GEORGIA: Explosives & more – 8th Feb 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 8th of February twenty twenty-four A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

On Monday the 5th, the State Security Service of Georgia revealed the interception of special explosive devices transported from Ukraine to Russia via Georgia. The operation led to the seizure of electric car batteries allegedly containing explosives. The investigation implicated individuals from Georgia, Ukraine, and Armenia, with a focus on determining the transportation route, intended targets, and the involvement of a Ukrainian MP candidate. The case continues under Georgia's criminal code regarding illegal explosives and preparations for terrorist acts. The alegation fits in suspiciously well with Georgian Dream or Otsneba’s “second front” narrative.

On Tuesday the 6th, Prime Minister nominee Irakli Kobakhidze expressed concern over attempts by some Ukrainian representatives to make Georgia a potential target for Russian aggression, framing it as a serious threat to national security. In keeping with the straw man methods, he invented demands for Georgia to become a second front in the conflict (which literally nobody wants or advocates), then said that those non-existent depends are harmful to the state.

On Wednesday the 7th, a landslide in Baghdati, in the Imereti region, prompted extensive rescue efforts after burying four houses. Temur Mgebrishvili, the head of the Emergency Management Service, reported the recovery of a fourth body and the rescue of one individual, with efforts to find five missing persons. The operation involves 200 personnel, dogs, and additional equipment, with 70% of the area already cleared.

On Tuesday the 6th, a Western Balkans parliamentary delegation visited Odzisi, which is on the Georgian side of South Ossetia. Led by Irakli Beraia, they examined the occupation's impact, including illegal constructions and barriers, highlighting the importance of international support against Russian aggression for European security. The visit underscores the need for increased global pressure on Russia to respect international laws and obligations.

On Tuesday the 6th, President Salome Zourabichvili addressed Georgia's Parliament, saying that a true European state is founded on democratic principles ensuring universal prosperity, not limited to a privileged few. She highlighted twenty twenty-three's achievement of EU membership candidate status, urging Georgia to embrace European values fully and transform into a democratic state. This vision marks a pivotal moment for Georgia to leave its post-Soviet past behind and embark on a national, European path. People reacted to the speech, with a few of the usual suspects saying it lacked a positive acknowledgment of the country’s successes.

On Tuesday the 6th, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a decline in certain crimes in the country. There was a decrease in premeditated murders and property crimes. However, drug-related and cybercrime detections increased.

The document shows that people are allegedly trusting the police more, and that they are reporting crimes more frequently.

On Monday the 5th, Tbilisi Mayor Kakhi Kaladze addressed comments by Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian President, regarding prioritizing Misha Saakashvili's release. Kaladze said that each country has its priorities and emphasized that the former president would be released after serving his sentence, highlighting in an entirely un-ironic way, respect for legal processes amidst international concerns.

On the same day, Misha Saakashvili stated his recovery under the prison’s conditions is "impossible". He said that he was innocent, that he hadn’t committed any crimes, denying all accusations. Highlighting a disregard for his health and justice, Misha expressed his concerns about injustice and rights violations in Georgia’s prison system, which many have suffered.

This past week, the book "Hard by a Great Forest" by Georgian-born Leo Vardiashvili took the English-speaking world by storm. Relocated to England at twelve, Vardiashvili intertwines his Georgian roots with post-Soviet life intricacies. Celebrated by The Guardian and the New York Times, the novel paints a picture of Georgian life and its Soviet past. In addition to being a great story well told, it sparks debate on national identity and historical healing, but it’s only in English so far and has not much been noticed in Georgia.

On Tuesday the 30th, a scholarly article highlighted concerns over growing authoritarian influences in Georgia's academic sector. In September twenty twenty-three a fire in the National Historical Archives destroyed invaluable Soviet-era materials, but the government didn’t care a lot, and its indifference sparked debate. The incident, coupled with the ruling party's increasingly authoritarian and pro-Russian stance since Russia's twenty twenty-two invasion of Ukraine, raises questions about academic freedom since there's a subtle shift towards authoritarianism in education and research, going back to Soviet-era restrictions. Link in the show notes.

On Tuesday the 6th, Georgia's internet speeds were spotlighted, ranking 66th out of 146 countries for mobile and 129th (out of 180) for fixed broadband in December. Ranking higher up means better performance. Geocell had the fastest speed for mobile operators, while Apple devices achieved the highest download speeds. Tbilisi boasted the fastest mobile speeds, and Rustavi led in fixed broadband. Comparatively, Georgia's internet costs are higher than in Europe. In twenty twenty-three, internet access among households reached 89% in Georgia, while the EU stood at 92%.

On Monday the 5th, parliamentary committees approved a program by the Georgian government and the cabinet nominees, including candidates for Minister of Defense, Justice, and Interior. The program aims to build a European state, emphasizing legal reforms, security, defense cooperation with NATO and the EU, and peace initiatives in occupied regions.

On Tuesday the 6th, four parliamentary committees endorsed a new cabinet and program aimed at building a European state. The session featured discussions on ministerial plans across various sectors, including cultural and sports events, educational reforms, and healthcare improvements.

On Tuesday the 6th, strong winds and floods hit the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, causing significant damage. Roofs were ripped from buildings, electricity was disrupted, and the Enguri River's swelling led to flooded courtyards and road closures. Emergency services are responding, and efforts to assess and repair the damage are underway.

On Friday the 2nd, Nata Peradze faced a Tbilisi City Court ruling for her protest act at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where she threw paint on a St. Matrona icon that also depicted Joseph Stalin. Peradze captured and shared her actions on social media. She was charged with petty hooliganism, resulting in a five-day administrative arrest. This incident highlights the intersection of religious reverence, historical figures' legacies, and modern political activism, prompting a legal and societal discourse on the boundaries of expression.

On Tuesday the 6th, Otar Shamugia discussed Georgia's environmental policy reforms since the twenty-fourteen EU Association Agreement, showcasing progress and the commitment to sustainable development. These include establishing protected areas, enhancing ecotourism, and implementing significant legislation on forest management.

On Tuesday the 6th, Strategy Aghmashenebeli and the United National Movement or Natsebi declared their readiness to join President Zourabichvili's political unity initiative, to expedite EU integration. They said Misha Saakashvili's release would be a step toward reconciling national divisions. President Zourabichvili, in her parliamentary report, proposed a "Platform of Unity for Europe" as a strategic approach to address the country's challenges, emphasizing peace and protection as pivotal needs for Georgia's future stability and prosperity—which the country needs for EU membership.

Aand that is for this week.

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