On April 30, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Greco-Roman and freestyle …
Day: April 30, 2026
Contract killings for Russia in the EU
A joint operation by Ukrainian law enforcement and partner countries uncovered a Europe-wide criminal network that investigators say was financed and coordinated by Russia. The group is accused of planning serious crimes, including contract killings. Among the 13 people detained are citizens of Georgia.
According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, Russian intelligence services have tried to organise violent operations in European Union countries through intermediaries since August 2024.
One of the main areas of activity was Lithuania, where the group targeted a Russian dissident granted political asylum and a Lithuanian citizen known for supporting Ukraine. Investigators say the group carried out covert surveillance and gathered detailed information on the targets’ movements.
The network included dozens of people from several countries, including Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Moldova and Greece, showing its wide geographic reach and a high level of coordination.
According to prosecutors, members of the group were often recruited through intermediaries, and some had prior convictions. Funding moved through covert channels, using forged documents and bank accounts opened in other people’s names.
Authorities in Lithuania have charged 13 people. Nine are already in custody, and Interpol has issued arrest warrants for four others. Some suspects have already been extradited from other countries.
At a later stage of the investigation, authorities uncovered a broader range of the network’s activities across Europe. These included plans for sabotage, efforts to gather intelligence on military facilities and equipment intended for Ukraine, as well as preparations for provocations, including arson attacks on infrastructure.
Contract killings for Russia in the EU
Georgia recorded 1.2 million visits by international visitors in the first quarter of 2026, down 0.2% year-on-year, while the number of international visitors was 994,800, up 2.5% compared to the same period last year, with visitors from Russia accounting for the largest share at 20.3% (202,400), according to data published by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) on April 30.
“International visitor” is defined as a traveller aged 15 and above who came to Georgia for less than a year, excluding certain categories such as those travelling for employment purposes. The number of “international non-resident travellers,” a broader category encompassing everyone moving between different geographic locations for any purpose and any duration, stood at 1.3 million, down 1.1% compared to the same period last year.
In the reporting period, international visitors made 997,500 tourist-type visits, which, according to Geostat, is 4% higher compared to the same period of the previous year.
85.6% of international visitors were “only tourists,” meaning they stayed at least one night in Georgia, while 11% were “only excursionists” who did not include an overnight stay. According to Geostat, 3.3% of visitors were both tourists and same-day visitors.
By the number of visitors, those from Russia accounted for the largest share at 20.3% (202,400 visitors), followed by Turkey at 18.5% and Armenia at 11.8%.
By the number of visits, Turkish citizens recorded the highest number (238,400 visits), followed by Russians (230,700) and Armenians (160,500).
Visitors aged 31-50 made up 47.4% of the total, while women accounted for 38.2%.
Holiday, leisure, and recreation were the main purposes of visits, cited by 46.5% of travelers. Tbilisi and the coastal region of Adjara were the most visited destinations, receiving 698,600 and 306,000 visits, respectively.
Total spending by international visitors reached GEL 2.2 billion, down 5.2% year-on-year. Average spending per visit declined by 5.1% to GEL 1,897.1 (about USD 705).
Also Read: