Month: September 2025

Police official Irakli Dgebuadze, a central figure in the criminal case of jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, is no longer Batumi’s police chief and is now serving in Tbilisi, the Interior Ministry confirmed to Civil.ge on September 4 after initial reports from Batumelebi.

The Interior Ministry said Irakli Dgebuadze left his post but did not clarify whether it was a voluntary resignation or a removal, adding that he now heads the Center for International Cooperation in Law Enforcement under the Central Criminal Police Department. The initial Batumelebi report claimed Dgebuadze had been appointed chief of police attachés.

Mzia Amaghlobeli, who in August was sentenced to two years in prison for slapping Irakli Dgebuadze in the face, had accused him of inhumane treatment, saying he spat on her and denied her water and toilet access while she was held in a detention facility after placing a protest sticker on a police outbuilding. That same evening, she was rearrested after slapping Dgebuadze during a tense scene between police and protesters. No investigation has been launched into Amaghlobeli’s allegations against Dgebuadze, who is under Estonian and Lithuanian sanctions.

According to Batumelebi, Gocha Vanadze, Dgebuadze’s former deputy, is now serving as acting police chief in the coastal city until a new chief is appointed.

Also Read:

• 07/08/2025 – International and Domestic Reactions to Mzia Amaghlobeli’s Verdict
• 29/06/2025 – Concerns Raised Over Eye Health of Jailed Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli
• 19/06/2025 – European Parliament Demands Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli’s ‘Immediate’ and ‘Unconditional’ Release
• 16/04/2025 – GYLA Slams “Ineffective” Probe into Alleged Police Abuse of Mzia Amaghlobeli

Police official Irakli Dgebuadze, a central figure in the criminal case of jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, is no longer Batumi’s police chief and is now serving in Tbilisi, the Interior Ministry confirmed to Civil.ge on September 4 after initial reports from Batumelebi.

The Interior Ministry said Irakli Dgebuadze left his post but did not clarify whether it was a voluntary resignation or a removal, adding that he now heads the Center for International Cooperation in Law Enforcement under the Central Criminal Police Department. The initial Batumelebi report claimed Dgebuadze had been appointed chief of police attachés.

Mzia Amaghlobeli, who in August was sentenced to two years in prison for slapping Irakli Dgebuadze in the face, had accused him of inhumane treatment, saying he spat on her and denied her water and toilet access while she was held in a detention facility after placing a protest sticker on a police outbuilding. That same evening, she was rearrested after slapping Dgebuadze during a tense scene between police and protesters. No investigation has been launched into Amaghlobeli’s allegations against Dgebuadze, who is under Estonian and Lithuanian sanctions.

According to Batumelebi, Gocha Vanadze, Dgebuadze’s former deputy, is now serving as acting police chief in the coastal city until a new chief is appointed.

Also Read:

• 07/08/2025 – International and Domestic Reactions to Mzia Amaghlobeli’s Verdict
• 29/06/2025 – Concerns Raised Over Eye Health of Jailed Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli
• 19/06/2025 – European Parliament Demands Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli’s ‘Immediate’ and ‘Unconditional’ Release
• 16/04/2025 – GYLA Slams “Ineffective” Probe into Alleged Police Abuse of Mzia Amaghlobeli

When the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) convened its annual summit this year, two South Caucasus countries were noticeably absent from its inner circle. Azerbaijan and Armenia, both aspiring to at least observer status, faced obstacles not from Moscow or Beijing but from the regional rivalry between India and Pakistan.

This…

78% of Georgians believe losing visa-free travel to the EU would be damaging, while 51% would blame the ruling Georgian Dream government and Bidzina Ivanishvili if it happens, a recent poll by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) suggests, as Georgians brace for losing a vital benefit due to recent democratic backsliding.

CRRC conducted the poll with phone calls on August 8–12 among 1,333 Georgian adults. The results, published September 4, carry a margin of error of 1.56%.

According to the findings, 78% of respondents said suspending EU visa-free travel would be damaging, 3% saw it as beneficial, and 14% said it would make no difference.

If the EU suspends visa-free travel for Georgians, 51% would deem Georgian Dream and its founder Bidzina Ivanishvili responsible, with the figure higher among young people and Tbilisi residents, while 13% would blame the EU and 5% the opposition.

The poll also found that 22% of Georgians have used visa-free travel at least once since it took effect in 2017, with the figure higher among people aged 18–34 (33%) and lower among middle-aged respondents (23%) and older people (12%).

The poll also found strong support for EU membership, with 78% of Georgians in favor – 58% completely backing accession, and another 20% being more for than against it.

The Georgian government had until the end of summer to report to the European Commission on its implementation of eight recommendations required to retain visa-free travel with the EU. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry reported back to the European Commission, with a Brussels source recently telling RFE/RL Georgian Service the response failed to address the EU’s concerns.

Georgian Dream members have repeatedly argued that the Commission’s conditions, especially calls to repeal the Foreign Agents Law and anti-LGBT legislation, were imposed by the “European bureaucracy” under “Deep State” diktat to pressure the government and ran counter to the traditions of the small nation.

The GD leaders have also downplayed the risks of Georgians losing their main EU perk, suggesting that giving up what they called “not existential” and merely a “comfort” would only mean returning to embassy queues – a price they claim is negligible compared with “peace” and “stability.” The critics argue there is too much to lose, including family ties of those who emigrated, growing economic contribution through remittances, and access to life-saving healthcare.

“If it comes to a choice between peace and stability or visa liberalization, of course, we will prioritize peace and stability,” GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said in July.

Also Read:

• 01/09/2025 – Georgians Brace for Loss as EU Visa-Free Deadline Passes

78% of Georgians believe losing visa-free travel to the EU would be damaging, while 51% would blame the ruling Georgian Dream government and Bidzina Ivanishvili if it happens, a recent poll by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) suggests, as Georgians brace for losing a vital benefit due to recent democratic backsliding.

CRRC conducted the poll with phone calls on August 8–12 among 1,333 Georgian adults. The results, published September 4, carry a margin of error of 1.56%.

According to the findings, 78% of respondents said suspending EU visa-free travel would be damaging, 3% saw it as beneficial, and 14% said it would make no difference.

If the EU suspends visa-free travel for Georgians, 51% would deem Georgian Dream and its founder Bidzina Ivanishvili responsible, with the figure higher among young people and Tbilisi residents, while 13% would blame the EU and 5% the opposition.

The poll also found that 22% of Georgians have used visa-free travel at least once since it took effect in 2017, with the figure higher among people aged 18–34 (33%) and lower among middle-aged respondents (23%) and older people (12%).

The poll also found strong support for EU membership, with 78% of Georgians in favor – 58% completely backing accession, and another 20% being more for than against it.

The Georgian government had until the end of summer to report to the European Commission on its implementation of eight recommendations required to retain visa-free travel with the EU. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry reported back to the European Commission, with a Brussels source recently telling RFE/RL Georgian Service the response failed to address the EU’s concerns.

Georgian Dream members have repeatedly argued that the Commission’s conditions, especially calls to repeal the Foreign Agents Law and anti-LGBT legislation, were imposed by the “European bureaucracy” under “Deep State” diktat to pressure the government and ran counter to the traditions of the small nation.

The GD leaders have also downplayed the risks of Georgians losing their main EU perk, suggesting that giving up what they called “not existential” and merely a “comfort” would only mean returning to embassy queues – a price they claim is negligible compared with “peace” and “stability.” The critics argue there is too much to lose, including family ties of those who emigrated, growing economic contribution through remittances, and access to life-saving healthcare.

“If it comes to a choice between peace and stability or visa liberalization, of course, we will prioritize peace and stability,” GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said in July.

Also Read:

• 01/09/2025 – Georgians Brace for Loss as EU Visa-Free Deadline Passes

Despite the vigorous competition, this is the worst article about Georgia I have ever read.

It reads like satire – but it is not: https://t.co/hitkQWOwUf

— Bryan Gigantino (@bryan_gigantino) September 4, 2025

81 Followers, 27 Following, 71 Posts – Bill Immell (@billimmell) on Instagram: “Owner BKI Specialties LLC, Custom Laser Engraved Products, Adam’s Polishes Distributor, Adam’s Polishes Certified Detailer”

Opinion: Opinion | Pakistan First? Then Azerbaijan Should Stop Complaining About India  NDTV