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Another attack on Tinatin Khidasheli and Civic IDEA

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Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary General of Georgian Dream Kakha Kaladze erupted in fury after former Defense Minister and Civic IDEA chair Tinatin Khidasheli publicly flagged a non-accredited institution in Georgia, citing its alleged ties to Iran’s political-religious elite and demanding transparency from authorities. Rather than refute her claims, he lashed out, accusing her of treason, foreign meddling, and, most revealingly,  branding her and fellow critics as “the biggest terrorists in this country,” urging state bodies to act.

This explosive reaction was triggered by The Hill’s article “Georgia is Becoming a Hub for Iran to Circumvent Sanctions”, which is based on Civic IDEA’s research on surging Iranian companies and networks. This once again highlights the critical value of Western media partnerships in exposing uncomfortable truths and amplifying independent voices.

Kaladze’s reaction is striking as his party is recklessly showing off its pro-Iran leanings these days. Just days ago, it openly mourned Iran’s supreme leader and people amid the Middle East escalation, all while posturing as a neutral bystander.

Giorgi Volski, Georgia’s Parliament First Deputy Speaker, also dismissed Civic IDEA’s report and The Hill article on Iranian sanction evasion via Georgia as baseless fiction, “no such fact exists, nor will it”, while accusing the researchers of foreign-dictated immorality aimed at deteriorating the country. His knee-jerk obscure denial only attacked the source and ignored the substance.

Meanwhile, Georgian Dream’s denialist duo, Parliament First Deputy Speaker Giorgi Volski and Vice Speaker Nino Tsilosani, sprang into action very quickly. Volski flatly declared Civic IDEA’s report and The Hill article “baseless fiction” that “does not exist in reality,” accusing researchers of foreign-dictated “immorality” bent on wrecking Georgia, while Tsilosani branded it “complete disinformation” funded by “Nazi” lobbies (seems like a group is having a trouble deciding between “terrorists”, “Nazis”, and “multi-ranking agent” as a defamating insult). Tsilosani’s warning Khidasheli and Gigauri could “torch the country despite Iran trade being a measly 1.36% of imports”. Georgian Dream is panicking and it shows since being cornered by facts, all they’re doing is screaming “conspiracy” and hope the nonsense sticks.

Khidasheli’s comments were grounded in evidence-based research by Hudson Institute and obviously, Civic IDEA’s own recent report Behind the Barrels: Iranian Oil and Political Ties in Georgia. That report documented how economic and political links between Iranian entities and interests in Georgia, particularly around the importation of Iranian petroleum products and associated networks, raise real concerns about transparency, national sovereignty, and sanctions compliance. 

Old Tricks, Fresh Narrative

This specific incident is, of course, not an isolated flare-up but part of a broader pattern of political pressure on civil society. For many months, senior state officials have pursued a campaign to discredit NGOs, portraying them as agents of foreign interests.

Most recently, the Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, openly accused Civic IDEA and its leadership of serving as vehicles for “European money… against Georgia’s interests” to influence foreign policy, without offering any evidence to support these claims.

The most recent attack on Tinatin and Civic IDEA was due to our China reports (1; 2; 3; etc).

These attacks coincide with yet another new legislation targeting civil society. The Georgian Parliament has passed amendments expanding government control over foreign funding, grants, political activity, and external lobbying. The new law broadens the definition of a “grant” to include nearly any financial or in-kind support that could influence Georgian policy or public life. Receiving such funds without prior government approval now carries criminal penalties, including imprisonment. These provisions are following a textbook trajectory of Russia in 2012 and later crackdowns in Belarus, where administrative burdens, public labelling and criminal liability steadily shrank civic space. They did this by putting independent organizations and media at risk of arbitrary prosecution, restrict democratic space, and stifle dissent.

For readers seeking the full context behind these discussions, Civic IDEA’s two major investigative reports—“Georgian Dream’s Anti-Western Policy: How Iranian Companies Are Using Georgia to Bypass Sanctions” and “Behind the Barrels: Iranian Oil and Political Ties in Georgia”—have been central in driving public debate and exposing key economic and political linkages with Iran.

Another attack on Tinatin Khidasheli and Civic IDEA Read More »

The Hill – “Georgia is becoming Iran’s sanctions evasion hub.”

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On February 26, the American newspaper The Hill published an article titled: “Georgia is becoming Iran’s sanctions evasion hub.” The article discusses the growing involvement and business operations of individuals and companies linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The author also highlights frequent diplomatic exchanges between Georgian Dream and the Islamic Republic.

The author concludes that Georgia, which was once America’s closest partner in the South Caucasus, is creating a favorable environment for hostile influences and for evading international sanctions. Therefore, Washington should clearly demonstrate that the actions of Georgian Dream will have consequences.

It is noteworthy that in analyzing the economic interests of the Islamic Republic in Georgia, the author cites a new study by Civic IDEA titled “Behind The Barrels: Iranian Oil and Political Ties in Georgia.”

For more details, please see the full article:

Georgia is becoming Iran’s sanctions evasion hub.

The Hill – “Georgia is becoming Iran’s sanctions evasion hub.” Read More »

Georgian Dream’s Stance on Iran: Diplomatic Neutrality or Tacit Support?

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Amid joint U.S.–Israeli military actions targeting the political and military establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia issued a carefully worded diplomatic statement on March 1, expressing concern over the developments in the Middle East and calling for de-escalation:

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East with attention and deep concern. We emphasize the importance of diplomatic efforts to achieve de-escalation and ensure stability in the region.”

The following day, on March 2, the Georgian Dream government released another statement, expressing solidarity with all parties involved in the conflict, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, and the Arab Gulf states, and reiterating its call for diplomacy and political dialogue:

“The Georgian government is monitoring the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East with deep concern, as they threaten the security and prosperity of all countries in the region.

We express our condolences to the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic of Iran, where the ongoing hostilities have claimed the lives of many individuals, including the Supreme Leader, other political leaders, innocent civilians, and dozens of children.

We also express our condolences to our friend, the Jewish people, and to Israel for the loss of civilian lives as a result of the hostilities.

The Georgian government expresses full solidarity with the Arab countries of the Gulf, with which Georgia has a special partnership.

We express hope that peace will be restored in the Middle East in the near future, and that hostilities will be replaced by diplomacy and political dialogue.”

However, the expression of solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran in these statements casts doubt on Georgian Dream’s pacifist calls. Ivanishvili’s party is publicly showcasing support for a terrorist regime whose repressions have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people.

In parallel to Georgian Dream’s diplomatically framed and ostensibly pacifist statements, several Georgia-based organizations operating under direct state control issued statements expressing condolences over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

On March 1, the Administration of All Muslims of Georgia published a statement offering condolences to the Iranian people, as well as to the family and relatives of the Supreme Leader:

“As is known, Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was killed yesterday as a result of an attack on his office in Tehran. The Administration of All Muslims of Georgia expresses its condolences to his family, relatives, and the Iranian people.”

On the same day, the Sheikh of the Administration of All Muslims of Georgia, Faig Nabiev, posted a separate statement on his personal Facebook page, extending condolences to Khamenei’s family, the Iranian people, and Muslims worldwide:

“The news of the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, a great scholar and Marjaʿ-i Taqlid, has plunged the entire Islamic world into deep sorrow. This is a tremendous spiritual loss not only for the Iranian people, but for the entire Muslim Ummah.”

Another statement, issued on behalf of the Administration of All Muslims of Georgia by Mirtagi Asadov, described Khamenei’s killing as a “grave and horrific loss” for the Islamic world. According to Asadov, “the enemies of humanity, child killers, and imperialist forces responsible for such acts must be held accountable under international law.”

Asadov’s statement received particular praise from the Iranian Embassy in Georgia, which, in a Facebook post published on March 2, expressed its ‘sincere gratitude’ to him.

It is particularly troubling that all individuals who publicly expressed solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran are affiliated with organizations under direct state control. Since 2011, the Administration of All Muslims of Georgia has operated as a Legal Entity under Public Law (LEPL). Faig Nabiev serves as its Sheikh and one of its senior officials. Mirtagi Asadov, who likewise publicly mourned Khamenei’s death, is the chairperson of another LEPL — the Supreme Religious Administration of Georgia’s All Muslims.

Since 2014, these organizations have been funded directly from the state budget. On January 16, 2026, Georgia’s State Agency for Religious Issues announced that it had allocated 4,150,000 GEL to the country’s Muslim community.

Notably, the Administration of All Muslims of Georgia maintains close ties with the Iranian Embassy in Georgia and individuals connected to the Islamic Republic of Iran. On February 17 of this year, Sheikh Faig Nabiev hosted Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to Georgia, Ali Moujani, extending his best wishes for success in his diplomatic mission. In 2025, representatives of the Administration also visited Iran, where they met with local clerics and representatives of Iranian charity organizations.

Thus, in response to the ongoing developments in the Middle East, Georgian Dream’s ‘neutral’ and ‘pacifist’ calls are overshadowed by its publicly declared support for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Statements from representatives of state-controlled organizations further point to the government’s covert pro-Iran stance. The positions expressed by these organizations once again underscore Georgian Dream’s tacit support and inaction regarding Iranian influence in Georgia.

Georgian Dream’s Stance on Iran: Diplomatic Neutrality or Tacit Support? Read More »

Chinese Company Enters Georgia’s Renewable Energy Sector

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In recent years, both Georgian Dream and Chinese officials have placed strong emphasis on cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy. On January 21, the Ambassador of China to Georgia, Zhou Qian, stated that Georgia–China cooperation “now involves more sectors and has reached a more advanced level.” As a prime example of this evolving collaboration, the ambassador highlighted the participation of a Chinese company in the Gori Wind Electropower project.

The Gori Wind Electropower project, officially known as the Ruisi Wind Farm Project, envisages the construction, development, and operation of a wind power facility with an installed capacity of 206 MW in the Gori and Kareli municipalities of Georgia. The project has been financed with an amount of 119 million USD by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In 2024, the Chinese company Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd won a state tender announced for the provision of installation and 15-year operation of 33 wind turbines. In January 2026, Goldwind completed the installation of the first turbine. According to the company, once installation is fully concluded, the wind farm will generate approximately 600 GWh of electricity annually.

The Chinese Ambassador assessed Goldwind’s success in the tender as one of the “significant achievements” of Chinese companies in Georgia. From Georgia’s perspective, however, this development underscores the growing involvement of China’s major energy companies in the country’s emerging energy sector.

Goldwind Science & Technology is a Chinese transnational company that provides products and services related to clean energy infrastructure. A closer examination of the company reveals its close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As of September 30, 2025, part of the company’s shares were owned by state-owned entities, including Xinjiang Wind Power Co. (11.78%) and China Three Gorges Renewables Co., Ltd. (9.16%). The latter is a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation, which, in January 2020, was designated as a Chinese military company by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Goldwind is also associated with another sanctioned Chinese entity, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). In 2020, Goldwind signed a contract with XPCC to supply power to one of the organization’s settlements. XPCC is a state-owned economic and paramilitary organization that exercises control over the Xinjiang region and has been sanctioned by both the United States and the European Union due to its involvement in serious and systematic human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslim minorities in China.

The company’s management structure is likewise closely linked to the CCP. Goldwind’s founder and executive director, Wu Gang, is a member of the CCP and has been awarded a commemorative medal by the CCP Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission. Publicly available information also indicates that Wu Gang has advocated for the CCP’s repressive policies toward Uyghurs, having participated in a Chinese government campaign promoting ideological education among ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

Within China, Goldwind’s operations have been associated with environmentally unfriendly and non-compliant practices, including illegal land occupation, excessive pollutant discharges, and noise pollution. For these violations, the company and its subsidiaries have been subjected to administrative penalties over the years, with cumulative fines amounting to 52.0991 million yuan.

On February 3, the European Union launched a formal investigation into Goldwind’s activities under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, amid concerns that the company may have received subsidies from the Chinese government. In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce condemned the EU probe, characterizing it as “targeted” and “discriminatory.”

Concerns have also emerged regarding the safety of the company’s products. In November 2025, hazardous material, asbestos, was found in lift brake pads used across Goldwind’s wind farms in Australia. Following this discovery, access to Goldwind’s wind turbines was restricted.

Taken together, Goldwind Science & Technology’s close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its questionable connections with sanctioned Chinese entities highlight Georgian Dream’s permissive approach toward cooperation with Chinese companies that carry controversial international reputations. Civic IDEA has repeatedly warned state institutions about the negative consequences of inadequate due-diligence practices when engaging with PRC-linked companies. The case of the Gori Wind Electropower project thus illustrates a new dimension of infrastructure development in Georgia that may be increasingly vulnerable to expanding Chinese strategic interests.

Chinese Company Enters Georgia’s Renewable Energy Sector Read More »

Behind the Barrels: Iranian Oil and Political Ties in Georgia

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Civic IDEA is pleased to share its Report #2 on Iran, prepared within the framework of our ongoing monitoring of Georgia’s economic and political linkages related to Iran.

Key findings from the report include:

72 companies registered in Georgia imported Iranian oil and petroleum products in 2022–2025, based on official data and documents.

  • 15 companies are related to citizens of third countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Armenia).
  • 10 companies are related to Iranian citizens, and 2 companies have Iranian citizens among their partners as managers/shareholders.
  • 8 companies are linked to donors of the Georgian Dream party; 3 of these are winners of state tenders.
  • 8 companies have contracts with various state agencies. Managers/shareholders of 3 companies are linked to other entities that have won state contracts.
  • 5 companies are indirectly related to Georgian Dream donors — Aisi LLC, Ihlas LLC, Bakhula Motors LLC, Baza-22 LLC, Sulfeco LLC — as member organizations of the NNLE Waste Management Business Association. The association is headed by Bakur Khundadze, a donor to Georgian Dream.
  • 4 companies are indirectly connected to public/political officials and members of the Georgian Parliament, including a former Georgian Dream MP.

Read the full report:

Behind the Barrels: Iranian Oil and Political Ties in Georgia Read More »

“2026: A New Chapter for Europe” – Tinatin Khidasheli Speaks at European Parliament Panel

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📍 European Parliament, Brussels

Tinatin Khidasheli, Head of Civic IDEA, participated in the high-level European forum “2026: A New Chapter for Europe” at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Tinatin spoke on the expert panel “Democratic Resilience – Common Challenges on the Path to EU Integration.” The panel examined how weakened information integrity, fragile institutions, and elections that fall short of genuine competition can erode democratic resilience in the Western Balkans. Drawing lessons from comparable experiences beyond the region, the discussion explored concrete ways the EU and its partners can support democratic standards, bolster independent media, and reinforce institutions along the path toward EU integration.

The forum featured a keynote speech by Commissioner Michael McGrath and brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, and experts to discuss actionable strategies for strengthening democracy in Europe and its neighboring regions.

“2026: A New Chapter for Europe” – Tinatin Khidasheli Speaks at European Parliament Panel Read More »

“Western funds benefit Chinese state companies and Georgia’s authoritarian regime” – Talk Georgia with Giorgi Rukhadze

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Topics Discussed:
 
🟣  How Western Funds Are Benefiting Chinese State Companies and the Authoritarian Regime in Georgia
 
🟣 Why Western Money Still Flows to Georgia Despite Sanctions
 
🟣 Triangle of Money: IFIs, Corrupt Georgian Government, and Sanctioned Chinese Companies
 
🟣  How to Prevent Funding of Dictatorship
 
🟣  Status of Anaklia Deep Sea Port, Decreased U.S. Attention to Georgia, and Lost Opportunities
—
Check out the podcast “Talk Georgia with Giorgi Rukhadze”

“Western funds benefit Chinese state companies and Georgia’s authoritarian regime” – Talk Georgia with Giorgi Rukhadze Read More »

“The Georgian Dream” Party Legalizes Dictatorship in Georgia

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“For any person, any person.”
“For any activity carried out or to be carried out with the belief or intention of exerting some influence.”

The measures announced by the Georgian Dream government yesterday go beyond a crackdown and put participation in public life an obsolete danger.

With a single legislative package, the ruling party moved to criminalize intent, association, expertise, and thought itself, placing virtually all civic, political, and intellectual life under prior state permission. The amendments unveiled on January 28 mark a decisive transition from competitive authoritarianism to an openly coercive system where the state claims the right to pre-approve who may think, organize, fund, speak, or belong.

The changes center on a significantly broadened definition of a “grant.” Under the new provisions, any transfer of funds or resources between individuals may be considered a criminal act if authorities believe it could influence government, institutions, policy, or any segment of society. This approach shifts from regulation to preemptive criminalization, targeting not only actions but also beliefs, intentions, and potential future outcomes.

The scope is deliberately boundless. Funding is criminalized not only when it is political, but when it is interpreted as political. Technical assistance, expertise, knowledge-sharing, professional services, or hiring Georgian experts by foreign entities are all reclassified as suspect “grants,” requiring government approval. Even foreign organizations funding their own Georgian branches are brought under this regime. Noncompliance carries prison sentences of up to six years; in cases framed as “money laundering related to political issues,” up to twelve.

At the same time, the amendments undermine political pluralism. Party leaders may face criminal prosecution for foreign funding violations. Individuals employed by organizations receiving more than 20% foreign funding are barred from party membership for eight years, effectively excluding many civil society professionals, researchers, journalists, and activists from political participation. 

The amendments also criminalize so-called “external lobbying.” Any exchange of resources connected, directly or indirectly, to advocacy on Georgia-related political issues abroad becomes a criminal offense. This effectively prohibits international advocacy, solidarity, and representation, legally isolating the country.

Businesses are also affected. Entrepreneurs who engage in public political activity unrelated to their core business may face significant fines, indicating that economic participation is now contingent on political neutrality.

Collectively, these measures do not seek to address abuses or enhance transparency. Instead, they are designed to suppress independent activity. Following three years of legal actions against media, NGOs, and the opposition, the government appears to be moving from managing dissent to eliminating the conditions necessary for dissent.

This legislation appears intended to instill fear rather than provide effective governance. It adopts elements of Russian-style repression and extends them through vague provisions, granting authorities broad discretionary power. When intent is criminalized and permission is required, freedom is no longer a guaranteed right but a conditional privilege. 

Yet the logic driving these laws betrays their failure. If free thought could be eliminated, it would not require prison terms. If civic commitment could be extinguished, it would not require criminal codes. Love of freedom does not disappear by statute. Neither does dedication to one’s country, nor the resolve to defend one’s beliefs.

As of today (January 29), the official text of the legislation has not yet been made public; the analysis above is based on the government’s announcement.

“The Georgian Dream” Party Legalizes Dictatorship in Georgia Read More »

Civic IDEA’s contribution referenced in the UN Universal Periodic Review of Georgia

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A report prepared jointly with partners, with contributions from Civic IDEA, has been formally referenced in the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process as Joint Submission 1 (JS1). The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reflected the report’s findings in its official summary of stakeholders’ information for Georgia’s review, placing civil society analysis within the international human rights assessment considered by UN member states.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a Human Rights Council mechanism that examines the human rights record of every UN member state, drawing on information from governments, civil society, and independent experts. The stakeholder summary referencing our joint submission reflects concerns related to:

  • Shrinking civic space and reported pressure on civil society organizations, journalists, and human rights defenders

  • Legislative changes affecting freedom of assembly, association, and public participation

  • Restrictions linked to laws regulating foreign funding, grants, and NGO operations

  • Allegations of excessive use of force against protesters and broader patterns of intimidation and legal pressure targeting activists

Civic IDEA will continue to monitor the UPR process as the outcome report is finalized and later adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, and remains engaged in documenting developments affecting civic space, rule of law, and the protection of fundamental rights in Georgia.

Civic IDEA’s contribution referenced in the UN Universal Periodic Review of Georgia Read More »

CHINESE COMPANIES IN GEORGIA

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Civic IDEA presents a comprehensive report examining the activities of Chinese companies currently operating in Georgia and their partnerships with the “Georgian Dream” party

Since 2017, Civic IDEA has systematically monitored cooperation between Chinese companies and Georgian state institutions. This paper consolidates our key findings, drawing on both Georgia’s experience and relevant international cases; 

Alarming evidence shows that every single PRC company cooperating with Georgian Dream government has been implicated in at least one serious legal, financial, or ethical violation.

Read the Full Report

CHINESE COMPANIES IN GEORGIA Read More »

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