Former Georgian Defense Minister Jailed for Calling for the Overthrow of the Ivanishvili Government

The Tbilisi City Court found former Georgian Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia guilty of publicly calling for the violent alteration of the constitutional order and sentenced him to two years and six months in prison.

According to Georgian media reports, Akhalaia was not present when the verdict was announced and did not exercise his right to make a final statement.

The criminal case stemmed from a remark the former minister made during a court hearing: "I believe that Bidzina Ivanishvili and his government must be overthrown." Investigators classified these words as a public call for the violent overthrow of the government.

Bacho Akhalaia was a member of the team surrounding Georgia's third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, serving at various times as Minister of Defense, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister of Corrections. After the "Georgian Dream" party came to power, several criminal cases were opened against him. He is currently facing charges in other cases as well, including a case involving the organization of group violence.

Последние новости
Имама мечети в Грузии избили после разговора на турецком языке
Society
Имама мечети в Грузии избили после разговора на турецком языке
29 July 2026

Нападение на семью мусульман-ахыска в грузинском Ахалцихе вызвало вопросы к действиям полиции.
Reporters Without Borders Calls Sentences Against Azerbaijani Journalists Politically Motivated
Human rights
Reporters Without Borders Calls Sentences Against Azerbaijani Journalists Politically Motivated
29 July 2026

The international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the sentences handed down to staff members of the Azerbaijani YouTube channel Toplum TV, describing them as further evidence of the persecution of independent journalists in the country.
Fuel Crisis Eases in Southern Russia, but North Caucasus Still Faces Acute Shortages
Economy
Fuel Crisis Eases in Southern Russia, but North Caucasus Still Faces Acute Shortages
29 July 2026

The fuel crisis in southern Russia is gradually easing. Queues at petrol stations are shrinking, major fuel retailers are lifting or relaxing purchase limits, and regional authorities are increasingly declaring that supplies have stabilised. Yet officials and analysts caution that it is too early to declare the crisis over.
Search for Drowned Man in Ingushetia Enters Ninth Day; Volunteers Needed
Society
Search for Drowned Man in Ingushetia Enters Ninth Day; Volunteers Needed
29 July 2026

The search for Bekkhan Aushev, who went missing on July 21 in the Dzheyrakhsky District of Ingushetia, is now in its ninth day. Preliminary reports suggest he may have been swept away by the current of the Assa River. However, the number of volunteers participating in the search operation is dwindling day by day.