The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.
The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed concern over new legislative initiatives by the Georgian government and ruling party that restrict independent media funding.
The proposed amendments criminalize receiving foreign funding without government permission, punishable by up to six years in prison. Furthermore, a new article on "money laundering for political purposes" is being introduced, punishing journalists with prison terms of nine to 12 years.
Human rights activists emphasize that these measures threaten the survival of Georgian media outlets and call for international sanctions against Georgian government officials. International organizations also supported the launch of the OSCE's "Moscow Mechanism" and called on the Georgian parliament to abandon these amendments.