GEORGIA: Hate crime charges & more – 18th July 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 18th of July twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

On Wednesday the 17th, the U.S. House of Representatives said they would have a hearing about the upcoming elections in Georgia and Moldova. They want to make sure the elections are fair and free from outside interference, especially from countries like Russia. Georgian officials and local groups are happy about this because it brings more attention to the problems they are facing with their elections. President Zurabishvili said that they welcome the support from international partners to ensure the elections are fair and without external meddling.

Next up, on the same day, a group of 121 NGOs, led by the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, went to the Constitutional Court to fight against the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, also known as the "Russian law." The NGOs coordinated through a series of meetings and online discussions, and they planned a hearing at the Court rather than a protest. They’re against this law because it stops people from freely speaking out and hurts groups that get money from outside of Georgia. Many believe this law is like one in Russia used to shut down protests and could harm democracy in Georgia.

While it is said that the law might be good for transparency, it might make it hard for these groups to work. The NGOs hope the court will get rid of this law to protect freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia.

On a related note, on Friday the 12th, President Salome Zurabishvili said that Georgia's path to joining the European Union has hit a roadblock. She blamed the government for turning away from this goal and criticized their recent decisions, such as the proposed "Russian law" on foreign influence and the crackdown on opposition protests, saying these actions have hurt Georgia's chances of joining the union. Many people in Georgia, especially those who want closer ties with Europe, agree with her. They are worried that the country is moving in the wrong direction and want the government to focus on European integration again.

Moving on, on Wednesday the 17th, President Salome Zurabishvili called a special meeting of Parliament due to rising tensions and public dissatisfaction. They discussed important issues like national security and recent political problems, such as corruption allegations and opposition protests. The president urged everyone in Parliament to come together and find solutions to these big issues. The special session also reviewed how the government has handled recent crises, such as the COVID-19 response and economic challenges, and what needs to change.

Still on politics, on Tuesday the 16th, Levan Khabeishvili, the chairman of the United National Movement, expressed confidence in winning the upcoming elections. He said that they would celebrate a national triumph in 100 days, reflecting the party's optimistic outlook and determination to bring about change in Georgia​.

Switching gears, on Thursday the 11th, Speaker Shalva Papuashvili talked about the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump. He pointed out that this incident in the U.S. is a reminder that democracy everywhere needs to be protected and it shows how important Georgia's elections in October will be. Papuashvili stressed the need for strong security during the elections to keep them safe and fair. The government promised to make sure security is tight, and people are both worried and determined to make sure the elections go smoothly.

On Tuesday the 16th, Michail Chkhikvishvili, a twenty-one-year-old Georgian national also known as Mishka or Commander Butcher, was charged by a federal grand jury in Brooklyn, New York, with soliciting hate crimes and planning a mass casualty attack. Chkhikvishvili allegedly tried to recruit others to commit violent acts and promote his Neo-Nazi ideologies. The charges include soliciting hate crimes, using weapons of mass destruction, and making threats of violence. This case highlights the ongoing efforts to address and prevent hate-motivated violence in the United States.

Speaking of international organizations, on Wednesday the 17th, Giorgi Gakharia, the leader of the For Georgia party, or Sakartvelostvis, said he disliked the fact that NATO didn't mention Georgia in their summit and believes this is especially problematic considering the actions of the Otsneba party, such as passing laws that undermine democratic principles and aligning more closely with Russia. Gakharia says this is a threat to the country's safety because it shows that Georgia is being ignored by NATO. Many people in Georgia share this frustration, as they want the country to be part of NATO for better security.

Shifting focus, on Thursday the 10th, workers at Evolution Georgia went on strike. They are asking for better working conditions, higher pay, and more job security. The strike has caused some problems for the company and brought attention to how workers are treated. While there is some support for the workers' demands, the strike was called into question as it might be bad for the economy. This strike is part of a bigger issue in Georgia where many workers feel they need better laws to protect their rights.

Moving on to culture, on Wednesday the 10th, Georgia announced it will join the National Geographic Traveler Food Festival twenty twenty-four. The event will feature Georgian dishes like khachapuri, a cheese-filled bread, and khinkali, spiced meat dumplings. The Georgian National Tourism Administration believes this will attract more visitors and highlight Georgia's food culture.

Still on cultural celebrations, on Tuesday the 16th, Georgia celebrated the 10th anniversary of the lari sign, which represents the country's currency. The lari sign, introduced in twenty fourteen, stands for Georgia's economic and cultural strength. Over the years, it has become a key symbol for Georgians. This anniversary included events and talks about how the lari sign has fostered national pride and economic independence.

In fashion news, on Monday the 22nd, the Class and Classy Fashion Week SS25 ended, and Georgian designers were in the spotlight. The event, held in Tbilisi, showcased the latest fashion trends from Georgia's top designers. It attracted participants from countries like Italy, France, and Japan, making Georgia look like an up-and-coming place for fashion. Designers like Anouki Areshidze and Tamuna Ingorokva showed collections that mix Georgian traditions with modern styles.

Also on the topic of culture, on Sunday the 14th, the Festival of Georgian Regions celebrated the country's diverse culture and rich cultural heritage. The festival had traditional music, dance, and crafts from different regions and gave artists and performers from all over the country a chance to share their talents with a big audience. Hundreds of people came to the festival and enjoyed the variety of cultural displays.

On Wednesday the 17th, Air China announced it will operate direct flights between Tbilisi and Urumqi starting in September. These flights will boost connectivity between Georgia and China, facilitating travel and business opportunities, and will operate from Tbilisi International Airport to Urumqi, the largest city in western China​​.

In another update, on Monday the 15th, Thailand introduced visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. This new policy allows Georgian travelers to enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. This move aims to enhance tourism and strengthen ties between the two countries​​.

Lastly, on Thursday the 11th, there was a celebration for Georgian poet Tariel Chanturia. He is known for his deep and moving poetry, which has made a big impact on Georgian literature. The event included readings of his poems, which are available in both Georgian and English, and talks about how he has influenced other writers. Chanturia's work is loved by many and continues to inspire new poets in Georgia. His poems often talk about national identity, history, and personal feelings, and they resonate with many Georgians.

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

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Nakhvamdis!