JAMnews. Latest news in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan.
Thursday, October 24, Georgia. A corruption map has been created, listing companies linked to government officials and Bidzina Ivanishvili personally
● Levan Gogichaishvili, a member of the opposition party *For Georgia*, was assaulted in central Tbilisi on Wednesday evening, shortly after the ruling party’s election rally. The rally involved transporting government workers to the capital in hundreds of buses. Gogichaishvili told *Formula* TV that the attackers carried flags of the ruling Georgian Dream party and were likely returning from the event. “These thugs belong to [oligarch] Ivanishvili. They were so emboldened that they didn’t even bother to cover their faces as they beat me with party flags,” he said.
● At the rally, Bidzina Ivanishvili promised: “Trust me, together with my political team, we will overcome every challenge and ensure a bright future for Georgia. Our development and European integration are on the way.”
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● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed at the rally that opposition leaders are “not just foreign agents but people without citizenship, unfit for Georgian culture, and lacking dignity.”
● Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze declared: “Georgia is now a truly democratic country, deserving of a European future. However, we will not become anyone’s vassal.”
● An investigative journalists’ union surveyed vulnerable individuals across Georgia and found evidence of threats, pressure, and blackmail aimed at forcing them to vote for the ruling party. Over 50 respondents reported that local government representatives were involved in the intimidation.
● Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the *For Georgia* party, stated: “If more than 2 million people vote, Georgian Dream will receive less than 30%. People need to understand that their votes are safe and anonymous.”
● *Transparency International Georgia* published an updated corruption map, highlighting companies tied to government officials and Ivanishvili. Since 2013, these entities have secured over 3.28 billion lari (approx. $1 billion) through public contracts, with over 1.13 billion lari awarded in 2024 alone. TI documented suspicious tenders and simplified procurement cases, urging authorities to investigate potential corruption.
● Aleko Elisashvili, a member of the *For a Strong Georgia* coalition, claimed that Alexander Turazashvili, the father of MP Keti Turazashvili, died of a heart attack after being “viciously insulted” by an official from Tbilisi’s Saburtalo district election commission during a phone call. Alexander Turazashvili had been representing the coalition in that commission.
● European Parliament member Anna Fotyga called for sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, stating: “Reliable Georgian experts point to Russian-linked funds backing Georgian Dream’s campaign. These donors are either directly tied to Russia or dependent on the Russian market, and are closely connected to Ivanishvili or his family,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
● President Salome Zourabichvili urged voters to support these four opposition coalitions:
• №4: *Coalition for Change – Gvaramia, Melia, Girchi, Droa*
• №5: *Unity* (*National Movement, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, European Georgia*)
• №9: *Strong Georgia* (*Lelo, For the People, Freedom Square, Citizens*)
• №25: *Gakharia – For Georgia*
She cited two reasons: 1) They have a real chance of surpassing the 5% threshold, ensuring votes won’t be wasted; 2) They’ve signed the Georgian Charter, a roadmap for accelerating EU membership.
● Recent polls show the ruling party leading, but only one survey — conducted by the pro-government Imedi TV — indicates a majority. Meanwhile, an opposition-commissioned *Formula TV* poll reveals that 70% of respondents believe it’s time for another party to have a chance after 12 years of Georgian Dream’s rule. Read more here
● During a special operation in Germany, 12 Georgian nationals were arrested on charges of theft and robbery. The operation took place in three German cities: Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, and Berlin. Police searched six locations. According to local media, the detained individuals—two men and one woman, aged between 27 and 54—formed a group in Germany. They received stolen goods from other Georgians and smuggled them to Georgia and Italy.
Thursday, October 24, Armenia. “Armenia needs European observers as a neutral party at the border with Azerbaijan,” Foreign Ministry
● “The EU is considering extending the mandate of observers in Armenia. However, there are concerns in Yerevan regarding potential actions by Baku. Therefore, there is a need for a ‘neutral third party and objective assessments,’” stated Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in parliament.
● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan flew to Kazan for the BRICS summit and managed to try traditional chak-chak. In a video, he is seen tasting it alongside the leader of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov.
● The parliament approved the regulations for the committees on delimiting the border with Azerbaijan. More details can be found here.
● The Foreign Minister condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in Turkey yesterday. “There is no justification for terrorism and the suffering of innocent people. Armenia has repeatedly stated its opposition to all forms of terrorism and acts of violence,” said Ararat Mirzoyan.
● A Baku court rejected the appeal of former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Ruben Vardanyan, regarding the decision to extend his detention, Azerbaijani media reports. Vardanyan is in prison in Baku and requested the reversal of his arrest decision; however, the court deemed the request unfounded.
● Georgia has a new military attaché in Armenia—Lieutenant Colonel Teimuraz Maisuradze. He was received by Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, along with Ambassador Giorgi Sharvashidze.
Thursday, October 24, Azerbaijan. The appeal of former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Ruben Vardanyan, has been rejected
● President Ilham Aliyev is in Kazan for the BRICS summit. Earlier, Azerbaijan submitted an official application to join this organization.
● Aliyev expressed condolences to Erdoğan regarding the terrorist attack in Ankara. The attack on the TUSAŞ aerospace industry facility in Ankara resulted in the deaths of five people, with others injured.
● The Baku court rejected the appeal of former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ruben Vardanyan regarding the decision to extend his detention. Vardanyan attended the hearing with his lawyer, requesting the arrest decision to be overturned, but the appeal was dismissed as unfounded.
● A 70-year-old Armenian national, Vera Agasyan, passed away in Khankendi. The cause of death was reported as acute heart-lung failure due to pulmonary artery thrombosis, according to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Health.
● In Baku, 85-year-old actor Iosif Tkachev from the state Russian drama theater of Azerbaijan and his 80-year-old wife were killed. A 51-year-old suspect, Islam Khadiyev, has been detained in connection with the murder. Motives for the crime have not yet been disclosed.
● Baku is vying to host the UEFA Champions League final. The AFFA has nominated the Baku Olympic Stadium as the venue for the final of the main European football tournament for the 2026/27 season. The Baku arena faces only one competitor: the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. The final host will be determined at the UEFA Executive Committee meeting scheduled for May 2025.