Georgia's Political Landscape Shaken by SSS Raids, Party Ban Threats, and Education Reform Debate
October 18, 2025
The State Security Service (SSS) dominated headlines today, October 18, 2025, with an announcement of significant seizures made during extensive raids on the residences of several former high-ranking officials and their associates. Among those targeted were former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, former head of the SSS Grigol Liluashvili, and former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze, along with five other individuals. The SSS reported seizing substantial amounts of cash, including over $7.22 million and 136,000 GEL, as well as gold bars, various valuable jewelry, watches, and mobile phones. These operations, which involved searching 24 locations nationwide, underscore intensified anti-corruption efforts or ongoing political investigations.
These high-profile raids come amidst escalating political tensions related to the "October 4th events," where the Prosecutor's Office today announced new charges against 16 additional individuals for alleged attempts to seize strategic objects and organize group violence. Among them, former Department of Special Assignments official Irakli Shaishmelashvili was notably charged in absentia, with a court ordering his pre-trial detention. Furthermore, the ruling Georgian Dream party signaled its intent to file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court within the next week, seeking to ban several opposition parties, including the United National Movement, "Coalition for Change," "Lelo," and "Gakharia - For Georgia," linking them to the alleged unrest. A protest on Rustaveli Avenue saw temporary road closures with an Interior Ministry warning for participants.
A major domestic policy discussion revolved around the proposed education reform outlined by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The reform suggests a shift to an 11-year school system, introducing 3-year bachelor's and 1-year master's degrees. Critics, including education experts and civil society groups, voiced concerns that these changes could limit academic freedom, undermine university autonomy, and restrict opportunities for Georgian students to pursue higher education abroad, potentially impacting the quality of education in the country. The initiative also seeks to reorient state universities towards "state objectives" and potentially limit the enrollment of foreign students.
In international news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump, with discussions reportedly covering the provision of Tomahawk missiles and broader security guarantees, though no definitive commitments were announced on the missile front. Meanwhile, Latvian authorities declared two Georgian citizens persona non grata. On the sports front, Georgian UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili's successful title defense earlier this month continued to be a topic of discussion, with former UFC champion Daniel Cormier offering a nuanced view on the scoring of takedowns. European club football also saw significant matches, with Barcelona securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Girona, and Manchester City and Chelsea both winning their Premier League fixtures.