**Georgia’s Parliament Approves Changes to Law on Grants, Criticized as a Move to Restrict Opposition**
In a move that has been widely criticized by the opposition and civil society groups, Georgia’s parliament today approved changes to the country’s Law on Grants. The changes, which were rushed through the one-party parliament, require foreign donors to obtain executive approval before disbursing funds to local organizations. This means that any donations to opposition groups or independent media outlets will now be subject to strict government control.
The move has been seen as a way for the ruling Georgian Dream party to restrict the activities of its opponents and maintain its grip on power. Tea Tsulukiani, a Georgian Dream MP, was quoted as saying that she hopes Georgia will start the new year without the opposition United National Movement (UNM). The UNM is planning to participate in local elections scheduled for October, but the Georgian Dream party has made it clear that it intends to ban the opposition shortly after.
**Cultural Figures Backlash Against Sacking of Theater Director**
In a separate development, the Ministry of Culture has dismissed Davit Doiashvili, director of the Vaso Abashidze Music and Drama Theater. The decision has been met with immediate backlash from artists, cultural figures, and civil society groups, who view it as a politically motivated move to punish the theater for its involvement in ongoing pro-European protests against the Georgian Dream government.
Doiashvili’s dismissal comes at a time when the theater and its troupe have played a prominent role in the protests. The move has been seen as an attempt by the government to silence dissenting voices and undermine the cultural sector’s independence.
**Georgia-Azerbaijan Ties: President Kavelashvili Continues First Official Visit**
Meanwhile, Georgian Dream-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili is continuing his first official visit to Azerbaijan. During his meetings with the country’s leadership, including President Ilham Aliyev, Kavelashvili stressed the “strategic and special good neighborliness” that exists between the two nations.
The visit comes at a time when Georgia-Azerbaijan relations are being closely watched due to their importance for regional security and trade. The two countries have cooperated on several projects, including the Middle Corridor initiative, which aims to enhance trade and economic ties between Europe and Asia.
**Human Rights Concerns: Investigation into Police Abuse of Journalist Ineffective**
The human rights watchdog Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has expressed concern that an investigation into alleged police abuse of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a detained journalist and director of Batumelebi/Netgazeti, is “ineffective”. The GYLA also noted that Amaghlobeli has not been granted victim status despite repeated requests.
This comes as the Public Defender’s Office documented 242 cases of alleged torture and ill-treatment of detainees during pro-EU protests. However, the State Security Service (SIS) has only granted victim status in 85 instances, sparking concerns about the government’s commitment to human rights.
**Constitutional Court Appoints New Chairman**
In other news, the Constitutional Court of Georgia has elected Revaz Nadaraia as its new chairman. Nadaraia will serve a five-year term and succeed Merab Turava in the position. He has previously served as Chair of the Poti City Court and as a judge at several courts.
**EU Accession Process on Hold: Lithuanian Foreign Minister**
Finally, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has said that Georgia’s EU accession process is being put on hold due to the Georgian Dream party’s decisions. The Minister stated that the “growing gap between the EU and Georgia is thus a political choice of the Georgian Dream leadership, and it will become harder to close it as time goes by.” This comes as tensions between the government and civil society groups continue to escalate over issues such as human rights and democratic backsliding.
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