New footage exposes yet another case of systemic police brutality in Georgia.

Ivanishvili’s PM Irakli Kobakhidze continues his attacks on Georgia’s Western partners and spreads conspiracy theories, this time targeting Congressman @RepJoeWilson. Kobakhidze claims that the United National Movement and Joe Wilson “have the same patron,” are “controlled by the same hand,” and receive instructions from the same people. He says their criticism of the Georgian government is orchestrated by a so-called “Global War Party” or “Deep State.” On #China, he argues that Wilson’s criticism of Georgia’s China policy is “illogical” and can only be explained by outside forces acting against Georgia’s national interests.

Georgia is shifting its geopolitical alignment away from the West and closer to Russia and Iran. In January, Russian strategic airplanes were allowed to transit Georgian airspace and resupply Tehran during the regime's brutal crackdown on protesters. Through quasi-educational institutions set up by Iran, the IRGC has been able to influence and recruit Georgians to do its bidding, including assassination attempts on US soil. If Tbilisi wants to preserve its Euro-Atlantic future, it needs to prove that it stands with its long-standing partners, not with the regime in Tehran, @LukeDCoffey warns. Read in @arabnews: arabnews.com/node/2646098

Rather than focusing on repairing strained relations with the EU and the United States, Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream government devoted a special briefing to celebrating its expanding partnership with #China. Irakli Kobakhidze hailed Beijing as a “peaceful superpower” and insisted the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is “not just on paper” but brings tangible benefits. The emphasis was hard to miss given the growing tensions between the Georgian Dream party and Georgia’s Western partners.

"Until victory!" — written on an umbrella. Day 559 of uninterrupted protests in Georgia. 📷 Veronika Polyakova

Irakli Kobakhidze lashed out at Congressman @RepJoeWilson after the U.S. House of Representatives passed Wilson’s act addressing Russian and Chinese influence in Georgia. Kobakhidze dismissed Wilson as “an unserious man” and claimed that “no one takes him seriously” in the United States, calling concerns about China’s role in the South Caucasus “completely unserious.”

Asked what exactly the United States expects from Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze refused to elaborate, telling journalists: “What the U.S. wants, and what the boss wants, you will learn later.” Kobakhidze argued that the U.S. administration itself speaks about deepening relations with both China and Russia and insisted that any roadmap for restoring the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership must be agreed jointly, not imposed unilaterally. He also lashed out at critics, saying: “You’re not Joe Wilson, are you? Don’t sink to the level of Joe Wilson and Eka Gigauri.” Kobakhidze expressed optimism that ongoing discussions with American officials will lead to the restoration of the strategic partnership, while maintaining that there has been no undermining of democracy or the rule of law in #Georgia.

After U.S. Secretary of State @marcorubio said that Georgian officials had asked what was needed to improve relations with Washington, Irakli Kobakhidze denied that any such question was ever asked. “We have never, ever asked such a question,” Kobakhidze said, adding that neither he nor any of his colleagues had made such an inquiry. When asked whether Rubio was lying, he responded: “It’s not about lying. When people speak, they may present things through their own interpretation.” Kobakhidze insisted that Georgia’s position has been consistent: the government has expressed readiness to discuss all issues related to restoring the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership, but has never asked Washington what it must do to improve relations. Responding to Rubio’s remark about correcting Georgia’s behavior, Kobakhidze added: “Georgia is not a school student who can be kept back a grade and told to correct its behavior. #Georgia is a dignified, sovereign state, and we have made that clear everywhere.”

Iran’s ambassador to Georgia, Ali Mojani, slammed the U.S. after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington has conditions for improving ties with Tbilisi and hopes Georgia’s government will change its “behavior.” Mojani replied on Facebook that the U.S. should “fix its view of the world” and said a country that “tries to destroy other civilizations” should “fix itself first.”

„For victory, together, until the end!" - A protest is being held in front of the Parliament. #GeorgiaProtests

,,For victory, together, until the end!" - an Independence Day rally. #GeorgiaProtests

#GeorgiaProtests Participants in the May 26 march managed to bring a pickup truck into the protest. According to Nika Gvaramia, the opposition alliance was not allowed to set up a stage for today’s rally, and police seized a vehicle carrying technical equipment. March participants are heading toward Rustaveli Avenue.

One more example of GD’s legitimacy crisis: Georgia’s opposition alliance is planning a major rally for May 26 (Independence Day) but police are already blocking preparations on Rustaveli Avenue. Opposition leader Nika Gvaramia says police refused permission to set up a stage and seized a truck carrying technical equipment needed for the event.

#GeorgiaProtests | „Medicine for the children" - a rally took place from Rustaveli Metro Station to the government building in support of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

,,In support of media freedom” - Mzia Amaglobeli transferred 1000 GEL from the N5 Women’s Prison to the account of “Sinatle Media”. According to the Independent Online Media Union, the power that Mzia Amaglobeli gives to Georgian media exceeds any amount. ,,Thank you, Mzia! We are fighting before it is too late!” - writes ,,Siete Media”.

Day 541 of daily, uninterrupted, nationwide protests in Georgia. 🇬🇪🇪🇺☔

Speaker of Ivanishvili’s Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has once again launched a hostile attack on Georgia’s Western partners and European institutions. Commenting on possible EU sanctions, Papuashvili claimed that there are people in the European Parliament who are so “hostile” toward Georgia that “if they were allowed, they would launch rockets at us” and “send troops into the country,” adding that some in Georgia would supposedly justify it “in the name of democracy.” He also attacked EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and repeated the ruling party’s narrative that the European Union is pursuing a damaging and confrontational policy toward Georgia. The statement is the latest example of escalating anti-Western rhetoric from Georgian Dream officials amid deepening tensions with the EU and growing international criticism of democratic backsliding in Georgia.

Georgian journalist and TV host Nanuka Zhorzholiani, who ran a foundation for years helping people in need, fined protesters, and prisoners of conscience, has been sentenced to 3 days of administrative detention for standing on the sidewalk. #TerrorinGeorgia

Ivanishvili’s PM Irakli Kobakhidze reacted to police dispersing a protest and detentions in Denmark, claiming it shows “a far more than worrying” human-rights backslide in the EU. Sanctioned Georgian Dream media mouthpieces are branding it “Copenhagen’s double standards,” using the incident to push their wider narrative about Europe’s “hypocrisy.”

In Russia, a similar system was created under the name of “combating extremism.” Officially, the goal was public safety, but in practice, the state used vague concepts against critical voices. Over the years, accusations of “extremism” in Russia have been used to pressure opposition figures, journalists, NGOs, bloggers, and ordinary citizens over posts written on social media. #TerrorinGeorgia