Last week in Georgia focused on recent and historical developments. The Tsulukiani Commission wrapped up its work by presenting an extensive report assessing the years 2003 to 2019, which was then adopted by Parliament. Several court cases related to participants of protests that broke out last November were concluded, with judgments issued. Meanwhile, the Georgian government and European institutions have not yet reached agreement, even as public support for EU membership remains high.

📌 Key Trends:

📰 Georgia’s Parliament Concludes Tsulukiani Commission Work

The parliamentary Tsulukiani Commission, composed of members of Georgian Dream, presented its final report, which was approved by Parliament. The report evaluated the functioning of society during the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili, particularly his “zero tolerance policy”, which involved widespread law enforcement actions.

What’s Happening:

• 📑 The published report points to cases of torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners, abuse of judicial power and the prosecutor’s office, as well as financial and political connections of some current opposition parties that Saakashvili’s government failed to address.
• ⚔️ A significant part of the report deals with the August 2008 war, the causes of which the commission attributes solely to the UNM and Saakashvili’s government. According to some observers, this interpretation is controversial and contested.
• 🚨 A protest against the commission’s conclusions took place on Rustaveli Avenue; police intervened and several people were detained.

⚖️ Court Rulings on Protest-Related Cases in Georgia

Several court proceedings involving protesters accused of violence and other offenses during last year’s and this year’s demonstrations have been concluded. Last week, more than twenty defendants were convicted, while one was acquitted.

What’s Happening:

• 🏛️ Tbilisi courts convicted two groups of protesters, with charges reclassified from group violence to group disturbance of public order, carrying reduced sentences.
• 📋 Defense lawyers contended that the evidence did not demonstrate an organized character of the groups or clearly satisfy the elements of the alleged offenses. Some observers noted that political factors may have influenced the convictions.
• 🚔 Russian citizen Anton Chechin was sentenced to 8.5 years for illegal drug possession. His lawyers claimed that the drugs had been planted by police officers. Chechin suggested that pressure on his prosecution may have come from Russian authorities. This marks the first conviction linked to drug-related charges among protest participants, while three others in similar cases had been acquitted.

🌐 Georgia Responds to EU Concerns on Visa-Free Travel

The Georgian government submitted its report to the European Commission by the August 31 deadline, aiming to address concerns over the possible suspension of visa-free travel. While Tbilisi insists it remains firmly committed to European integration, according to some reports, the response was described as ‘unsubstantiated’ and not fully addressing EU concerns.

What’s Happening:

• 🏛️ The report highlights reforms in rule of law, governance, and anti-corruption, citing areas where Georgia ranks favorably, including transparency and positive peace indicators. The government argues that these results demonstrate commitment to democracy and fundamental freedoms.
• 📄 Some observers noted the report uses language that differentiates between ‘elite NGOs’ and ‘other NGOs,’ and includes references to laws that have been criticized by the EU, such as the Foreign Agents Law and the family-values package. Some analysts argue that these sections may be seen as affecting the perception of Tbilisi’s claims.
• 📊 A recent CRRC poll found that 78% of Georgians view losing visa-free travel as damaging, with 51% holding the political leadership accountable should that occur. Support for EU membership remains high, with nearly four in five citizens in favor.

🔍 What’s Next

With the work of the Tsulukiani Commission concluded, the government may reference its findings in communications with opposition parties, including the UNM, potentially informing its broader interactions with political groups. Judicial proceedings related to protests may continue through the legal processes established for demonstrations and public order, potentially influencing public protest activity. The EU is expected to continue monitoring Georgia’s government, although immediate changes in policy are not anticipated. Therefore, the political situation in Georgia is likely to remain stable in its current dynamics, with limited immediate changes anticipated.