GEORGIA: Sanctions & more – 13th Jun 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 13th of June twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

On Thursday the 6th, the US sanctioned Georgian officials because of the "Russian Law," which makes NGOs that receive more than 20% of their cash from outside Georgia sign up as foreign agents, just like Russia did back in twenty twelve. The US State Department even imposed travel bans on some members of the Georgian Dream or Otsneba party.

However, on Wednesday the 12th, Kakha Kaladze, Tbilisi’s Mayor basically said he didn’t care about the US travel bans, saying he's got bigger fish to fry. His comments just added fuel to the fire in the growing tensions between Georgian leaders and the US.

Moving on, in our previous episode, we talked about how President Salome Zurabishvili called for a referendum on Georgia’s future with NATO and the EU. She said that citizens should decide whether they want to be on the West’s side. This comes in the middle of a back-and-forth between pro-Russia and pro-Europe groups in Georgia.

Speaking of Zurabishvili, on Monday the 10th, she told a group of young people that she would be happy to be their candidate if she ran for re-election. During a youth event in Tbilisi, she emphasized her commitment to supporting the younger generation and continuing her efforts to guide Georgia towards a European future.

In another controversial bill, on Thursday the 6th, Otsneba introduced a draft law aimed at putting the squeeze on LGBTQ+ rights. This bill wants to shut down any public events spreading LGBTQ+ values and make it harder for same-sex couples to adopt, saying that the draft law is about protecting traditional families, —but it’s taking a step back in terms of human rights. The bill set off protests everywhere and got human rights groups worldwide to express their concerns.

In political news, on Monday the 10th, four pro-Russia parties joined the de facto parliament of Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. South Ossetia is a breakaway region in Georgia, under Russian control since the two thousand eight war. These parties' pro-Russian stance makes it harder for Georgia to reclaim the territory. Russian authorities organized the elections, further consolidating Moscow's influence over the region. The "borderization" process has seen the establishment of physical barriers separating South Ossetia from Georgia, impacting thousands of residents and their access to essential services​

On a related note, Russian occupation forces unlawfully detained a Georgian citizen near the occupied town of Tskhinvali. According to the State Security Service of Georgia (or SSG), the detention occurred along the Administrative Boundary Line. The SSG activated a hotline with the European Union Monitoring Mission and informed international partners and co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions to secure the citizen's release.

Three people attacked civil activist Zuka Berdzenishvili outside his home. Berdzenishvili, known for his outspoken criticism of the government, suffered head and facial injuries. The attackers struck him from behind while he was leaving his house. Berdzenishvili was on his way to a nearby café when the attack occurred. He said that the attack might be connected to recent accusations made by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, who labeled him and other activists as engaging in "politically motivated terror." Human rights groups are demanding a thorough investigation into the attack.

On Thursday the 13th, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze honored the flood victims of the 13th of June twenty fifteen during a municipal government session, calling it one of the hardest days in the city's and country's history. The tragic event claimed twenty-one lives and left two people missing. Kaladze expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, emphasizing that while infrastructure can be rebuilt, victims cannot be brought back to life. Various commemorative events were held across Tbilisi in parks, pubs, and other social venues to remember and honor those affected by the flood.

Bidzina Ivanishvili splashed the cash and got a rare book by John Zosimos at a Christie’s auction. But he didn't keep it for himself - he donated it to the National Museum! Ivanishvili's playing the hero, showing his love for Georgian culture..

More on culture, as on Wednesday the 12th, the Georgian Ministry of Culture honored Yuri Mechitov, a photographer, for his contributions to the art world. He received the Shota Rustaveli State Prize, recognizing his outstanding impact on contemporary photography. Mechitov's recent exhibitions, including "Recollections of the Past" and "Tbilisi Armenians," have been critically acclaimed.​

Still, in the arts scene, former Bolshoi ballerina Nina Ananiashvili is set to host the fifth Tbilisi Ballet Festival. Starting later this month, the festival will feature performances by world-renowned dancers and aims to promote the local ballet scene.

Celebrating literary giants, on Monday the 10th, The Georgian National Academy of Sciences held a special event to celebrate the works of poet Jansugh Charkviani. The event featured readings of his poetry, discussions about his impact on contemporary literature, and performances inspired by his work.

On Tuesday the 11th, Georgian and Kazakhstani cinema centers signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. This agreement aims to boost collaboration in film production, distribution, and promotion between the two countries.

Georgia's Tsiskarauli Tower in Akhieli scored big with a Europa Nostra Award on Thursday the 6th, which recognizes exceptional heritage conservation projects in Europe. European Commission and Europa Nostra commended the restoration for preserving the structure's cultural and historical significance. The project, led by the National Trust of Georgia in collaboration with international partners, was praised for its holistic approach, integrating community engagement, international collaboration, and capacity-building.

Now for some environmental news! Georgia threw a big bash for World Environment Day on Thursday the 6th. The United Nations Development Programme (or UNDP) promoted sorting out the trash, protecting local critters and plants, and pushing for more renewable energy.

Finally, on Monday the 10th, the Kazbegi checkpoint ceased operations due to an emergency. The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance made the call after an alert from a river flow detector. Import-export activities and customs checks were put on hold until further notice. People were safely relocated, and once things settle, the checkpoint will resume normal operations.

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

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Nakhvamdis!