The Kartuli Brief — 2026-09-28 | Sakartvelo Intelligence

საქართველო · ერთობა · ძალა · თავისუფლება

Sovereignty Threat Level

Elevated EU accession suspended · Protest cycle ongoing · Russian pressure steady

Lead

SSSG Arrests Two Georgian Citizens Accused of ‘Islamic State’ Membership

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) detained two Georgian citizens on allegations of joining a foreign terrorist organization and providing assistance to terrorist activity, the agency announced on September 25. They face up to 17 years in prison. The SSSG said that, as a result of “special operations” in the Gardabani Municipality of the …

Sources: Civil.ge

Russia Watch

Friday, 25 September 2026

Regional * Speaking at the UN Assembly yesterday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the unresolved issues of demining, missing people, and the release of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan. Pashinyan also stated that along with these issues, ‘another reason that fuels pessimists is the use of conflict rhetoric from time to time in certain circles of Armenia and Azerbaijan, som…

OC Media

Caucasus

NBG Reports USD 555.6 Million Net Purchases in August as Reserves Reach ‘All-Time High’ USD 8.14 Billion

The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) made net purchases of USD 555.6 million through the BMatch trading platform in August, bringing the country’s international reserves to USD 8.14 billion, the central bank said on September 25. The bank officials reported in September that the international reserves had reached an “all-time high.” The NBG said its …

Civil.ge

Middle Corridor

Kobakhidze Talks Sovereignty, Occupation, Economy, and Middle Corridor in UNGA Address

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24, focusing on sovereignty and peace, Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories, reconciliation with “Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters,” Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor, and what he described as the country’s strong economic performance.…

Civil.ge

"A nation with a populace that is overwhelmingly pro-Western ruled by a government that has frozen that integration—the Sakartvelo Paradox defines the crisis."

— Sakartvelo Unveiled Analysis

GEL/USD

2.61

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GEL/EUR

2.97

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Mid. Corridor TEU

—

YoY

Tourism YTD

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FDI

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Protest Index

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Active

Domestic Politics

OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov self harms during Supreme Court hearing

Bahruz Samadov cut his right arm several times during a break in the hearing.

OC Media

Western Response

Papuashvili slams EU Ambassador Herczyński’s ‘broken Georgian’ amidst Kordz concert controversy

Kordz’s concert at a largely EU-funded festival was cancelled earlier in September following government pressure.

OC Media

Economy

TBC Concept presents the fifth Tbilisi Architecture Biennial

The fifth edition of the Tbilisi Architecture Biennial (TAB) will take place from 25 September to 3 October.

OC Media

Regional Intelligence

Simonyan suggests some see Russia’s Gyumri base as having been a threat to Armenia

Armenia’s Security Council Secretary did not give any more details.

OC Media

North Ossetia lowers requirements to join civil service for Ukraine veterans

The republic has already seen several former soldiers appointed to local government roles.

OC Media

Assessment & Data

Sovereignty Indicators

EU Accession Status Frozen

NATO MAP Progress Stalled

Press Freedom (RSF) Declining

Foreign Agent Law Enacted

Civil Society Space Narrowing

Public EU Support ~80%

Week Ahead

European Parliament plenary to debate Georgia resolution on Wednesday. Georgian National Bank inflation data due Thursday. Opposition rally planned Saturday in Tbilisi's Freedom Square. Bidzina Ivanishvili expected to address GD party congress. OSCE monitoring mission report on media freedom scheduled for release.

Compiled from multiple sources