April 17, 2026 - The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.com

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) said on April 17 that its chief, Mamuka Mdinaradze, along with two deputies and the head of the intelligence service, is on a “working visit” to the Czech Republic.

“Meetings were held with the heads of the Czech Republic’s security services on security-related issues,” the agency said, without providing further details.

The report on the visit comes a day after Georgia’s pro-government Imedi TV claimed that Igor Blaževič, a senior adviser at the Prague Civil Society Centre, is developing a “revolutionary scenario” for the Georgian opposition and conducted “more than 10 trainings” for them, where he also gave “specific instructions.”

Imedi also said the SSSG was “already aware” of “planned unrest” that is “currently in development,” that the agency had received information on the alleged activities from “international colleagues,” and that it was initiating a “legal response.”

Civil.ge has asked the SSSG whether the visit is related to Imedi TV’s reports on Igor Blaževič. The article may be updated.

Below is the weekly digest of key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as those concerning Tbilisi–Moscow relations.

Sokhumi

Committee Votes Against Lifting Immunity of MP Kan Kvarchia

In the de facto parliament, the so-called Committee on State-Legal Policy voted against the Prosecutor General’s request to lift the immunity of MP Kan Kvarchia. Only one committee member, Alisa Gularia, supported the motion, while seven voted against and two abstained. The final decision will be taken by de facto MPs during a plenary session, with committee chair Daut Khutaba noting that parliament is required to consider the matter within one week.

The case relates to an incident that occurred on November 5, 2025, at the office of Russian political consultants working in Sokhumi ahead of “local elections.” Kvarchia, deprived of Russian citizenship, is wanted in Russia and faces charges of armed robbery against three Russian nationals. The Abkhaz de facto authorities have stated that they will not extradite their “citizens” to Russia but have launched their own investigation into the case. Several opposition figures have already been placed under house arrest.

Sochi Residents Expelled from Abkhazia After Photo with Georgian Flag

The de facto State Security Service of Abkhazia has reported the detention of Sochi residents Nina Bronik and her son, Timur Ugurov, followed by their expulsion from the territory. Bronik and Ugurov arrived in Sokhumi on April 10 in a private vehicle. At the city entrance, they took photographs with a Georgian flag.

In video footage later released by the agency, Bronik states that she lived in Abkhazia until 1993 and was traveling to visit relatives. Her son described taking the photo as a “careless” act. Both apologized, stating that they “did not intend in any way to offend the Abkhaz people”, “hurt their national feelings,” or “call into question the sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia”. According to the de facto Security Service, the two left Abkhazia “after a preventive conversation.”

This is not the first such incident. In 2025, a Russian citizen of Georgian ethnicity, Otar Kobakhidze, was expelled after visiting Sokhumi with his daughter and stating in a video that he had “returned to his homeland after 33 years”. In 2024, Russian businessman Erast Bukia visited Gantiadi, where he had lived before the 1990s armed hostilities. After stating that he would return once Georgia’s territorial integrity was restored, he was also expelled from Abkhazia.

De Facto Authorities Press Ahead with Railway Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation works on the Sokhumi-Ochamchire railway section are nearing completion. The project is comprehensive and includes rail replacement, installation of reinforced concrete sleepers, switch installation, track alignment, and ballast laying. Repair works are also ongoing at railway stations. Notably, one of the roundtables at the so-called Economic Forum recently held in Sokhumi focused on the development of a transport corridor to Armenia via Abkhazia, including the restoration of the railway connection.

Abkhazia Introduces Ban on Foreign Taxi Drivers

In Abkhazia, “foreign nationals” will be prohibited from working as taxi drivers following amendments to the relevant “legislation” adopted by the de facto parliament. Implementation of the new restrictions is now expected from the so-called Cabinet of Ministers, which had previously been unable to introduce such measures independently, as under existing legislation, this authority rests with the legislative body.

According to unofficial reports, foreign nationals, primarily citizens of Central Asian countries, make up nearly half of drivers in some taxi services. The issue gained political attention in September 2025, when local taxi drivers staged a strike in Sokhumi, refusing to accept orders and demanding restrictions on migrant employment in the sector, arguing that foreign drivers were reducing their income. Following the adoption of the decision, concerns have been raised that the restrictions could lead to higher fares and a decline in service quality.

It remains unclear whether the new regulations will affect Georgian residents of the Gali district who do not hold so-called Abkhaz passports. In the absence of a specific exemption, they are expected to fall under the general provisions.

New Armed Clash Between De Facto Officials Reported

An incident involving representatives of the de facto authorities reportedly occurred during celebrations marking Tkvarcheli City Day. According to social media reports, a confrontation broke out between a member of the de facto parliament, Astamur Gerkhelia, and the so-called Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Beslan Chkadua, both being under the influence of alcohol.

The altercation, according to the reports, initially involved a verbal exchange, during which Gerkhelia accused Chkadua’s father of desertion, and the situation further escalated when a handgun was fired. No injuries have been reported. As of now, de facto law enforcement agencies have not yet commented on the incident.

Tskhinvali

Gagloev Awards Participants of Russia-Ukraine War

Alan Gagloev, the leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, held a meeting with participants in what they call “special military operation” [Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine] and presented them with “state awards,” local news agency RES reports. Gagloev praised the “courage and heroism” of the Ossetian fighters and thanked them for their loyalty and dedication to their military duty. He also acknowledged the losses among the region’s population and promised to remember the names of those who died.

‘Demonstration’ Exercises Involving Russian Military Personnel Take Place in Tskhinvali

Tskhinvali de facto leader Alan Gagloev attended “demonstration” comprehensive tactical and specialized exercises with live-fire drills held at the “Dzartsem” training ground, involving all units of the region’s de facto “Ministry of Defense,” local news agency RES reports. Crews of combat vehicles from the 4^th Military Base of the Russian Ministry of Defense, stationed in the region, also participated in the exercises. The exercise scenario included reconnaissance, maneuverable ambushes, fire strikes, the transition from defense to counterattack, and the use of unmanned systems and new types of weaponry. Gagloev noted the “high level of training” of the military personnel and the effectiveness of inter-unit coordination, specifically highlighting the use of UAVs. He expressed gratitude to Russia as a “strategic partner” for its significant support of the “South Ossetian army” and announced plans to resolve the issue of salaries for defense ministry employees.

Gagloev Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Syria

Tskhinvali de facto leader Alan Gagloev sent a congratulatory telegram to the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day, expressing readiness to expand bilateral cooperation, local news agency RES reports. Gagloev noted that “South Ossetia highly values Syria’s principled stance as a sovereign state that respects the right of peoples to self-determination.” He highlighted the efforts of Syria’s new leadership to restore peace, territorial integrity, and the economy following the conflict. “We are open to expanding bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest,” Gagloev stated. Syria recognized Georgia’s occupied territories as independent states in 2018, and has yet to withdraw recognition despite regime change and appeals from Tbilisi.

Gagloev Affirms Tskhinvali’s Commitment to Partnership with Tiraspol

Gagloev also stated in a congratulatory message addressed to Vadim Krasnoselsky, the leader of the self-proclaimed “Transnistrian Moldovan Republic,” that the latter “demonstrates unwavering commitment to defending the republic’s sovereignty, strengthening its economic potential, and improving the well-being of the people,” local news agency RES reports. Gagloev appreciated his contribution to the development of fraternal relations between Tskhinvali and Tiraspol. In his congratulatory message, Gagloev reaffirmed the importance of the “strategic partnership” and expressed confidence in the further development of cooperation.

Moscow-Tbilisi

Zakharova: EU Membership Would Add Georgia to Russia’s List of ‘Unfriendly’ Countries

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that if Georgia were to join the European Union, Russia “would have” to include it on the list of countries with “unfriendly regimes” and extend to it “retaliatory economic measures.” She made the comment during an April 16 press conference in response to a question about how EU membership would affect Russia-Georgia relations. “I am not saying that we want to do this, but given the new EU requirements, Russia would have to include Georgia in the list of countries with unfriendly regimes and extend to it our retaliatory economic measures, with all the ensuing consequences for Georgian producers of wine, mineral water, fruits – everything that is supplied to our country,” she said. More here.

Tsargrad Links Incident Involving Georgian Nationals to Impunity

An article by the Russian propaganda outlet Tsargrad cited an incident that occurred in St. Petersburg in December 2023, when two Georgian nationals beat up Vitaly Pavlovsky, a veteran of the so-called “special military operation” [Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine], after he reprimanded them for parking incorrectly. Despite public outcry, the investigation has been ongoing for over a year, and the attackers remain at large. The authors view this as an attempt to “drag the case out.” Against this backdrop, Pavlovsky’s story is portrayed as a struggle against not only bureaucracy but also the impunity surrounding the assault case.

Lenta.ru: Dmitry Nagiyev Plans Paid Travel Camp in Georgia Costing about $20,000

In a report by Lenta.ru, the topic of Georgia appears in the context of a commercial project by Russian actor and TV personality Dmitry Nagiyev. As noted in the article, according to the Telegram channel Mash, Nagiyev plans to hold a paid travel camp in Georgia costing about 2 million rubles (about $20,000–$22,000) per participant. The program involves gathering participants in Tbilisi and traveling to a mountain hotel, where recreational and educational activities are planned, including a cultural program featuring a Georgian choir. Nagiyev himself, however, will participate remotely, connecting via video link only occasionally. The camp is scheduled for the summer, with Georgia serving as the key location for the event.

In recent years, Nagiyev has settled in Dubai, where he leads a more private and quieter lifestyle. In 2026, it was reported that he had purchased a luxury apartment there on Palm Jumeirah. He also works there periodically (master classes, projects), while retaining real estate in Russia – an apartment in Moscow and a house in the Moscow region.

Georgia Among Top Destinations for Russian Families During May Holidays

According to RIA Novosti, Georgia has entered the top ten most popular international destinations for Russian families with children during the May holidays of 2026. As noted by the online booking service Ostrovok, demand for trips abroad accounts for about 20% of all family bookings, with the greatest interest focused on CIS countries and neighboring nations. Georgia is mentioned alongside Belarus, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and “Abkhazia.” Experts attribute the destination’s popularity to its visa-free regime, transport accessibility, and focus on sightseeing and family vacations. The average cost of a night abroad for families is estimated at 13,600 rubles (about $131–$150).

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