Day: February 13, 2026

The dispute between the Georgian government and the British broadcaster BBC is entering a legal phase after the ruling Georgian Dream party filed an official complaint and demanded the removal of a report that said chemical weapons were used to disperse protests in Tbilisi in late 2024.

An investigative article and documentary published on 1 December 2025 say evidence obtained by the BBC suggests the Georgian authorities may have used “kamite,” a chemical weapon from the First World War, to disperse anti-government demonstrations in Tbilisi.

The BBC says it has already responded to the complaint. A company spokesperson said the process is proceeding under established rules and that the broadcaster stands by both the facts presented in the documentary and its independent investigation into the authorities’ response to the protests in Tbilisi.

Amnesty International: probe “kamit” use in Georgia, impose police equipment embargo on the country

The organization criticizes the “hostile activity” charges brought against experts, witnesses, and human rights defenders who acted as BBC respondents

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said at a briefing on 15 January that, under procedures set out in UK law, the authorities first filed their complaint directly with the BBC. He added that if the broadcaster does not change its position, the next step will involve a complaint to Ofcom, the UK communications regulator. As a final measure, the Georgian authorities do not rule out taking the case to a British court.

Papuashvili said today that officials received the BBC’s formal response a few days ago. At this stage, lawyers are preparing a follow-up appeal under the second level of the broadcaster’s internal complaints procedure.

The dispute is unfolding against the backdrop of prolonged protests in Georgia and the authorities’ response, which have drawn international attention. The BBC investigation has become one of the sharpest international reports on the issue. The Georgian government’s response, through legal channels and public statements, suggests the matter has moved beyond a dispute with a media outlet and could reach British regulators and courts.

Former Georgian interior ministry officer confirms use of toxic chemical against protesters in Tbilisi

Lasha Shargelashvili: “It was tested in 2009 or earlier, but proved too toxic”

Georgian Dream vs BBC

State Department on US–Georgia relations

The United States seeks “constructive relations” with Georgia and expects “concrete steps” from Tbilisi to strengthen and advance bilateral ties, the US State Department told the Georgian outlet Netgazeti.

Netgazeti asked the State Department how Georgia’s relations with Iran could affect its bilateral ties with the United States and influence broader regional political developments.

How Georgian Dream seeks legitimacy in the West: meetings, statements and a disconnect with reality

Government strategy focuses more on formal dialogue than on carrying out real reforms

In a written response, a State Department spokesperson said Washington has been the “best partner” of Georgia and the Georgian people for 33 years. The US, the statement said, remains a “steadfast supporter” of the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On developments in the South Caucasus, the State Department said a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in which US President Donald Trump played a mediating role, creates “transformational opportunities” for the entire region. According to Washington, Georgia can contribute to this process and also benefit from the stability and prosperity the agreement may bring.

The State Department said it will continue to work with the Georgian government on issues that affect bilateral relations and the country’s domestic political environment.

The statement also stressed that the sides are discussing “concrete steps” Tbilisi can take to strengthen relations and demonstrate its commitment to progress.

Georgian Dream’s mouthpiece: ‘Trump is a warmonger, not a dove of peace’

Ideologue Zaza Shatirishvili urges Georgian Dream to tell the truth about the United States

State Department on US–Georgia relations

State Department on US–Georgia relations

The United States seeks “constructive relations” with Georgia and expects “concrete steps” from Tbilisi to strengthen and advance bilateral ties, the US State Department told the Georgian outlet Netgazeti.

Netgazeti asked the State Department how Georgia’s relations with Iran could affect its bilateral ties with the United States and influence broader regional political developments.

How Georgian Dream seeks legitimacy in the West: meetings, statements and a disconnect with reality

Government strategy focuses more on formal dialogue than on carrying out real reforms

In a written response, a State Department spokesperson said Washington has been the “best partner” of Georgia and the Georgian people for 33 years. The US, the statement said, remains a “steadfast supporter” of the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On developments in the South Caucasus, the State Department said a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in which US President Donald Trump played a mediating role, creates “transformational opportunities” for the entire region. According to Washington, Georgia can contribute to this process and also benefit from the stability and prosperity the agreement may bring.

The State Department said it will continue to work with the Georgian government on issues that affect bilateral relations and the country’s domestic political environment.

The statement also stressed that the sides are discussing “concrete steps” Tbilisi can take to strengthen relations and demonstrate its commitment to progress.

Georgian Dream’s mouthpiece: ‘Trump is a warmonger, not a dove of peace’

Ideologue Zaza Shatirishvili urges Georgian Dream to tell the truth about the United States

State Department on US–Georgia relations

Against migrants in Georgia

Prime minister from Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze, addressed the public in a video message on February 13. He said migration is one of the key issues “of particular concern to Georgian society” and announced tighter migration policies.

Kobakhidze stated that the government will strengthen the Interior Ministry’s migration department and “completely clear the country of illegal migrants” within several years.

He also stressed the need to protect the national and religious identity of Georgia’s citizens, citing official statistics on the number of foreigners and their economic contribution.

To America through Mexico – where, how, and why Georgian citizens are leaving

In search of a better life, thousands of Georgian citizens cross the US-Mexico border illegally

Official data and the speculation around it

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, preliminary census data show that Georgia has a population of 3,914,000, of whom foreigners make up at most 257,000, or 6.6%. This figure includes both legal and undocumented residents.

The prime minister said that, based on border-crossing data, about 70% of foreigners in Georgia are citizens of post-Soviet countries, EU states, as well as the United States and Israel. Among them, at least 40,000 are former Georgian citizens or people with Georgian surnames.

Kobakhidze added that citizens of Turkey and Iran account for no more than 0.7% of the population, which he said contradicts “widely spread speculation.”

The statement also stressed that the number of migrants from Gulf countries — including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait — is insignificant.

Opinion: ‘They declared war on everyone — from EU to local NGOs’

David Zurabishvili: “They have already crossed the line beyond which even fragile stability could be maintained with the resources available.”

Foreign students and the economy

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, about 37,000 foreign students are studying in Georgia, most of them citizens of India. He said there are also “significant numbers” from Jordan, Israel, Sudan, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and Egypt.

Official data show that one foreign student pays an average of 15,500 lari per year in tuition and spends another 16,300 lari (about $6,000) in the country.

Altogether, their contribution to Georgia’s economy is estimated at around 1.2 billion lari (about $450 million). According to the prime minister, this translates into roughly 300 million lari (about $112 million) in annual budget revenues and supports more than 10,000 jobs.

Kobakhidze said foreign students do not affect the country’s demographic picture because “they leave Georgia immediately after receiving their diplomas.”

Why more foreign students choose to study in Georgia: stories and statistics

Georgia has about 188,000 students in total, with foreign students accounting for 20%.

Tightening policy and deportation plans

Irakli Kobakhidze said the situation in this area “is not as bad as some politicians claim,” but acknowledged that “much still needs to be improved” in immigration policy.

He stated that over the past year the migration department has deported more illegal migrants than in the previous ten years combined.

According to the government, more than 20,000 illegal migrants are still currently in Georgia.

Kobakhidze also noted that starting March 1, foreign employment has been significantly restricted by law, and the government will fully enforce these rules. He also recalled the 2017 constitutional amendment banning the sale of agricultural land to foreigners.

A large part of the prime minister’s message focused on protecting national and religious identity, which he called “one of the most important national tasks.”

Drift away from West and rising emigration: what AI predicts for Georgia in 2026

We asked ChatGPT, Grok, Claude AI, DeepSeek AI, and GigaChat what lies ahead for Georgia in 2026.

Context

Migration has become a particularly sensitive issue in Georgia in recent years, especially after the liberalization of the visa regime with the European Union. As a result, both emigration and immigration have increased.

Since 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of Russian citizens have temporarily moved to Georgia, triggering negative reactions in society and becoming a major topic of domestic political debate.

Migration is often linked to concerns about economic competition, the labor market, and cultural identity.

News in Georgia

Russia pushes back hard against prospect of US-built nuclear plant in Armenia  Reuters

Russia is considering restoring rail links with Georgia via the territory of occupied Abkhazia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told reporters, as quoted by TASS.

“Work is underway to unblock all disrupted routes in the Caucasus, including the possibility of restoring rail service between the Russian Federation and Georgia through Abkhazia,” Overchuk said.

He added that restoring the route is important for addressing the “major task” of “strengthening transport and logistics in the Caucasus,” which is “critically important for the peace, stability and economic prosperity of the peoples of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Russia.” “We expect constructive cooperation from all regional states in addressing this important shared task,” Overchuk said.

While Georgian authorities have not commented on Overchuk’s statement, Georgian Railway said on February 13, “There are no discussions within Georgian Railway about resuming railway traffic between Russia and Georgia. Therefore, it is unclear why this issue has been placed on the agenda.”

The statement follows reports that a new transit hub near the Enguri bridge, which links Abkhazia with the rest of Georgia, is nearing completion.

Astamur Akhsalba, identified in local media as director of a “Transit and Logistics Company” and head of the Abkhaz branch of the “Assembly of the Peoples of the World,” said the project, based on a 2010–2011 customs deal with Moscow, could serve Iran, India, and Azerbaijan and is about 80% complete. Tbilisi has distanced itself from the reports.

Note: This article was updated on February 13 at 15:45 to include a statement by Georgian Railway.

Also Read:

• 03/05/2025 – Russia Launches Direct Flights to Occupied Abkhazia
• 17/01/2013 – Saakashvili Against Reopening Railway via Abkhazia

Shower – Separate Wireless Internet Linen and Towels Provided Linen Provided Hairdryer Tea/Coffee Making Evaporative Air-conditioning Iron/Ironing board Heating Desk Television Air conditioned Queen Bed Non-Smoking Free on street parking Private room with a queen bed, ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, free WiFi internet access, smart TV, tea and coffee making facilities. Free street parking.

Georgia  Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Sochi court remands seven Abkhazians into pre-trial detention in absentia  OC Media

Examples of this font can be found on the font site exFont, include the number of glyphs 328 characters. You can find other similar fonts, or fonts in the same family as this font right below.