Women Rescued from Human-Egg Harvesting Operation in Georgia

Russia has announced the resumption of passenger flights to Sukhumi, the capital of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia, marking the first such service in three decades. According to Russian state media, a test flight from Moscow to Sukhumi took place on February 7, 2025, with regular flights expected to commence in May. This region has been a favored vacation destination for Russians since Soviet times and boasts a newly restored airport that had been closed during the 1990s conflict. Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states in 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. Despite this recognition, most nations still regard Abkhazia as part of Georgian territory. The test flight was operated by the private airline UVT Aero, and the Georgian government has yet to comment on the matter. The decision to resume flights reflects the deepening ties between Russia and the region amidst Georgia's increasingly strained relationships with the West.

Mzia Amaglobeli, a 49-year-old journalist, has been on a hunger strike for 25 days in a Georgian jail, drawing attention to her case and the broader issues surrounding press freedom in the country. Since her detention following a slap to the Batumi police chief during protests against the government, her health has severely declined, prompting hospitalization for treatment, according to her family. The protests, which started in November, are fueled by widespread accusations that the government of Georgia is rigging elections and distancing the country from its European Union aspirations. Although Georgian authorities claim Amaglobeli's pre-trial detention is justified due to her assault charge, fourteen foreign embassies have called for her immediate release, highlighting a worrying trend of intimidation against journalists in Georgia. Amaglobeli, known for her work with the independent news websites Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has become a rallying figure for protesters. According to the EU's human rights commissioner, her detention is seen as politically motivated. As Amaglobeli faces a potential sentence of four to seven years, her next court appearance is scheduled for March 4.

Significant unrest has erupted in Georgia as protests against the government continue, resulting in multiple arrests, including two prominent opposition leaders. Nika Melia, head of the pro-European liberal party Achali, and former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava were apprehended while attempting to block a major highway, as reported by AFP. Prior to the protests, the Ministry of Internal Affairs warned demonstrators that blocking the highway could lead to a four-year prison sentence. Melia was later released after agreeing to appear in court. He reported that he faced police violence during his detention. These protests come in the wake of widespread allegations of electoral fraud following the October 26 parliamentary elections, which resulted in a substantial majority for the ruling party, Georgian Dream. Opposition groups accuse the government of drawing Georgia closer to Russia at the expense of its European aspirations. European Union foreign affairs representative Kaja Kallas condemned the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, emphasizing the EU's support for the Georgian people's pursuit of freedom and democracy. Recent polls indicate that over 80% of Georgians support EU membership, which is constitutionally mandated.