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Georgian Dream’s anti-western policy: How Iranian companies are using Georgia to bypass sanctions

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HOW IRANIAN COMPANIES ARE USING GEORGIA TO BYPASS SANCTIONS?

Civic IDEA’s latest investigation sheds light on a little-known but deeply troubling dimension of Iran-Georgia relations. The report exposes how Iranian businessmen are using Georgia as a strategic transit point to evade international sanctions and channel funds back to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Our findings reveal that as diplomatic ties between the Georgian Dream government and Iran have grown closer, several Georgian-registered companies have emerged with direct links to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces Logistics Agency.

The investigation also highlights the role of Georgian citizens and businesses who, in collaboration with Iranian partners, are allegedly involved in arms trafficking and high-risk financial operations.

Read the full report for in-depth evidence of the growing national security risks posed by this opaque and dangerous partnership between Tbilisi and Tehran:

Georgian Dream’s anti-western policy: How Iranian companies are using Georgia to bypass sanctions Read More »

Georgia’s Energy Sector Without Western Support: A Road to Russian Dependence

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“Today, we have decided not to put the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028. We are also refusing any budget grants from the EU until the end of 2028.” 

“We intend not to enter the EU begging and standing on one leg, but to join the EU with dignity, with a functioning democratic system and a strong economy.“ 

With this statement, the Georgian Dream government seeks to downplay the vital role that Western institutions have played in Georgia’s political, economic, educational, and infrastructural development. In reality, by rejecting EU assistance, the government is not only jeopardizing Georgia’s future in the EU’s political and economic structures but also undermining the country’s opportunity to develop in line with European standards. 

To illustrate this, the report analyzes the European Union’s contribution to Georgia’s energy independence. It is based on both quantitative and qualitative assessments of energy-related projects implemented between 2013 and 20241. Stay tuned for upcoming reports on EU assistance in agriculture, education, and other key sectors.

Full Report:

Georgia’s Energy Sector Without Western Support: A Road to Russian Dependence Read More »

Georgian Dream is watching: how AI-powered surveillance is used against Tbilisi protesters – OC Media’s article

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An investigative article by OC Media reveals how the Georgian government is increasingly relying on AI-powered surveillance technologies to monitor and penalize peaceful protesters in Tbilisi.

Following the withdrawal of police forces from the streets, the number of surveillance cameras has grown significantly—many of them Chinese-made—now playing a central role in identifying protesters and imposing steep fines. This trend raises serious concerns about the use of facial recognition technologies and the large-scale processing of biometric data, threatening citizens’ rights to privacy, free expression, and peaceful assembly. The use of surveillance to intimidate and suppress civic activism marks a dangerous shift toward authoritarian control, undermining the foundations of a democratic society.

‘There are countries where this might not be a problem, given that they’re not on the frontline and don’t have a hostile state that is also China’s major strategic partner’, Tinatin Khidasheli, Georgia’s former Defence Minister and chairperson of Civic IDEA, which monitors growing Georgia-China relations, says in the article.

Full article

This issue has been the focus of several Civic IDEA publications as well. If you are interested in finding out more, check out our recent reports:

Report 1. 👉 EMERGING CONCERN: Chinese Surveillance Cameras in Georgia

Report 2. 👉 Georgian Dream’s Surveillance of Protesterst hrough Chinese Camera

Georgian Dream is watching: how AI-powered surveillance is used against Tbilisi protesters – OC Media’s article Read More »

Ambassador’s talks” project

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🎉 The third edition of the “Ambassador’s talks” project has officially concluded!
 
📅 “Ambassador’s talks” is a Civic IDEA initiative that gives selected participants the opportunity to engage in weekly meetings with ambassadors of various countries over a two-month period.

💡 This was the third time the project was held, and during this round, participants had the chance to meet the ambassadors of Georgia, Germany, the European Union, Latvia, Norway, the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Denmark, Estonia, and more. The meetings took place in a lecture-discussion format, allowing for insightful conversations and exchanges.

🎉 On May 23, a special closing event was held to wrap up the series, where the winners of the project’s writing competition were announced. Participants presented their work in a storytelling format, highlighting the challenges faced by religious minorities in Georgia and emphasizing the need for inclusive solutions.
 
🏆 The winning participants were awarded prizes by the ambassadors themselves, who attended the final event and listened with great interest to the presentations. All participants received certificates of completion, and the evening concluded with a festive dinner.
 
Civic IDEA extends heartfelt thanks to all the participants, ambassadors, guests, and supporters who made this project possible! 💜

Ambassador’s talks” project Read More »

Russian Occupation Extends to Georgian Skies: Western-Sanctioned Airlines Launch Flights to Sukhumi

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On May 1, Russia commenced direct, regular flights to occupied Abkhazia. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, UVT Aero operated its first flight from Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport to Sukhumi two days ahead of schedule “due to high demand.”

Flights between Russia and occupied Abkhazia violate both international aviation regulations and the Georgian Constitution:

UVT Aero, which is internationally sanctioned and operates flights to Sokhumi in violation of Georgia’s Law on Occupation, continues to fly to other parts of Georgia as well.

📝 Our new report reveals:

  • How the reconstruction of Sokhumi airport began in 2023;

  • How sanctioned Russian airlines are being granted flight permissions;

  • What kind of threat this precedent poses to Georgia’s sovereignty; and

  • How the Georgian government is involved in this process through its inaction.

Tap to see the full report

Russian Occupation Extends to Georgian Skies: Western-Sanctioned Airlines Launch Flights to Sukhumi Read More »

Civic IDEA Calls on the International Community to Act as Arrest of Zurab Japaridze Signals the End of Democratic Pretenses in Georgia

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Civic IDEA urgently calls on Georgia’s international partners and democratic allies to respond decisively to the arrest of opposition leader Zurab Japaridze, which marks not just another political crackdown, but the definitive end of the Georgian Dream government’s pretense of governing by democratic rules. This act of repression signals the beginning of a new and dangerous chapter for Georgia—one in which dictatorship, not dysfunction, becomes the defining feature of the regime.

The legal process against Japaridze began after he refused to appear before a parliamentary inquiry commission—a body established in clear violation of Georgian law. The commission, created under politically charged circumstances, summoned Japaridze without any legitimate basis. He has never served in government nor held any official position during the tenure of the United National Movement (UNM), the party the commission was ostensibly investigating. His refusal to participate in what he rightfully called a political spectacle led to the imposition of a 20,000 GEL bail, which he declined to pay as a matter of principle, paving the way for today’s arrest.

His detention follows two days of escalating rhetoric from ruling party officials, who have openly threatened not only opposition leaders but also civil society organizations with criminal prosecution. These statements reflect a coordinated effort to intimidate watchdog groups, activists, and independent voices, reinforcing the fear that Japaridze’s arrest is only the first in a broader campaign of political persecution.

At a time when Georgian citizens are demanding a European future, the ruling party is building fortresses around courtrooms and using the justice system as a tool of oppression.

Civic IDEA warns that this moment marks a transition from backsliding democracy to full-blown authoritarianism. We urge the international democratic community—including the European Union, the United States, the UK and all of Georgia’s partners—to:

  • Condemn this arrest in the strongest possible terms;

  • Demand the immediate release of Zurab Japaridze;

  • Impose targeted sanctions and consequences against those responsible for orchestrating political persecution;

  • Stand visibly and vocally with Georgia’s civil society, which now faces open threats of criminalization.

Georgia’s democracy is in free fall. The time to act is now.

Civic IDEA Calls on the International Community to Act as Arrest of Zurab Japaridze Signals the End of Democratic Pretenses in Georgia Read More »

“The Georgian government is afraid of Russia and constantly thinks about how Moscow will react.” – Tinatin Khidasheli in an interview with Czech media outlet “IROZHLAS”.

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In the interview, Tinatin Khidasheli voices deep concerns about Georgia’s current political direction. She criticizes the ruling Georgian Dream party for drifting away from the European path and leaning toward authoritarianism.

“As long as Georgians are fighting in the streets with European flags, there is still hope,” Khidasheli said in an interview with iROZHLAS.cz, who visited Prague for the Unlock summit organized by the Prague Civil Society Centre.

Read the full article [in Czech] here:

“The Georgian government is afraid of Russia and constantly thinks about how Moscow will react.” – Tinatin Khidasheli in an interview with Czech media outlet “IROZHLAS”. Read More »

Tinatin Khidasheli Joins International Experts in “Demystifying China’s Global Initiatives” Webinar

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Tinatin Khidasheli, chairwoman of Civic IDEA, took part in the international webinar “Demystifying China’s Global Initiatives,” organized by the Institute for Chinese Policymaking (ICP) and Project Synopsis.

This high-level discussion brought together leading global experts—Martin Hála (Director, Project Synopsis), Laura Harth (Global Director, Safeguard Defenders), Charles Burton (Senior Fellow and China-Canada relations expert), and Andrea Calle (Project Director, ICP)—to examine the risks and strategies surrounding China’s growing global influence, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The panel presented concrete cases of how the BRI has operated across Europe and North America, exposing patterns of unfulfilled investment promises, elite capture, covert political influence, and threats to national sovereignty.

In her remarks, Tinatin Khidasheli emphasized the importance of democratic vigilance and shared Georgia’s experience in navigating China’s expanding strategic interests. The conversation also included tailored recommendations for Colombia, as it considers participation in the BRI.

📺 Watch the full webinar here:

Tinatin Khidasheli Joins International Experts in “Demystifying China’s Global Initiatives” Webinar Read More »

Tinatin Khidasheli Participates in the Unlock Civic Summit 2025 in Prague

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We’re pleased to share that Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of Civic IDEA, joined this year’s Unlock Civic Summit in Prague. 

As global democratic backsliding accelerates, and civil society in Georgia faces increasing pressure—from restrictions on independent media to the criminalization of international partnerships—Tinatin speaks on Georgia’s legacy of civic resistance and the ongoing fight for democratic values. 

“Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t think that we’ve already won our fight for freedom. Once you stop fighting, once you start taking democracy for granted, that’s when authoritarians hit,” heard the Unlock audience from Tinatin Khidasheli, the former Minister of Defence of Georgia and the head of the Civic IDEA think tank.

Over 200 activists and independent journalists are meeting at the Prague Centre’s flagship event in challenging times. The post-Cold War order can no longer be taken for granted. We have come together to respond to a world where Russia is forging authoritarian alliances and openly rejecting established international norms.

Tinatin Khidasheli Participates in the Unlock Civic Summit 2025 in Prague Read More »

Tinatin Khidasheli was recently featured in an Italian Magazine Le Monde and Il Foglio

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🚨 Tinatin Khidasheli, Chair of Civic IDEA, was recently featured in an Italian Magazine Le Monde and Il Foglio, offering her analysis on Russian influence in Europe and Georgia’s strategic challenges.🚨 

In Le Monde she warned:

“Georgia once represented the greatest hope for a truly Euro-Atlantic Caucasus. Yet despite countless warning signals, the EU still struggles to respond decisively. Without a united stance, Tbilisi risks trading its European path for cozy ties with authoritarian regimes like Russia, China and Iran.”

She went on to urge Italy and other EU members to seize the initiative:

“The Georgian government is trading away the country’s Euro-Atlantic future for political survival—and handing strategic assets to authoritarian regimes. This isn’t just Georgia’s problem; it’s Europe’s problem.”

“It’s essential that member states step up—more national sanctions, more diplomatic pressure, and undivided solidarity with the Georgian people. Europe’s credibility is at stake.”
 — Tinatin Khidasheli, ilfoglio.it , April 2025

🔍 Here are the key highlights from the articles below:

In her recent article featuring in Le Monde and Il Foglio, Tinatin Khidasheli distilled two intertwined challenges facing Europe and Georgia today:

  1. France’s “Consular Vigilance” Against Moscow

     

    • Counter-Infiltration Measures: Paris has rejected 1,200 visa and accreditation requests at its Russian consulates since April 2022—350 of them specifically for France—to choke off networks of Russian intelligence operatives. Domestic and foreign services (DGSI and Quai d’Orsay) now scrutinize everyone from academic speakers and festival-goers to phony journalists and diplomatic spouses.

       

    • AI-Driven Propaganda: Operation Storm-1516, uncovered by NewsGuard, used AI-generated fake-news narratives in nearly 39,000 posts between December 2024 and March 2025 (55.8 million views), accusing figures like Brigitte Macron and Zelensky of corruption or worse.

       

    • Khidasheli’s Take:

       “These aren’t Old-World spies slipping coded messages across borders—now the battlefield is online. Democracies must treat consular controls and digital vigilance as two sides of the same shield.”

  2. Georgia’s Geopolitical Drift

     

    • Surging Authoritarian Ties: Despite once being Europe’s beacon in the South Caucasus, Georgia’s exports to Russia and imports from China have spiked by 1,700 % and 350 % respectively. Visits to Tehran and Belt-and-Road disengagement signal a strategic pivot away from the EU.
    • Domestic Erosion: Under the ruling Georgian Dream party, democratic institutions have been weakened—rigged elections, media intimidation, and judicial control—while strategic ports and energy assets edge toward foreign hands.

Khidasheli’s Call:

 “Georgia’s European journey is at risk of being sold off, one strategic asset at a time. It’s not just Tbilisi’s problem—it’s Europe’s. Member states must coordinate sanctions, ramp up diplomatic pressure, and stand unequivocally with the Georgian people.”

Tinatin Khidasheli was recently featured in an Italian Magazine Le Monde and Il Foglio Read More »

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