**Georgia Celebrates Independence Day Amid Tensions**
May 26 marked Georgia’s Independence Day, commemorating the country’s declaration of independence in 1918. The day was first celebrated in 1991 after Georgia gained freedom from the Soviet Union. However, this year’s celebration took place amidst international isolation of the Georgian Dream (GD) government, concerns over authoritarian rule, and ongoing pro-European and anti-regime protests.
**Government Officials Emphasize Independence**
During the ceremony, GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili addressed the public, along with the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Defense Minister. They stressed the importance of traditional family values and highlighted that “Georgia has never been as independent as it is today.” However, their messages were met with skepticism by many Georgians.
**President Zurabishvili Speaks to Protesters**
In a separate speech, President Salome Zurabishvili addressed protesters near the parliament building. She expressed concerns over injustice and the destruction of statehood, citing the case of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of Netgazeti/Batumlebi, who has been detained and faces 4-7 years in prison.
**International Reaction**
Foreign leaders, diplomats, and officials congratulated Georgia on its Independence Day. However, most messages were directed towards the Georgian people rather than the GD government officials. The US Defense Intelligence Agency released a report stating that Russia aims to return Georgia to its sphere of influence, creating an environment that enables Russian influence in the country.
**Arrests and Parliamentary Developments**
Giorgi Bachiashvili, a former aide to Bidzina Ivanishvili, was arrested on May 27. The State Security Service claims he was near the green border between Armenia and Azerbaijan when he was “forcibly returned” to Georgia. The GD-led Parliament extended the mandate of its investigative commission, looking into alleged crimes by the opposition United National Movement (UNM).
**Human Rights Concerns**
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights urged Georgian authorities to investigate police abuse effectively, reduce the Special Investigation Service’s dependency on the Prosecutor’s Office, and revise recent legislative changes. He highlighted two cases where Georgia faces persistent problems with arbitrary administrative detention.
Read More @ civil.ge
