Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Bomb threat forces new evacuation of Tbilisi City Court

TBILISI, October 1 – Tbilisi City Court was evacuated on Tuesday after a bomb threat was phoned in, halting all hearings and sealing off the main entrance. Police and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, according to local reports. Proceedings in every courtroom were suspended as officers moved staff, lawyers, and visitors outside the … Read more

New rules toughen exams for heavy vehicle drivers in Georgia

TBILISI, October 1 – Georgia has introduced tougher requirements for drivers seeking licenses to operate large vehicles with trailers. As of October 1, candidates applying for CE and DE categories, covering heavy trucks and buses with trailers, as well as the C1E and D1E subcategories, must pass a new two-stage practical exam. Holders of regular … Read more

Georgia enforces stricter residency rules for foreign nationals

TBILISI, October 1 – Georgia has introduced stricter rules for foreigners who violate the country’s residency and immigration laws. The new measures take effect from today. Under the changes, foreigners who overstay their permitted period face fines ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 lari (about 350 to 1,050 US dollars) and will be banned from re-entering … Read more

State to control imports and sales of psychotropic drugs

TBILISI, October 1 – Starting October 1, Georgia has placed the wholesale distribution of psychotropic medicines and other pharmaceuticals under direct state control. According to the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, the change means only the state will be allowed to import and distribute medications subject to special regulation, including … Read more

Russia launches electronic queue system at Georgia border

TBILISI, October 1 – Starting today, Russian customs has introduced a new booking system for trucks crossing the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Georgia–Russia border. The system requires truck drivers to reserve a specific date and time before arriving at the terminal. Reservations can be made through the state electronic documentation portal, and the process … Read more

Georgian lawyers group launches second court fight over grants law

TBILISI, October 1 – Georgia’s Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), one of the country’s most prominent civil society groups, has filed a new complaint with the Constitutional Court against the recently adopted “Law on Grants.” The organization said it is challenging Article 61 of the law, which in September gave the Anti-Corruption Bureau broad authority to … Read more

Italy leads EU demand for Georgian hazelnuts

TBILISI, October 1 – Georgia exported 2,900 tons of hazelnuts worth 24.7 million US dollars between August 1 and September 28 this year. Compared to the same period in 2024, the export value jumped by 36 percent, or 6.6 million dollars. The average export price for this one of the country’s most important export articles … Read more

Georgia’s PM heads to Copenhagen for European summit

TBILISI, October 1 – Georgia’s prime minister is planning to attend the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen tomorrow, officials in Tbilisi confirmed. Levan Jorjoliani, head of the government administration, said the Georgian leader will speak during a roundtable session focused on Europe’s economic challenges. He is expected to highlight both the continent’s current difficulties … Read more

Ruling party founder warns of radicals ahead of Georgia vote

TBILISI, October 1 – Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party, marked the anniversary of the party’s 2012 election victory with a lengthy statement on October 1, describing it as a defining moment in the country’s modern history. Ivanishvili said October 1, 2012, when Georgian Dream defeated then-president Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National … Read more

Georgia’s central bank chief takes leading role in Swift

TBILISI, September 30 – Georgia’s central bank president Natia Turnava has stepped into the global spotlight at Swift’s flagship Sibos conference, in a push to integrate more deeply with Western-led financial networks, seeming to counter criticism abroad that describes Georgia’s ruling party as drifting closer to Moscow. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Swift has … Read more