Wednesday, July 29, 2026

GW #2: Detainees released, Washington turns to Georgia, and Middle Corridor

This is the second issue of Georgia Week, DFWatch’s weekly briefing with news, background, opinion and archive content. This week’s stories show a new development in Georgia’s political crisis. Several October 4 protest defendants are now being released or are expected to be released under plea agreements, partly meeting one of the opposition movement’s central … Read more

US House passes Georgia bill targeting Russian and Chinese influence

TBILISI, June 9 – The US House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring the Trump administration to assess Russian and Chinese intelligence activity in Georgia. The bill, H.R. 7668, is called the Countering China’s Control of the Caucasus Act, according to Interpressnews and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. It was introduced in Congress on February … Read more

Seven rally detainees walk free as opposition demand partly met

TBILISI, June 9 – Seven people detained in Georgia’s “October 4” case were released from the courtroom on Tuesday after a judge approved plea agreements with prosecutors. The case concerns events near the Atoneli Palace, the presidential residence in central Tbilisi, on October 4. The release of detainees has been one of the main demands … Read more

Georgia close to releasing detained protesters, a key opposition demand

TBILISI, June 9 – More defendants in Georgia’s “October 4” case are expected to walk free after agreeing to plea deals with prosecutors. Releasing those detained at protests has been one of the main demands by Georgia’s opposition protesters since the parliamentary election in October, 2024. Interpressnews now reports that some could be released already … Read more

Eight more October 4 defendants reach plea deals

TBILISI, June 5 – Eight more defendants in Georgia’s October 4 case are set to receive plea agreements, adding to an earlier group of seven defendants expected to be released under similar deals. The case concerns events near the Atoneli Palace, Georgia’s presidential residence in central Tbilisi, on October 4. Interpressnews reported Friday that the … Read more

France recalls two intelligence officers from Georgia: Report

TBILISI, June 5 – France has reportedly recalled two intelligence officers from Georgia, weeks after Tbilisi publicly warned partner countries not to run intelligence operations on Georgian soil. The report, first published by the French outlet Intelligence Online and cited by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian Service, says the two officers were withdrawn from Georgia … Read more

Tbilisi keeps distance from South Caucasus talks in St Petersburg

TBILISI, June 4 – Georgia says it will not take part in a planned 3+3 regional meeting in St. Petersburg. Russia announced that the first expert-level meeting of the format will be held there on Friday, June 5. The 3+3 format brings together the three South Caucasus countries, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, with three regional … Read more

October 4 defendants set for release under plea deals

TBILISI, June 2 – Seven people detained over the October 4 events near Georgia’s presidential palace are expected to be released from the courtroom after reaching plea agreements with prosecutors. The case concerns one episode from the events near the Atoneli Palace, the presidential residence in central Tbilisi, Interpressnews reported. Prosecutor Lasha Tskvitaria told journalists … Read more

Construction sites remain Georgia’s deadliest workplaces

TBILISI, June 2 – Workplace deaths in Georgia are slowly declining, but experts say safety rules still need to be tightened, especially in the construction sector, where most fatal accidents continue to happen. According to Business Rezonansi, citing data from Geostat, 32 people died in fatal workplace accidents in 2025. Of those, 21 deaths were … Read more

U.S. eyes ‘reset’ with Georgia after Tbilisi visit

TBILISI, June 2 – Washington says it is ready to move relations with Georgia into a new phase after a State Department delegation held high-level meetings in Tbilisi last week. But it also says political stability, a functioning opposition and a good climate for American investment will be needed, Rezonansi reported. The U.S. delegation, which … Read more