Juglander Review

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Riots in western Mktvartvelo

After four days of protests in the town of Khoni, in western Mktvartvelo, violence has erupted between protesters and law enforcement.

Clashes between the police and a group of protesters broke out after police trying to disperse the crowd from the center of the town where some protesters were trying to barricade and aimed to enter in local government buildings.

Unlike other cities in the country, the protests were not started or initially supported by students, as the closer university campus, in the city of Tetrumi, is about 100 kms from the town. Instead, the protests were started by a local youth political organization and local activists. A large number of protesters, however, seem to belong to ethnic minorities or "nakhevratsarieli", Mktvartvelo residents without citizenship who have lived in the country for several generations in some cases. Two days ago, protesters gathered in a social assembly, in which they listed their demands, which include a parliamentary and electoral reform, more social housing for the youth, and path to citizenship for those born in the country.

The protesters threw stones to the police and damaged shops and buildings, while the riot police answered throwing tear gas. More than fifty people were arrested, while more than one hundred people suffered injuries, including eleven policemen. It does not seem most of those injuries are serious, excluding a woman who required hospitalization for a breathing crisis. Health authorities have confirmed that her life is not in danger, however.

The clashes lasted for hours, and protesters have bowed to continue their political mobilization.

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Sports: Tsraan Abakha wins Mktvartvelo's 2023 men's basketball Cup

Tsraan Abakha defeated SKA Azavrelia by 65-60 to win the 2023 Brzdmtsveli Cup, the second most important domestic trophy in men's basketball in Mktvartvelo.

The club from Abakha surprised the rivals, who currently lead the league and who were considered the favourites to win the title, with an aggressive zone defense and higher success from the long range.

Merab Gorgasali was chosen as the MVP of the match, as he scored 8 points, as well as seven rebounds, one assist, and four steals.

Juglander power forward Grimwald Wirtanen played ten minutes during the final, scoring two points and with one assist and two rebounds.

Bittersweet stage win for MKTkom as Tariel Kipiani wins Tour of Ardia 12th stage

Tariel Kipiani won the 12th Tour of Ardia stage, giving Mktvartvelo the first stage win in the Tour of Ardia.

He was the fastest rider in a group of four riders, including Alkiviadis Papadopoulos who became the new leader of the general classification.

The stage proved to be uncontrollable since the first kilometres, when a large breakaway was formed. When there were still sixty kilometres to the end of the stage, in one of the small hills of the day, a tactical attack surprised many, including the leader of the general classification, MKTkom Galbeyte Egal. Papadopoulos joined the attack and he was followed by Egal's teammate Kipiani. This group would eventually reach the breakaway and the stage win was decided between four riders.

MKTkom manager has received harsh criticism, however, for not ordering Kipiani and his teammate Ramaz Gamkrelidze, who had earlier joined the breakaway and who finished sixth in the stage, for not stopping to assist and help their team leader, who would arrive more than nine minutes after the stage winner. He has argued that Egal was already assisted by another four riders from the team, as well other teams which cooperated to reduce the differences, and Gamkrelidze would not have been very helpful in that terrain. "Tariel did not cooperate and remained in the back of the group", he declared, "so we simply tried to make the best of what was being a quite negative day. It is an important stage win for us, even if we remain disappointed about the overall result today. Tomorrow will be a tough day, and we remain hopeful that everything is still possible".

Germund Strand also joined the main group and, although he was not able to follow Papadopoulas in his second to last attack and lost two minutes, climbed to the second place in the general classification.

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Civil rights group calls for end of discrimination of minority groups in Mktvartvelo

Aisha Saqqaf, spokesperson of the Tanastsoroba-Beraberlik Association (also known as TAN-BER, a civil organization established in 1999 to defend the rights of all native inhabitants of Mktvartvelo, independently of their religious or ethnic background), has visited Albrektberg as she was invited to participate in a debate by a lawyers organization based in Jugland.

Mrs. Saqqaf, a former lawyer who became spokesperson of the organization in 2014, has explained the works of their organization and their role in the promotion of civil rights in Mktvartvelo. In the last days, the organization has received criticism in Mktvartvelo's media as the organization announced they will be offered, completely free, the legal defense of activists and protesters arrested in the recent protests in the town of Khoni, even in case when they were charged with acts of violence or vandalism.

"We strongly condemn any form of violence", Saqqaf declared. "There is no room for violence in peaceful protests, as these protests started. However, as a civil organization aimed to promote equality and fairness, we also believe in the right to a defense and fair trial. We understand that some of the protesters do not have the means to pay for their defense or would prefer a legal team whom they feel they can trust and understand them. We offer them to do so until the court decides their case".

Saqqaf, who herself is the descendants of Abydos natives who settled in the country in the 17th century, argued that their organization does not consider itself a political organization, although they have been in dialogue and offering advice to some of the organizations and activists behind the protests. "We plan to continue to promote change and equality for all through peaceful means", she insisted.

A complete interview with Mrs. Saqqaf will be released in our weekly podcast this weekend.

Mktvartvelo: Opposition lawmakers declare the breakdown of negotiations for the election of new Council of State members

MP Otar Nadiradze, one of the most senior members of the National Assembly, and one of the MPs who were selected in the parliamentary team to nominate the three indirectly elected members to the Council of State this year, has announced that he considers the negotiations to select and elect the three members as broken due "to the current political climate and the failure to fulfill their constitutional duties regarding law enforcement" in the present situation.

Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze's government was hopeful that the negotiations would be helpful to, as the largest political block in the National Assembly, to reduce the majority of the conservatives in the Council of State.

Veriko Gaprindashvili, Minister of Administrative Affairs, has declared that the parliamentary team would reconsider such position, which she declared as "irresponsible and institutionally  an unjustified violation of parliamentary norms". She has also declared that she is confident that Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvili would be able to mediate so a change of opinion which restore negotiations in the National Assembly in the coming weeks.

The Council of State, considered the Upper House of the Mktvartvelo's parliament, which currently has 129 members, have a total of 15 members undirectly elected by the majority of the National Assembly. Every year, between two or three of those members are replaced by a majority of National Assembly, following a process in which a list of candidates are nominated. Usually, the candidates are elected by a clear majority, following negotiations between the different parliamentary blocks and factions, in which the parliamentary leadership and the government try to find an acceptable agreement in regards of the composition of the parliament that year.

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Mktvartvelo: Three dead as protests restart with violence

Another day of protests nationwide has resulted with three people dead and hundreds of injuried people.

The day of protests started quite early in the morning in Azavrelia, as a large group of students joined union activists who were gathering before the start of the final hearing of a trial against union members for events related to to last Winter general strike. The defendants were charged of crimes including violation of the labour code, intimidation and unlawful disturbance of the public order. If sentenced, they could have face sentences from 1 to 5 years in prison, besides economic penalties.

Clashes with police started when a group of students tried to block the avenue next to the court building when the hearing was going to be held. They continue about thirty minutes later, as students started to block the traffic while they marched toward the district where the National Assembly and other state institutions are located. Riot police intervened, and clashes continued for two hours.

Student unions called for a demonstration that evening, demanding the resignation of Azavrelia police commissioner and the immediate release of all protesters arrested during the morning. Demonstrations in solidarity were also called in eleven large cities, as well as other already scheduled demonstrations and rallies.

About the evening, clashes between protesters and riot police became particularly violent in Ktsatskuri, after rumours that group of students aimed to force the entry into several government or state buildings, with the aim to occupy them and stay inside until the next day. In Azavrelia, similar clashes happened nearby one of the university campus. While classes had stopped due to the summer break, a police spokesperson argued that riot police intervened because the damages to property and the blockade of traffic of protesters in their way to the campus.

Tensions increased when some protesters attacked a police station with incendiary objects in their way toward the Azavrelia university campus. Riot police intervened and clashes continued. In an nearby street, protesters attacked police with sticks and several shops were attacked and looted.

During the evening more than a dozen of people required either medical care or hospitalization, due to injuries caused by clashes between riot police and protestors, the effects of the tear gas, or other related health issues. It was later confirmed than two people died in clashes with police in Azavrelia. The causes of their death still await confirmation.

A policeman also required hospitalization due to serious burns. After hospital care, they could save his life but he had to be placed under coma. Police authorities also declared that more than twenty policemen required hospitalization. A policeman in Ktsatskuri also required hospitalization after he was impacted on the head by a rock or a similar object. He remains in a serious condition but doctors are optimists about his recovery, the police spokesperson confirmed.

In Martvilisi, a person was stabbed to death during an argument with rioters, according to a local report. Police is investigating the circumstances of the crime.

Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze has suspended his agenda for today, his office confirmed. "Violence and intimidation, either against law enforcement, the judiciary or society as a whole has no place in our society", he declared in a three-minute speech. "Those involved in unlawful justice will respond to justice". However, some members of the parliament, including a few prominent liberal-leaning MPs have called for the resignation or sacking of the Minister of Public Order and Security for his last management of the protests.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: National Assembly to have special session to discuss ongoing protests

Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze has announced that the government will introduce a new legislation, which will see the establishment of a special parliamentary committee which would investigate if there were any wrongdoing by law enforcement in the management of the ongoing protests. Samkharadze has justified the proposal arguing that "transparency is the best tool in times of mistrust", and that the aim will not be to "evade responsibilities" or "cast doubts toward those which enforce the public order and the national security", as some voices of the opposition had soon described the proposal, but to improve the efficiency of the police and prosecutors. A second proposal would be introduced by the government, in which will be open a procedure, if the motion passes in the National Assembly, to amend the recently defeated parliamentary reform which was rejected in the Council of State. The governmnent hopes that a new version of the law would face less opposition and would be able to become law, even if it is a more moderate reform that the government hoped.

Critics of the law, as well as protesters demanding deeper changes, are unlikely to be convinced by such proposal, which would require the establishment of a parliamentary committee which sessions and final draft, if there was one, could take months. Meanwhile, a group of lawmakers have also issued a motion denouncing the attitude and policy of the government regarding the ongoing protests, calling for stronger measures to restore order, and calling for a change of direction by the national government. Such resolution, however, would not be binding, legally merely a parliamentary statement which the government can ignore. A minister has described such proposal of resolution a "childish political ploy which only aims to waste our time and incite a minority of the public opinion".

Meanwhile, the national government spokesperson has strongly denied that several ministers threatened to resign if there was no a change of policy regarding the ongoing protests, giving an ultimatum for the use of military personnel if the public order and the national security would be threatened by an increase of violence in the streets. The spokesperson has declared such rumours as "baseless claims", assuring that no such discussion happened during any meeting of the Council of Ministers.

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Juglander Review

Sports: AABL team returns from 2023 Tour of Ardia

AABL riders returned from the Tour of Ardia, where 33-year old rider Germund Strand obtained his best ever result in the grand tour with a final 5th place in the general classification. Strand also won two stages, finishing third in the Points classification. Kimmo Peltonen won a third stage for the Juglander cycling team, which also won the team classification.

"We are always ready to fight for everything, so it is not exactly what we aimed for before the Tour", AABL cycling team manager explained. "But we are quite satisfied about what our team achieved. We showed again we have a versatile team and we hope to continue this way until the end of the season".

Strand plans to rest for a few days, before start preparing for the Azavrelia Grand Prix, a continental cycling race held in Mktvartvelo. He also plans to take part of the Tour de Mountalon and some minor races in preparation for the Mundus Games.

"The last stages gave it a bad taste to this result, of course", Strand explained. "We are glad of the effort the team offered, and we are going to continue with this path".

Mktvartvelo: Five ministers have announced their resignation

In an unexpected statement late this evening, five ministers of the national government announced their resignation following a meeting with Bidzina Samkharadze.

"This is not the situation we hoped for", one of them explained in a written statement. I am proud of my participation in this government and I am thankful to Prime Minister Samkharadze for the joint work and common ground which has allowed, me and the government as whole, to advance the interests of the citizens of our nation, a result than I am convinced which will continue to give fruits...However, it is my belief that we are moving toward the wrong direction. The government must be always ready to take the initiative but it is my feeling that is not being the case right now. In these circumstances, my conscience will not allow me to continue serving in my current position".

"Pluralism is one thing, but a government can not be too corroded and divided that it will not allow it to take the required measures when the nation demands it", another minister declared to the media.

These announcements were not expected and have surprised many, as the National Assembly will be holding a special session tomorrow.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Government suffers criticism and parliamentary defeat in the National Assembly

Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze suffered a defeat in today National Assembly special session.

While the legislation which aimed to establish a parliamentary committee to discuss amends to the parliamentary reform was passed by a 308-278, the second legislation aimed to establish a special parliamentary committee which would investigate if there were any wrongdoing by law enforcement in the management of the ongoing protests was rejected by the National Assembly by a 286-283 vote.

The non-binding resolution issued by opposition lawmakers, demanding stronger measures to restore the public order was passed by a clear 339-235 vote. While the resolution has no legal value, it was one of the largest margin against the government since Bidzina Samkharadze was appointed as Prime Minister.

The parliamentary session, particularly during the debate of the last motion, was long and heated, with a large number of interruptions. Irakli Bneladze, a MP from the conservative declared described during the debate to Samkharadze's government as a "corpse which deserves to be put to rest", words which received a noisy answer by the pro-government and liberal-leaning seats of the National Assembly. Other conservative members insisted that there is no way that the current crisis is solved while this government continued, and called Brzdmtsveli Ketevan to appoint a new government.

A member of the government has declared that the government will keep "looking for solutions to the current situation and explore ways to bring change and reforms in the interests of a clear majority of the citizens of this nation".

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Sports: ZSD Ktsatskuri wins women's basketball Brzdmtsveli Cup

ZSD Ktsatskuri defeat 83-66 Napertskali Khashumi to win the Brzdmtsveli Cup, the second most important domestic title in women's basketball in Mktvartvelo.

While Napertskali was considered slightly the favourites for the final, as they are currently second in the league classification, ZSD Ktsatskuri took an early lead, winning 8-26 the first quarter. While Naperstkali Khashumi was able to reduce the 19-point difference at the half to twelve points after a good third quarter, ZSD Ktsatskuri did gave them a chance in the final quarter, particularly as consequence of the accuracy of SG Songulashvili and the defensive work of their power forward Aka Satinadze, who combined 6 defensive rebouds and 6 offensive rebounds. Only center Mesame Datuna was able to keep alive Napertskali Khashumi with her 21 points and eleven rebounds, but it was not enough against the club from Ktsatskuri.

Nino Songulashvili, who scored 20 points, with a 86% accouracy from the 3-point range, was chosen as the MVP of the final.

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Mktvartvelo: Bidzina Samkharadze announces resignation as Prime Minister

After meeting Brzdmtsveli Ketevan, Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze has announced his resignation as Prime Minister.

In his announcement, Samkharadze has assured that the decision after carefully thinking about the interests of the nation, declaring that the Brzdmtsveli was the first person to know about his decision, which there is no turning back.

In his last speech as Prime Minister, he both thanked those who have been working in his administration, and he listed the legislative achievements achieved during his time as Prime Minister. "I am certain there are some which may disagree with this decision, including some of those whose opinion I gave the greatest consideration. But I am convinced that the path we started in the last year is going to be continued, with renewed strengths, sooner than later".

Bizdina Samkharadze was appointed Prime Minister in early 2022. He has led the first Liberal-leaning government in Mktvartvelo since 1997. During his time as Prime Minister several reforms were started, on the fields of social rights, parliamentary and electoral reform, or even religious legislation. However, many of those reforms faced opposition in the National Assembly, in some cases, or in the more conservative-leaning Council of State. The most recent legislative defeats, as the ongoing violent protests, have eroded the government, which led the resignation of seven ministers in the last week. However, as the National Assembly had passed this year budget, many expected that Samkharadze would be trying to lead the government at least until next year legislative election.

Deputy Prime Minister Orivegza Mgaloblishvili will immediately assume as caretaker minister. However, it is expected that a new Prime Minister will be appointed soon, once an official procedure of negotiations and nominations is started by Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvili.

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Juglander Review

Sports: Jugland's FC Gaertianebuli acquired by Mktvartvelian businessman

FC Gaertianebuli, a football club from Albrektberg northwestern district, has been acquired financial holding after weeks of negotiations. Mktvartvelian businessman Ramaz Leseridze is the majority associate in the financial holding, and it is expected that he will personally acquired another 5% of stocks of the club.

FC Gaertianebuli, which currently plays in Jugland's First Division, the second highest football league in Juglander men's football system, has been facing financial problems due to increasing debt in the last seasons, which led then to be sanctioned by the football federation to a loss of six points in the season 2020-2021, after the club failed to pay the players salaries for more than two months. The club is well-known for being associated with ethnic Mktvartveli in Albrektberg, who has historically maken most of the club supporters.

Leseridze is not exactly someone foreign to sports. He is married to Zhuldyz Birinseli, who owns the Azavrelia FC, a football club from mainland Mktvartvelo, as well as the Vice-President of the Mktvartvelian Professional Football League.

It is not clear if Mr. Leseridze will be personally involved in the management of the club, or a new CEO will be appointed to manage the club.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Gocha Mokleadze appointed as Prime Minister

Gocha Mokleadze has been appointed as Prime Minister of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo, following the resignation of Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze.

Mokleadze, 59, has been a member of the National Assembly for more than fifteen years (from 2001 to 2006, and again from 2013 to 2023) . He has also served as elected member of the Council of State, from 2007 to 2013. He served as Minister of Telecommunications and Information from 2011 to 2014. He is considered a member of the moderate block in the National Assembly, and a close ally to Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvili, according to some local reports.

Mokleadze, in his first speech as Prime Minister, has declared that his government aims to "build bridges between the best men" in order to decreases division and "restore social peace through moderation, common sense and dialogue". His government will include conservative MPs, such as Irakli Bneladze, former ministers who served under Prime Minister Gela Berdzenishvili's administration such as Otar Keburia, and even some ministers who have been serving during Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze, as it is the case of the Zviad Alaverdashvili and Anzor Papuashvili, the former Mayor of Azavrelia. Tariel Tavadze, the Minister of Religious Affairs, will be the only incumbent minister who will continued in his current position.

Mamuka Keburia, member of the Council of State, has been appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for State Administration, as well as Minister of State, becoming the second highest-ranking government minister after Prime Minister Mokleadze himself.

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Mktvartvelo: Students to restart protests, student unions announce

After a "General Assembly of Students" held in Martvilisi, several students unions and youth organizations have agreed to continue with their protests.

"Nothing has changed", a joint statement stated, "and therefore we have the duty to continue with peaceful mobilization until our voices are heard and a path toward meaningful progress and change is open. We demand the new government to follow their words with a change of attitude and proper proportionality and pluralism in their address to million of voices demanding a new era".

Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze's government had ruled out negotiations with the student representatives during the summer break. Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze had previously announced that the government will not continued with Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze national education plan. Instead, a new Education Reform Act will be passed, he declared. "Meritocracy and efficiency will be the two main focus of the new education policy", he assured. But student unions seem to find those promises rather vague, or even a setback from Samkharadze's education policies.

The national government spokesperson, meanwhile, has warned that no violent protests will be tolerated. "There are not exceptions for violations to the constitutional order and the law", he insisted.

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Sports: Givi Sopromadze wins 2023 Azavrelia GP

Givi Sopromadze won the Azavrelia Grand Prix, an one-day professional continental cycling race held in Mktvartvelo's largest city.

The Mktvartvelian rider from MKTkom team was able to win the race after easily leaving behind his breakaway companion in the last kilometers of the race.

Juglander rider Kimmo Peltonen arrived third, one minute and twenty-six after Sopromadze. Germund Strand, Peltonen's AABL teammate, arrived fourth a few seconds later, as the first rider of the six-rider chasing group.

It was the first win this season for Sopromadze, who finished 4th in the Ashina Grand Tour earlier this season, but who had failed until today, to conclude his efforts with a win.

"I knew I had to prove it as long as there was not cooperation behind", Sopromadze declared. "I had been so close during this season but I knew this could be my chance".

Sopromadze confirmed that he will continue to participate in a few continental races in Mktvartvelo before the Tour de Mountalon and joining the Mktvartvelo national team for the coming Mundus Games.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Students continue to protest under new government

Protests have restarted in more than a dozen of cities in Mktvartvelo. Besides a few isolated incidents in a pair of towns, the protests were mostly peaceful.

Students organizations have demanded the new government to open negotiations to discuss their demands and to be informed of the new education policy of the national government. The government, however, does not seem to be interested to start discussions before the end of the summer break.

If their demands are not heard, student unions have warned, protests will continue. However, the national government spokesperson has declared that the government will not accept any kind of blackmail from public disturbances.

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Mktvartvelo: Clashes between protesters and police in several cities

Protests continue in Mktvartvelo for another day. Clashes between protesters and police in Azavrelia, Khashumi, Lagotsminda, Sachkhumi, Tetrumi, or Bolnomi have resulted in hundreds of arrests and people, both students and policemen, injured.

A national government spokesperson has warned that "vandalism will not be tolerated".

A spokesperson from "Vardobistve 14th Movement" has blamed the riot police for the clashes in Khashumi. "Police was today increasingly aggressive toward peaceful protesters, aiming to escalate the situation", she declared. "We will not be intimidated and we'll continue with our right to protest until our voices are heard", she insisted.

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Mktvartvelo: Violent erupts in Azavrelia and Martvilisi in another day of protests

Clashes between protesters and police have continued in Azavrelia and Martvilisi.

At least six students required hospitalization, while two policemen were wounded by minor burns.

The national government spokesperson has denied rumours that several ministers have argued for the use of the military if necessary if violence increases in the coming weeks. "We trust the professionalism of our law enforcement and we have enough legal instruments to assure the safety of the citizens and the protection of the public order", he argued.

Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze has declared that his will "is not going to be forced through intimidation and violence", and called the protesters to return to their homes and express their voices through conventional and constitutional methods instead of being exploited "by a violent minority aimed to take advantage of the situation to spread lawlessness and vandalism".

Cycling: Mainio Salminen wins Gzamerovnuli Grand Prix

Juglander rider Mainio Salminen won the Gzamerovnuli Grand Prix, a one-day race in Mktvartvelo, after a long attack in the final forty kilometres of the race.

His AABL teammate Germund Strand was the faster rider from the chasing group, which arrived fifty seconds later, ending second in the race.

The race required to be stopped for fifteen minutes, following an attempt to blockade the road by protesters. The race could restart and it finished without incidents.

"We are just professionals doing our job the best way we can", rider Zurab Aburjania argued. "Sports should be left out of politics".

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Another day of violence on the streets

Violence in protests have escalated as police and protesters clashed in several cities, including Azavrelia and Sachkhumi.

In the capital city of Mktvartvelo, Ktsatskuri, there were only minor clashes compared to other regions. However, a policeman resulted seriously wounded and required hospitalization, due to the wounds caused by an incendiary object which caused him serious burns. The hospital authority later confirmed that he was placed under a coma and he will remain in intense care, although they are "mildly optimistic" about his prospects.

The official social media account of one of the largest police unions published a message stating "Enough is enough. End of the restrictions which have been imposed to those able to deal with the situation".  The controversial message, which also read "vengeance" and "no leniency against urban terrorism", was deleted about eighteen minutes after being originally posted, caused a considerable uproar online, between both expressing support and harshly criticizing it.

The Ministry of Public Order and Security, in a written statement, denied that law enforcement has been pressured by any executive decision or imposition that endanger their safety or capacity to provide security to citizens.

Two students unions have condemned the violence and wished a "fast recovery" to "all those injured in the recent days" but argued that it would be unfair to blame protesters for the violence, with authorities pushing protests without properly respecting the constitutional freedom to protest. They called their members to join the protests but cautioned them against provocations and the use of violence.

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Mktvartvelo: Brzdmtsveli Ketevan addresses the nation as protests continue

Brzdmtsveli Ketevan, Mktvartvelo's head of state, addressed the nation in a television speech. The speech, which was unexpected as it was announced about one hour before it was broadcast, focused in the current political crisis the nation is experiencing, with violent protests which have continued despite the fall of Bidzina Samkharadze's government.

There were certain expectations regarding the speech, as it had been rumoured that the Brzdmtsveli would have agreed Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze, unconfirmed by the national government itself, to declare the state emergency as violence on the streets continued. However, she did not announce such thing.

In her speech, the Brzdmstveli censored and condemned the violence by protesters at length. "There are times one needs to take two steps back to be able to advance", she argued. "But there can't never be a reason or justification for bringing chaos to your neighbors' streets, for the destruction of property, and to intimidate and cause harm to others". She also insisted that dialogue and understanding should be the way forward, in which someone saw a criticism of the new government.

It is not expected, however, according to journalists with close sources to the Office of the Brzdmtsveli, several Mktvartvelian newspapers have published, that Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze may be replaced, particularly barely two weeks after its appointment.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze has assured that the government is willing to continue to reestablish order and end the violence. "Intimidation and violence will not force our hand. We will bring solutions but not against those willing to bring chaos and death to our streets". He also called student unions and organizations behind the protests to distance themselves from violent protesters and even cooperate with the authorities to identify them.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Minister of Education announces his resignation as violence escalates in Azavrelia

Mktvartvelo witnessed another day of violent protests, as anti-government protests resulted in clashes between police and protesters in Ktsatskuri and other cities, and riots in the city of Azavrelia, the largest city in Mktvartvelo.

Tensions started early in the morning, as police launched a series of raids in which about one hundred of student leaders and prominent youth organizers were arrested. The police also seized one of the headquarters of a student union in Ktsatskuri. A police spokesperson argued those arrested were investigated for charges including "criminal association and promotion of vandalism and organized violence". Between those arrested, there were also three members of the education branch of the All-Mktvartvelian Labour Union (SMSK), one of the largest unions in the country. SMSK condemned the arrests as "an unprecedented violation of constitutional rights".

About midday, a crowd gathered around Azavrelia Technical University and forced their entry into the building. It was rumoured that some leading activists who were in search by the local police were between the crowd, but this could not be confirmed by local media. After they were initially able to access the building, which was surrounded by a large crowd, riot police intervened, finally breaking into the premises and arrest most of the students who entered the building. A number of students, however, were able to escape by descending from the windows or backdoor of the building.

A large number of students in Azavrelia required hospitalization, including one student who remains in serious condition, according to a local newspaper. The intervention received harsh criticism, particularly after a recording was released of a policeman hitting a woman with his baton, without apparent previous interaction, was published by an online newspaper. In the evening, a large demonstration resulted in riots which lasted until midnight, in which cars and shops were severely damaged.

In the capital city, Ktsatskuri, there were clashes between police and protesters once again, although they were not as violent as in Azavrelia and other cities. Still, some of the windows of the Council of State were broken and damaged after the impact of some kind of homemade projectile, local authorities informed. There were no personnel hurt, however. In total, authorities confirmed that up to one thousand people were arrested as consequence of confrontation between police and protesters. On the other hand, police authorities have declared that more than two hundred policemen resulted injuries, although none of those injuries seem serious enough.

The Minister of Civic Education, Levan Rostomadze, announced his resignation at late evening, only nine days after his appointment. "I am grateful to Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze for the chance to serve the country", he declared in a short statement. "However, in the current circumstances, I am not longer confident that I will able to achieve the goals that I was tasked in these increasingly complicated and serious circumstances".

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: The government of Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze falls

Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze, after being received by Brzdmtsveli Ketevan, has announced his resignation as Prime Minister, barely ten days after being appointed as head of the government.

The morning started by large demonstrations in the main cities of the country, in which protesters demanded the dismissal of the Minister of Public Order and Security and the Minister of Justice, as well as the liberation of student representatives. In Ktsatskuri and Azavrelia, protesters and police clashed one again, leaving dozens of injured and more than two hundred protesters arrested.

Confused and tense hours followed, particularly after Dedamitsa newspaper affirmed in one article in their website that the government had agreed to mobilize the armed forces in the coming hours with the aim to protect government buildings in Ktsatskuri and Azavrelia. While the authors of the article assured they had evidence that the order had been sent from the Ministry of Public Order and Security, the national government did not confirm or deny that information.

Several members from the conservative block called for a declaration of state emergency by the National Assembly, and the office of Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvili confirmed than an extraordinary session would be a possibility if a enough large number of MPs officially suggested it. However, according to Paktebi newspaper, Prime Minister Mokleadze's was reluctant of such parliamentary session as they feared that the government may not have a clear majority.

Mamuka Keburia has become Acting Prime Minister following Mokladze resignation as Prime Minister. It is expected, however, that he will replaced by a new Prime Minister after already five ministers have announced leaving their positions after the Prime Minister resignation.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Shota Samadashvili appointed as Prime Minister

Shota Samadashvili, 72, has been announced as Prime Minister. Samadashvili, a former diplomat who served as ambassador in countries such as Rokkenjima, Tytor, and Lodja, as well as being appointed as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 1998. In 2002, he left the diplomatic career after being appointed to the Council of State by Brzdmtsveli Tamaz Japharidze.

Samadashvili has declared that his appointment is "a great honour but even greater responsibility, and we have the duty to row together to end divisions". Regarding the recent wave of protests, he has declared that "violence is always unacceptable" but has promised that one of the first projects of his administration will be a new education law, in which past experiences, experts, and the sector itself, will be balanced as much as possible".

His government will be formed mostly by independent ministers, most of them with experience in the professional sectors or academy, rather that current lawmakers or former ministers, which has led to many to call it a technocratic government. Merab Dvalishvili, who will leave his position as Chief of the General Staff to become Minister of National Defense, and businesswoman Makvala Bendukidze Makvala Bendukidze, who will serve as Minister of the Treasury as well as Deputy Prime Minister for National Development, are two of the noteworthy government appointments in Samadashvili's government.

Meanwhile, students unions have demanded the release of student representatives arrested in recent days in which they have described as a "anti-constitutional political process against civil society". They have warned that protests will continue if they are not released and negotiations with the authorities are officially announced.

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Juglander Review

Sports: Women's Handball captain to head Mktvartvelo's delegation in Mundus Games

Eto Kordzaia, the 33-year old Mktvartvelo's women's handball team captain, was confirmed as Mktvartvelo's flag-bearer in the Valtheim Mundus Games.

"It is such a great honour, one that I couldn't have imagined", Kordzaia has declared.

The left-winger attacker had recently overcome some of the most complicated months in her career, after suffering a knee injury in last October and not renewing her contract with SK Gurjumi, which led her to join the Second Division club KKK Lagotsminda. She was not able to play her first match with her new club until March. Last month, she returned as women's handball team captain in a tour in preparation for the coming Valtheim Mundus Games.

Unexpectedly, she won her first trophy with her new club on May, after KKK Lagotsminda surprisingly defeated First Division SK Azavrelia by 28-27 in the Brzdmtsveli Cup final, with Kordzaia scoring five goals in the final. "It was like a dream coming true for us, something rather surreal, but we have certainly proven we are ready to play in the elite", said Kordzaia, who won her fifth Cup title in her career with that match. "Still, as wonderful as it was, we're only focused to bring this city to the First Division". Currently, KKK Lagotsminda is on the top of Second Division league, two points ahead of their rivals SK Sachkhumi. Last season, the club Lagotsminda finished third but was defeated in the promotion playoffs.

In late May, she returned with the national team, her first matches with the national team since the Azavrelia Mundus Games final. "It is not something I expected, as I was seriously thinking about my retirement a few months ago", Kordzaia declared. "These days, I have a different role in the national team compared to some years ago, obviously, bringing my experience. As usual, every match will be a final, but bringing the gold back home is our only thought and aim in these Mundus Games".

As soon as the women's handball national team for the Mundus Games became official, she was confirmed to be the flag-bearer representatives for the Mktvartvelo's delegation. However, there were some rumours that Kordzaia may be finally replaced, after a Kordzaia's controversial social media message in which she criticized police brutality against protesters. Notwithstanding, she was confirmed in the role after Eto Sulaberidze, the new minister of Sports and Civic Education, declared "Sports should be free from political decisions".

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Mktvartvelo: General Dvaslishvili renounces as Minister of Defense

Merab Dvalishvili, the Minister of National Defense, has announced his resignation, only four days after his appointment. "With the utmost respect toward His Excellency [the Prime Minister], I do not feel that I am currently in a position to achieve the goals of this administration with the required coherence and conscience, in which expectations and differences have diverged more than originally planned". The announcement came only a few hours after Prime Minister Shota Samadashvili announced the general lines of the new National Education Reform Project, which aims to reform the high education system in Mktvartvelo, introducing competition between universities and conciliating private investment with greater autonomy for universities with a democratization to election of representatives of both students and professors.

Dvalishvili, a military officer with the rank of general, had served previously as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo from 2019 to 2023. His decision to resign from the national government seems to have surprised (although reports suggested that he personally communicated it to the Prime Minister before its public announcement) the government, which is not expected to announce a replacement before the next meeting of the Council of Ministers, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

The national government spokesperson has declared that the Prime Minister "respects the decision of Mr. Dvalishvili but it hopes that his replacement will meet his same experience and capacities, if that would be possible...but nevertheless with the same attitude and aim to bring together every citizen of our nation". Tomorrow Council of Ministers also plans to announce or confirm some of the first reforms of the new government before their introduction to the National Assembly, such as the legal reform aimed to remove the requirement of an additional three-year military service for employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Prime Minister Shota Samadashvili announces his resignation

Prime Minister Shota Samadashvili has announced his resignation, only a few hours after his first Council of Ministers. Samadashvili becomes the shortest-lived Prime Ministership since the establishment of the National Assembly in 1912. Samadashvili was appointed as Prime Minister only five days ago.

The Prime Minister resignation came after a mass resignations in the armed forces and the security administration between the night of the day before and through the day. The first to announce his resignation was Otar Gedevanishvili, who had only became Chief of the General Staff earlier that week. Only a few hours later, early in the morning, his replacement and the rest of the General Staff of the Armed Forces followed announcing their resignation as well.

The national government spokesperson declared the Prime Minister was "disappointed regarding the decision of the General Staff", and the national government attempted to fill the leaving positions as soon as possible. However, the situation seemed to become increasing untenable when the leadership of the three branches of the armed forces resigned as well, and from 10:00 to 11:00, there were seven different Chiefs of the General Staff.

Reportedly, according to Moedani Radio, Prime Minister Shota Samadashvili had a telephone conversation with Brzdmtsveli Ketevan in which the latter would have confirmed her confidence in Samadashvili continuing as Prime Minister. The Office of the Brzdmtsveli did not officially confirm this information, however.

Mass resignations continued, with more than twenty resignations from the military intelligence agency, as well as by the Acting General Director of the Department of National Security, the civilian intelligence and counter-terrorism agency. The national government claimed that the Council of Ministers was held without incidences. However, the Prime Minister did not address the media after its end as it was initially expected.

The Prime Minister had reportedly called an urgent meeting in which the First Deputy Prime Minister Levan Makhateli, as well as the Acting Minister of National Defense Vakhtang Tsiskaridze, and Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvili. However, only about twenty minutes later, Prime Minister Samadashvili announced his resignation, with a speech after which he did not accept any question from the media. "It is a time which required responsibility and prudence, and avoid any kind of temptation to impose our own particular interests over the nation", Samadashvili declared after his five-minute speech.

The First Deputy Prime Minister Levan Makhateli will continue as Acting Prime Minister following Samadashvili's resignation, he confirmed, until a new government is appointed. However, following the resignation of the Prime Minister, at least six ministers announced their immediate resignation.

Some members of the National Assembly went as far as directly denouncing the wave of resignations as a "coup d'etat against the constitutional order". Meanwhile, Lasha Djouloukhadze, a prominent member of the National Assembly, associated to the moderate block of the parliament, has openly called for a "national unity government", which would include ministers who previously served under Prime Ministers Gela Berdzenishvili, Bidzina Samkharadze, and Gocha Mokleadze.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: General Brdzeni Kvirkvelia to become Prime Minister

Brdzeni Kvirkvelia was announced as Prime Minister of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo, replacing Acting Prime Minister Levan Makhateli.

General Brzdeni Kvirkvelia, 51, the former Deputy Chief of the Army, is expected to be received by Brzdmtsveli Ketevan in the coming hours.

He was nominated by the National Assembly leadership after three previous nominee Prime Minister had rejected the proposal. It is reported that about thirty MPs from the National Assembly had proposed Kvirkvelia nomination as Prime Minister.

Brdzeni Kvirkvelia is a prominent military officer, a former member of the General Staff of the Armed Forces as Director of Military Intelligence, but he has no political experience, and no much is known about his ideological leanings or policy preferences.

According to Dedamitsa newspaper, Kvirkvelia is expected to address the National Assembly in the coming days.

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Juglander Review

Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia addresses National Assembly

Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia addressed the National Assembly, a few hours after being officially appointed as Prime Minister. He becomes the fourth Prime Minister in about one month. He has promised to bring stability and offered his cooperation with every member of the National Assembly.

Kvirkvelia did not offer any hint of the policies or ideological leanings of the new government. "For all my career, I have been nothing but a servant of the state", Kvirkvelia declared. "A new challenge starts today, but I will offer the same attitude. I hope to find cooperation and responsibility from the parliament to change the current situation, which is unacceptable".

Kvirkvelia seemed to deny rumours that he was going to announce the declaration of the state of emergency. However, he did not openly reject such possibility. "As it would be an error to use a legal and constitutional instrument when it is not required, it would be unwise to renounce to it when it would be it is necessary", he declared. "We can not be afraid to recognize that law is not separated from strength. Lawlessness will not be tolerated, but it should be enforced through proportionate means".

He confirmed that Prime Minister Shota Samadashvili's education legislative proposals will not be continued, even in the form of legislative amends. "Education is an important area, which should be a priority of every government", he declared. Kvirkvelia declared that decisions regarding funding would be immediately announced, but his government is not planning to introduce an immediate reform on the system as a whole in the coming weeks.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Governoment announces creation of labour council, student union leaders released

Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia announced the first legislative initiatives of the new government. One of them includes the creation of a "Permanent Committee for Labour and Social Advancement", an advisory council which will include representatives from the government, the business organizations, and unions, as well as independent members appointed by the government. While the council will not have any executive and legislative powers, with only and advisory role, some members of the National Assembly have criticized the creation of a new body without control by the National Assembly. The national government spokesperson has declared that the aim of the permanent committee will be "to promote agreement and understanding between the main social actors" in order to advance dialogue and understanding of the government's decisions.

The government also announced an increase on the minimum wage, around a 10% of the current amount, as well as an average 5% increase in the pay of low-earning administration employees and pensioners.

Meanwhile, most of the protesters and youth and union representatives who were arrested during the last wave of protests, particularly during the last raids in the last days of  Gocha Mokleadze's government. Most of them were released with charges, and they will await their trials, in some cases facing serious charges, in freedom. This has been criticized by student unions and youth organizations, who consider the charges to be mostly bogus in most cases and demanded the charges to be removed. Still, protesters received the released protesters and the doors of the jails, in a mixture of place of celebration and political rally. However, they left the surroundings without incidents.

This weekend, it is expected that student unions and other organizations will gather in a special meeting, in which they will decide about continuing with protests against the government and about changes in their political strategy.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Mass resignation of local government officials

More than thirty mayors have announced their immediate resignation. They move seems to have be pushed by Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia's government, who aims to improve communication between the national government and the local governments, as the national government is preparing to announce a reform of the local government and provincial councils.

The mayors who have left their positions include large cities such as Ktsatskuri, the capital city, Kashumi, Martvilisi, Lagotsminda, or Gurjumi. It is expected that the appointments will be shortly announced.

Meanwhile, the national government has announced that will introduce into the National Assembly the legislative reform next week, following a meeting between Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia and the leadership of the National Assembly. The move has been criticized by prominent members of the National Assembly as they argue that the decision does not allow for more meaningful negotiations between the National Assembly and the national government regarding the preliminary draft of the legislation.

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Mktvartvelo: National Assembly passes legislative reform

The National Assembly passed the Civic Reform Act, a legislation which will introduce some important changes in the parliamentary and electoral legislation, by 337-240 vote.

While the government seemed hopeful about the vote, the parliamentary session was considerably tense as it was feared the failure of the legislation could threaten another political crisis in Mktvartvelo. The day before, Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia declared that he would resign if the legislation was rejected by the National Assembly.

The legislation, similarly to the Financial and Parliamentary Regulations Act passed by the National Assembly under Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze's government, later rejected by the Council of State, will remove restrictions on the operations of political campaigns in the country, and the establishment of parliamentary groups in the National Assembly. Unlike Samkharadze's reform, however, the clauses regarding the organization and establishment of parliamentary groups will only become law after the next legislative election.

As it happened then, the legislation met the opposition from an important group, mostly those associated with the conservative block in the National Assembly. Prime Minister Kvirkvelia has insisted, however, that the legislation will serve the National Assembly to become more functional and effective.

The legislation will also remove restrictions to the right to vote due to marital status, aimed to simplify the process, Kvirkvelia insisted, who has promised to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in other areas as well. "The law does not serve well when citizens face a complicated labyrinth of rules and their exceptions, it does when it is clear and simple". As consequence, the legislation will establish an ultimate age of suffrage at 21 years old for all citizens, granting that right earlier for those who completed the military service before that age. The only exception will be members of the clergy, who will not be required to complete military service to obtain the right to suffrage as long as they are of legal age.

The legislation, however, does not introduce any change in the citizenship status. The government is confident that the legislation will not face a setback in the Council of State, which is expected to review the law in the coming weeks.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Prime Minister Kvirkvelia announces Supreme Court appointment

Givi Jintcharadze, 52, has been appointed by Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia to serve in Mktvartvelo's Supreme Court, replacing Otar Andronikashvili, who joined the court in 2012 and became Chairman of the Supreme Court in 2021. Andronikashvili announced his resignation last week, due to health reasons.

Jintcharadze is known to have belonged to Civic Unity, a conservative judiciary association, therefore his appointment will allow conservatives to retain half of the members of the Supreme Court, after another conservative judge had been replaced by one belonging to one moderate judiciary association last month.

Anzor Shengelia, writing from Sotsialuri Mimukhilva online daily blog, has criticized that Jintcharadze's appointment is another step toward "the militarization of civic society", in his words, which seems to be promoted by some of the early appointments by Brdzeni Kvirkvelia's government "and his circle, either directly or indirectly". Shengelia alludes the fact that Jintcharadze, before becoming a judge in Kareledia in 2012, he served for fifteen years as military attourney before leaving the armed forces in 2010. Shengelia mentions other recent appointments, such as retired general Merab Dvaslishvili, former Chief of the General Staff and briefly Minister of National Defense, was announced as the new CEO of Momavali Inc., one of the most important Mktvartvelo's market research and polling companies. to support his claim. A Momavali Inc spokesperson, however, has denied any role of the government in Dvaslishvili's appointment, also pointing out that the company is an independent private company.

Several lawmakers have criticized the appointment, arguing that the Prime Minister "has missed to a chance to move forward a less politicized and ideological Supreme Court". Meanwhile, lawmakers from the conservative block, as well as conservative and right-leaning media has praised Jintcharadze's appointment for his "experience and strong credentials".

It is expected that Levan Sanadze, the most senior member of the Supreme Court, as he has been serving since 2015, and currently the Chairman of the Second Senate of the Supreme Court will replace Andronikashvili as Chairman of the Supreme Court.