Georgian President met with U.S. Lawmakers

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili welcomed a congressional delegation led by Senator Chris Coons from the United States (D-DE).

"We've come here on purpose because we believe Georgia is significant...” During the joint news event, Senator Coons remarked, "we see the vital moves Georgia is taking in this area and on the global stage."

Despite strife, discord, and external threat, the Georgian people have made "amazing progress" since 1992, according to the US Senator. Senator Coons expressed optimism that the European Union will quickly embrace Georgia, saying, "it is our aim to continue to provide support, investment, and growth together." The US congressman also discussed Russia's war in Ukraine and Georgia's response to it. "We are deeply grateful for your clear and firm message, for your country's UN votes, and for the support you are providing, both as individuals, as Georgian families, churches, and communities, and as a nation."

"Today, more than ever before, Georgia needs your assistance and the solid partnership between our two nations," Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said. President Zourabichvili also stated that the United States plays a "significant role" in supporting regional peace and stability, and that the strategic alliance between the United States and Georgia accomplishes this goal.

"It's critical that we work together to ensure the security of the Black Sea and the stability of the Caucasus region," she said, adding that US support will be critical at the upcoming NATO Summit in Madrid, where the Alliance's open-door policy will be re-energised.

Georgian Dream's chairperson blasts “NGO Clan” for criticising the judiciary

Non-governmental organisations' criticism of the "judicial clan," according to Georgian Dream party chairperson Irakli Kobakhidze, originates from their attempts to restore the United National Movement party's grip on courts.

"These so-called NGOs, who are launching this campaign [on the judicial clan] have the sole purpose of restoring – at least partially – UNM's authority over the court," MP Kobakhidze told pro-government TV Imedi on April 21.

Local civil society organisations' criticism of the "judicial clan" began only after UNM-appointed cadres lost their senior justice positions, according to the ruling party's chief. "These so-called NGOs are working against the judiciary with a soviet manner of concocting clichés," he said, "in fact, I only know of one visible clan, the clan of NGOs."

The "judicial clan" is largely thought to have originated under UNM control before being enlisted by the Georgian Dream government, which came to power in 2012.

Saakashvili: “The Azov regiment was created with the help of Georgians”

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili boasted at his trial that the Ukrainian nationalist armed group Azov, an organisation banned in Russia, was created with the help of Georgian instructors.

“My heart belongs to Georgia as well as to Ukraine. I've been in this fight for a long time. At that time, for example, I sent Gia Kuparashvili to create the Azov Regiment (an organisation whose activities are banned in the Russian Federation), which worked with me. We arrived together. He asked me for permission, then I met with Andrei Biletsky, then the commander of the regiment, and we made a plan for how the Georgians would help. Then came Bahwa Chikobava, who now died heroically. There are real heroes in Georgia. We do not need conformity and retreat in the face of any threat. We can change everything. It is in our power,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.

Saakashvili tries to scare compatriots with claims of Georgian offices of pro-Russian organisations

Ex-President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, speaking at his own trial, stated that there are numerous “offices of pro-Russian organisations” in the country.

“A very big threat was being prepared and is being prepared against Georgia. Just like in Ukraine, hundreds of offices were opened by pro-Russian organisations, but Zelensky closed them in time, they were opened in Georgia, and do you think these offices were open for the elections? These offices were opened after them, just before the invasion of Ukraine, and as soon as Ukraine is finished, they will invade here. Today, Ukraine has stood in the way of this insidious plan. But the Georgian people cannot rely only on the Ukrainians, the Georgian people must defend their dignity. The one for which our ancestors fought for centuries,” Saakashvili said.

Georgian opposition proposes to ban Z and V

The opposition faction of the Georgian parliament "Lelo - Partnership for Georgia" came up with a legislative initiative to ban St. George's ribbons, as well as signs "Z" and "V" in the country.

“The corresponding legislative base of Georgia should include changes that will make it punishable for the use of symbols of Russia's aggressive policy in our country. In our opinion, such symbols as the ribbon of St. George, which, unfortunately, we often see in the public spaces of our country, should be banned. The use of the Latin letters Z and V, which have become symbols of Russian aggressive policy in Ukraine, should also be punishable in our country,” said Salome Samadashvili, one of the leaders of the faction.

According to MP Anna Natsvlishvili, changes should be made to the Code of Administrative Offenses, since Russia "carries out aggression not only by force of arms, but also through propaganda."

“We believe that Georgian legislation should face this reality and reflect it appropriately, so these actions should be included in the Code of Administrative Offenses as punishable,” Natsvlishvili said.

According to the Freedom Charter adopted by the Georgian Parliament in May 2011, Nazi and Soviet symbols are prohibited in Georgia. However, according to the new initiative, for the use of prohibited symbols, an individual will be punished with a fine of approx. $650, a legal entity - in the amount of approximately $1.6 thousand. In the event of a repeated violation, an individual will be fined 1647 dollars or face administrative arrest for 15 days, while a legal entity will be fined about $3,300.

Irakli Kadagishvili, chairman of the Georgian parliamentary committee on procedural issues and rules, called the initiative speculation and added that "the symbols of propaganda of the Russian aggressive policy are not used in Georgia."

“There are international brands where Z and V are used in one way or another. Based on this, I don't know how we can ban it. In general, there is no such propaganda in Georgia. One of the writers said that ‘Soldier's Father’ is part of this propaganda. Ban the ‘Father of a Soldier’ too? Often, we are dealing with ideological and political speculation. We do not use either the St. George ribbon or any other signs of propaganda of Russian aggression. If we follow this, then we need to ban the film ‘George Saakadze,’ it also mentions Russia, and it was filmed in Soviet times. I think it is more of a campaign,” Kadagishvili said.