imedi /  19 September 2026, 12:09 / Reliable source

Foreign national arrested on drug smuggling charges at Georgia border crossing

Photo: Imedi TV

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia on Saturday said law enforcement officers had arrested a foreign citizen after up to 12 kilograms of marijuana were allegedly discovered concealed inside a truck at the Lagodekhi border crossing.

Officers from the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry, in cooperation with the Customs Department of the Revenue Service under the Ministry of Finance, conducted a detailed inspection of the vehicle and uncovered the narcotics hidden inside the truck’s cabin.

According to the Ministry, the suspect was arrested on charges of illegally purchasing, possessing and importing into Georgia a particularly large quantity of narcotic drugs.

The offences carry a penalty of up to 20 years or life imprisonment.

All News

Photo: Government Administration

19 September 2026, 12:30

Politics

Georgian PM: largest IDP housing project to date provides apartments to 1 600 families

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said that 1 600 internally displaced families would receive newly renovated apartments in Tbilisi, describing the development as the largest housing project of its kind implemented to date and reaffirming the Government’s commitment to providing displaced families with decent living conditions.

Photo: Government Administration

19 September 2026, 12:06

Politics

Georgian PM: restoring territorial integrity through peaceful means remains Government’s top priority

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said restoring the country’s territorial integrity through peaceful means remained the Government’s foremost national objective, stressing that patience, consistency and pragmatic policies were essential to achieving this goal.

Photo: Government Administration

18 September 2026, 21:46

Politics

Georgian PM highlights economic growth, focus on sustainable and inclusive development

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Friday that Georgia has recorded one of the highest average economic growth rates in the world over the past five years, while emphasising that the main challenge is to translate this performance into sustainable, inclusive and long-term development.

18 September 2026, 19:36

Society

UN Tourism Secretary General: Kutaisi visit provided insights for upcoming innovation summit

UN Tourism Secretary General Shaikha Al Nuwais said on Friday that her visit to the Kutaisi Technology Hub came at an important time as preparations were underway for an Innovation Summit to be held in Kutaisi under the auspices of UN Tourism and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Photo: The National Bank of Georgia

18 September 2026, 19:27

Economy

Georgian National Bank Governor: Georgia becomes first in region to convene Central Bank roundtable with 15 countries

Natia Turnava, the Governor of the National Bank of Georgia, on Friday said that Georgia has become the first country in the region to host a roundtable meeting bringing together senior officials from the central banks of up to 15 countries.

Photo: Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia

18 September 2026, 18:45

Economy

Georgian Economy Minister: Georgia will host UN Tourism Innovation Forum at Kutaisi Technology Hub in 2027

Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili on Friday said that Georgia would host the UN Tourism Innovation Forum at the Kutaisi Technology Hub in 2027, under the auspices of the UN Tourism Organization.

Photo: Getty Images

18 September 2026, 18:43

Foreign policy

European Union rejects illegal “elections” in Russian-occupied Tskhinval region, reiterates support for Georgia’s territorial integrity

The European Union has rejected the so-called presidential elections held in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of South Ossetia on Friday, saying it does not recognise the legal framework under which the vote was organised and considers its outcome null and void.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

18 September 2026, 18:31

Foreign policy

Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns illegal so-called elections in Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region

The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the so-called presidential elections held in the occupied Tskhinvali region on Friday, noting that they are contrary to international law and cannot confer legitimacy on the occupation regime.

Photo: Government of Georgia

18 September 2026, 16:57

Politics

Georgian PM welcomes Council of Europe Ministers’ decisions on Georgia-Russia cases

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday welcomed the decision of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers concerning interstate cases brought by Georgia against Russia, saying it reflected the Government’s efforts to protect the country’s national interests.

18 September 2026, 16:51

Foreign policy

Georgia and Nauru to establish diplomatic relations

Georgia and the Republic of Nauru are set to establish diplomatic relations.

Photo: Government Administration

18 September 2026, 16:20

Economy

Georgian PM: Georgia maintains strong economic growth despite regional challenges

Georgia’s economic growth stood at 7.9% in the first seven months of the year, indicating that the country has maintained the pace of economic development recorded since 2021, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Friday.

Irakli Kobakhidze

18 September 2026, 15:59

Politics

Georgian PM: US moves to strengthen transparency legislation absolutely understandable

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said claims that transparency was contrary to democracy were “complete absurdity”, stressing that the new US administration was itself introducing clearer provisions into its transparency legislation.

Shalva Papuashvili

18 September 2026, 14:45

Politics

Georgian Parliament Speaker: Russia’s recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity key to relations

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Friday that there were no elections in what he described as “occupied South Ossetia”, stressing that Russia exercised effective control over both Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region and that Georgia’s main objective was to end the occupation.

Photo: Parliament of Georgia

18 September 2026, 14:32

Politics

Georgian Parliament Speaker: foreign-funded organisations were ‘fighting on Russia’s side’ against Georgia

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday accused foreign-funded organisations of acting against Georgia in Russia’s interests, claiming that the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) had prepared complaints for Russia to file with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Photo: Parliament of Georgia

18 September 2026, 12:41

Politics

Georgian Parliament Speaker: Ukraine viewed as EU’s frontline of defence shows cold-blooded International politics

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Friday that Ukraine is viewed as a defensive line for the European Union and European countries.

Shalva Papuashvili

18 September 2026, 12:38

Politics

Georgian Parliament Speaker: Brussels views EU candidate countries as being “on the menu”

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Friday that Brussels viewed EU candidate countries as being “on the menu”, with decisions about them made by those “sitting at the table”. He argued that Georgia should not be treated as a country whose future can be decided by others.

18 September 2026, 11:47

Justice

Investigation Service launches probe into reported intoxication cases at Tbilisi kindergartens

The Investigation Service of Georgia’s Ministry of Finance on Friday launched an investigation after receiving reports of children and a teacher showing signs of intoxication at kindergartens in Tbilisi.

18 September 2026, 11:45

Tourism

Georgian Agriculture Minister, US wine experts discuss expanding Georgian wine presence in American market

Measures aimed at promoting Georgian wine in the United States and increasing its recognition and demand were discussed on Friday in a meeting between David Songhulashvili, Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and leading American wine journalists and industry professionals.

Maka Botchorishvili Shaikha Al Nuwais

17 September 2026, 22:00

Tourism

Georgian FM, Secretary General of UN Tourism Organisation discuss expanding cooperation

Current issues related to cooperation between Georgia and UN Tourism, as well as prospects for further collaboration, were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili and UN Tourism Secretary General Shaikha Al Nuwais.