Georgia

The U. S. Senate is preparing a bipartisan bill to impose sanctions on Georgian politicians responsible for the Foreign Agents Act, which impedes Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration.

Lawyers for former Georgian President Saakashvili will appeal the European Court of Human Rights' decision to dismiss his complaint of political persecution and unfair investigation, arguing that he was wrongfully convicted for using his presidential pardon powers.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the “party of global war” of assassinating Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and said he could be the next target, suggesting that a dangerous force is trying to destabilize Georgia.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that there was no violation of his rights in the criminal proceedings against Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia, finding the charges to be substantiated and the trial to be fair.

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili claims political persecution in the criminal cases against him, alleging violations of his right to defense and the impartiality of judges, and is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights.

Several EU countries are pushing for sanctions against Georgia, including the suspension of visa-free travel, in response to Georgia's attempts to introduce a law on "foreign agents" similar to russian law, despite EU warnings and mass protests.

The Venice Commission has called on Georgia to repeal the Foreign Agents Act, criticizing it as an obstacle to freedom of assembly, expression, privacy and public participation, leading to the stigmatization and destruction of NGOs and media outlets that receive foreign funding, which ultimately harms open debate, pluralism and democracy.

The U. S. Congress may consider providing Georgia with economic and military assistance, including preferential trade, improved market access, visa liberalization, and military support for territorial defense against Russian aggression, if Georgia abandons its anti-Western rhetoric, respects human rights, and withdraws its Russian-like "foreign agent" law.

Georgia's parliament plans to override the president's veto of the controversial "Russian law" during the next session week.

Georgia passed a controversial law on "foreign agents" despite massive protests, triggering potential US sanctions against officials responsible for undermining democracy.

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, supported the decision of Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili to veto the controversial law on "foreign agents," calling it an opportunity to ensure that Georgia remains on the European path that its population supports.

During a telephone conversation, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the peace summit in Switzerland and a bilateral security agreement with Slovenian Prime Minister Golob.

The chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the US, EU, Ukraine and other countries have condemned Georgia's controversial "foreign agents" law, saying it undermines democracy and contradicts Georgia's goal of Western integration.

Turkey remains committed to Georgia's integration into the EU and NATO, hoping that the current events in the country will be resolved in favor of the Georgian people, as Turkish President Erdogan stated during the Georgian Prime Minister's visit to Ankara.

Georgia's application for EU membership will be frozen if the controversial Russian-inspired law on "foreign agents" is passed.

Tens of thousands of people protested in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities against the controversial law on "foreign agents," and the foreign ministers of Estonia, Iceland, and Lithuania joined the rally.

If Georgia wants to stay on the path to the European Union, it cannot have one foot in Moscow, says Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has vowed to veto the controversial law on "foreign agents," saying it does not comply with European values and hinders Georgia's European integration aspirations, amid Western criticism that the law undermines democracy.

Two Turkish citizens are sentenced to 11 years in prison for smuggling over 190 kg of heroin from Iran to Ukraine and organizing a large-scale drug trafficking scheme.

President Zelenskyy announced that the presidents of Georgia, Malawi, and the prime minister of Liechtenstein have agreed to participate in a peace summit aimed at restoring international law and establishing a just peace for Ukraine.

The adoption of Georgia's controversial law on "foreign agents" negatively affects its progress towards EU accession, and the authorities should withdraw the law and implement the necessary reforms outlined in the EU's 9 steps.

NATO criticized Georgia's adoption of a controversial law on "foreign agents" as a step away from European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The US threatens to fundamentally revise bilateral relations with Georgia if the controversial law on foreign agents goes into effect despite protests and a presidential veto.

The founder of Georgia's ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, refused to meet with U. S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien because his funds were frozen by a Swiss bank on suspicion of Russian origin.

Georgia's prime minister has announced that the country's parliament will pass a controversial law on "foreign agents" tomorrow despite protests, escalating tensions over the legislation that has been criticized as repressive.

12 EU foreign ministers demand a report from Borrell on how Georgia's draft law on "foreign agents" will affect its EU membership application amid criticism of the document.

Clashes between police and protesters outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, erupted after the Interior Ministry threatened to use force to clear the area around the legislature.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has once again called on the ruling Georgian Dream party to withdraw the law on "foreign agents. " The head of state also voiced an alternative proposal: to postpone the law's entry into force until November 1, after the country holds parliamentary elections.

Thousands of opponents of the law on "foreign agents" in Georgia will spend the night of May 12-13 outside the parliament building ahead of a vote on the controversial bill scheduled for May 14.

Students at Tbilisi State University have been on strike, boycotting classes since May 13 to protest the draft law on "foreign agents" and demand its withdrawal.