Georgia
Former Georgian president Saakashvili gets a further 4.5 years in prison for illegal border crossing
Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia from 2004-13, has been found guilty of illegally crossing the Georgian border in September 2021 and sentenced to four years and six months in jail by the Tbilisi City Court.
Southeast Europe erupts in weekend of protests
Protests in Serbia, Georgia and Hungary reflect mounting discontent over corruption and democratic backsliding, while Romanians turn out to show commitment to EU values in face of rising far right.
INTERVIEW: Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s fifth president
Zourabichvili lays out the complex reality of Georgia’s ongoing political crisis, and explains how the country has become a testing ground for both Russian hybrid interference and Western diplomatic intervention.
Georgian ex-president Saakashvili given nine years in prison for embezzlement
An extra three years are expected to be tacked onto Mikheil Saakashvili’s original six-year sentence, meaning he will now not be eligible for release until late 2030.
BALKAN BLOG: Being a Trump fan isn’t enough to get US support
Some right-wing Emerging European leaders have gained vocal backing from the US, but efforts by Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and the Georgian Dream party to demonstrate their pro-Trump credentials have been largely ignored.
Georgian prime minister doubles down on commitment to develop Middle Corridor during visit to Central Asia
Irakli Kobakhidze's visits to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, with a particular focus on connectivity.
Council of Europe reports dramatic decline in press freedoms in Georgia
Georgia’s decline was characterised by “escalating violence against journalists, restrictive legislation and political interference” says 2024 press freedom report.
Central Asia and Caucasus are some of the most hazardous places to drive in the world
Traffic-related deaths and injuries taking an economic toll.
Kremlin-backed candidate wins Abkhazia presidency in runoff vote
Badra Gunba claimed victory over his opponent Adgur Ardzinba in the second round of the presidential election in the Russia-backed Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia.
Emerging Europe’s Ukraine critics unleashed by Trump’s attack on Zelenskiy
Leaders of Bulgaria, Georgia and Hungary back Trump in row with Ukrainian president and slam Europe's handling of the war.
Humanitarian crisis in western Georgia as heavy snowfall continues
Heavy snow has been falling across Georgia for seven days, with the western mountainous regions of Guria and Adjara on the Black Sea Coast particularly affected.
EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation
Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.
Fitch warns over political and geopolitical risks to South Caucasus sovereign ratings
Political and geopolitical developments that heighten external vulnerabilities and policy weaknesses in the South Caucasus are exerting a significant influence on the sovereign credit profiles of the region’s countries, rating agency says.
Georgia’s surging art imports fuel speculation over Ivanishvili’s offshore tax exemption
Many politicians and analysts in Georgia suspect Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili is behind the $480.7mn of art works imported into Georgia in January.
Detained Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli ends hunger strike after 38 days
Amaglobeli is among hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Georgia since November 28 when countrywide, nightly demonstrations began in response to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s suspension of EU accession talks.
Former Georgian president and opposition members egged on return from Munich
Salome Zourabichvili called on Georgia’s Western partners for a stronger reaction to increasing domestic repression and hostility by the ruling Georgian Dream party during Munich Security Conference.
Abkhazia presidential election goes to runoff after no candidate secures majority
Kremlin-backed Badra Gunba will face opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba in the second round.
European Parliament calls for sanctions on top Georgian officials
MEPs pass crucial resolution on Georgian political crisis, urge EU not to recognise Georgia Dream government.
Nationwide poll shows majority of Georgians blame ruling party for political crisis and support ongoing protests
Over 75% of Georgians blame the ruling Georgian Dream party for the current crisis, according to a public opinion survey by the Institute for Social Research and Analysis.
Georgia’s ruling party launches commission to probe former ruling UNM
Georgian Dream accuses UNM officials, specifically the party’s founder and leader Mikheil Saakashvili, of “systemic crimes” including provoking the August 2008 war with Russia.