In Georgia, 136 organizations refused to register as foreign agents
In Georgia, after the adoption of the law on foreign agents, 476 foreign-funded NGOs and media outlets voluntarily submitted applications for registration within the established deadlines. 16 media organizations and 120 NGOs refused to do so. They appealed the law to the European Court of Human Rights.
 
In 2025, the Georgian government will allocate 20 million lari ($7.1 million) to NGOs that "serve the interests of the Georgian people." Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the launch of a grant program for non-governmental organizations that "do good work for the country" in September after the adoption of the law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence."
 
The law on foreign agents caused mass protests in Georgia. Many citizens considered it pro-Russian, infringing on freedom of speech, assembly and other rights.
 
The European Union recently announced that it may suspend the visa-free regime for "certain categories of persons" in Georgia. To prevent this from happening, the EU advises ensuring citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and expression, repealing the law on foreign agents, and taking measures to combat corruption.
Последние новости
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
Society
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
18 March 2026

Former Federation Council member Rauf Arashukov from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony in Orenburg, expressed a desire to be transferred to a prison colony in Mordovia. The reason for this transfer is the fact that his father, Raul Arashukov, is also serving a life sentence there for stealing gas and organizing two murders.
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

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.
Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Society
Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
18 March 2026

Eid al-Fitr, one of the key Islamic holidays that concludes Ramadan, will begin on the night of March 19-20. Most republics of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared the holiday non-working.
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
Politics
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
18 March 2026

A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran, Jeyhun Bayramov and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bayramov insisted that Tehran fulfill its promise to investigate the drone attacks launched from its territory on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.