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

New, Research / /

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.

đź“ť 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

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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.

đź“ş 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 »

How Does the Georgian Dream Respond to Messages from the US Regarding Anaklia?

Anaklia, New, Newswire / /

Contrary to the expectations of representatives of the Georgian Dream, recent statements by American politicians confirm that the Trump administration is not indifferent to the decision to transfer the Anaklia Port project to a Chinese company. Furthermore, both Republican and Democratic party representatives view the potential involvement of a Chinese firm in the Anaklia project as an attempt by China—a strategic rival of the United States—to expand its influence in the Black Sea region.

Representatives of the Georgian Dream party have offered differing narratives in response to Washington’s recent statements concerning the Anaklia port project. The illegitimate Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, attributed the remarks by American officials to the influence of the so-called “Deep State.” Meanwhile, the Vice Prime Minister, Levan Davitashvili, cast doubt on the potential transfer of the port to a Chinese company.

For a comprehensive overview of the Georgian Dream’s latest statements and positions regarding the Anaklia port, please refer to the full report.

Full report

How Does the Georgian Dream Respond to Messages from the US Regarding Anaklia? Read More »

Tinatin Khidasheli Featured in Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Article

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The Chairwoman of Civic IDEA, Tinatin Khidasheli, is featured in a recent article by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which examines China’s growing presence in the Black Sea region and its strategic interests in Georgia.

In the article, Ms. Khidasheli comments on the implications of Chinese involvement in infrastructure projects like the Anaklia deep-water port and highlights the potential risks to regional security and Georgia’s international partnerships.

Read the Full Article

Tinatin Khidasheli Featured in Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Article Read More »

Russia’s Naval Expansion in the Black Sea

New, Research / /

The recent announcement of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire, Abkhazia has intensified concerns about regional security, economic stability, and Georgia’s sovereignty. While Russia claims this expansion is a strategic necessity following Ukrainian attacks on its Black Sea fleet, Georgia and its Western allies see it as a direct violation of international law and a further entrenchment of Russian influence in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea.

Tap to see the full article:

Russia’s Naval Expansion in the Black Sea Read More »

South Caucasus at a Crossroads – Tinatin Khidasheli’s Address in The Hague

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On 3 April, the international conference “The South Caucasus Again in Transition” was held in The Hague, Netherlands. Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of the organization Civic IDEA, participated as a speaker on the panel titled “The South Caucasus: A Region in Transition.”

In her remarks, Ms. Khidasheli addressed the key challenges facing Georgia and the wider South Caucasus region, as well as the opportunities presented during this critical period of transition. She underscored the importance of preserving peace, advancing democratic reforms, and strengthening international cooperation as essential elements for ensuring regional stability and development.

The conference was organized by LINKS Europe Foundation, a Hague-based organization committed to promoting peace and security in Europe and its neighboring regions to the East and South, and to enhancing the European Union’s engagement with these regions.

South Caucasus at a Crossroads – Tinatin Khidasheli’s Address in The Hague Read More »

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