**Russia Launches Direct Flights to Occupied Abkhazia, Igniting Condemnation from Tbilisi**
In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, Russia announced on May 1 that it would begin operating direct flights to the occupied region of Abkhazia. The decision was met with strong disapproval from the Georgian government and the European Union.
According to reports from Russian news agency RIA Novosti, UVT Aero operated the first flight from Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport to Sukhumi, two days ahead of schedule, citing “high demand” as the reason for the early launch. The move is seen as a brazen attempt by Russia to assert its control over the breakaway region and further isolate Georgia.
**EU Condemns Russia’s Actions**
The European Union also weighed in on the issue, issuing a statement that denounced Russia’s unilateral decision to launch regular commercial passenger flights to Sukhumi. “This action, taken without the consent of the Georgian authorities and in the absence of a necessary international aviation code for the Sukhumi airport, is yet another step by the Russian Federation violating Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the EU statement read.
**Growing Concerns Over Press Freedom in Georgia**
Meanwhile, press freedom remains a pressing concern in Georgia. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the country has dropped from 103rd to 114th place in their World Press Freedom Index. The decline is attributed to rising violence against journalists and the imprisonment of Mzia Amaghlobeli.
The RSF also criticized the increasing political control over the Georgian media, particularly by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Transparency International Georgia expressed similar concerns on World Press Freedom Day, highlighting the misuse of law enforcement and the judiciary as significant threats to media freedom.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Georgia’s annual inflation rate in April was 3.4%, with prices increasing in the following groups: health (9.2%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (7%), and miscellaneous goods and services (6.1%). The National Statistics Service (Geostat) suggested that these increases were driven by a range of factors, including economic growth and changes in global commodity prices.
Lastly, the Social Justice Center submitted amicus curiae briefs in the criminal cases of 11 individuals charged with organizing and participating in group violence during pro-EU rallies. The organization called on the Tbilisi City Court to critically assess the intent behind the defendants’ actions and the adequacy of the prosecution’s evidence.
**Data of the Day**
According to Geostat, Georgia’s annual inflation rate was primarily driven by price increases in the following groups:
* Health: 9.2%
* Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 7%
* Miscellaneous goods and services: 6.1%
As tensions between Russia and Georgia continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the region’s fragile stability.
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