Georgia Update – Citizen Arrested in Occupied Region & more– 11th May 2023

th of May,: 2023

We start with news from the occupied territories.

On Thursday, the 4th, the State Security Service confirmed the release of two Georgian citizens illegally detained by Russian occupation forces on Sunday, the 30th, near the village of Dvani in the Kareli municipality. But, it seems that Moscow decided to pressure the Georgian government and steer up the political tension in the country. On Friday the 5th, the so-called "Supreme Court" of Abkhazia sentenced Kristine Takalandze, a Georgian citizen from the village of Nabakevi in the Gali district, where ethnic Georgians are the majority, to ten years and six months in prison on charges of spying for the Georgian Intelligence Services. Abkhazia's so-called security service released a propaganda video claiming evidence, but it only presented a Georgian passport, a banking card, and a piece of paper listing medicines.

Speaking of Russia igniting political division in Georgia…

Georgians to do the same. In: 2018

More on the Russo-Georgia relations.

On Wednesday, the 10th, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on the visa regime and flights to Georgia for Russian airlines. The document states that from Monday the 15th, citizens of Georgia will enter the Russian Federation without a visa, on the basis of valid identity documents - a travel passport- and will have to leave the Federation using the same transport they took to enter Russia.

Well, the Georgian Dream's or Otsneba's foreign policy of "Do not annoy," meaning not taking a more active political stance on criticizing Russia's war in Ukraine, "paid off." President Salome Zourabichvili called the move a "Russian provocation" and completely unacceptable as Russia continues the war in Ukraine and occupies twenty percent of Georgian territories. Moreover, she requested the Georgian Government to hold a Security Council meeting to address the possibility of implementing a visa requirement for Russian citizens. On the other hand, Archil Talakvadze, a member of Otsneba, said that the European Union's decision to delay Georgia's candidate status was the main reason that "led to the activation of the Russian Federation and to the decisions that are taking place today." Finally, Irakli Kobakhidze, head of the Otsneba party, said that Georgia won't sanction Russia as such a decision would harm Georgia more than Russia.

On Monday, the 8th, The USAID Information Integrity program, in collaboration with the Caucasus Research Resource Center or CRRC, published the results of the Audience Research conducted in Georgia. According to polls, the March demonstrations have boosted support for EU integration among the population, particularly the younger generation and Tbilisi residents. Fifty-five percent of the surveyed want to enter the EU because of economic reasons while 33% want Georgia to be an EU member because they want to improve their quality of life. Forty-three percent of the surveyed population state that Otsneba party failed to meet the EU requirements, while only twenty-five percent believe the party actively fulfilled them. When asked about the crucial EU recommendations for achieving EU candidacy, respondents identified four top priorities: ending political polarization, ensuring fair elections, guaranteeing an independent judiciary, and eliminating oligarchy.

Regarding fair elections...

On Monday, the 8th, Otsneba initiated a draft law that gives the Chairman of the Parliament the prerogative to select candidates for the chairmanship of the Central Election Commission, or CEC, and seven members of the commission and present them to the Parliament instead of the President. According to the non-governmental organization Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, with the changes, the ruling party "continues to adapt the legislation to party interests and reduces the independence of the CEC." The opposition described the initiative as a blatant disregard for the twelve recommendations and decisions of the Venice Commission. However, Otsneba members accuse the opposition of impeding the election of the CEC chairman and say that the current law has flaws. On Wednesday the 10th, President Salome Zourabichvili said that she would veto the initiative because the candidates from a single party, meaning Otsneba, would not contribute to Georgia's interests and European integration.

Moving on to BBC's investigation on former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili's alleged involvement in a fraudulent scheme regarding call centers. On Friday the 5th, The Investigative Department of the Finance Ministry searched a location on Agmashenebeli Avenue to combat fraudulent call center scams. They sealed off the building and seized equipment after receiving a tip-off. Reports suggest that David Arakhamia, a Ukrainian lawmaker of Georgian descent, and opposition politician Giorgi Vashadze have direct connections to the business. Vashadze had shares of a hotel that underwent a police search in the same building the call center scam was taking place.

Georgia recently celebrated Europe Day over the weekend, from Saturday, the 6th, to Sunday, the 7th. The Government Administration organized the event to showcase the culture, cuisine, and traditions of both Spain and Sweden. The festivities ended with a performance by a Swedish folk singer. EU Ambassador Pavel Gerchinskysaid that the majority of the population widely supports obtaining candidate status

Also, on Saturday the 6th, Orthodox Christians in Georgia celebrated one of the most important days in the country's religious calendar – Saint George's Day or Giorgoba. Orthodox Georgians hold a special place for Saint George as a martyr for Christian values and protector of the country.

On Tuesday, the 9th, Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, congratulated war veterans on Victory Day over Nazi Germany. He then answered journalists' questions and took the opportunity to criticize the opposition and called them "unsuccessful" and "bankrupt" while emphasizing the importance of traditional values.

Also, on Tuesday, the 9th President, Salome Zurabishvili, organized an event in front of the presidential residence, Orbeliani Palace, to celebrate Europe Day. Apart from her official speech, in which she mentioned the importance of Georgia's European path, the event included a concert in which famous Georgian singers took part, including a dancing show by the National Ballet.

However, the events caused some public arguments. For many years, there has been a debate in Georgia about the appropriate date to celebrate Victory Day over Nazism. Should it be on the 8th, in line with Europe, or on the 9th, in line with Russia? This discussion heated up after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Let's move to economic and social news...

On Friday, the 5th, PM Irakli Garibashvili announced the beginning of a new housing project in Tbilisi that will provide accommodation for 1,000 law enforcement officers. According to the report, the project will cost 125 million lari, around fifty million US dollars. Garibashvili said that police officers would receive flats at "symbolic prices" after the construction is finished, in about two years.

On Monday the 8th, according to the Galt&Taggart report, tourism revenues amounted to a little over one billion US dollars, almost an eighty percent increase compared to the same period of the last year.

We end with some good news...

On Wednesday, the 10th, the Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Georgia decreased the refinancing rate by 0.5 percent, ending up with a rate of 10.5 percent. The National Bank reduced inflation rates due to a decrease in the prices of imported products, leading to a downward inflation. As a result, 179,000 thousand consumers will pay less interest rates on their loans.

Aaaand that's it for this week! Have you checked our website? Over there you can find more about us, how to contact us, and support us. Link to it in the show notes!

Nakhvamdis!