The Messenger, Tbilisi (2026)

11/06/2026

Kobakhidze Hails Georgia-China Partnership After Upgrade in Bilateral Ties

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze praised relations with China on June 10, a day after Tbilisi and Beijing agreed to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Speaking at a government briefing, Kobakhidze described the relationship as an “exemplary strategic partnership” that has produced tangible results since the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2023.

He pointed to growing trade, high-level visits, direct flights, the introduction of a visa-free regime, and expanding educational cooperation as signs of closer ties. According to Kobakhidze, Georgia and China have signed 13 agreements since 2023, while six more are nearing completion.

“This is not a strategic partnership that exists only on paper,” Kobakhidze said. “It is reflected in concrete benefits for both countries. This is what an exemplary partnership should look like, one based on mutual respect, fairness, dignity, and shared interests.”

He also praised China’s approach toward Georgia, saying Beijing treats the country as an equal partner.

“What is particularly noteworthy is that the Chinese authorities treat our country as an equal, which is especially significant given the shortcomings that exist in global politics today,” he said.

Kobakhidze said Georgia places special importance on strengthening cooperation with China and described it as the only superpower that has maintained a peaceful foreign policy over the past 50 years.

He also thanked Beijing for its continued support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement will open a new stage in Georgia-China relations and bring significant political and economic benefits to our country,” he said.

The deepening relationship with China comes as Georgia’s ties with its traditional Western partners remain strained.

The United States suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024 under the administration of President Joe Biden. A month later, Washington imposed sanctions on Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. The administration of President Donald Trump has not reversed those measures, although Georgian officials have repeatedly stated that they want to rebuild relations with Washington “from a clean slate.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill on June 8 that would require an assessment of Russian and Chinese influence in Georgia and the development of a five-year strategy for U.S.-Georgia relations if the legislation becomes law.

Asked about the measure on June 9, Kobakhidze dismissed criticism from U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, who sponsored the bill and has been one of Georgian Dream’s most vocal critics in Washington.

Calling Wilson “a completely unserious person,” Kobakhidze argued that criticism of China’s role in the region contradicts President Trump’s efforts to improve relations with Beijing.

“He calls Xi Jinping a friend,” Kobakhidze said of Trump. “Against this background, when someone like Joe Wilson talks about China’s negative influence in the South Caucasus, it is completely unserious and does not deserve any special comment.”

11/06/2026

Another 14 Defendants Released After Plea Deals in October 4 Unrest Cases

Another 14 defendants charged in connection with the October 4, 2025 unrest were released on June 10 after the Tbilisi City Court approved plea agreements reached with prosecutors. Their release brings the total number of defendants freed under similar deals to 22.

Twenty-one defendants have now walked free from courtrooms after spending months in pretrial detention. One other defendant had been released son bail in December.

The first group released on June 10 included Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhsashvili, Giorgi Muladze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriel Kardava, Temur Kurtsikidze, Vakhtang Pitskhelauri, and Avtandil Surmanidze. The first seven were charged with participation in group violence and attempted seizure of a facility of strategic or special importance. Surmanidze faced only the group violence charge.

Later in the day, the court approved plea agreements for Sergo Megrelishvili, Giorgi Rurua, Giorgi Korkia, Lasha Ivanadze, Levan Jikia, and Khvicha Gogokhia. All six had been charged with participation in group violence and attempted seizure of a facility of strategic or special importance.

The defendants were arrested in the weeks following the October 4 events and remained in custody until their release.

The latest releases follow similar decisions a day earlier, when eight defendants were freed after reaching plea agreements with prosecutors. One of them, Eva Shashiashvili, had already been released on bail in December because of health concerns.

Prosecutors said the defendants admitted guilt and expressed remorse, both required conditions for reaching a plea agreement. Under the deals, they received suspended sentences of three years.

No additional plea agreements are currently under consideration. However, prosecutors have repeatedly stated that other defendants could qualify for similar arrangements if they admit guilt, show remorse, and formally request a plea bargain.

The agreements reflect what appears to be a shift from the approach seen in earlier opposition protest-related cases. In those proceedings, defendants generally rejected cooperation with prosecutors and refused to plead guilty. Critics of the government have also pointed to low public confidence in the courts and prosecution service, citing a previous case in which prosecutors declined plea agreements after defendants had reportedly already admitted guilt.

The unrest broke out on October 4, 2025, during partially boycotted municipal elections. After a rally calling for a "peaceful revolution,” a group of protesters attempted to enter the presidential palace but were pushed back by police.

Authorities later charged up to 60 people, including rally organizers, in connection with the events. Most were placed in pretrial detention. Georgian Dream officials have described the incident as an attempted coup backed by foreign actors.

The first prison sentences in the case were handed down on May 7. Ten people received multi-year terms, including opera singer and activist Paata Burchuladze, United National Movement members Murtaz Zodelava and Irakli Nadiradze, retired Colonel Lasha Beridze, and Strategy Aghmashenebeli member Paata Manjgaladze.

11/06/2026

News in Brief - Georgian National Dies in ICE Custody in Louisiana

Mamuka Artmeladze, a 43-year-old Georgian national, died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at a detention facility in Louisiana on June 4, according to an ICE statement released on June 7.

The agency said Artmeladze was found unresponsive at the Winn Correctional Center late on June 4. Staff initiated emergency medical procedures before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death remains under investigation pending an autopsy.

According to ICE, Artmeladze entered the United States without legal authorization and was first encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in September 2022. He was released on parole and instructed to report to immigration authorities.

ICE said he was taken back into custody on February 5, 2026, during an enforcement operation in Alabama targeting commercial vehicle drivers considered public safety risks. Officials determined that he had no lawful status to remain in the country.

The agency said it notified the Department of Homeland Security, oversight offices within ICE, the Georgian Consulate, and Artmeladze’s family following his death.

According to ABC News, Artmeladze is the 50th person to die in ICE detention during President Donald Trump’s second administration.

11/06/2026

News in Brief - Georgian Fighter Sentenced in Absentia by Russian-Backed Donetsk Court

A Russian-backed court in occupied Donetsk has sentenced Georgian fighter Nuri Mitagvaria, 34, in absentia to 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony for allegedly serving as a mercenary in Ukraine. Russian authorities also placed him on an international wanted list.

According to Russia’s prosecutor’s office, Mitagvaria joined Ukrainian forces after arriving in Ukraine in March 2022, serving with the Georgian National Legion and later with other Ukrainian military units. Prosecutors claimed he received 3.7 million rubles for his participation in combat operations against Russian forces.

The Georgian National Legion, composed largely of Georgian volunteers, has fought alongside Ukraine since 2014. Russia designated the group a terrorist organization in 2024, and several of its members have previously received similar in absentia sentences from Russian-backed authorities in Donetsk.