Georgia News

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.

A shocking human trafficking case has emerged in Georgia, where approximately 100 women were reportedly enslaved for illegal egg harvesting by Chinese gangsters. The situation came to light after three Thai women were freed by a Thailand-based NGO, as reported by the Bangkok Post. Pavena Hongsakula, founder of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, stated that the victims were lured by deceptive job advertisements on social media, promising lucrative salaries ranging from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 Thai Baht ($28,000 to $42,000) for surrogacy work. Once in Georgia, the women were confined to properties and coerced into undergoing hormonal treatments to stimulate egg production for monthly extractions. One survivor described the harrowing process, which involved anesthetization and machine-assisted egg collection. According to estimates, the harvested eggs are likely trafficked for in-vitro fertilization purposes in other countries. Social media users have since called for stricter international regulations on the reproductive industry. Thai authorities, as reported by Reuters, are conducting further investigations into the matter.

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.

Researchers from Cranfield University have made a remarkable discovery in the South Caucasus Mountains, unveiling the remnants of a large fortress dating back to the Late Bronze Age. Utilizing drone technology to analyze the site, the team discovered that the fortress, known as Dmanisis Gora, is significantly larger than previously estimated, boasting fortified walls over half a mile long. In 2018, archaeologists initially found visible ruins of an inner and outer fortress wall at the site. However, mapping the entire structure proved challenging on foot. The introduction of drone imagery allowed researchers to compile 11,000 high-resolution images, which were then digitally stitched to create a detailed map of the area. The new findings reveal that the fortress, which had been overlooked due to its expansive scale, features a complex layout with numerous stone structures and burial sites. The two fortified walls were constructed with rough boulders and mortar, measuring six feet thick, suggesting a sophisticated defense system. Comparing the drone images with archived satellite photos from the Cold War era, researchers were able to analyze changes in the settlement over time. The discovery of tens of thousands of artifacts, including pottery and animal bones, offers insight into the lives of the people who inhabited Dmanisis Gora. The researchers believe that understanding this site will provide critical information regarding settlement structures and population dynamics during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Further excavations and analysis are planned to explore various aspects of the settlement's history.

Researchers from Cranfield University have successfully used drone technology to map a massive 3,000-year-old fortress in the South Caucasus mountains, known as Dmanisis Gora. Initially discovered in 2018, the site was thought to consist of limited visible ruins. However, with 11,000 aerial images captured by drones, a comprehensive digital map was created, revealing that the fortress is over 40 times larger than previously estimated. The team highlighted that the fortress features both inner and outer walls constructed from rough boulders and mortar, with the outer wall extending over half a mile. This site not only demonstrates significant architectural capability but also complicates existing models of population density in the region during the Late Bronze and Iron Age. The research, recently published in the journal Antiquity, aims to shed light on how ancient societies adapted and expanded their settlements over time. As excavation continues, the team anticipates uncovering tens of thousands of artifacts that could further elucidate the historical significance of Dmanisis Gora. According to the study, this remarkable find could change our understanding of large-scale settlements in Eurasia, offering insights into the interaction of mobile pastoral groups with more sedentary populations in ancient times.

The LGBTQ+ community in Georgia is facing increased threats following the assassination of prominent transgender figure Kesaria Abramidze in September 2025. Abramidze was killed in a violent act linked to her ex-partner, raising grave concerns about safety within the community. Activists argue that police indifference to Abramidze's previous reports of violence highlights a broader climate of hostility. Just a day before Abramidze's murder, the Georgian Parliament passed a controversial "Family Values and Protection of Minors" law that prohibits any public expression deemed LGBTQ+ "propaganda." This legislative change has intensified fears among LGBTQ+ individuals, prompting many to seek refuge abroad as the ruling party, Georgian Dream, shifts toward more conservative policies reminiscent of those in Russia and Hungary. Mariami Kvaratskhelia, co-founder of Tbilisi Pride, noted a significant regression in protections for LGBTQ+ rights, indicating that the current government has increased its focus on traditional family values while suppressing recognition of diversity. Kvaratskhelia warns that the new laws not only outlaw gender-affirming medical procedures but also threaten organizations providing critical support, potentially forcing LGBTQ+ individuals back into invisibility. Despite a once-thriving civil society advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, recent years have seen a mass exodus of activists, with many fleeing to countries like Belgium and the United States due to rising fears for their safety. The situation continues to deteriorate as the government embraces anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, with the international community now calling for urgent protections for human rights in Georgia.