Strategic Analysis Caucasus Brief

Review of February 2026

Tomáš Baranec 

Armenia

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Armenian bishops reaffirm loyalty to Catholicos, condemn government persecution of Armenian Church

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against seven more clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with a ban on leaving the country selected as a preventive measure in early February. The seven clergy members are accused of failing to execute a court ruling or obstructing its enforcement through the use of official authority or influence, reported OC Medaia.

The case falls within the framework of proceedings concerning Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, who had filed a lawsuit against the Church seeking to be reinstated as Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese, a position from which he had been dismissed earlier in January. Saroyan was among the senior clergy members who had called on the Catholicos of the Church, Garegin II, to step down. Saroyan was never reinstated; instead, Garegin II defrocked him on January 27 over the lawsuit challenging his dismissal. Two days later, a new criminal case was opened against the seven clergy members. All seven were summoned as suspects to the Investigative Committee on January 31.

On February 14, Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s office opened a criminal case against His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and barred him from leaving the country two days before a Bishops’ Synod scheduled to take place in Vienna. “The prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal case against the Catholicos of All Armenians, and the investigator has attempted to question His Holiness,” said attorney Ara Zohrabyan. Zohrabyan explained that the Catholicos is accused of obstructing the execution of a judicial act, a case in which six high-ranking clergymen of the church were charged weeks ago, thus making it impossible for them to participate in the Vienna conference.

This unprecedented move by Armenian authorities came a day after Pashinyan stated that the reason the Bishops’ Synod was being held in Vienna was that they wanted to relocate the Catholicosate and take its treasures outside of Armenia. Pashinyan said, convening the meeting of bishops outside Armenia is part of a process aimed at strengthening what he described as a “puppet Catholicosate” in the hands of certain forces, to be used as a tool against Armenia. “I will not allow this. Armenia is not going to remain an observer. The reaction will be very tough. We will redirect the attention of those who have their eyes on the treasures of Etchmiadzin, hidden under the mask of benefactors, in a completely different direction. If additional measures are needed, they will be taken,” Pashinyan warned.

The Prime Minister made the threats in response to a statement issued by eight prominent members of the Armenian communities in the United States and Europe who denounced Pashinian’s continuing attempts to depose the Catholicos. Nevertheless, the Bishops’ Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church, convened on February 17-19 in Saint Polten, Austria, without the Catholicos’ presence. In its statement, the assembly recorded condemnation that “due to unfounded criminal prosecution, the departure of the Armenian Patriarch and our six brother bishops from Armenia and their participation in this venerable gathering of great importance in the life of the Church were blocked”.

The statement also urged the release of detained clergy and those “who have spoken out in defence of the Church”, an apparent reference to Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who is currently under house arrest. The assembly brought together bishops from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. Messages were also sent by Aram I of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Nourhan Manoukian, and Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Sahak Mashalian.

The statement was also signed by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, who previously called for Catholicos Garegin II to step down and backed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s church reform agenda aimed at ousting the Catholicos. Derderian is the primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, one of the largest dioceses in the diaspora. By signing the adopted statement along with 24 other high-ranking clergy members, Derderian “reaffirm[ed] his loyalty to the Mother See and the Catholicos”.

Sources:

  • BARSEGHYAN Arshalyus, OC Media, “Armenia investigates seven more clergy members”, https://oc-media.org/armenia-investigates-seven-more-clergy-members/

  • Asbarez.com, “UPDATED: Prosecutors Mount Criminal Case Against Catholicos Karekin II, Bar Him from Leaving Armenia”, https://asbarez.com/prosecutors-mount-criminal-case-against-catholicos-karekin-ii-bar-him-from-leaving-armenia/

  • News.am, “Armenian Apostolic Church bishops’ statement: We call on authorities to stop persecution of the Church”, https://news.am/eng/news/931454.html

  • Zartonk Media, “Armenian Bishops Reaffirm Loyalty To Catholicos, Condemn Government Persecution Of Armenian Church, and Call For Release Of Detained Clergy”, https://zartonkmedia.com/2026/02/20/armenian-bishops-reaffirm-loyalty-to-catholicos-condemn-government-persecution-of-armenian-church-and-call-for-release-of-detained-clergy/

  • BARSEGHYAN Arshalyus, OC Media, “Pro-Pashinyan archbishop appears to turn on prime minister”, https://oc-media.org/pro-pashinyan-archbishop-appears-to-turn-on-prime-minister/

Pashinyan proposes third-country takeover of Armenian railways from Russia

On February 13, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that a country with “friendly relations” with both Russia and Armenia could “purchase the concession management rights” of Armenia’s railways, which are currently under Russian management. He suggested this as a solution to Armenia losing its “competitive advantage” by having international routes pass through the country, reported OC Media.

Management of Armenia’s railways was transferred to South Caucasian Railway, a subsidiary of Russian Railways, in 2008 as part of a 30-year concession agreement. Pashinyan first publicly raised the issue of Russia’s negative impact on railway management in February, in an interview with Public TV. When asked which countries could fit the role, Pashinyan named Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Qatar, but added that it was not an exhaustive list.

Previously, Pashinyan stated that there were “two competing options” for the continuation of the Trump Route, intended to connect Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory. One is a project announced by Turkey and Azerbaijan to build a new line from Kars, Turkey, to Nakhchivan. The other option is via Armenia, from Yeraskh to Akhurik, where an existing railway requires restoration. Armenia, as Pashinyan revealed in December 2025, had asked Russia to “urgently address” the full restoration of these two railway sections.

During the same press briefing on February 13, Pashinyan “welcome[d]” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksei Overchuk’s recent statement that Russia had “decided to begin substantive negotiations” with Armenia on the restoration of two sections of the country’s railway. Meanwhile, Pashinyan insisted that “there’s nothing to negotiate”, considering that, according to him, the sections asked to be restored only covered a roughly 4-kilometre stretch of railroads. He further stressed the urgency of the restoration. “By the time we do this, the alternative railway will be built, and we will say, Oh, Armenia was bypassed again. No, there’s nothing to negotiate — let us build it first, then we can negotiate”, Pashinyan said as cited by OC Media.

However, according to Overchuk, the requested sections of the restoration were 1.6 kilometres and 12.4 kilometres in length. Russia dismissed Pashinyan’s calls for an end to Russian management of Armenia’s railway network as “bizarre” on February 18. Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said that Russian Railways (RZhD) has consistently fulfilled its contractual obligations and made “significant” investments in the Armenian rail network. “The Russian operator is a structure that does not deprive the republic of competitive advantages but actually creates them,” she told a news briefing in Moscow.

Pashinyan announced plans to try to end Russia’s control of the Armenian railway four days after meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Yerevan for talks focused on the planned opening of a US-administered transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave via Armenia. Analysts see the transit arrangement as another blow to Russian presence in Armenia, noted Azatutyun.am.

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Vance promotes peace corridor in historic first visit by US Vice President to Armenia

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Armenia on February 9 for talks on further consolidating a peace process with Azerbaijan, becoming the first sitting US Vice President or President to visit the country. Vance met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan before heading to Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, as Washington seeks to advance a trade corridor that would reshape the South Caucasus.

“We are not just making peace for Armenia. We are also creating real prosperity for Armenia and the United States together,” Vance said at a joint news conference with Pashinyan. Vance announced an 11 million USD (9.2m EUR) sale of US drone technology to Armenia, and the two leaders signed a civil nuclear energy agreement.

Pashinyan called the visit “truly historic” and said he had “great hope” that US President Donald Trump would “rightfully” receive the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process. In the nuclear energy agreement, the US pledged 9bn USD (7.5bn EUR) in potential investment.

Armenia has relied on Moscow for both energy and security since its independence from Russia in 1991. The Armenian nuclear facility is operated by Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom, and nuclear fuel for the plant is imported from Russia.

The Armenian nuclear power station, also known as Metsamor, has a 416-MW (net) pressurised-water reactor, Armenian-2, that went into commercial operation in 1980. Another unit, Armanian-1, was permanently shut down in 1989. Both units were supplied by Russia.

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Armenian intelligence denies ties to Bahruz Samadov

In response to a media inquiry, the Armenian Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) has denied having any ties with Azerbaijani researcher and peace activist, Bahruz Samadov. The response was sent to Armenian journalist Zhirayr Voskanyan on February 6. Voskanyan had asked the FIS to confirm or deny one of the grounds for the charges against Samadov — namely, claims that he had been “recruited” by three Armenian women who were purported agents of an Armenian intelligence service.

The FIS responded that it “has not had and does not have any connection with the persons mentioned in the inquiry, including the citizens of […] Azerbaijan”. This marks Yerevan’s first official statement regarding the charges against Samadov, who was sentenced to 15 years in jail on charges of treason in June 2025, roughly a year after his initial detention, noted OC Media. Before his arrest, Samadov was an outspoken advocate for peace with Armenia.

Sources:
  •  BARSEGHYAN Arshaluys, OC Media, “Armenian intelligence denies ties to Bahruz Samadov”, https://oc-media.org/armenian-intelligence-denies-ties-to-bahruz-samadov/

Azerbaijan

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War in Iran spills over Azerbaijani border

On March 5, the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan was targeted by a drone strike from Iran. Azerbaijani authorities said one drone had fallen on the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, which is about 10 km across the border from Iran, and another drone had landed close to a school building in a nearby village. One was downed by the Azerbaijani army, and another hit civilian infrastructure. Four people were injured as a result of the attack. “We will not tolerate this unprovoked act of terror and aggression against Azerbaijan. Our Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare and implement appropriate retaliatory measures,” President Ilham Aliyev told a meeting of ​his Security Council.

The general staff of Iran’s armed forces said it had not carried out the attack and pointed the finger at Israel. Yet, Iran has long expressed concern that Israel – a close ally of Azerbaijan and a key arms supplier – could use Azerbaijani territory to stage attacks. Nevertheless, on March 6, Baku announced that it was evacuating its diplomatic personnel from Iran, including from the embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Tabriz.

Following the drone attack, Aliyev has also announced he is mobilising the armed forces, adding that troops “must be ready to carry out any operation”. On March 7, Azerbaijan’s security service (DTX) said it thwarted a multi-pronged terror attack plotted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including possible strikes against the critical Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. The DTX said the plot had been organised by an IRGC sleeper cell, and was also aimed at members of Azerbaijan’s Mountain Jewish community, the Israeli Embassy in Baku, and a synagogue.

The plotters reportedly included several Iranian and Azerbaijani nationals who were apprehended after smuggling explosives into the country. One of the individuals, Iranian national Sajjad Moghadam Sati Sofi Evad Sheikhzadeh, had reportedly ‘received special instructions from the IRGC to prepare assassination plans targeting Jewish individuals living in Azerbaijan’, the DTX said.

Sources:

  • BAGIROVA Nailia, PAPACHRISTOU Lucy, Reuters, “Azerbaijan says four injured by Iranian drones, vows to retaliate”, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/missiles-drones-coming-iran-fell-airport-azerbaijan-source-says-2026-03-05/

  • Al Arabiya, “Azerbaijan says evacuating diplomats from Iran after drone attack”, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2026/03/06/azerbaijan-withdraws-its-diplomats-from-iran

  • OC Media, „Aliyev mobilises army following Iranian drone attack on Azerbaijan”, https://oc-media.org/iran-reportedly-strikes-azerbaijans-nakhchivan-airport/

  • OSTILLER Nate, OC Media, „Azerbaijan says it foiled Iranian terror plot against BTC pipeline, Jewish sites”, https://oc-media.org/azerbaijan-says-it-foiled-iranian-terror-plot-against-btc-pipeline-jewish-sites/

Aftermath of Russian attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv

On November 14, 2025, a Russian missile struck and heavily damaged Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Kyiv, prompting protests from Baku, condemnation from Ukraine, Romania, and France, and renewed calls for investigation and protection of diplomatic missions.

 A series of overnight air attacks by Russian forces on Kyiv caused extensive damage to the building of Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Ukraine. One of the missiles landed directly on the embassy grounds, leaving a large crater and destroying parts of the building and surrounding walls. Later that day, Mikhail Yevdokimov, the Russian Ambassador to Baku, was summoned to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs and handed a protest note. Officials emphasised that “fortunately, no casualties were reported”.

In a direct statement at the Munich Security Conference 2026, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev declared that Russia “deliberately attacked” the Azerbaijani embassy and its infrastructure in Ukraine even after Baku supplied Moscow with the coordinates of its diplomatic missions.

Russia has consistently denied that its strikes against Azerbaijani diplomatic or energy facilities in Ukraine were intentional, declaring these incidents as “accidental” or the result of Ukrainian air defence failures, but also as necessary strikes against “legitimate Ukrainian military targets.”

In a response to Aliyev’s words, the Russian foreign ministry said “the damage to the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission’s compound (in Kyiv) was likely caused by a malfunction of Ukrainian air defence systems, presumably the impact of a Patriot missile.” After the third incident on November 14, Russia’s foreign ministry expressed “sincere regret” over the damage to Azerbaijan’s embassy building in the Ukrainian capital.

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Azerbaijan sentences most former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders to life in prison

On February 5, an Azerbaijani military court issued long prison terms to 13 former officials of the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh. Five defendants, including former Karabakh de facto leader Arayik Harutyunyan, were sentenced to life imprisonment. Eight others received prison terms ranging from 15 to 20 years. They were convicted on charges including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism and the violent seizure of power. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the fairness of the trial, which began in January 2025.

A verdict has yet to be passed on Ruben Vardanyan, a former billionaire banker who served as the number two official in Karabakh, and for whom prosecutors have demanded a life sentence.

Shortly after the trials began in January 2025, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan, based on “intelligence information” obtained by Armenia, of using “banned psychoactive methods” against Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan, in order to extort narratives and testimonies aimed at inciting regional escalation. Later, Yerevan claimed that Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan had been subjected to torture, citing evidence observed in photos published by Azerbaijan.

Following the sentences, Armenia’s Government pointedly declined to react to Azerbaijan’s lengthy prison sentences against seven former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh. Neither Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s office nor the Armenian Foreign Ministry would say whether Yerevan will make an official statement on the development. Only one of more than a dozen parliament deputies from Pashinian’s Civil Contract party contacted by RFE/RL’s Armenian Service commented on it. The lawmaker, Vahagn Aleksanian, said only that Pashinian’s government will continue to seek the release of all Armenian prisoners “without additional noise and publicity.”

Sources:

  • BAGIROVA Nailia, Reuters, “Azerbaijan hands long prison terms to former Karabakh officials”, https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-hands-long-prison-terms-former-karabakh-officials-2026-02-05/

  • BARSEGHYAN Arshalyus, OC Media, “Azerbaijan sentences most former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders to life in prison”, https://oc-media.org/azerbaijan-sentences-most-former-nagorno-karabakh-leaders-to-life-in-prison/

  • GALSTIAN Shoghik, Azatutyun.am, “Yerevan Silent After Azeri Jail Sentences Against Former Karabakh Leaders”, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33671553.html

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Azerbaijan begins locking up critics under social media “immorality” ban

Azerbaijan has begun imprisoning social activists and government critics under recently amended legislation that made “immoral activity” and “disrespectful actions” on social media an administrative offence, reported OC Media. On February 5, Movsum Mammadov became one of the first activists to be administratively detained for his comments on social media under new legislation defining “immorality” as an administrative offence. Mammadov received 30 days in prison for his posts that exposed the many problems the residents of Azerbaijan’s central Kurdamir district face in their everyday lives, while also criticising state authorities for their lack of action.

His friends told the media outlet Qazetchi that on the morning of February 2, Mammadov shared a post on Facebook stating that he was being taken into police custody. “Later, his post about [his] arrest and other critical posts were deleted”. After that, the activist was “unreachable”, Qazetchi wrote.

By February 23, three other TikTokers had been detained under the new legislation. Sardar Majnunov was charged with posting obscene expressions or gestures on social media and sentenced to 20 days in jail by order of the Garadagh District Court. Another TikToker, Jafarova, who goes by Renka online, was charged with the same offences and fined 750 AZN (380 EUR) by the Narimanov District Court. The court granted her leniency because she has an underage child. Later, Zeinab Zeinalli, a 25-year-old TikToker known on social media as “Koti”, was charged with publishing obscene statements and openly displaying disrespect for society. Zeinalli also admitted her “guilt” in court, acknowledging she had “insulted those who spoke negatively about her on social media”, but expressed remorse and promised not to repeat her behaviour in the future.

As OC Media reported, Azerbaijan’s Parliament first began discussing amendments to the information law — according to which “immoral activity on social media directed against society and the national morality” will be considered petty hooliganism — in December 2025.

Certain text on social media has always been regulated by criminal legislation in Azerbaijan, namely insults, defined by law as “the intentional humiliation of a person’s honour and dignity in public speeches, in the media, [or] on an online information resource”. Those who fell foul of the law faced a fine of between 1,000 AZN (507 EUR) and 1,500 AZN (760 EUR), community service for a term of 240–480 hours, correctional labour for up to one year, or imprisonment for up to six months.

The new amendments, however, go a step further. According to the final text, in addition to the “immoral activity” section, “disrespectful actions” on social media were made an administrative offence, with fines ranging from 50 AZN (25 EUR) to 2,000 AZN (1.013 EUR) depending on the circumstances and if a repeat offence. The legislation also allows for administrative arrest for up to 30 days, or, in the case of repeat offences, up to 2 months.

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US vice-president’s visit to Baku: strategic partnership and new pledges

The US Vice-President JD Vance concluded a two-day official visit to Baku on 10–11 February. The trip featured high-level meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the signing of a major strategic partnership charter, reported JAM News. Arriving in Baku a day after his trip to Armenia, Vance became the most senior US official ever to visit Azerbaijan.

In Baku, Vance first held one-on-one talks with President Aliyev, followed by expanded negotiations involving senior representatives from both sides. The meetings covered a broad agenda, laying the groundwork for a new stage in US–Azerbaijan relations.

At the end of the talks, the two leaders presided over the signing ceremony of the Strategic Partnership Charter. They then delivered a joint press statement. Vance announced plans to send Azerbaijan new patrol boats to help protect its territorial waters. He also pointed to expanded cooperation on critical minerals as a key area through the Middle Corridor transit systems.

But the main thrust of the cooperation is connectivity through transport and logistics by developing the major transit corridor dubbed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), which was agreed by Armenia and Azerbaijan in their peace deal brokered by the US last August, integrating the two countries into a new east-west trade route to strengthen wider Eurasian trade routes.

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Georgia

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Georgian Parliament approves controversial education amendments

On February 4, Georgia’s Parliament adopted amendments to the Laws on General and Higher Education in the third and final readings. The changes follow broader general and higher education concepts that Georgian Dream unveiled in December and October 2025, respectively.

For universities, the plan envisions, among other measures, deconcentrating higher education from the overcrowded capital, introducing a “one city – one faculty” principle that would leave only one faculty per state university in each city through a process of “reorganisation,” and transforming the current 4+2 Bachelor’s and Master’s model into a 3+1 system.

For schools, the plan proposes, among others, state-approved single textbooks across all public schools, mandatory uniforms for grades 1–6, a ban on mobile phones during class hours, and reducing the current 12-year system to 11 years, with the 12th grade becoming optional.

A key element of the reform that has heightened concerns among critics was the planned merger of Georgian Technical University (GTU) with Ivane Javakhvili Tbilisi State University (TSU), which would combine two of the capital’s largest and historic public universities. Announcing the decision on January 29, GD Education Minister Givi Mikanadze said the merger will be a precondition for TSU “to become a leading centre of academic and scientific development in the region and significantly improve international rankings.”

On February 9, following serious backlash, the government reversed its decision to merge the two universities. Earlier, the Tbilisi State University Senate issued a statement saying that the proposed merger with Georgian Technical University was neither substantiated nor appropriate. According to the Senate, the merger process, in its current form, should be halted, and meaningful communication with all stakeholders should continue.

In parallel, the GTU Academic Council released its own statement, emphasising that it opposes any form of restriction of university autonomy, including a potential merger with TSU. The council called on the government to suspend the process until thorough discussions are held and the university’s consent is obtained.

On February 12, Education Minister Givi Mikanadze notified state universities which faculties they would retain. According to the minister, Tbilisi State University (TSU), the oldest and one of the most prominent state universities in Georgia, will retain quantitative and natural sciences, the humanities (excluding pedagogy), law, economics and business administration, and social and political sciences. Under the same decision, Ilia State University (ISU), another of Georgia’s leading public universities, will be eligible to teach pedagogy programmes and internationally accredited STEM fields.

Georgian Technical University will be left with only engineering and technical disciplines, losing its humanities programmes, while Tbilisi State Medical University will retain only medical fields. Sokhumi State University, another Tbilisi-based state institution, will be assigned to offer programmes in agricultural studies, Georgian–Abkhazian languages and literature, and pedagogy.

Universities in Batumi and Kutaisi will maintain multidisciplinary profiles, while institutions in Zugdidi, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, and Telavi will focus on agriculture, tourism, and pedagogy, OC Media reported.

Under this redistribution plan, the Georgian government has cut admissions at the government-critical ISU by 92%. For the remaining bachelor programmes, the government will allow ISU to admit only 300 students in the next academic year on its bachelor programmes, which would mark a 92% decrease compared to the number of admissions announced for 2025–2026, according to an analysis by education specialists Shalva Tabatadze and Ketevan Chachkhiani. Several critics described the decision as an attempt to undermine ISU, one of the country’s leading public universities, for its liberal outlook and critical stance toward the authorities.

At present, the university has four multi-programme faculties. According to ISU, it currently has more than 17,000 students and up to 3,000 staff members. Before the statement was released, the university’s rector, Nino Doborjginidze, described the government’s move as “unconstitutional”. „Over the past 20 years, our professors have achieved the impossible, making ISU a well-ranked university in ratings,“ Doborjginidze noted, echoing the statement’s sentiment that the authorities are stripping the university of the right to teach all three fields in which ISU leads in the country.

Sources:

  • Civil.ge, “Disputed Parliament Adopts Controversial Changes to Education Laws”, https://civil.ge/archives/720001

  • Georgia Today, “Government to reverse decision to merge TSU and GTU”, https://georgiatoday.ge/government-to-reverse-decision-to-merge-tsu-and-gtu/

  • GVADZABIA Mikheil, OC Media, „Georgia reshuffles university faculties, sparking criticism”, https://oc-media.org/georgia-reshuffles-university-faculties-sparking-criticism/

  • GVADZABIA Mikheil, OC Media, „Georgia cuts 92% of admissions at government-critical Ilia State University“, https://oc-media.org/georgia-cuts-92-of-admissions-at-government-critical-ilia-state-university/

Georgia adopts new grant restrictions and bans questioning government legitimacy

On March 4, the Georgian Parliament adopted in the final hearing a restrictive package that imposes additional curbs on receiving foreign funding, criminalises “external lobbying,” restricts political activities, imposes limits on businesses, and penalises “systematic acts” directed “at establishing the perception” of the government’s illegitimacy. The changes, announced in January, include amendments to the Law on Grants, Law on Political Associations, Criminal Code, and Administrative Offences Code.

The amendments significantly broaden the scope of what is considered a “grant” that needs government approval, to include technical and free-of-charge assistance, as well as grants transferred from a foreign organisation to its local branches. It introduced eight-year bans on political party membership for those who have worked in foreign-funded organisations; expanded the notion of “declared electoral goal” into “declared party-political goal,” potentially subjecting broader groups to strict financial controls applicable to political parties; and introduced criminal sentences for heads of parties that receive foreign funding.

Additionally, amendments introduced jail terms (up to six years) for those engaged in what lawmakers call “external lobbying” and penalties for businesses “publicly carrying out such political activity that is not related to its principal entrepreneurial activity.”

The grant amendments were still under consideration when the ruling party introduced additional changes within the same legislative package, seeking to impose penalties on those who do not recognise the legitimacy of the authorities. The new provision would apply to Georgian citizens, stateless persons with status in Georgia, and legal entities. The article, called “extremism against the constitutional order of Georgia”, lists punishable acts as: systematic and public calls for “mass violations of Georgia’s laws, mass disobedience of state authorities, or the creation of alternative state authorities”; Arbitrary, public, and systematic “presentation of oneself or another person as a Georgian authority”, or “other systematic actions by the same person”.

The ruling party said that for criminal liability to apply, these actions must be aimed at “establishing a perception of the illegitimacy of Georgia’s constitutional order or its constitutional bodies and must harm Georgia’s interests or create a real threat of such harm”.

The ruling party maintained that, in enforcing the law, due regard will be given to the line protecting freedom of expression. “The key factors are systematic nature and publicity. A performance expressed by a single individual, of course, will not be considered a criminal offence”, Georgian Dream MP Archil Gorduladze said during one of the hearings.

Nika Simonishvili, a lawyer and an ex-head of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), disagreed, noting that the initiative does not draw a clear line. Instead, Simonishvili argued it further narrows the space around freedom of expression. “The content of the provision is so expansive that virtually any undesirable political expression could fall under it”, he said as cited by OC Media.

Sources:

  • Civil.ge, “GD Adopts Package Restricting Grants, Political Activity, Lobbying, Government Non-Recognition”, https://civil.ge/archives/723348

  • GVADZABIA Mikheil, OC Media, “Georgia adopts new grant restrictions and bans questioning government legitimacy”, https://oc-media.org/georgia-adopts-new-grant-restrictions-and-bans-questioning-government-legitimacy/

Georgian opposition parties announce alliance and “common strategy” to end Georgian Dream rule

Nine Georgian political parties announced uniting in an “opposition alliance,” signing a coordination document to work towards a goal of “saving national independence and statehood,” on March 2. Among the signatories are Akhali, Girchi-More Freedom, Droa, United National Movement (UNM), Strategy Aghmashenebeli, European Georgia, National Democratic Party, as well as newer forces such as the Federalists and Freedom Square.

“We create a unity to win together,” Akhali party leader Nika Gvaramia told journalists after leaving the meeting. “We agree on the joint direction, joint actions, we don’t reject our political identities, we don’t create some unified list,” he added, noting that political unity is important as a precondition for a “social unity.”

The 5-chapter document, which lays out joint steps to be taken for “the peaceful dismantling of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream’s autocratic, criminal regime” and has a code of conduct attached, was published after a two-hour meeting in Tbilisi on the evening of March 2, and follows weeks of rumours about talks among opposition leaders.

The opposition alliance represents an effort to overcome the persistent divisions and infighting. That notably includes Federalists sitting at the same table with Akhali and UNM, despite longstanding acrimony. Despite attempts for unity, many opposition leaders still face the prospect of long sentences. In early February, Tbilisi City Court Judge Valerian Bugianishvili sent the so-called sabotage case against eight Georgian opposition politicians forward for substantive consideration. The case, announced in November 2025, was launched jointly by Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Security Service (SSG), and the Interior Ministry. The accused in the case are: Elene Khoshtaria, Zurab Japaradize, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze and Mikheil Saakashvili.

Sources:
  •  Civil.ge, „Nine Parties Unite in ‘Opposition Alliance’, Sign Strategic Coordination Document”, https://civil.ge/archives/723230
  • GVADZABIA Mikheil, OC Media, “‘Sabotage’ case against Georgian opposition politicians moves forward”,https://oc-media.org/sabotage-case-against-georgian-opposition-politicians-moves-forward/

Photo: Shutterstock.com

UK sanctions pro-government Imedi, POSTV channels

The United Kingdom, on February 24, sanctioned Georgia’s two major pro-government TV channels, Imedi TV and POSTV, as part of its wider measures against Russia, saying they spread “deliberately misleading information” about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty. According to the announcement, sanctions imposed on the two channels include an asset freeze, trust services sanctions, and director disqualification sanctions. The two channels are identified as entities “involved in Russian disinformation.”

Imedi TV issued a statement shortly after the sanctions announcement, saying it has “served Georgia and the freedom of word for over 22 years” and had not backed down “even when the criminal regime ruled Georgia,” referring to the previous United National Movement government. POSTV also responded on social media, posting a card with just two laughing emojis.

The decision by the UK came shortly after the Businessman Irakli Rukhadze announced on February 6 selling the shares of the TV Imedi channel. Rukhadze named Prime Media Global, Imedi’s business partner, and the channel’s current management as the new owners. Similarly, Georgian MP Viktor Japaridze, the main shareholder of the POSTV, transferred management of his shares to another person 25 days before the UK imposed sanctions on the channel.

Days after being sanctioned, Imedi TV said it will launch its own “Imedi Bank” within “a few months”. The broadcaster thanked companies and organisations that “expressed solidarity” and those that “stated Imedi will continue to have their financial support.” The statement added that several banks, “despite possible difficulties,” have “expressed readiness” to provide banking services to the broadcaster.

Imedi said it is “fully aware of the potential risks for their business,” including reputational and financial, and added that it “certainly does not want to put any of them under pressure or trigger a hunt by forces that, with direct involvement, have attacked free media and freedom of speech for the second time since 2007.”

According to OC Media and RFE/RL, Imedi has paid its employees’ salaries in cash days after it was hit by UK sanctions. The channel’s deputy director, Irakli Chikhladze, confirmed to OC Media that this was done in order not to put banks in an “awkward position”. The channel also found itself in conflict with a major advertiser – Meama, a Georgian coffee company.

The United Kingdom’s sanctions against Georgian television channels Imedi and POSTV have triggered a wave of diplomatic and corporate upheaval. In response to the decision of the London, UK, Ambassador to Georgia, Gareth Ward, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili said the ambassador was called to explain the legal grounds for the sanctions, describing the decision as “astonishing.”

She stressed that sanctions affecting media outlets require a “very solid legal foundation” and criticised what she called the cynical targeting of Georgian television companies to weaken Russia. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also weighed in, assuring that media freedom at both Imedi and POSTV would be fully protected.

On March 6, the Communications Commission (ComCom), Georgia’s media regulator, signalled plans for more proactive enforcement of restrictive broadcasting laws in a statement criticising recent UK sanctions. ComCom, chaired by former Georgian Dream MP Goga Gulordava since January, is responsible for enforcing the Law on Broadcasting, including the April 2025 amendments that foresee stricter content regulation, which the ruling party says are modelled on a “British” system. “The decision adopted by the United Kingdom against two Georgian television companies, one of which is the highest-rated broadcaster in Georgia, is directed both toward restricting fair competition among mass media outlets and toward hindering the professional activities of journalists, which may pose a threat to media pluralism and freedom of speech in the country,” the commission said in its March 6 statement.

The regulator argued that restrictions on media activity must meet strict legal standards. Citing “the abovementioned” and the analysis of “challenges in the media environment,” the regulator said it now deems it necessary that starting next week, “the Commission invoke in the practice the norms established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Broadcasters’ Code of Conduct.” This, ComCom said, will ensure “that the objectivity of broadcasters is assessed on due procedure and a high legal standard.”

The regulator said the decision “should have been adopted in any case in order to establish proper and balanced media practices,” but “the current situation has made the issue and the need to resolve it even more relevant,” reported Civil.ge.

Sources:
  •  Civil.ge, “Breaking: UK Sanctions Pro-Government Imedi, POSTV Channels”, https://civil.ge/archives/722559
  • Civil.ge, „Businessman Irakli Rukhadze Announces Selling Pro-Government Imedi Channel”, https://civil.ge/archives/720386
  • GVADZABIA Mikheil, OC Media, „Georgian POSTV owner transferred management of his shares weeks before UK sanctions hit”, https://oc-media.org/georgian-postv-owner-transferred-management-of-his-shares-weeks-before-uk-sanctions-hit/
  • GVADZABIA Mikheil, OC Media, „UK-sanctioned TV Imedi pays employees in cash”, https://oc-media.org/uk-sanctioned-tv-imedi-pays-employees-in-cash/
  • Georgia Today, „UK Sanctions on Georgian TV Spark Diplomatic Tensions and Shake-Up at Imedi”, https://georgiatoday.ge/uk-sanctions-on-georgian-tv-spark-diplomatic-tensions-and-shake-up-at-imedi/
  • Civil.ge, „Slamming UK Sanctions, ComCom Warns Stricter Content Regulation of Georgian Broadcasters”, https://civil.ge/archives/723900
Georgian Dream satellite calls for EU integration debate

In early February, United Neutral Georgia, a satellite of the ruling Georgian Dream party, called on government-affiliated TV channels to organise “debates” on Georgia’s EU integration, claiming the country “will not know peace” without abandoning the idea. The group, known for its fierce anti-EU stance, condemned the bloc as an organisation “in the final stage of degradation”, which it claims is run by “informal oligarchic families”, aka “deep state”. It also expressed regret that the idea of EU integration is enshrined in Georgia’s Constitution, OC Media writes.

In its statement, United Neutral Georgia levelled a barrage of accusations against the EU, including that the bloc was “funding revolutions” in Georgia, imposing “unjust sanctions”, and attempting to drag Georgia into Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. To end their statement, United National Georgia called on pro-government TV channels Rustavi 2 and Imedi to “organise debates on Georgia’s EU integration in the shortest possible time”.

United Neutral Georgia was founded in July 2024 by Georgian Dream supporters just months before parliamentary elections. Since then, the group has actively promoted the abandonment of Georgia’s EU and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and has targeted the opposition, including by calling for the prosecution of opposition voters.

According to JAM News, political analysts say satellite parties often serve as a “testing ground” for ideas the ruling party cannot express directly. Anti-European messages promoted through such allies are gradually normalised in the public space. If public reaction is neutral, the rhetoric broadens. If resistance is strong, responsibility for the statements formally remains with “marginal actors”. Against this backdrop, United Neutral Georgia’s initiative is seen not as an isolated move but as part of a wider information campaign.

Sources:

  • GVADZABIA Mikheil, OC Media, “Georgian Dream satellite calls for EU integration debate”, https://oc-media.org/georgian-dream-satellite-calls-for-eu-integration-debate/

  • JAM News, “Pro-Russian party linked to Georgian Dream calls for debate on EU integration”, https://jam-news.net/pro-russian-party-linked-to-georgian-dream-calls-for-debate-on-eu-integration/

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