Day: May 25, 2026

A “Council for Monitoring Russophobia” has been established as a “public initiative” in Georgia to identify and analyze “discrimination, hate speech, and anti-Russian rhetoric in the public space,” Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik said on May 22. According to the outlet, the initiative was launched by the NGO “Eurasia Institute,” with the founding meeting in Tbilisi attended by linguists, political scientists, and public figures.

Citing organizers, Sputnik said the council will collect information on facts it deems as “manifestations of Russophobia,” ranging from “the spread of false information about Russia and distortion of historical events” to “discrimination on language and ethnic grounds.” Monitoring will reportedly cover legislative acts, public statements, publications, and actions by individuals and legal entities.

Sputnik also noted that a group is being formed within the council to provide legal assessments of identified cases and prepare complaints if necessary. Reports on its work are expected to be published every three months.

The council, according to the report, will pay particular attention to events and statements made after February 2022 [Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine], when, according to the organizers, the number of anti-Russian statements and demonstrations in Georgia “increased significantly.”

Also Read:

• 18/05/2026 – Georgia to Establish Interior Ministry Unit to ‘Systematically Monitor’ ‘Hate Speech’ in Public Spaces
• 13/05/2026 – Russia’s Kalugin Says EU Policy ‘Stumbled’ Over Georgia, ‘Pragmatism Prevailed’ in Tbilisi
• 12/05/2025 – Pro-Kremlin Group in Georgia Reportedly Starts Campaign for Restoring Russia Ties

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