Day: March 24, 2026
Wider Europe Briefing: The EU’s Plan To Defeat Russia In Armenia And Belarus After US Potash Sanctions Lifted Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Opinion on the Patriarch of Georgia
According to political analyst Gia Khukhashvili, there is no one left in Georgia who can compare to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, whom he described as the last unifying authority for the public. He said that following the Patriarch’s death, the country’s unity faces even greater risks, as Ilia II was among the few figures capable of navigating highly complex political tensions.
Khukhashvili also said that all of Georgia’s presidents, including Mikheil Saakashvili, should have attended the Patriarch’s funeral.
Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II was buried on Sunday, 22 March 2026, at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi. After five days of mourning, the country bid farewell to a figure who for nearly half a century shaped the direction of the Church and, often, of society as a whole. His funeral became a major historic event and a display of collective emotion.
Gia Khukhashvili said:
“Yesterday marked a turning point in Georgia’s history. After the Patriarch’s death, the country’s unity faces even greater risks, because he was a figure who could navigate very complex political battles, playing the role of a mediator.
In modern Georgia, there is no one left who can call for reconciliation and dialogue — he was the last authority in the country.
Bishop Shio may be a very intelligent person, but he does not yet have the status or experience of a church leader. He does not command the same level of authority as Ilia II. For his words to carry weight and significance, he must first build that authority.
In recent years, when the Patriarch no longer seemed able to fully control the situation, certain problems emerged within the Church, including political bias, interference in politics — largely in favour of the government — and various public statements. Clearly, this was not in the Patriarch’s style.”
“It is clear that Saakashvili is in prison, and that this is unacceptable. I do not hold him in high regard either, but he was the president of this country and worked in tandem with the Patriarch. If he had been brought to the funeral, what would have happened? Especially as the authorities said there would be no security risks.
Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Margvelashvili, Salome Zourabichvili, and the wife of Zviad Gamsakhurdia should have been there. The Patriarch runs as a leitmotif through the history of these figures in Georgia. For nearly half a century, he bore the heavy cross of our sins and has now passed into the Kingdom of Heaven burdened by them, and the people with whom he led this country, in sickness and in health, should have been there, at least symbolically.”
Opinion on the Patriarch of Georgia
Azerbaijan recorded a decline in electricity generation in the first two months of 2026, driven by reduced output from both thermal and hydropower plants. As reported by AzerNEWS, according to the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan, electricity production at thermal power plants reached 3.708 billion kWh in January-February 2026. This represents a decrease of…
Great news. It will affect not only #Armenia but also entire #SouthCaucasus 🇦🇿🇦🇲🇬🇪🇪🇺
— Mammadov Riad (@Mamedov1703) Mar 24, 2026
Azerbaijan exported 4,569 tons of hazelnuts in January–February 2026, enerating $57.66 million in revenue, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports. This marks an increase of 524 tons in volume and a twofold rise in value compared to the same period last year, highlighting strong performance in one of the country’s key non-oil export sectors.
During the reporting period, hazelnut exports accounted for…
Sentence of Elene Khoshtaria
Tbilisi City Court has sentenced opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria to 18 months in prison for writing “Russian Dream” with a marker on an election poster of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.
Judge Giorgi Arevadze delivered the verdict, saying the charges were supported by video footage broadcast on television, as well as testimony from a security officer involved in the case.
Khoshtaria did not attend the court hearing and has denied any wrongdoing. She was arrested on 15 September 2025 after refusing to pay bail of 5,000 lari set by the court as a preventive measure.
The case is linked to an incident on 14 September 2025, when Khoshtaria wrote the words “Russian Dream” with a marker on a banner near the campaign office of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze. She later shared a video of the act on social media, saying it was a gesture of solidarity with activist Megi Diasamidze, who had been arrested for a similar action and later released on bail.
Prosecutors charged Khoshtaria under Part 1 of Article 187 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which concerns damage to property causing significant harm. The offence carries a sentence of between one and five years in prison.
It is also notable that on 12 March 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution titled “The case of Elene Khoshtaria and political prisoners under the Georgian Dream regime” by 438 votes to 37.
The resolution condemns what it describes as the “systematic persecution” of political opponents, journalists and activists by the Georgian Dream authorities, and calls for the immediate release of Elene Khoshtaria and others detained “on political grounds” in connection with recent protests in Georgia.
Sentence of Elene Khoshtaria