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Georgia: Reports of Systematic Abuse and Torture Against Protesters
Ongoing protests in Georgia over EU membership have led NGOs to allege torture from authorities. CREDIT: Tbel Abuseridze.Multiple human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA, leading Georgian human rights advocacy), have reported allegations of excessive force and ill-treatment of protesters by Georgian police and security forces between November 28 and December 20, 2024. The incidents occurred during protests in Tbilisi, sparked by the ruling…
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Ukrainians Detained in Russia Offered Army Enlistment
Mediazona, an independent Russian investigative journalism outlet has reported the case of four Ukrainian civilians held in a special detention center in Tambov, approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) southeast of Moscow. These individuals are detained because their presence in Russia is deemed “undesirable” by authorities, but their deportation is hindered by complications arising from the…
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Ukrainian Drones Strike Residential Buildings in Kazan
Ukrainian drones struck residential buildings in Kazan, a city in central Russia located about 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, early Saturday morning, according to local authorities. The attack caused damage to buildings and triggered evacuations, though no casualties have been reported. The Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure in the…
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Abkhazian MP Opens Fire in Parliament, One Dead, Another Injured
On December 19, an Abkhazian MP opened fire during a parliamentary session, injuring two colleagues, one of whom later died, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). The incident occurred during a heated debate on cryptocurrency mining regulation. The altercation involved MPs Adgur Kharaziya, Kan Kvarchia, and Vakhtang Golandzia. Kharaziya, a proponent of stricter…
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Georgia: a Year of Crisis
We turn our attention back to Georgia in 2024. CREDIT: Tbel Abuseridze.Throughout 2024, Georgia experienced mounting political turmoil, characterized by violent protests, international criticism, contentious elections, and escalating accusations of pro-Russian policies against the ruling Georgian Dream party. Today, we revisit the political crisis that unfolded in Georgia over the past year. The Foreign Agents Law In early 2023, the Georgian Parliament introduced a draft law…
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Mikhaïl Kavelachvili: Former Footballer Becomes Georgia’s New President
Mikhaïl Kavelachvili, 53, a former international footballer, became Georgia’s new president following an indirect election on December 14, conducted by a 300-member electoral college dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Kavelachvili, who played for Manchester City and several Swiss clubs, transitioned into politics after retiring from football. A member of parliament since 2016, he…
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Shaping Peace in Ukraine: Recent European Diplomatic Efforts
International discussions on peace efforts regarding the ongoing war in Donbas explore new solutions for achieving a concrete ceasefire. Credit: Australian Institute of International Affairs.The ongoing conflict in Donbas continues to draw international attention, with recent discussions involving European leaders, the United States, and Ukraine. These developments include French-Polish talks about the possible deployment of a peacekeeping force and Hungarian President Viktor Orban’s proposal for a ceasefire. Previous Discussions
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UK and EU Respond to Georgia’s Protests
The United Kingdom has suspended program support and restricted defense cooperation with the Georgian government, citing concerns over a departure from European democratic norms. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision on December 9, adding that engagement with Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream government will also be limited. The move comes amid escalating protests in…
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Putin and Lukashenko Sign New Security Pact
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko convened in Minsk to celebrate 25 years of the Union State – a political and economic alliance between Russia and Belarus. Key outcomes included the Interstate Treaty on Security Guarantees, a new a pact aimed at mutual defense. The Interstate Treaty includes: Mutual obligations for defense…
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Russia Accused of Systematic Deportation of Ukrainian Children
Yale’s School of Public Health has released a US State Department-backed report alleging that 314 Ukrainian children were forcibly deported to Russia and subjected to a Kremlin-funded program of “Russification.” Of these children, 166 were placed with Russian families, 148 were listed in adoption databases, and others remain in institutions. The report claims Russian presidential…
