Georgia's Day: Nuclear Material Seizure Dominates Headlines Amidst Ongoing Protests and Legal Cases
October 25, 2025
The arrest of three Chinese citizens in Tbilisi for attempting to purchase 2 kilograms of nuclear material, specifically uranium, dominated headlines in Georgia today, October 25, 2025. The State Security Service (SSG) confirmed the arrests, highlighting a significant international security incident.
Alongside this major development, the country continued to grapple with ongoing public protests and a wave of related arrests. Demonstrators were once again detained for blocking Rustaveli Avenue, including Giorgi Sikharulidze, a member of the "Federalists" party. Human rights observers, including representatives from the Public Defender's Office, visited 32 individuals detained in connection with recent protests. Further exacerbating tensions, Zviad Tsetskhladze, a student already imprisoned for protest-related activities, began a hunger strike following the arrest of his father, Zurab Tsetskhladze, yesterday.
Concerns over press freedom also remained prominent. Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, whose case has drawn international attention, was awarded the World Press Freedom Hero prize. This award comes amidst calls from media organizations urging the government to cease the arrest and intimidation of journalists, referencing recent detentions of media professionals like Basti Mgaloblishvili, Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, and Maiko Bokeria.
In other significant legal and political news, Andria Liluashvili, a relative of a former State Security Service (SSG) head, was sentenced to imprisonment. Meanwhile, legal proceedings continued for former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, with a court setting his bail at 1 million GEL. Internationally, three Turkish citizens wanted by Interpol were apprehended in Batumi. Economic news included a new report suggesting potential links between the Kulevi oil plant and the family of a high-ranking Russian GRU official, raising questions about economic and security implications.