Based on a judge's ruling, those arrested include the directors of Aladashvili & Co LLC, its subcontractor companies - Guide, Bade and Alioni, and one employee.According to the investigation, in 2023-2026, 12 contracts were signed between LLC “Aladashvili & co” and the administrations of four districts of Tbilisi (Isani, Chugureti, Mtatsminda, Krtsanisi), with a total value of more than 26.5 million GEL. The aforementioned procurement envisaged free food services for socially vulnerable citizens.According to the State Anti-Corruption Commission, the defendants improperly served 14,451 beneficiaries and fraudulently appropriated 3,529,000 GEL belonging to the state by falsifying documents.“The company’s director, together with subcontractors, improperly fulfilled their obligations. By falsifying product acceptance and delivery acts, the defendants fraudulently appropriated a large amount of state funds,” the agency’s statement says.The investigation is underway under Article 180 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (fraud in large amounts), which provides for a sentence of 6 to 9 years in prison.The Anti-Corruption Agency states that it continues to work to prevent such crimes and calls on entrepreneurs and public officials to conduct their activities in good faith.

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According to Papuashvili, the dialogue between the Georgian Prime Minister and the US Secretary of State is a sign that bilateral relations have moved to a higher political level. According to him, the Georgian side expects concrete steps as early as April of this year.The speaker emphasized that Tbilisi’s goal is not to restore the old format, but to sign a “content-rich” new framework agreement that will be based on the national interests of both countries.“Our proposal is that this be a framework saturated with content, where, based on the interests of both nations, we will agree on specific expectations and goals from this partnership,” Papuashvili said in a conversation with journalists.The speaker of parliament criticized the previous US administration, noting that they had brought relations to an “absolutely unacceptable” level. He also questioned the effectiveness of the Strategic Partnership Charter signed in 2009, calling it a “consolation prize” for then-President Mikheil Saakashvili.“Before, strategic partnership was somewhat of an epithet, since it was not very loaded with content... Now we want a new strategic partnership,” he added.According to Papuashvili, the start of a dialogue with Washington provides grounds for optimism and Georgia is ready for an agreement that equally reflects the interests of the American and Georgian people.

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The decision, which will come into effect tomorrow, April 3, will be in effect for 12 months and will only apply to holders of official passports. The rules for visa-free travel to the Schengen area for other Georgian citizens remain unchanged.According to the Federal Council, the move is related to the implementation of the EU’s revised visa suspension mechanism.“The EU has strengthened the visa suspension mechanism for third countries, which allows visa requirements to be imposed on the basis of a deterioration in foreign relations or a violation of fundamental rights. The EU decided to apply these provisions to Georgia due to legislative changes adopted last year,” the statement said.The Swiss side stressed that as a member of the Schengen area, it is obliged to reflect the changes in EU legislation in its own regulations. As part of the decision, several articles of the visa facilitation agreement between Switzerland and Georgia have also been suspended.The EU has suspended visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and civil servants for a period of one year after certain legislative initiatives adopted in Georgia have drawn criticism from Western partners.

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Debating a report of the Congress fact-finding visit to Georgia on 24-25 September 2025, presented by Stewart Dickson (United Kingdom, ILDG), the Congress deplored the fact that the  local elections held on 4 October 2025 were affected by a lack of political dialogue and competitiveness, widespread boycotts, frequent and problematic changes to electoral law, underrepresentation of women, and attempts to ban, intimidate and arrest leaders and candidates of opposition parties.It regretted that dissenting voices – notably the youth, civil society, and the media – faced growing intimidation, arrests and criminal proceedings, restricting fundamental freedoms, and that for the first time in decades, the 2025 local elections were held without credible international and domestic observation missions, including by the Congress, while the rights of observers were restricted.In its resolution and recommendation, the Congress stressed that the Georgian authorities failed to foster dialogue and build the necessary trust in the 2025 electoral process, turning the elections into single-party contests in half of the municipalities with allegations of pressure of opposition candidates in the rest. At the same time, attempts to ban opposition parties, as well as arrests and criminal proceedings against opposition representatives further silenced political pluralism.The Congress believes that the corrosive effect of all these issues did not provide the democratic conditions for inclusive, free and fair elections and further estranged Georgia from its European commitments, notably the European Charter of Local Self-Government.Congress members called on the Georgian authorities to urgently resume political dialogue at all levels of government, through an inclusive political process which engages all stakeholders, to reduce polarisation and restore the checks and balances essential in a pluralist democracy. The authorities were also urged, inter alia, to stop criminalising opposition voices and rescind the amendments facilitating the ban of opposition parties; implement outstanding Congress Recommendations and Venice Commission opinions and rebuild genuine local democracy in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government; and repeal amendments to the Election Code that are in contradiction with European democratic standards and those restricting election observation, as well as all legislation in breach of human rights.The Congress highlighted its commitment to continue political dialogue with the Georgian authorities, notably via the urgent organisation of a mission to monitor the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Georgia.

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According to the alliance, the campaign will last exactly two months and will culminate in a large-scale protest rally in Tbilisi on May 26, Georgia’s Independence Day. Speaking at a briefing, one of the leaders, Zurab Japaridze, explained that the main objectives of the process are to increase direct communication with citizens, neutralize the ruling regime’s propaganda, and translate the dissatisfaction in society into real political action.He also said that the campaign is not exclusively the property of political groups and that various civil society organizations and active citizens are invited to join it.The opposition group expressed special gratitude to those who are in political prisons, have been subjected to physical violence, or have lost their jobs due to the protests. The statement emphasized that the struggle will not be easy, but that with active action, a change of government is only a matter of time and price.The alliance plans to maximize the number of people involved in the protests over the next two months in order to create a solid foundation for political change in the country by May 26.

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According to official statistics, “Georgian Dream” had a total of 28 donors in the period from January 15 to February 27. Among them is Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who transferred 12,000 GEL to the party account.During the reporting period, financial activity in the opposition spectrum was distributed as follows: “Lelo - Strong Georgia”: From January 8 to February 19, the party received 146,000 GEL. Among the donors are leaders: Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, Mamuka Katsitadze and Manana Nachkebia. “Freedom Square”: From January 1 to February 16, 44 individuals donated a total of 46,745 GEL to the party. Among the donors are Levan Tsutskiridze, Bakur Kvashilava and Simon Janashia. “Coalition for Changes”: From January 14 to February 23, donations received amounted to 3,460 GEL. “Gakharia for Georgia”: At the beginning of the year, the party received 2,371 GEL, including one of the donors, MP Tamar Khvedelian. According to the State Audit Office, the “United National Movement” did not receive any donations during the mentioned period of 2026.The data reflects the income declared by political parties during the first two months of the year.

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According to State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Georgia Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze today. They discussed areas of mutual interest including security in the Caucasus and Black Sea region.”Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reported having a productive phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on “resetting the partnership” and Georgia’s role in the Caucasus region.“I had a productive phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. We emphasized the importance of resetting our partnership and reinforcing Georgia’s role as a strong partner in the South Caucasus. Committed to strengthening Georgia–U.S. ties and advancing regional stability and connectivity,” Irakli Kobakhidze wrote on a social network. pic.twitter.com/T69D2kc2Oc — Irakli Kobakhidze (@PM_Kobakhidze) March 31, 2026

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Expressing his gratitude, Gabaidze thanked the Georgian Dream party, its founder, and all its members, emphasising that his decision was made on personal grounds.He firmly denied rumours suggesting that his close ties to Tornike Rizhvadze influenced his resignation.“I have been contemplating this for a considerable time and have discussed it with my team. Having led the Supreme Council for less than ten years, I believe it is time for new directions. Regarding my connection with Tornike Rizhvadze’s team, it’s important to remember that I was appointed as Chairman of the Supreme Council before Tornike Rizhvadze assumed his role as Chairman of the Government,” Gabaidze explained.He also announced that he will soon relinquish his mandate as a member of the Supreme Council. While he did not disclose specific details, Gabaidze hinted that he has other opportunities ahead.Gabaidze was elected for a third term as Chairman of the Supreme Council following the most recent elections.

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According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, NATO believes it is important to maintain its relationship with Georgia, despite concerns over recent developments.“When it comes to the relationship between NATO and Georgia, we think there is merit in keeping that relationship going. It is better to keep the relationship going and have an avenue to discuss those issues than to say we end the relationship,” Mark Rutte said.Responding to a question about developments in Georgia after the 2024 elections, Rutte noted that NATO is closely coordinating its approach with the European Union.“First of all, when it comes to Georgia, obviously, we coordinate closely with the European Union.When it comes to the relationship between NATO and Georgia, we think there is merit in keeping that relationship going. But, of course, we also have to recognize recent developments, and that’s why we call upon Georgia to return to the path of a more pro-EU, European, forward-looking approach, including making sure that all the developments, and let’s say the whole trajectory Georgia was on in terms of democracy, rule of law, is continued.Obviously, there are serious worries at the moment. So, we have the dialogue, we have the discussion, but we have taken the position that it is better to keep the relationship going and then have that avenue to discuss those issues than to say, ‘Hey, we don’t like it, we end the relationship altogether’,” NATO Secretary General stated.

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The ministry also announced that the number of students admitted to master’s programmes at state universities will increase for the same academic year.“This adjustment will also impact master’s degree admissions, as most bachelor’s programmes have transitioned to a three-year study model. By the 2027–2028 academic year, the majority of students enrolled in 2024 and 2025 will complete their bachelor’s degrees. Consequently, the number of students eligible for admission to master’s programmes will rise in 2028–2029,” the Ministry explained.According to the ministry, the duration of general education is changing as part of ongoing reform. The secondary school level now comprises grades 10 and 11, with Year 12 becoming optional. Students who wish to continue into the 12th grade will be able to do so through prior registration.“Additionally, organised remedial classes will be introduced in schools for 11th graders, enabling students to prepare for national exams. This initiative will also benefit students currently in the ninth grade, who are actively engaged in their studies,” the Ministry’s statement reads.

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