Day: February 17, 2026

Levan Davitashvili, Georgia’s former Economy Minister under the Georgian Dream government, and Giorgi Chikovani, former general director of the state-owned Georgian Gas and Oil Corporation, have been summoned for questioning by the Anti-Corruption Agency in the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG).

The SSSG confirmed media reports and told Civil.ge on February 17 that the two are being questioned “as part of an ongoing investigation into a contract signed with one of the major oil companies.” The agency did not provide further details.

Davitashvili served as economy minister from 2022 until June 2025, when Mariam Kvrivishvili replaced him and now holds the post. He was appointed chief adviser on economic affairs to Georgian Dream PM Irakli Kobakhidze and secretary of the Economic Council, a coordinating body chaired by the prime minister.

Davitashvili also chairs the board of Black Sea Petroleum, which operates the Kulevi oil terminal on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. The oil terminal has recently come under scrutiny for its possible role in facilitating Russian oil exports.

This is an ongoing story and may be updated.

Also Read:

• 12/01/2026 – Ex-Prime Minister Garibashvili to Serve Five Years in Prison After Plea Deal
• 23/07/2025 – Georgian Dream Resignation Streak: Who Left and Why
• 26/04/2025 – Davitashvili Visits United States, Participates in World Bank, IMF Spring Meetings
• 25/04/2025 – Davitashvili Stresses “Positive Agenda” in Relations with New US Administration
• 01/04/2025 – GD Minister of Economy Davitashvili Meets with US Ambassador Dunnigan

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No visa, no paperwork needed for Indians: Armenia opens travel doors to expatriates across Gulf, US, Euro  Times of India

Azerbaijan exported 11.915 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Türkiye in 2025, marking a 3.8% increase compared to 2024, according to a report by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), AzerNEWS reports.

Niko Kvaratskhelia murder case

The brothers Davit and Guram Kakulia, along with Besarion Zhvania, the son of Georgia’s late former prime minister Zurab Zhvania, have been charged with organising the deliberate murder of 22-year-old Feedc online platform founder Niko Kvaratskhelia in September 2021.

According to the прокуратура, Zhvania will be placed on a wanted list, and within the legally established timeframe prosecutors will apply to the court to have him remanded in custody as a preventive measure. The Kakulia brothers are already serving sentences in a separate case.

Prosecutors allege that the Kakulia brothers planned the killing in revenge for the 2001 death of their father, reputed crime boss Davit Kakulia. At the time, responsibility for the “liquidation” of the criminal authority was attributed to Niko’s father, Gia — also described as a crime boss.

According to the prosecution, the Kakulia brothers shared their plan with Besarion Zhvania, who then began searching for those willing to carry out the murder.

Niko Kvaratskhelia was a 22-year-old programmer and the founder of Georgia’s first social platform, Feedc. He was widely seen as having a promising future in the IT sector.

The killing took place on 15 September 2021 on Anjaparidze Street in the central Vera district of Tbilisi. Niko was shot around ten times near his car. CCTV footage showed that the gunman had been waiting for him and opened fire in broad daylight in a busy area. Kvaratskhelia died after being taken to hospital.

For five years, Niko’s mother, Izo Omadze, has been demanding that those who ordered the killing be brought to justice. Several days ago, she announced plans to hold rallies to press those demands.

According to the investigation, Zhvania approached his associates Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze, proposing that they carry out the group murder of Kvaratskhelia on behalf of the Kakulia brothers. They agreed.

The indictment states that in July and August 2021, Chelidze and Kaviladze travelled several times to Armenia, where Davit and Guram Kakulia were staying, in order to receive instructions and plan the organisation of the killing.

Later, in early September, the Kakulia brothers allegedly crossed Georgia’s state border illegally, according to the prosecution. Investigators say Besarion Zhvania was aware of this and provided them with accommodation in a house owned by his family on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue.

According to prosecutors, Chelidze and Kaviladze regularly visited that address, and the Kakulia brothers gave them a mobile phone to maintain communication.

The prosecution has also released video footage which, it says, supports the version of events set out in the indictment.

Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze have already been found guilty of the deliberate murder of Kvaratskhelia, as well as the illegal acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms and ammunition. They were sentenced to 17 and 16 years in prison respectively.

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Polish President Karol Nawrotski has said he is a strong supporter of Poland joining a nuclear project, citing the country’s security environment and regional threats, AzerNEWS reports.