Georgia Celebrates Independence Day

Georgia celebrates Independence Day on May 26. 108 years ago, in 1918, Georgia's democratic government declared independence from the Russian Empire.

This first democracy in the country lasted only two and a half years, after which it fell under Soviet control. Georgia regained its sovereignty in 1991.

May 26 is an annual celebration across the country. The main morning events in Tbilisi are scheduled for Freedom Square. A parade and oath-taking ceremony will traditionally take place there. Planes and helicopters will fly over the city, followed by an exhibition of military equipment.

The opposition announced a large-scale rally for the evening, announcing the assembly of the first building of Tbilisi State University on Chavchavadze Avenue. From there, the column was expected to march to the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, but Tbilisi City Hall refused to grant permission for the installation of equipment for the rally. Despite this, the opposition assured that the event would still take place.

Последние новости
Council of Europe Calls for Review of Anar Mammadli’s Sentence
Human rights
Council of Europe Calls for Review of Anar Mammadli’s Sentence
11 September 2026

Representatives of the Council of Europe have called on Azerbaijani authorities to release human rights defender Anar Mammadli, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Specifically, PACE rapporteur on political prisoners Azadeh Rojhan asserts that his prosecution is political in nature and that fundamental principles of a fair trial were violated during the proceedings.

Pashinyan: Armenia to continue seeking alternative gas sources regardless of Russian gas price
Politics
Pashinyan: Armenia to continue seeking alternative gas sources regardless of Russian gas price
11 September 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country will continue to seek alternative sources of gas, regardless of whether the cost of Russian supplies changes.

Memorial has recognized a Romanian national—detained in Abkhazia and convicted of espionage in Russia—as a political prisoner
Human rights
Memorial has recognized a Romanian national—detained in Abkhazia and convicted of espionage in Russia—as a political prisoner
11 September 2026

The Memorial Human Rights Center has designated Romanian national Adrian-David Kercho a political prisoner; he is currently serving a 15-year sentence in a maximum-security penal colony for espionage on behalf of Ukraine. The Krasnodar Regional Court handed down the verdict in March 2026, and an appeal in June upheld both the sentence and the criminal classification. Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated and are calling for his release.

Georgian Interior Ministry Opens Case Against Blogger Over Profane Comment About Simonyan and Solovyov
Politics
Georgian Interior Ministry Opens Case Against Blogger Over Profane Comment About Simonyan and Solovyov
11 September 2026

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has initiated administrative proceedings against journalist Tornike Razmadze. The agency states that he is accused of insulting the country's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, on social media. The case was opened under Article 166 (petty hooliganism) and Article 173 (disobedience to police orders), which carry penalties of a fine of up to 3,000 lari or up to 20 days in detention. The case is scheduled to be heard by the Tbilisi City Court on September 29.