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Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has called the EU Delegation’s statement on the cancellation of an EU-backed cultural festival in Gori “shameful,” accusing Brussels of encouraging hatred and promoting “hate speech.” Earlier today, the EU Delegation expressed regret over the cancellation of the festival and said the EU has supported Georgia’s cultural sector for 30 years. Papuashvili said Georgian media and the public had been asking questions for a week about the planned event, but EU Ambassador Paweł Herczyński had not responded. He accused the ambassador of reacting only after musician Kordz posted about the cancellation. “This shows where the EU Delegation stands in terms of values,” Papuashvili said, claiming that the Delegation was effectively defending offensive language under the banner of freedom of expression. He attacked the EU statement’s reference to cultural heritage and free expression, saying it amounted to mockery of Georgian society. “Paweł Herczyński is telling us that publicly insulting the mothers of the majority of the population is Georgian cultural heritage,” Papuashvili said. “If his standard is that insulting mothers is freedom of expression, then we will take that into account. It is shameful.” He added that the EU Delegation’s statement was “direct incitement of hatred” and accused HHerczyńskiof showing “how he views the Georgian people.”

An EU-backed cultural festival event in Gori has been cancelled after what musician Alexandre Kordzaia, known as Kordz, described as a Georgian Dream-driven intimidation campaign and threats of violence that created serious security concerns. Kordz was scheduled to perform at Gori Art House as part of the Kamara festival, held within Creative Compass Georgia, a four-year EU-funded project co-funded by the Goethe-Institut Georgia and implemented with the Danish Cultural Institute. The musician said the concert could no longer go ahead because there were no security guarantees following “attacks and threats” from local authorities, Georgian Dream members and pro-government media. Kordz later said Gori’s local municipality had threatened the venue with “angry people” unless his performance was cancelled. The Danish Cultural Institute said the festival could not be held as planned “for security reasons” and postponed it. The cancellation followed a week-long campaign by Georgian Dream figures and pro-government outlets, with particular pressure directed at EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński. Pro-government media publicly pressed Herczyński to explain why an EU-backed project had selected Kordz. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili went further, accusing the EU of funding “fascist ideology” in Georgia and saying Brussels had to decide whether it was “complicit” in insulting the majority of Georgians or would distance itself from Kordz’s actions. Pro-government and UK-sanctioned Imedi TV reported today that the concert was cancelled following “outrage in society.” Georgian Dream has targeted Kordz over his role in arranging the protest song Ole Ola, associated with anti-government demonstrations.

Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has accused the EU of funding “groups with fascist ideology” in Georgia, after being asked about an EU-backed cultural festival featuring a performance by a popular electronic music artist Kordz. The question concerned Creative Compass Georgia, a festival focused on culture and creative industries. It is primarily funded by the EU, co-funded and implemented by the Goethe-Institut’s Georgian branch, with the Danish Cultural Institute also involved. As part of the programme, Kordz, a vocal critic of Georgian Dream, is scheduled to perform on September 26 at Gori Art House, an independent cultural space. Papuashvili claimed that “authors of fascist slogans” were being funded with EU money, calling this “encouragement of extremism, radicalism and fascism in Georgia.” He did not specify which lyric or slogan he considered fascist. His remarks appeared to refer to an anti-government protest chant that became popular during demonstrations that began after Georgian Dream halted Georgia’s EU accession process on November 28.

Georgia’s exports to Iran increased by *747%* in January–August 2026 compared with the same period last year, rising from *$19 million to $162 million*, according to data from Georgia’s National Statistics Office. The main driver of the surge was passenger cars. While Georgia exported only *10 cars* to Iran in January–August 2025, that number rose to *7,360 cars* in the first eight months of 2026. Passenger cars accounted for around 80% of Georgia’s total exports to Iran. In monetary terms, car exports to Iran increased from less than $300,000 in January–August 2025 to $129 million in the same period of 2026, making Iran Georgia’s third-largest market for car re-exports. After cars, ferroalloys were Georgia’s second-largest export category to Iran, worth $18 million. Timber, polymers and tobacco products each exceeded $1 million. Imports from Iran changed only slightly, rising from $167 million to $169 million. The largest import category was facing tiles, worth $18 million.

The European People’s Party says it is “deeply concerned” over the arrest of Giorgi Baramidze, another leader of Georgia’s opposition United National Movement, calling the case politically motivated. The EPP called on Georgian authorities to stop the political persecution of the pro-Western opposition and release Baramidze, as well as other political prisoners in Georgia. “The party expresses deep concern over the politically motivated detention of another leader of the United National Movement, Giorgi Baramidze, who for many years has been an active defender of Georgia’s European aspirations,” the EPP said. The group said Baramidze’s personal contribution to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration was well known, both during his time in government and in opposition. Baramidze was arrested at his home on September 11 at around 6 p.m. Prosecutors have charged him under the article on sabotage and are seeking pre-trial detention.

Georgia’s State Audit Office has launched monitoring of the Tbilisi School of Political Studies over an alleged grant received without government approval. The Audit Office said its financial transparency department had opened the monitoring process over the school’s possible receipt of a grant without the consent of the Georgian government. The agency said it would act within its legal powers, including under Georgia’s Law on Grants, and would examine relevant documents and question people who may have information about the case. The Tbilisi School of Political Studies was founded in 1999 as a non-governmental organisation and operates under the auspices of the Council of Europe. Its stated aim is to promote democratic culture in Georgia and help form young European-minded leaders for civil and public life. Georgian Dream Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused the Council of Europe of bypassing Georgian law, saying that if confirmed, it would be a “catastrophic scandal” for the Council’s local office.

Russian Security Council Secretary and former defence minister Sergei Shoigu has accused the West of interfering in the domestic politics of Georgia and Armenia, while praising recent remarks by Georgian Dream parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili. Speaking at a meeting of the Russian Security Council’s scientific-expert council, Shoigu claimed that Western countries were “openly and unceremoniously” trying to interfere in the political situation in the South Caucasus. “We can see this in Transcaucasia not only in the example of Armenia, but also Georgia,” Shoigu said. He also cited Papuashvili’s recent statement that escalation between Georgia and Russia might be in the interests of Germany or Lithuania, but not Georgia. Shoigu said Papuashvili had spoken “very clearly and sensibly” and pointed to growing trade between Russia and Georgia. He said Moscow was ready to help develop economic and humanitarian ties between the two countries. Papuashvili recently said: “Escalation with Russia is not in our country’s national interest. It may be in the interest of Germany or Lithuania for Georgia to enter into escalation with Russia, but, sorry to everyone, our interests are above theirs.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said that Georgians and Russians “missed each other,” describing Moscow’s removal of visa restrictions for Georgian citizens as a long-awaited development. Zakharova made the comments in an interview with Russian state media while discussing the International Youth Festival held in Yekaterinburg on September 11–17. She said that although Russia and Georgia do not have official diplomatic relations, trade, economic and humanitarian ties are actively developing. “We welcome everyone. We really missed each other — that is the most accurate word,” she added. Zakharova also praised tourism links, saying Russians are well received in Georgia and that Russia likewise welcomes visitors from Georgia for tourism, humanitarian, economic, business and international events. According to organisers, around 10,000 young people from nearly 190 countries took part in the Yekaterinburg festival, including participants from Georgia. Their identities, number and organisational affiliations have not been made public.

Ukrainian nationalist figure Mykola Karpiuk, who fought on Georgia’s side during the war in Abkhazia and was awarded the Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali, has been killed while fighting Russian forces in Ukraine. Karpiuk, 62, died on September 19 on the Zaporizhzhia front. He was a co-founder of UNA-UNSO, the Ukrainian National Assembly–Ukrainian People’s Self-Defence, whose volunteers fought alongside Georgian forces during the Abkhazia war. Karpiuk also fought in Abkhazia, where he was wounded, and in 1993 received Georgia’s Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali, third class. Karpiuk also took part in major Ukrainian protest movements, including “Ukraine without Kuchma,” the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. During the Maidan uprising, he joined the far-right Right Sector movement. In 2014, Karpiuk was abducted by Russian security services near the Russian border in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region. In 2016, a Russian court sentenced him to 22 years and six months in prison, accusing him of killing Russian citizens during the Chechen war — allegations he denied. He was released in September 2019 as part of a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. After his release, Karpiuk said he had been systematically tortured in Russian prison.

On day 660 of Georgia's uninterrupted protest, traditional march moves from Avlabari metro station. 📹 Publika

Georgian IT specialist Giorgi Kvitsaridze, who allegedly obtained videos showing police officers beating and torturing detainees, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison on drug charges. In June, TV Pirveli’s Nodar Meladze’s Saturday aired footage showing brutal police beatings. The channel reported that the videos had been filmed by officers themselves and shared in a group chat, which Kvitsaridze allegedly accessed in order to expose them. His mother, Eter Kvitsaridze, says police planted drugs on him because of the videos. She handed several files to TV Pirveli and said dozens more remain on her son’s computer, allegedly showing even worse abuse, including burning detainees with cigarettes and stripping them naked. After TV Pirveli aired the investigation preview, Georgia’s Interior Ministry confirmed the footage was authentic, saying it was recorded in 2022 and involved three Imereti police officers deployed to Kobuleti. The ministry said the crime was uncovered only in February 2026 and the officers were arrested by prosecutors.

Three imprisoned protesters regarded by critics as political prisoners have had their five-year sentences reduced after plea deals with Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office. Doctor Giorgi Chakhunashvili and Zakro Albutashvili admitted guilt and expressed remorse, prosecutors said. Chakhunashvili was sentenced to three months in prison and three years of probation and was released from the courtroom. Albutashvili’s sentence was reduced to one year in prison and three years of probation. A third convict in the same October 4 case, Nika Gventsadze, also received a plea deal reducing his sentence to one year in prison and three years of probation. The case concerns events near Georgia’s presidential palace on October 4, when Georgian Dream authorities accused protesters of trying to seize a strategic state facility and participating in group violence. The plea deals come as Georgian Dream officials openly argue that detainees should admit guilt to receive leniency — a practice critics describe as pressure on imprisoned protesters and political prisoners to “confess.”

The European Union says it does not recognise the so-called presidential election held in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia on September 18, saying the vote has no legal force. In a statement issued on behalf of the EU, the High Representative Kaja Kallas said Brussels does not recognise the constitutional or legal framework under which the vote was held, including recent changes introduced by the Russian-backed authorities. The EU also condemned what it described as Moscow’s efforts to install a Russian official as the de facto president of the occupied region. It expressed concern over the May 9 so-called treaty on “deepening allied cooperation” and said Russia was trying to consolidate control by integrating South Ossetia into Russian political, military, economic and judicial structures. “These measures run counter to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and constitute steps toward the future illegal annexation” of the occupied region, the statement said. The EU said such actions deepen division, threaten regional security and stability, and violate international law. Brussels reaffirmed its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and called on Russia to stop actions undermining Georgia’s territorial integrity.

Russian monarchist oligarch Konstantin Malofeev has praised Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze after he said the ruling party’s goal was to fight “Russophobia” at its roots. Writing on Telegram, Malofeev called Kobakhidze’s remarks “the most pleasant and wise words” to come from Tbilisi in the 21st century. “While neighbouring Armenia betrays itself, Georgia is choosing political realism,” Malofeev wrote, describing this as “state wisdom.” Malofeev, a pro-Kremlin Orthodox businessman close to Eurasianist ideologue Alexander Dugin and known as a financier of Russia’s war effort in Donbas, framed Kobakhidze’s statement through Russia’s imperial reading of Georgian history. Malofeev also claimed that Russia and Georgia remain spiritually bound by Orthodox Christianity and now face a common enemy: the “global West,” which he said threatens their shared faith, traditions and identity. Kobakhidze had earlier said Georgian Dream’s goal was to fight “Russophobia” “in its infancy” — rhetoric that has increasingly echoed Moscow’s own language about critics of Russian influence and occupation.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has commented approvingly on the Georgievsk volunteer unit created by former Georgian Dream prosecutor general Otar Partskhaladze to fight on Russia’s side against Ukraine. Speaking at a September 15 briefing, Zakharova said the unit’s name immediately reminded her of the 1783 Treaty of Georgievsk, which she described as a historic choice by King Erekle II to ally with the Russian Empire. “The treaty became salvation,” Zakharova said, claiming it allowed Georgia to preserve its religion, culture and people at a time when the country’s existence was under threat. Zakharova also claimed that Russians and Georgians are “allies” today, including in what she called the struggle to defend family, traditional spiritual values, culture and children from “destructive ideology.” Her remarks come after U.S.-sanctioned former Georgian prosecutor general Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze announced the creation of the “Georgievsk” volunteer unit to fight against Ukraine on Russia’s side. Another formation named after Georgian monk Father Gabriel Urgebadze is also reportedly taking part in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russian media have reported that Georgian pro-government pundit Besik Danelia has provided assistance to that unit.

Georgian Dream MP Aluda Ghudushauri has lashed out after he and several other ruling-party lawmakers accidentally voted in favour of an opposition bill seeking to repeal repressive laws. On September 15, several Georgian Dream MPs, including Irakli Kirtskhalia, Tea Tsulukiani and Ghudushauri, voted for a bill submitted by Gakharia – For Georgia. The ruling party later explained the vote as a “technical error.” Asked whether he had pressed the green button, thereby voting in support of the bill, Ghudushauri replied: “Against the enemies of the people of this country, I will press not only my finger, but other things too.”

Georgian developers are preparing to launch marketing for Trump Tower Tbilisi, a planned 70-storey skyscraper that would become Georgia’s tallest building, The Wall Street Journal reports. According to the report, Georgian investment firms signed a branding deal with the Trump family company in May. The project is part of a broader wave of new foreign Trump-branded developments, as the Trump Organization has resumed overseas deals during Donald Trump’s second presidency. The tower is planned for Tbilisi and is being promoted as a luxury mixed-use project. Earlier reporting said it would include residences, retail space and hotel-style amenities, with design by Gensler and backing from Georgian real-estate firms Archi Group and Biograpi Living. WSJ framed the project against Georgia’s worsening relations with Washington and Brussels, noting that the country has cracked down on dissent while moving closer to Russia. It described the Trump Organization as “undeterred” by that shift

Georgian Dream says it will ask the Constitutional Court to ban former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia’s opposition party, Gakharia – For Georgia, adding it to an existing lawsuit against several opposition groups. Parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia said the new claim would be filed this week, accusing Gakharia’s party of “destructive actions” and refusal to recognise Georgia’s constitutional order. Georgian Dream is already seeking to ban the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia–Lelo the Federalists. The move may also extend the political and legal show around the party-ban case. Under Georgian law, the Constitutional Court has up to nine months to consider such claims. Adding a new party technically restarts the clock — as happened earlier when Georgian Dream added the Federalists to the lawsuit. Critics see the lawsuit as part of Georgian Dream’s broader campaign to neutralise the opposition. It is also widely understood as a bargaining chip in possible negotiations with Washington: Georgian Dream could withdraw or soften the party-ban case while seeking acceptance of other moves consolidating its rule, including on political prisoners and repressive legislation.

Gela Geladze has resigned as head of Georgia’s State Security Service, becoming the third chief of the agency to leave the post in a short period. Geladze, previously Minister of Internal Affairs, is expected to become deputy interior minister, according to Georgian media reports. Geladze was appointed head of the State Security Service on April 22, 2026. Before that, he served as interior minister from May 2025.

Tetritskaro District Court judge Vladimer Khuchua has dismissed a case against a citizen accused of petty hooliganism over a Facebook comment, in a rare act of judicial pushback against the government’s expanding crackdown on online speech. Khuchua terminated the proceedings, saying the Interior Ministry had failed to prove that the Facebook profile belonged to the accused citizen or that the citizen had written the disputed comment. The case was brought by the Interior Ministry’s new unit for combating “hate speech,” which monitors social media and prepares administrative offence reports. Khuchua said recognizing a Facebook profile or photo is not enough to establish authorship, since profiles can be created using another person’s name or image. He stressed that the state must prove guilt and that citizens are not required to prove their innocence. The judge also noted that such cases can lead to up to 20 days in detention or heavy fines, meaning the authorities must meet a high evidentiary standard. The ruling stands out as Georgian Dream authorities increasingly use administrative cases to punish citizens, activists and journalists over Facebook posts and other online criticism, including through jailing authors - another escalation in Georgian Dream’s campaign of crackdown on dissent.