State Security Service confirms release of Georgian citizen illegally detained by occupation regime
Photo: State Security Service
The State Security Service of Georgia on Wednesday said that a Georgian citizen who was illegally detained last Thursday has been released and is now located in territory controlled by the central government.
The release process actively involved the “hotline” mechanism operated with the direct engagement of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), as well as all relevant instruments available to the central authorities.
The Georgian government and the State Security Service continue to work actively to secure the release of all Georgian citizens who remain in illegal detention in the occupied territories.
All News
12 July 2026, 16:25
Society
Telavi in Georgia’s Kakheti region hit by severe flooding and damage
A powerful natural disaster struck Telavi in Georgia’s Kakheti region, destroying infrastructure, flooding residential and public buildings, and causing a bridge to collapse, with emergency services working intensively to mitigate the consequences.
12 July 2026, 12:39
Politics
UNESCO Director General meets Georgian Education Minister, says organisation looks forward to deepening cooperation with Georgia
UNESCO Director General Khaled El-Enany on Saturday expressed satisfaction with his meeting with Georgian Minister of Education Givi Mikanadze, announcing that the organisation looks forward to further deepening cooperation in digital transformation, green education, science, and culture to equip students and young people with future-ready skills.
11 July 2026, 17:02
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: radicals’ actions on October 4 were prevented through active measures
Davit Matikashvili, the Chair of the Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules of the Georgian Parliament, on Saturday said that authorities had prevented a serious provocation during the October 4 events by taking active measures and discovering hidden weapons.
11 July 2026, 15:20
Politics
EU Ambassador to Georgia: Aleko Elisashvili verdict falls under court’s authority
Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Saturday said that the verdict against Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the opposition Strong Georgia - Lelo, was the prerogative of the Georgian judicial system and he was not authorised to comment on it, while emphasising that freedom of assembly and speech were fundamental principles that must be respected by EU candidate countries.
11 July 2026, 14:36
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Secretary General dismisses United National Movement rebranding as “PR bluff”
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday said that any attempt to rebrand the United National Movement was inconceivable given the party’s past actions, describing it as nothing more than a public relations exercise and a bluff.
11 July 2026, 14:18
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: actions outside the law will face consequences
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday said that every citizen has the right to express their views and hold demonstrations, but this must be done within the limits of the law, and any violations would always be met with an appropriate response from state institutions.
11 July 2026, 12:15
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: radical opposition’s justification of terrorism reveals dangerous moral degradation
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said that the radical opposition’s attempts to justify Aleko Elisashvili’s attempted terrorist act as serving “just goals” perfectly illustrate the essence of terrorism and signal a dangerous evolution that could eventually lead to justifying completed murders.
10 July 2026, 22:21
Justice
Georgian State Security Service has detained wanted Georgian citizen in neutral zone between Georgia-Armenia border checkpoints in connection with October 4 case
The State Security Service of Georgia on Friday detained a wanted Georgian citizen in the neutral zone between the Georgia-Armenia border checkpoints in connection with the October 4, 2025 case, which involves allegations of organised violence, an attempted seizure of the Presidential Palace, and preparations for acts of sabotage.
10 July 2026, 21:38
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker highlights historic successes at ECHR and ICC amid territorial integrity challenges
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker Giorgi Kakhiani on Friday addressed the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, highlighting Georgia’s commitment to multilateralism, state sovereignty, and the rules-based international order.
10 July 2026, 19:08
Foreign policy
Georgian FM holds farewell meeting with Chinese Ambassador, highlights progress in bilateral relations
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday held a farewell meeting with Zhou Qian, the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, who is concluding his diplomatic mission in the country.
10 July 2026, 17:27
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker says ALDE must force Lelo party to distance itself from terrorism
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday responded to the court verdict against opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili, saying that the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) must either force the opposition Lelo party to distance itself from terrorism or expel it from the alliance.
10 July 2026, 16:22
Politics
Azerbaijani President approves agreement on gas supplies to Georgia
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday approved an agreement on gas supplies to Georgia.
10 July 2026, 16:21
Justice
Aleksandre Elisashvili sentenced to 13 years in prison for attempted terrorist act
Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the opposition Strong Georgia - Lelo, on Friday was found guilty by the court on charges of attempting to commit a terrorist act.
10 July 2026, 15:18
Politics
Georgian PM says rivalry within UNM reflects competition among “foreign agents”
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said infighting within the opposition United National Movement (UNM) reflected competition among what he described as “foreign agents”, adding that the party’s actions required a legal response beyond electoral defeat.
10 July 2026, 15:09
Politics
Georgian PM says country outperforming EU candidates and some member states
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said Georgia is ahead not only of EU membership candidate countries but also of a number of EU member states in all directions, which is the result of the country's economic progress.
10 July 2026, 15:07
Politics
Georgian PM: Anaklia Deep Sea Port will be built with direct state involvement to best protect national interests
The Anaklia Deep Sea Port was initially planned to be developed with a single strategic partner, but the approach has changed and the port will now be built with the direct involvement of the state, said on Friday Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
10 July 2026, 14:16
Foreign policy
Georgian PM says ECHR confirms limits to expression to prevent hatred
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday welcomed a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, saying the Court had confirmed that restricting certain forms of expression could be justified when necessary to prevent hatred and aggression in a democratic society.
10 July 2026, 13:58
Politics
“OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has fallen to Joe Wilson’s level” - Georgian PM slams OSCE PA over Georgia resolution
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday criticised the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly over a recent declaration concerning Georgia, saying the organisation has “fallen to the level of Congressman Joe Wilson”.
10 July 2026, 13:53
Politics
Georgian PM says opposition’s “sanctions abroad, protests at home” strategy warrants legal response
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that the opposition’s “sanctions - abroad, protests - at home” strategy reinforces the lawsuit filed with the Constitutional Court and warrants an appropriate legal response.
10 July 2026, 12:26
Politics
Georgian Gov’t ranks among Europe’s top 20 for private sector-supportive governance
The Chandler Institute has published its Regulatory Governance rating as part of the Good Government Report 2026, awarding the Georgian government a high score for its governance framework and policies that support private sector development.