AGP Executive Report

EU Accession: The European Commission is due to publish its 2026 enlargement assessment today, as Georgia’s bid remains stalled. At a Brussels summit, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze blamed the EU for the impasse and defended plans to ban five opposition parties, but offered no clear path forward. October 4 Case: Opposition figures Murtaz Zodelava and Lasha Beridze have been released under plea deals, after serving 13 months of their three-year, one-month sentences. Both had originally received seven-year terms over the 2025 protest; Zodelava says he has no plans to return to politics. Animal Burial Investigation: The probe into suspected illegal killing and burial of dogs in Tbilisi continues. Mayor Kakha Kaladze drew criticism after saying five or six activists should be “put to sleep”; ruling-party figures later said he meant the phrase figuratively. Garibashvili Trial: Proceedings against former prime minister Irakli Garibashvili over a new corruption charge began behind closed doors. He has alleged he was tortured before the investigation began; prosecutors say they found no evidence of a crime in his claims.

EU Relations: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told a Brussels conference Georgia still seeks EU membership, saying he hopes the bloc will change. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze separately accused some European countries of backing unrest in Georgia. Garibashvili Case: The former prime minister’s lawyer says he was pressured to confess before an investigation began; prosecutors declined to open a separate inquiry, citing no elements of a crime. Garibashvili is also on trial in a second corruption case, with hearings closed to the public. Animal Welfare: A TV investigation alleged that shelter staff secretly buried dogs near Tbilisi. City Hall denies illegal killings, while police investigate; Kaladze drew condemnation after saying several activists should be “taken away and put down.” Media and Opposition: Bidzina Ivanishvili’s son Bera sued TV Pirveli and Formula over reports he calls defamatory. A court also extended the detention of opposition politician Georgy Baramidze, charged over remarks about the Abkhazia war.

Russia Ties: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says Georgia wants closer communication with Moscow, including on trade, economic and humanitarian issues. Garibashvili Trial: The former prime minister appeared in court for the first time as hearings began behind closed doors in his corruption case. He said he had faced psychological and moral pressure to confess. Animal Welfare: Authorities have opened an investigation into reports that dogs were illegally killed and buried near Tbilisi, prompting protests by animal-rights activists; the Animal Monitoring Agency called the burial claims false. Media Lawsuit: Bera Ivanishvili, son of Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, is suing TV Pirveli and Formula, seeking a retraction of reports he says were defamatory. Transport Links: Baku–Tbilisi train services are increasing to four daily trips, with fares reduced.

Garibashvili Trial: A Tbilisi court closed proceedings in the former prime minister’s bribery case, despite his call for a public hearing. He pleaded not guilty; his lawyer also urged an investigation into alleged psychological pressure on him. Prison Probe: Gldani Prison’s director was dismissed amid an investigation into the alleged beating of inmate Davit Peikrishvili; prison authorities have denied the assault. Animal Welfare: Georgia’s Interior Ministry is investigating footage that appears to show dogs being buried at a Tbilisi cemetery, as activists demand answers and City Hall rejects claims of mass killing. Georgia–Russia Ties: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the government aims to strengthen trade, economic and humanitarian links with Russia. Batumi Development: A report says a company linked to the family of Alliance Group’s founder offered money instead of handing the city a share of additional space approved for its coastal project. Regional Travel: Four daily Baku–Tbilisi train services began operating, adding seats and lower-priced tickets.

Garibashvili Case: The former prime minister is due at Tbilisi City Court as proceedings begin on bribery charges. He has separately received a five-year sentence under a plea deal in a money-laundering case. Animal Welfare: Activists protested in Tbilisi after footage appeared to show dogs being buried at Veli Cemetery. The Interior Ministry opened an investigation into possible animal cruelty; City Hall’s monitoring agency says the burial process was legal and denies claims of deliberate mass killings. South Ossetia: Georgian citizen Gela Berianidze was detained after crossing the boundary and released the next day, with help from the EU Monitoring Mission’s hotline. Tbilisi Business: AI home-tech company CASABOT has opened a regional headquarters in the capital, backed by a Georgia Innovation and Technology Agency programme. International Sport: More than 1,000 fighters from over 70 countries are in Tbilisi for the IMMAF World Championships, running through November 7.

Animal-Welfare Probe: Georgia’s Interior Ministry opened a cruelty investigation after footage showed dog burial sites near Tbilisi. Activists rallied for accountability and humane stray-animal policies; City Hall and the Animal Monitoring Agency deny deliberate killings and say the burial process was lawful. Tbilisi Protests: Demonstrators marched for the 703rd consecutive day against Georgian Dream, calling for political prisoners to be released. Georgia–Azerbaijan Ties: The two countries pledged closer trade, energy and transport cooperation during talks in Georgia; bilateral trade has risen 42%. Public Safety: Police are investigating a reported clash involving about 20 teenagers near Tbilisi’s East Point shopping centre.

Protests and Politics: On day 703 of daily demonstrations, marchers in Tbilisi rallied against Georgian Dream and Bidzina Ivanishvili, calling for political prisoners’ release. The Constitutional Court has paused hearings on a bid to ban five opposition parties until Nov. 9. Animal Welfare: Activists have asked prosecutors to investigate suspected illegal dog killings and burials near Tbilisi; the city’s Animal Monitoring Agency calls the claims false and says the matter has been referred to law enforcement. Regional Transport: Azerbaijan Railways is adding daily services on the Baku–Tbilisi route from Nov. 1, increasing seats by about 46% and adding lower-cost daytime journeys. Georgia–Azerbaijan Ties: The two governments discussed closer trade, energy and transport links; bilateral trade turnover has risen 42%. Medical Education: India’s regulator has given conflicting answers on whether graduates of Georgia’s six-year medical programs can qualify for India’s licensing exam, prompting warnings that consultants may mislead students.

Protests: A “Saturday March” in Tbilisi is heading toward Parliament under the slogan “Georgia Against Ivanishvili,” with participants calling for political prisoners’ release. Political Climate: Georgia’s Constitutional Court has suspended hearings on a possible ban of five opposition parties until November 9. Jailed opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria was transferred to a Tbilisi clinic. Animal Welfare: Activists have asked prosecutors to investigate suspected unlawful dog killings after footage appeared to show animal remains being buried near Tbilisi; they are seeking forensic tests and an official inquiry. Georgia–Azerbaijan Ties: The two countries’ prime ministers met in Signagi to discuss trade, energy and transport cooperation. From November 1, Azerbaijan Railways will add services on the Baku–Tbilisi route, bringing the total to four daily and offering daytime travel.

Georgia–Azerbaijan Ties: The countries’ prime ministers met in Tbilisi for economic cooperation talks, with trade, energy and transport on the agenda. A separate agreement between Georgia’s central bank and Bank of China aims to ease investor access to China’s interbank bond market. Politics and Protests: Demonstrations in Tbilisi entered their 702nd consecutive day, calling for political prisoners’ release and free elections. The Constitutional Court suspended hearings on a possible ban on opposition parties until Nov. 9; jailed opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria was moved to a clinic. Cities and Investment: A 152-room hotel developed by Azerbaijan’s PASHA Group opened in central Tbilisi, with reported investment of $68 million. City Hall also plans to rehabilitate Marjanishvili Square. Batumi: Besiktas will play its Europa League home match against Hapoel Beer-Sheva at Batumi Stadium on Nov. 26. Regional Connectivity: Turkic states’ Ankara summit put the Middle Corridor—linking China and Europe through Georgia—at the center of plans for closer transport and energy cooperation.

Opposition Crackdown: Georgia’s Constitutional Court paused hearings on the ruling party’s bid to ban five opposition parties until November 9, as demonstrators continued protesting in Tbilisi. Jailed opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria was transferred to a clinic, while rights groups called for an independent investigation into alleged abuse in prisons. Public Safety: A Tbilisi court remanded seven men accused of using fake profiles to lure and assault victims in a group linked by media to “pedophile hunters.” Regional Ties: Georgian and Azerbaijani leaders discussed expanding trade, energy and transport cooperation, including the Middle Corridor and Anaklia port plans. At a summit in Ankara, Turkic states backed an energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria. Batumi Development: A proposed 58-storey coastal tower has drawn scrutiny after reports that the developer obtained part of its site from the Adjara government. Accountability: Transparency International Georgia says 24 active public officials hold director positions in 30 companies, despite legal restrictions.

Georgia–Azerbaijan: Prime Minister Ali Asadov’s two-day visit culminated in talks in Signagi, where both leaders pledged to deepen trade, investment and economic cooperation. Opposition Case: The Constitutional Court has paused hearings on a bid to ban opposition parties until November 9; it will host its 30th-anniversary conference in Batumi on November 5. Protests: Demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi for a 701st consecutive day, demanding political prisoners’ release and a change in political course. Finance and Technology: At the Tbilisi Finance Summit, officials and international executives backed Georgia’s ambition to become a regional hub, citing its position between Europe and Asia and potential in digital finance. Public Safety: Police arrested a man after a Belarusian tourist said she was assaulted at Tbilisi Railway Station for speaking Russian. Batumi Region: More than a million raptors pass through the Batumi bottleneck each autumn, but conservationists warn that illegal hunting kills thousands.

Prison Health: Opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria was transferred from prison to a Tbilisi clinic for a medical check-up. European Parliament lawmaker Rasa Juknevičienė blamed Georgian Dream for her deteriorating health. Regional Diplomacy: Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov arrived for talks with Irakli Kobakhidze. A joint commission in Signagi is set to discuss trade, energy and Middle Corridor links. Kobakhidze also told the acting US ambassador Georgia is ready to rebuild ties “with a clean slate.” Tbilisi Projects: Mayor Kakha Kaladze says Rustaveli Avenue’s renovation will finish by the end of November. City Hall says Rike Park’s development application is incomplete and no construction project has been submitted, amid renewed debate over the site. Political Pressure: Journalist Dito Chubinidze was released on GEL 4,000 bail, while court hearings continued on a possible ban of five opposition parties. Anti-government protests have now lasted 700 consecutive days. Economy: Georgia reported 7.6% growth in the first eight months of 2026. The EU also announced €38 million in support for Georgian farmers and small businesses.

Tbilisi: Rustaveli Avenue’s rehabilitation is due to finish by the end of November, Mayor Kakha Kaladze says, apologizing for traffic disruption. Imprisoned opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria has been taken to a clinic for a scheduled check-up; her party says she remains unwell. Political Tensions: Protesters marked 700 days of continuous demonstrations in Tbilisi. Separately, an appeals court approved plea deals for four people convicted over the 2025 unrest near the presidential palace; they are expected to be released on Nov. 5. Hearings continue over a government bid to ban five opposition parties. Batumi Tourism: Georgia recorded about 4.4 million international tourist visits in the first nine months of 2026, a record for the period. Batumi’s airport expansion is expected to support efforts to attract visitors year-round. Economy & Support: Georgia’s economy grew 7.6% in the first eight months of the year, according to the prime minister. The EU says €38 million will go toward supporting Georgian farmers and small businesses.

Political Crackdown: An appeals court approved plea deals for four people convicted over the 2025 unrest at the presidential palace; they are due for release in November. Four others have sought similar agreements. Protests: Demonstrators in Tbilisi marked 700 consecutive days of action, demanding political prisoners’ release and a change in course. Opposition Ban: The Constitutional Court has resumed hearings on Georgian Dream’s bid to outlaw five opposition parties, a move opponents say would undermine political pluralism. Economy and Living Costs: The government says the economy grew 7.6% in the first eight months of 2026, while official figures show nearly one in four children lives below the poverty line. The EU has allocated €38 million to support Georgian farmers and small businesses.

Opposition Case: Georgia’s Constitutional Court in Batumi resumed hearings on a bid to ban five opposition parties and rejected a request to summon billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. Pro-European demonstrators continued their nightly protests in Tbilisi, reaching day 699. EU Support: The EU announced €38 million for Georgian farmers and small businesses, alongside $42 million for civil society projects, with no funding for the government. Russia Ties: Russian officials plan to inspect Georgian laboratories from November 2, amid a Russian ban on some Georgian drinks and uncertainty over export rules. Child Poverty: Georgia’s statistics agency says nearly one in four children lives below the poverty line. Football: Georgia captain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has had surgery for a torn ACL and faces a lengthy recovery.

Opposition Ban Case: Hearings resumed in Batumi on Georgian Dream’s bid to outlaw five opposition parties. The Constitutional Court rejected a request to summon founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, while admitting some materials submitted by the opposition. School Plot: Two 15-year-olds are in pre-trial detention over an alleged plan to attack a Tbilisi school; their families dispute the prosecution’s account. EU Support: The EU has allocated €38 million for farmers, small businesses, rural communities and support for women and girls, while withholding direct funding to Georgia’s government over democratic backsliding. Child Poverty: About 219,000 children—nearly one in four nationwide—receive subsistence assistance, including 22,668 in Adjara. Economic Outlook: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the economy grew 7.6% in the first eight months of 2026, as the government promotes Georgia as a regional financial and technology hub. Russia Trade: Russian inspectors plan to visit Georgia from November 2 to review fruit-safety laboratories, following Moscow’s suspension of some Georgian drink imports.