Tbilisi shaken: Georgia’s turbulent week

Domestic political decisions, court proceedings and social developments have been at the forefront of the Georgian media this week.

TodayPress TV reports that one of the most widely discussed issues was the government’s decision to shut down the state agency responsible for managing grants.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze described NGOs as an “artificial phenomenon” and said their main purpose was to interfere in the affairs of other states. The move was criticized by opposition and civil society representatives.

Another major development was the sentencing of former State Security Service chief Grigol Liluashvili to 13 years in prison. The court found him guilty of large-scale bribery offences.

On international issues, extensive coverage was given to a US court’s ruling ordering Georgia to pay $350 million in connection with the Namakhvani hydropower project. The arbitration decision concerning the suspension of the project sparked discussions in the country.

In the social sphere, a mass poisoning incident at 20 kindergartens in Tbilisi also made headlines. Fifty-five children and one teacher sought medical attention with symptoms of poisoning. An investigation has been launched, and classes have been suspended at several kindergartens.

The appointment of Georgia’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan was also covered by the media during the week.

Giorgi Zakarašvili was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. He previously served as Georgia’s ambassador to Ukraine and as the country’s permanent representative to GUAM. Zakarašvili will officially take up his post on October 1, replacing Zurab Pataradze. Pataradze currently serves as Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The Georgian leadership stressed that the new ambassador’s work will be important for further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Another major development was the suspension of air links with Iran. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the decision was related to US sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines starting September 8. Among them were companies that had previously operated flights to Tbilisi and Batumi. Kobakhidze noted that Georgia does not impose bilateral sanctions against neighbouring countries but takes international sanctions regimes into account. He said the same approach had previously been applied in relations with Russia.

Turkan Isgandarli