Georgia 24.03.2026 Opinion: Who becomes Georgia’s next Patriarch is a question of interest not only to georgia, but also to Russia. JAMnews Tbilisi Share Share Opinion on Georgia’s next Patriarch Political analyst Vakhtang Dzabiradze, commenting on the death of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II and the subsequent transition of power, stated that it would be desirable to…
The passing of Ilia II in georgia on March 24, 2026, has sparked considerable opinion regarding the nation’s future. Political analyst Gia Khukhashvili believes the country now faces heightened risks to its unity, asserting that Ilia was the last unifying figure for the public. He contends that following his death, complex political tensions are significantly…
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has indicated that some of the disinformation campaigns targeting the country ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections may be partially traced back to Russia. Mirzoyan highlighted the rise of disinformation, primarily focused on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government, as a significant threat. He described these tactics as “hybrid…
Elene Khoshtaria, a prominent Georgian opposition figure, received a 18-month prison sentence following a court decision. The Tbilisi City Court, presided over by Judge Giorgi Arevadze, found her guilty of defacing an election poster for Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze with a marker. The verdict was based on televised evidence and testimony from a security officer…
Reflecting on the complex legacy of Patriarch Ilia II, a long-serving head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, leaves behind an epochal, unique, and contradictory inheritance. Helena Bedwell explores this complicated history. On April 9, 1989, tens of thousands of Georgians, primarily young people, gathered outside the Tbilisi parliament building demanding independence, a culmination of days…
Elene Khoshtaria, a Georgian opposition politician, has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison for damaging a campaign banner. Judge Giorgi Arevadze delivered the verdict on Tuesday, commencing from her detention date of September 15, 2025, resulting in an additional year of incarceration for Khoshtaria. The sentencing relates to an incident preceding…
Estonia deported a Chechen asylum seeker to Russia, defying claims of imminent danger. The action occurred on March 20th, as reported by RFE/RL, citing Roza Dunaeva, a representative of the exiled government of Ichkeria abroad. Ichkeria, a brief Chechen state dismantled by Russia during two wars in the 1990s, continues to claim legitimacy. The unnamed…
Azerbaijan Sees Quadrupled Official Salaries: Examining Income Inequality Figures JAMnews Baku – A recent presidential decree in Azerbaijan, effective from January 1st, 2025, has dramatically increased the monthly salaries of senior officials, marking a significant shift in the country’s wage structure. The move, aimed at creating a more unified and stable system, has sparked debate…
Following the death of Ilia II, the Georgian Orthodox Church is entering a transitional period, marking the beginning of a process to elect a new patriarch within the next two months. This shift represents a move from a system largely defined by a single figure for nearly 50 years towards collective decision-making. The Georgian Church…
A young Georgian individual is facing criminal accusations following the reporting of fabricated bomb threats during the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II. The Georgian State Security Service (SSG) confirmed that a deceptive report concerning explosives at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) was made on the day of the service. A juvenile suspect is now being…