AGP Executive Report

Protests: Demonstrators in Tbilisi marked the 704th day of continuous rallies and called for nationwide protests on November 28, the second anniversary of the movement over Georgia’s European future. Animal Welfare: The Interior Ministry has opened a criminal investigation into footage showing dog burial sites, after activists demanded accountability and a nationwide vaccination campaign; Tbilisi City Hall says the burial process was legal. Political Pressure: A proposed ban on major opposition parties drew a warning from the Council of Europe chief that the case could be challenged in Strasbourg, as protests continue over political prisoners and Georgian Dream’s policies. Regional Ties: Georgian and Azerbaijani officials agreed to speed up border delimitation and demarcation during Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov’s visit, which also included talks on wider economic cooperation.

Prisons: Georgia held 12,375 people in penitentiary facilities at the end of September, including 2,765 accused people awaiting trial. The figures come as Amnesty International and GYLA call for an independent investigation into alleged prison abuse; opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria was transferred to a Tbilisi clinic. Protests and Politics: Demonstrators in Tbilisi marked the 703rd day of protests against Georgian Dream, while the Council of Europe’s secretary-general warned that a ban on opposition parties could face a challenge in Strasbourg. Tbilisi: Police are investigating a reported late-night confrontation involving about 20 teenagers near East Point shopping centre. Animal-rights activists have also asked prosecutors to investigate reports that dogs were buried on the city’s outskirts. Regional Ties: Georgia and Azerbaijan agreed to accelerate border delimitation and discuss closer trade, energy and transport cooperation during Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov’s visit.

Protests and Politics: Demonstrators marched through Tbilisi for the 703rd consecutive day, opposing Georgian Dream and calling for political prisoners’ release. The Constitutional Court has paused hearings over proposed bans on opposition parties until November 9. Georgia–Azerbaijan Ties: The two countries agreed to speed up border delimitation and signed cooperation deals; trade rose 42% in the first nine months, nearing $1 billion. Transport: Azerbaijan Railways is adding daily Baku–Tbilisi services from November 1, increasing seats by about 46% and introducing cheaper daytime trips. Animal Welfare: Activists want a criminal investigation and forensic examination after footage allegedly showed dogs being buried near Tbilisi. Judo: Georgian judoka Irakli Demetrashvili won gold at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, defeating Azerbaijan’s Ushangi Kokauri in the final.

Transport: Azerbaijan Railways will add daily daytime services on the Baku–Tbilisi route from Nov. 1, lifting seat capacity by nearly 50% and offering lower fares. Georgia–Azerbaijan ties: The countries agreed to speed up work on their 15 unresolved border sections and signed cooperation deals on road crossings, veterinary services and plant protection. Bilateral trade rose 42% in nine months to nearly $1 billion; Azerbaijani firm PASHA also opened a 152-room hotel in Tbilisi. Political tensions: Georgia’s Constitutional Court paused hearings on a bid to ban five opposition parties until Nov. 9, as critics warn the case threatens political competition. Finance and sport: The National Bank of Georgia signed a cooperation agreement with the Bank of China, while Tbilisi was chosen to host the 2028 European Trampoline Championships.

Opposition Ban: Georgia’s Constitutional Court suspended hearings on a bid to ban five opposition parties until November 9, as European officials warned the case could face a challenge in Strasbourg. Azerbaijan Ties: Prime Ministers Irakli Kobakhidze and Ali Asadov agreed to deepen trade, energy and transport cooperation and speed up border delimitation. Bilateral trade rose 42% in the first nine months, nearing $1 billion. Detention Concerns: Jailed opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria was transferred to a Tbilisi clinic in a wheelchair, prompting opposition figures to blame the government for her deteriorating health. US Relations: After meeting the acting US ambassador, Kobakhidze again said Tbilisi was ready to restore relations with Washington. Transparency: Transparency International Georgia says 24 serving public officials hold director positions in 30 companies.

Georgia–Azerbaijan Ties: Prime Ministers Irakli Kobakhidze and Ali Asadov met in Signagi for talks on trade, energy and transport. Bilateral trade rose 42% in the first nine months, nearing $1 billion. The countries also signed customs, plant-protection and veterinary cooperation agreements, with the Middle Corridor a key focus. Opposition Ban Case: Georgia’s Constitutional Court has paused hearings until November 9 in a case seeking to ban five opposition parties. European critics warn the move threatens political pluralism; demonstrators in Tbilisi are demanding the release of political prisoners.

Political Tensions: Protests in Tbilisi reached their 701st consecutive day, with demonstrators demanding the release of political prisoners. Opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria was transferred from prison to a clinic as concern grows over her health. Georgian Dream is seeking to ban major opposition parties; Council of Europe chief Alain Berset warned the case could have serious consequences and reach the European Court of Human Rights. Court Cases: An appeals court approved plea deals for four people convicted in the 2025 presidential palace unrest case; they are due for release on November 5. Regional Ties: Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov arrived in Georgia for an intergovernmental commission meeting, as Tbilisi and Baku look to advance cooperation. Economic Ambitions: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says Georgia aims to become a regional hub for finance, trade, logistics and technology, pointing to 7.6% economic growth in the first eight months of 2026.

Georgia–Azerbaijan Ties: Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov arrived in Georgia for talks with Irakli Kobakhidze. The leaders are due to co-chair a meeting in Signagi on trade, transport, energy and other areas of cooperation. Opposition Ban Case: Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset warned that banning five opposition parties would require strong justification and could have serious consequences, with parts of the case potentially reaching the European Court of Human Rights. Prison and Press: Opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria was taken from prison to a Tbilisi clinic for a medical check-up; her party says she has not recovered. Newspaper editor Dito Chubinidze was released on 4,000-lari bail while his case continues. Regional Finance: Georgia and Kazakhstan are exploring ways to ease cross-border access to each other’s financial markets, following an agreement between their regulators.

Protests and Courts: Tbilisi demonstrators marked 700 days of continuous protests, while the European Court of Human Rights began reviewing activist Nino Datashvili’s pretrial detention and forced psychiatric examination. In the October 2025 presidential palace unrest case, an appeals court approved plea deals for four defendants, who are due for release on Nov. 5; four others have applied for deals. Opposition: The Constitutional Court resumed hearings on a bid to ban five opposition parties, drawing warnings from critics about democratic freedoms. Economy: The National Bank plans to raise the yuan’s share of reserves to about 15% to diversify holdings. The EU has allocated €38 million for farmers and small businesses, and a separate $42 million for civil society projects, with no funding for the government. Occupied Abkhazia: Russia is weighing grain exports through Ochamchire, where Moscow is also developing infrastructure linked to its navy. Legislation: Parliament passed a law allowing casinos to host international gambling tournaments; the Georgian Orthodox Church has voiced concern.

Political Tensions: The Constitutional Court resumed hearings on Georgian Dream’s bid to ban opposition parties, with opposition lawyer Maia Kopaleishvili warning that the move threatens political pluralism. Four people convicted over the October 4 events accepted plea deals, reducing their sentences to three years and one month, with two years suspended. Prison Oversight: Amnesty International and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association urged independent investigations into allegations of abuse and sexual violence in prisons. Public Spending: A State Audit Office report examined pay and fuel expenses at five state-owned companies, including Georgian Railway and Tbilisi Transport Company. Political Donations: Transparency International Georgia says 13 of Lilo Mall’s 15 shareholders donated a combined GEL 3.88 million to political parties. Economy and Infrastructure: Officials met with Tether’s leadership to discuss fintech investment, while a German consultancy submitted interim findings on a proposed new Tbilisi airport. Tbilisi is also hosting an international financial summit with participants from more than 60 countries. European Support: The EU has allocated €38 million for Georgian farmers, small businesses and civil society projects, with no funding for the government.

Political Crisis: Georgia’s Constitutional Court resumed hearings on Georgian Dream’s bid to ban five opposition parties, rejecting a request to summon billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. Pro-European protests in Tbilisi have continued for 699 days. EU Support: The EU allocated $42 million for civil society projects, with no funding for the government, and outlined a separate €38 million package for farmers and small businesses. Economy and Regional Ties: The government reported 7.6% economic growth in the first eight months of 2026 and pledged to develop Georgia into a regional finance and technology hub. Foreign ministers from Central Asia and Georgia also discussed closer cooperation. Trade: Russian agricultural inspectors are due to visit Georgian laboratories from November 2 to review checks on products intended for export, as some Georgian drinks remain barred from Russia. Children’s Welfare: Georgia’s statistics agency says nearly one in four children lives below the poverty line; separately, two 15-year-olds were remanded in custody over an alleged plot to attack a Tbilisi school.

Opposition Ban Case: Georgia’s Constitutional Court resumed hearings on a government-backed bid to outlaw five opposition parties. The court has rejected all motions from the parties so far, as opposition groups mobilize against the case. EU Support: The EU has allocated €38 million for farmers, small businesses, rural communities, women-led enterprises and returning migrants, with projects expected to begin benefiting people early next year. Economy and Finance: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the economy grew 7.6% in the first eight months of 2026 and wants Georgia to become a regional financial and technology hub. Georgia and Kazakhstan are also working to ease cross-border investment and deepen financial cooperation. Russia Trade: Russian officials plan to inspect Georgia’s fruit-export certification system from November 2, following Moscow’s suspension of some Georgian drinks over alleged quality concerns. Abkhazian Language Day: Georgia marked the annual observance, with the government describing the language as part of the country’s shared heritage and saying occupation and Russification threaten its preservation.

Opposition Ban Fight: Georgian Dream is pressing to outlaw five opposition parties, while the Constitutional Court has rejected an opposition bid to summon founder Bidzina Ivanishvili as a witness. Opposition groups have launched a “Georgia Without Ivanishvili” campaign and called for a major rally on Nov. 28, as daily protests in Tbilisi continue. Occupied Abkhazia: Russia is considering shipping grain through the Ochamchire naval base, a costly alternative route that would expand activity at a Russian-controlled facility on Georgian territory. Penitentiary Service: Giorgi Pataridze has sought dismissal as head of the service following an alleged beating of a high-profile inmate in prison. Regional Ties: Foreign ministers from Georgia and Central Asian countries met in Batumi to discuss cooperation and the Middle Corridor, a key route linking Asia and Europe. City Development: Tbilisi residents are protesting plans for high-rise construction on the Expo Georgia grounds, citing traffic, pollution and the loss of green space.

Opposition Ban Fight: Georgia’s Constitutional Court rejected an opposition motion to summon Bidzina Ivanishvili as a witness as it considers Georgian Dream’s bid to ban five opposition parties. After a Tbilisi protest on October 25, opposition leaders called for a larger rally on November 28; the Gakharia party says it will give up its parliamentary seats if banned. Prison Probe: Prosecutors have asked the Justice Ministry to suspend Penitentiary Service chief Giorgi Pataridze while they investigate the alleged beating of inmate Davit Peikrishvili. The prosecutor’s office says Pataridze’s guilt has not been established. Regional Links: Georgia hosted Central Asian foreign ministers in Batumi, with the Middle Corridor and transport cooperation high on the agenda. Business and Development: A Sri Lanka–Georgia business forum in Tbilisi promoted trade ties and invited Georgian firms to Sri Lanka EXPO 2027. Italian studio Stefano Boeri Architetti also won a competition to turn a former Tbilisi locomotive factory into a residential district with parks and public spaces.

Opposition Protests: Opposition parties and supporters marched in Tbilisi, launching what they called a new wave of protests under the slogan “Georgia Without Ivanishvili.” The rally comes as the Constitutional Court hears a bid to ban five opposition parties; judges have rejected the opposition’s motions. Prison Dispute: The Penitentiary Service says Giorgi Peikrishvili is alone in his cell and under constant video surveillance, contradicting his mother’s claim that another prisoner entered the cell. Press Freedom: Journalist Dito Chubinidze has been detained on sabotage charges linked to his claims about the Davit Gareji monastery complex. Regional Ties: Georgia hosted Central Asian foreign ministers in Batumi, with the Middle Corridor and transport links high on the agenda. The government has also appointed a special representative for relations with Russia, renewing debate over engagement with Moscow amid unresolved conflicts over Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Political Pressure: Georgia’s Constitutional Court rejected opposition motions as it continued hearings on the ruling party’s bid to ban five opposition groups. Germany has voiced concern over the proceedings. Journalist Dito Chubinidze has also been arrested on sabotage charges linked to his claims about Davit Gareji. Street Protests: Opposition leader Nika Gvaramia called for a new “Georgia Without Ivanishvili” protest wave, urging supporters to gather in Tbilisi today and build toward a major rally on November 28. Regional Links: Batumi’s Georgia–Central Asia foreign ministers’ agenda puts the Middle Corridor in focus, with talks on transport infrastructure, ports, railways and cargo digitalization. Public Safety: Two 14-year-olds were detained over an alleged plan to attack a school; one has been remanded in custody.