Legal Scrutiny, Environmental Directives, and Political Protests Mark the Day in Georgia
November 14, 2025
Today, Georgia's political and legal landscape saw significant developments. Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili's legal situation remained in the spotlight, with his lawyer, Amiran Giguashvili, asserting that expensive items seized by investigators, including gold artifacts, do not belong to Garibashvili or his family, but were recovered from searches of other individuals. It was also confirmed that Garibashvili posted a 1 million GEL bail, secured by a residential property. Simultaneously, the ongoing high-profile case of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, co-founder of "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti," continued in the Kutaisi Appellate Court. Her lawyers are advocating for disabled status due to deteriorating eyesight, while the prosecution seeks harsher penalties. An expert examination reportedly found no "deep state" information on her phone, a key point of contention.
Environmental concerns also garnered attention across the country. High levels of air pollution were reported in five Georgian cities, prompting public discussion on air quality. In a proactive move, the government announced a ban on single-use plastic utensils and containers, effective January 1, 2026, aligning with broader ecological initiatives. Adding to environmental discussions, the Head of the Cultural Heritage Protection Agency highlighted the dire condition of several iconic Georgian monuments, including Svetitskhoveli and Gelati. He emphasized that frescoes are deteriorating and called for the involvement of foreign experts to address the preservation challenges, also noting issues arising from unauthorized renovation works by religious institutions.
Economically, a World Bank report projected that Georgia could achieve up to 4% GDP growth by 2050 through strategic investments in sustainability and by fostering private sector leadership. However, consumers faced news of rising costs, with the price of preparing a khachapuri increasing by 10.3% year-on-year in October. The official value of the US dollar settled at 2.7085 GEL. On a positive note for the tourism sector, the number of foreign visitors to Georgia’s protected areas saw a 10% increase over the first ten months of 2025 compared to the previous year, underscoring the growing international interest in Georgia's natural beauty.
In other political news, protests continued on Rustaveli Avenue, with opposition figures like Elene Khoshtaria announcing a large-scale demonstration planned for November 28. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze voiced criticism against what he termed "European bureaucracy." Internationally, Azerbaijan summoned Russia’s ambassador following the bombing of its embassy in Kyiv, reflecting regional tensions. In sports, the Georgian national football team is preparing for a crucial match against Spain tomorrow, with coaches and players expressing their readiness and acknowledging the strong support from fans. Meanwhile, Georgian basketball player Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed to a victory for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA, showcasing Georgian talent on the global stage.