The European Commission has published reports on political developments in 10 EU candidate countries, positively assessing most but sharply criticizing Georgia. The report points to a significant democratic backsliding in Georgia due to repressive measures against civil society, media, and the opposition.
The European Commission will publish its annual report on candidate countries for EU membership on November 4. Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania, according to media reports, received mostly positive assessments.
Transparency International Georgia states that "Georgian Dream" presents internal disputes as a fight against corruption. The organization claims that elite corruption remains a large-scale problem in the country.
Violators of the law banning "LGBT propaganda" in Kazakhstan face fines or up to 10 days of arrest. Human rights activists call the initiative open discrimination
PACE is concerned about Georgia's decision to appeal to the Constitutional Court regarding the ban on three democratic opposition parties. Co-rapporteurs intend to conduct a fact-finding mission to Tbilisi by the end of the year.
20,502 foreign students study in Ukrainian higher education institutions, most of them from China and Azerbaijan. Over 400 Russian citizens also receive education in Ukrainian universities.
At Katy Perry's concert, a Georgian fan spoke about the occupation of 20% of his country by Russia and daily protests against the government. The singer supported Georgia, stating her belief in democracy.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has detained 60 participants of protests in Tbilisi over the past three days. The reason for the detentions was the blocking of roads and wearing masks during demonstrations.
Three Chinese citizens were detained in Tbilisi for planning to illegally purchase two kilograms of uranium for $400,000. They intended to transport the uranium to China through Russian territory.
Georgian police seized 250 kg of heroin that was attempted to be smuggled into the country disguised as wet wipes. The drugs were found in 2907 packages of hygiene products during an inspection in Batumi.
Two journalists, Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, have been awarded the 2025 Sakharov Prize. They were recognized for their freedom of thought and for speaking out against injustice while imprisoned on fabricated charges.
The Norwegian company Var Energi expects the global oil market to stabilize in 2026, with prices above $60 per barrel. The deficit of investments in production is named as a key factor supporting prices.
A Russian company delivered the first batch of oil to a newly built refinery in Kulevi, Georgia. The tanker "Kayseri" delivered 105,340 tons of Siberian Light oil from Novorossiysk.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has warned protesters of increased liability for violations at protests starting today. Legislative amendments provide for administrative arrest for up to 15 days for blocking a road or appearing at a rally in a mask.
Vodafone Group and Vodafone Ukraine will begin construction of the Kardesa underwater cable system, which will connect Ukraine, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia. This project, worth over 100 million euros, will enhance Ukraine's digital sovereignty and create new transit potential between Europe and Asia.
Germany is recalling Ambassador Peter Fischer from Georgia for consultations due to "systematic attacks" by the Georgian authorities. This comes amid escalating tensions between Berlin and Tbilisi, where the government is campaigning against the EU and Germany.
The Parliament of Georgia has adopted amendments that strengthen responsibility for violations at protests. Now, appearing in a mask or blocking a road carries a penalty of up to 15 days of arrest, and disobeying the police – up to 60 days.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia fined the current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, 5,000 lari for illegally blocking a road. This happened during her visit to Tbilisi on October 14-15, when she joined an anti-government protest.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed a protest to the OSCE Secretariat over the participation of the organization's head, Elina Valtonen, in an anti-government rally in Tbilisi. Georgia considers Valtonen's actions an attempt to mislead the international community and an abuse of her mandate.
The Parliament of Georgia is considering amendments that prohibit those convicted of economic and property crimes from leaving the country until full compensation is paid. The mechanism will become automatic and indefinite, allowing border crossing only with the consent of the victim or compensation for damages.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze canceled a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen due to her participation in an anti-government rally. Valtonen claims she canceled the meeting herself due to a schedule change.
The Kremlin applies the same narratives to the Baltic states as it did to justify invasions of former Soviet republics. This creates conditions for possible Russian aggression against NATO in the future.
According to the decision of the European Court, Russia must pay Georgia over 253 million euros in compensation for human rights violations in two separatist regions after the 2008 war.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel helped the Russian army master modern combat tactics before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. The defense concern Rheinmetall planned to receive a contract with the Kremlin worth about 1 billion euros.
Ukraine supports the call of Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani for an Olympic truce with Russia, stating its readiness for it even tomorrow, without waiting for the Olympics. MFA spokesperson Heorhii Tikhyi noted that Russia had previously started wars during Olympic truces.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the European bureaucracy is irritated by the choice of the Georgian people and their struggle for peace. He expressed doubt about the cancellation of the visa-free regime with the EU, despite the European Commission's warnings about non-compliance with eight conditions.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos made a joint statement regarding local elections in Georgia. They noted a "prolonged period of suppression of dissent" and low voter turnout.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has opened criminal cases under several articles of the Criminal Code after the events near the presidential palace in Tbilisi. As a result of the protests, 14 police officers were injured, one of them in serious condition.
Mass protests in Georgia have been ongoing for almost a year, despite arrests and fines, even on the day of local elections. Repression against activists, journalists, and human rights defenders has drawn comparisons to Russia.
81 international observers will work in the local elections in Georgia on October 4, which is significantly less than 1024 in 2021. The OSCE and reputable local NGOs refused to observe due to late invitation and legislative restrictions.
