Day: January 15, 2024

The Russian occupation forces illegally detained a Georgian citizen near the village of Akhmaji, Akhalgori municipality (near Tskhinvali occupation line), the Georgian State Security Service (SSSG) reported on January 15.

Upon receiving information about the incident, the State Security Service activated the “hot line” operated by the EU Monitoring Mission. International partners and the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions were immediately informed of the incident, said the Service.

All available mechanisms were activated in order to release the illegally detained Georgian citizen as soon as possible, according to the SSSG press release.

The SSSG stresses that the responsibility for all destructive acts committed in the occupied territories of Georgia and along the occupation line lies with the occupying power.

Also Read:

• 29/11/2023 – Georgian Citizen Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces Released
• 26/11/2023 – Three Georgians Abducted by Russian Occupation Forces
• 23/11/2023 – European Parliament Adopts Resolution on Killed Tamaz Ginturi
• 06/11/2023 – Russian Occupation Forces Kill One Georgian Citizen, Abduct Another

The OECD’s SME Policy Index report on “Eastern Partner Countries 2024” shows that affordability of fixed and mobile broadband subscriptions remains a challenge in Georgia. Prices have declined in recent years, but remain slightly above the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 2% target, at 2.35% of per capita gross national income (GNI) in 2022.

The report highlights that many businesses, especially smaller ones, don’t have very fast Internet. Some 61% of connected businesses have internet speeds of less than 30 megabits per second. This is even a bigger problem for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Statistically, 79% of large businesses have high-speed Internet (over 30 Mbps), while only 54% of medium businesses and 38% of small businesses do.

Nevertheless, Georgia has continued to improve its internet connectivity in recent years. It has become one of the most connected countries in the EaP, with fixed and mobile broadband subscriptions increasing by around 50% between 2015 and 2020. In addition, the digital divide between urban and rural areas was more than halved over this period (-64%), falling to 12.6% in 2021.

“Moving forward, Georgia could foster competition, investment, and innovation to ultimately support faster Internet at lower prices; strengthen the demand side by ensuring consumers’ access to information on broadband services and quality; and promote SMEs’ uptake of high-speed Internet,” – OECD recommends.

Also Read:

• 07/09/2023 – Cellfie Mobile Gets First 5G License
• 01/08/2023 – Silknet and MagtiCom Criticize ComCom’s Handling of 5G Auction

The Baku Court of Appeal has rejected the appeal against the verdict passed against Vagif Khachaturyan who is accused of participating in the genocide in the village of Meshali, Khojaly district, as part of illegal Armenian armed groups.

Robb Report: #Georgia Is Having a Moment: Where to Stay and Play in #Batumi, Its Thriving Seaside City. via ⁦@GeorgiaToday_GT⁩ #ReisenInGeorgien https://t.co/i1bPLXlN2I

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) January 15, 2024