The files we follow: Armenia-Azerbaijan relations; Georgia between Russian influence and Western aspirations; Georgia/Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflict; South Caucasian energy, trade and transport issues; Human rights in the South Caucasus.
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Judicial repression and political tensions
Political tensions in Georgia have escalated following a wave of judicial repression against pro-European activists. On 10 January, Judge Ketevan Jachvadze of the Tbilisi City Court ordered the pre-trial detention of 11 demonstrators arrested during a pro-European rally in December and charged them with participating in group violence. The next day, Judge Irakli Khuskivadze also denied bail to eight other protesters, extending their detention until March. These court rulings have sparked fresh protests in Tbilisi and Batumi, where demonstrators have adopted the slogan ‘Police everywhere, justice nowhere’.
Amid growing repression, the director of the Batumelebi newspaper, Mzia Amaglobeli, was arrested on 12 January and accused of assaulting a police officer. Her continued detention, upheld by the Kutaisi Court of Appeal, has sparked widespread outrage among journalists and civil society groups, who denounce an environment of political persecution. Transparency International – Georgia and ISFED have expressed concern over the mass dismissal of civil servants who support European integration and warned of increasing pressure on the media and activists.
Violence and social mobilisation
Tensions have also manifested themselves in physical attacks on political figures. On 15 January, Giorgi Gakharia, former prime minister and leader of the For Georgia party, and journalist Zviad Koridze were attacked in Batumi.
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