The de facto authorities of occupied Abkhazia reported the detention of Emzar Bagishvili, a Georgian citizen with an “Abkhaz residence permit,” on suspicion of spying for Tbilisi.
From July 1, 2026, restaurants and cafes will no longer be allowed to serve drinks in plastic bottles, and from February 1, 2027, the production, import, and sale of drinks in plastic bottles will also be banned, except for export.
23 Georgian sailors were aboard the tanker Zefyros that was attacked by Iran off the Iraqi coast on March 12. All Georgian sailors, including the captain, are reportedly safe.
Tbilisi "vigorously rejects" the findings and recommendations of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report. 24 countries that had invoked the mechanism urged Georgia to address democratic backsliding and fully implement the recommendations.
The report prepared within OSCE Moscow Mechanism noted "marked democratic backsliding" since Spring 2024 in Georgia, recommending immediate release of "all prisoners held for political reasons" and repeal of a series of restrictive laws, among others. Read details: civil.ge/archives/724...
Georgian authorities have dropped earlier plan to ban import of vehicles older than 6 years, but will instead impose a high excise tax on such cars, fueling criticism that the move amounts to a de facto ban through up to a fivefold tax increase.
European Parliament adopted resolution condemning “politically motivated” arrests in Georgia, demanding release of detainees, and calling for targeted sanctions for those responsible:
TV Pirveli, one of Georgia’s major opposition-leaning channels, said late on March 11 that its satellite broadcasting had stopped due to unpaid fees.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the “frozen” political dialogue between the European Union and Georgia is the “biggest problem” to Armenia’s path toward EU integration, during a March 11 address to the European Parliament.
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Israel’s Ambassador Walid Abu Haya on March 11 amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Georgia reached USD 1.68 billion in 2025, marking a 7.6% increase compared to the adjusted data for 2024.
OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons and a high-level delegation concluded a three-day visit to Georgia on March 10 aimed at "encouraging dialogue, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting engagement across the political spectrum."
The European Union will not include Kulevi Port in Georgia in its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, expected to be adopted shortly, citing “positive commitments” by Georgian authorities and the port operator in reassessing the initial proposal.
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze congratulated Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his election as Iran’s new Supreme Leader amid continued war in the Middle East.
Arrested ex-Defense Minister of Georgia under the previous UNM government, Bacho Akhalaia, faces new charges, as the State Security Service accuses him of incitement to overthrow the government.
The State Security Service of Georgia said it arrested 30 people on corruption-related charges in 12 criminal cases during a large-scale anti-corruption crackdown across several regions of the country.
Georgian Dream PM Irakli Kobakhidze said the ruling party may amend its appeal to the Constitutional Court seeking to ban major opposition forces to cover more parties, days after nine opposition parties announced the formation of a new alliance.
GD PM Irakli Kobakhidze hinted at a possible revision of Georgia’s commitments to the Istanbul Convention protecting women and girls from violence, after far-right leader Zurab Makharadze claimed in a debate that it undermined traditional family roles.
A delegation of parliamentarians from OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, led by OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, is visiting Georgia to exchange views with interlocutors "on recent political developments and issues related to democracy, security and regional stability:
Up to four persons, including experts, have been summoned by Georgian State Security Service amid a probe over “contents” and “motives” of allegations about the recruitment practices “by other countries” – apparently Iran – in Georgia.
A de facto court in Russian-occupied Donetsk sentenced Georgian lawyer Beka Basilaia to 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony in absentia, alleging that he participated in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Georgian Dream's March 4 legislative package, further tightening restrictions on foreign funding and political activity, drew international criticism, including from OSCE/ODIHR, Brussels, and EU countries:
EU's Kaja Kallas and Marta Kos said Georgia’s new laws on foreign funding and political activity establish “system of state control over political activity in the country” and are part of the “systematic” effort to restrict “democratic and civic space.”
Communications Commission, Georgia’s media regulator, warned of more proactive enforcement of restrictive broadcasting laws in a statement criticizing recent U.K. sanctions against two pro-government television channels, Imedi and POSTV.
GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with ADB President Masato Kanda. Kanda praised Georgia’s “strong macroeconomic performance,” reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to supporting the country’s economic development.
EU warns of entry bans if Georgian officials fail to use their diplomatic/service passports when travelling to bloc for “official and diplomatic purposes,” as visa-free suspension for Georgian diplomatic passport holders under new mechanism takes effect:
Two were charged with interference with journalistic work over September 8, 2025, tensions outside Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze’s campaign office, during which two reporters from the Publika online outlet were attacked, Publika reported on March 5.
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said it condemns the drone attack in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan that injured several civilians.
Georgian and Turkish law enforcement authorities arrested 14 Turkish citizens in Georgia in a joint operation, including 11 wanted internationally under an Interpol Red Notice and three wanted at the national level in Turkey.
The de facto Defense Ministry of occupied Abkhazia reported that “about 30 drones” were detected in a “massive raid” across the region on March 4, after multiple media outlets reported drone sightings from unconfirmed origins.
Read more: civil.ge/archives/723...
