Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted two drones targeting the Ras Tanura oil refinery in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province on Monday, according to Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki al-Maliki in remarks to Al Arabiya, AzerNEWS reports.
Month: March 2026
The Anti-Corruption Bureau, a public body established in 2022 as part of EU-recommended reforms, was officially abolished on March 2, with its functions absorbed by the State Audit Office.
The decision was first announced in November 2025 by disputed Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, who argued that the Bureau’s responsibilities, including “collecting and monitoring the asset declarations of public officials, political parties and non-governmental organizations,” would “fit better” within the State Audit Office, which he described as a “higher and more independent constitutional body.”
Alongside the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Personal Data Protection Service has also been abolished as a separate body, with its functions likewise absorbed by the State Audit Office.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau, established under the European Commission’s fourth recommendation for Georgia’s EU candidate status, faced persistent criticism over what was widely described as a lack of independence and its use to target civil society organizations. Its sole head, Razhden Kuprashvili, appointed by then-PM Irakli Garibashvili, was widely seen as loyal to the ruling party.
In a farewell social media post, Kuprashvili praised the Bureau’s work, saying it has introduced a system that “made the assets of thousands of public officials visible, strengthened whistleblower protection, updated the national strategy, and showed the public that corruption is not invincible.”
In 2025, the bureau carried out a series of inspections of dozens of civil society and media organizations, as well as individuals, under several controversial laws, in what was widely considered political targeting of independent and government-critical groups.
In June, eight CSOs reported receiving court orders for inspections under the Law on Combating Corruption, the Law on Political Associations, and the Law on Grants. In August, seven CSOs said they were instructed to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which they refused, arguing the law did not apply to them.
In September, up to 30 organizations also reported receiving inspection requests under the Law on Grants, which they described as unlawful, noting they had not signed new grant agreements or amended existing ones since legislative changes entered into force.
In October, inspection requests were sent to at least six media groups and individual activists, requiring them to provide records of activities dating back to April 16, a day before the amendments to the Grants Law took effect, and to disclose their bank records.
Also Read:
Gold has never been merely a commodity quoted on a trading screen. Across centuries, it has served as a barometer of anxiety — a quiet but powerful indicator of war, instability, and systemic doubt. In recent days, reports of Iran being bombed in the Middle East sent gold soaring to a record $5,400 per ounce. This was not simply a technical market fluctuation. It was a psychological reflex deeply embedded in the architecture of global finance.
Categories
США продолжают атаки на Иран
The Georgian Dream government stated on March 2 that it is following ongoing military actions in the Middle East with “deep concern,” extending condolences to both Iran and Israel, and expressing solidarity with Gulf countries.
Conflict in the Middle East is widening after the U.S. carried out airstrikes alongside Israel against Iran on February 28, followed by Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the region, targeting U.S. military bases, among others. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, along with other senior officials. Israel began attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon early Monday as Iran’s strikes continue across Gulf countries.
“The Government of Georgia is following with deep concern the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, which threaten the security and well-being of every country in the region,” the March 2 statement said.
It then extended condolences first to “the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” saying “the ongoing hostilities have claimed the highest number of lives there, including the supreme leader, other political leaders, numerous innocent civilians, and dozens of children.”
It then extended condolences to “our friend, the Jewish people and Israel, for the loss of civilian lives resulting from the hostilities.”
The statement then expressed “full solidarity” with Gulf Arab countries, stressing that Georgia maintains “distinguished partnership” with them.
“We hope that peace will be restored in the Middle East in the near future, for which hostilities should be replaced by diplomacy and political dialogue.”
The statement concluded that the Georgian government will take “all necessary measures” to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region and protect their interests.
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze wrote on X on March 1 that he had spoken by phone with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, “expressing sincere solidarity and hope for lasting peace.” Kobakhidze added that he conveyed his “deep appreciation for the exceptional friendship between Georgia and the UAE and reaffirmed our strong and growing partnership.”
The UAE, which has been among the targets of Iran’s retaliatory strikes, has become a key partner for the Georgian Dream government, especially after Emirati firm Eagle Hills’ planned USD 6.5 billion investment project in Georgia, a project that is promoted by Georgian Dream but has faced criticism and concern from government critics.
Before the call, Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said on late February 28 that it was “closely monitoring” the situation in the Middle East with “deep concern,” emphasizing the importance of diplomatic efforts toward “de-escalation.”
Tbilisi Mayor and key Georgian Dream figure Kakha Kaladze has been stranded in Abu Dhabi, where he reportedly celebrated his birthday, but is now unable to depart due to canceled flights caused by the conflict.
Also Read: