural news, Georgia's festival season started on Saturday the 6th, featuring various cultural and music events across the country. These festivals aim to boost local tourism, celebrate Georgian heritage, and provide a stage for local artists and performers. Events include traditional dance shows, folk music concerts, and food fairs.

More on culture, as the article “The Privilege of Our Generation: A Gateway to Understanding Georgia's Democratic Transition" by political analyst Eka Tkeshelashvili called came out on Tuesday the 9th. Published in the Georgian Journal, it gives a deep look at Georgia’s political changes, highlighting the challenges and wins in their path to democracy. It talks about key moments and figures that shaped this journey and also the ongoing issues with corruption and political division. The article is currently available in Georgian but it will be translated into English soon.

And to close this edition, on Sunday the 7th, the producer of the reality show "From Scratch" announced plans to make a video about Georgia. The video will feature popular tourist spots, traditional Georgian cuisine, and interviews with locals.

Aaand that’s it for this week! Thank you for joining us!

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Nakhvamdis!