EU Report

Russia has learned how to influence elections, EU’s top diplomat warns. “I see the examples from Romania, but also other parts, that [the] Russians have really cracked the code on how to influence elections,” Kallas said at POLITICO’s P28 event Tuesday evening. Responding to a question about the influence of new technologies on democracy, Kallas said she is “really worried.” “Democracy is based on trust, and if you can’t trust elections anymore then how can you trust the outcome?” she asked. Kallas argued that today’s methods for deciding whether elections can be considered free and fair are outdated and don’t take into account new technologies used to influence elections. “I think we should take them very seriously,” she said. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇷🇺

Georgia’s State Security Service warns about an alleged coup plot The Georgian State Security Service (SSS) has released a statement, claiming there are plans to encourage civil unrest and overthrow the government through violent means. The SSS alleges that local figures are cooperating with foreign intelligence services to promote violence and escalate tensions during protests in Tbilisi. “As protest momentum drops, certain groups seek to artificially increase unrest to achieve their goal of violently overthrowing the government,” the statement reads. The SSS claims that attacks on law enforcement and journalists are part of this alleged plan. The statement further warned of a potential crisis surrounding the presidential election, claiming, “Organizers aim to avert the election of Georgia’s sixth president, for the sake of a governance crisis.” The SSS urged citizens to remain attentive, report suspicious activities, and avoid becoming “participants or victims of the criminal plan.” What would you bet that the FSB dictated them the statement? 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Addition to previous report Russian Danone factories were given to the Kadyrov clan Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Chechnya Ruslan Alisultanov became the owner of a company that controls the former assets of the food manufacturer Danone. In early December, Alisultanov became the sole owner of Unimilk LLC, formerly known as Vamin-Tatarstan. This company owns a 99% stake in Vamin R LLC, which manages the Health & Nutrition (H&N) group, which combines Danone's former assets in Russia. The remaining 1% of Vamin R is owned directly by Alisultanov. "H&N confirms that Ruslan Alisultanov has become a 100% owner of Vamin-Tatarstan, which was renamed Unimilk shortly before the transaction, a company that indirectly controls the Health & Nutrition group of companies," the company's press service explained, refusing to disclose the details of the transaction. In July 2023, Putin signed a decree on the transfer of Danone's Russian assets to the temporary management of the Federal Property Management Agency. After that, Health & Nutrition (the renamed subsidiary of Danone in Russia) was headed by the 32-year-old nephew of the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, Yakub Zakriyev. In March of this year, Putin took Health & Nutrition then again out of state control. This was followed by the sale of the Russian business of Danone to Vamin R, owned by Vamin Tatarstan (99%) and Ruslan Alisultanov (1%). @freerussia_report

Clear grounds for sanctions amid Georgia protests, EU envoy says Violent clashes in Georgia between the police and protesters in recent weeks and "unacceptable" police brutality against the demonstrators present clear grounds for the European Union to impose sanctions, the EU ambassador to Georgia said on Monday. "What has been happening in Georgia over the last 12 days clearly calls for sanctions and I know that work is already underway to prepare sanctions," Pawel Herczynski told reporters, according to the Interpress news agency. Herczynski said on Monday the level of "brutality" wielded against demonstrators was "absolutely unacceptable". "Let me say very loudly and clearly on behalf of the European Union that we see the people on the streets, we hear their voices and we are shocked by the violence," he said. "I think most of us in EU capitals, as well as in EU institutions, have reached a stage where we need to act." He said Brussels could present a sanctions package on Dec. 16. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

🔴 The Minister of Internal Affairs will have the right to hire people for the police without passing a special competition and, by his own order, determine the rules and conditions for admission to service without a competition. This is provided for in the draft amendments to the Law on Police, which has already been initiated in parliament. According to the draft, the law will come into force on January 1, 2025. 🔴Changes will be made to the Georgian Law on Civil Service that will simplify reorganization issues in the public sector, said Mamuka Mdinaradze, executive secretary of the Georgian Dream, after the majority meeting. According to Mamuka Mdinaradze, this decision will ensure the recovery of the public sector. "The Law of Georgia "On Civil Service" will be amended to simplify the issues of reorganization in the public sector. This decision will ensure the recovery of the public sector," said Mamuka Mdinaradze. ⭕️ A march of employees of state institutions has been announced for December 11. "Current and former civil servants will express their desire for a European future together! On Wednesday, December 11, at 8:00 pm, a march from the Republic Square to the Parliament building!" the organizers of the event say. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

"It is impossible to stop a person who fights for his homeland... When the homeland is in danger, no force can hold you back," - Koba Khabazi, beaten by special forces, attends the rally on Rustaveli. Khabazi fought in Ukraine after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, and is currently one of the members of the opposition coalition "For Changes". In the past, Khabazi is a former member of parliament and Minister of Health of Adjara. "Titushki" broke into the coalition office and beat up two people. Khabazi was attacked when he was leaving the elevator Video According to Miranda Bagaturia, a public relations representative for the Coalition for Change, the attackers were armed with various objects, as well as a stun gun. She also claims that before the incident, two police teams were patrolling the office, but they left the area after the attackers left. An ambulance arrived approximately 2 hours after the incident. Video by Mtavari Arkhi 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Meanwhile, special forces did not leave buses and minibuses, water cannons and special equipment stand alone on Freedom Square. Video by Lorena Beria 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Tbilisi on the 12th day of continuous protests. Rustaveli Avenue. Video |Photo by Ezz Gaber 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

The burning coffin While some found it amusing, it is a very real symbol of the anger and frustration people are feeling right now in Georgia. Tbsili life channel explained that protestor did it because everyone in Georgia knows that Ivanishvili is very afraid of all sorts of such things. Voodoo dolls, by the way, have already been around. Video by TV Pirveli 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

The coffin contained an effigy of the founder of the ruling party and the organizer of violence in the country, Bidzina Ivanishvili. Video by Lorena Beria/Photo by Giorgi Jamerashvili 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Burying and burning "Ivanishvili" Actors of the Vaso Abashidze Theatre and protestors on Rustaveli last night held a symbolic performance. A coffin was ceremoniously carried along the avenue, containing an effigy of of the founder of the ruling party and the organizer of violence in Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. It was then laid to rest in front of parliament and set alight. Video by @idkkk3 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Kobakhidze threatens to defeat the opposition and “liberal fascism” Irakli Kobakhidze declared his determination to neutralize the radical opposition, accusing it of undermining the constitutional order. He mockingly referred to the suppression of protests and the arrests of 300 people, calling them "logical". He described criticism of President Zurabishvili as a “loss of dignity” and the OSCE’s assessment of the elections as a blow to the opposition. Exactly, something painfully familiar, as if I had turned on another briefing from the Kremlin. Kobakhidze seemed to have been inspired by Russian manuals: “liberal fascism,” “neutralization,” “undermining the constitutional order” – everything, like in the old notes. Discrediting the opposition, suppressing protests and a proud smirk when mentioning arrests – a classic of the genre. All that’s missing is a slogan about “restoring stability” to complete the entourage. No wonder that Georgian channels write: "Koba fuck off to russia" 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Germany and Austria suspend asylum applications for Syrians Germany and Austria have simultaneously suspended asylum applications from Syrians, affecting thousands of migrants seeking protection. The authorities of both countries argue their actions by changing the situation in Syria, where, in their opinion, conditions may allow the safe return of refugees. In Germany, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has frozen the processing of 47,270 applications, of which 46 thousand are initial appeals, Der Spiegel reports. Since 2011, the country has taken in more than 900,000 Syrians, the largest refugee group in Germany since 2014. In Austria, according to Die Presse, about 7300 applications have been suspended, including applications for family reunification. Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to review the applications already submitted and develop a program for the repatriation and deportation of Syrians. These steps are of concern to human rights activists, who note that returning to Syria remains dangerous due to instability and repression in the region. At the same time, these decisions are becoming an important political topic, especially in the run-up to the elections in Germany, where criticism of migration policy is increasing from far-right parties. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇸🇾

12th night: Pro-European rally near the parliament continued. The pro-European rally in front of the parliament kicked off for the 12th night. The participants of the rally at the public broadcaster joined those gathered on Rustaveli Avenue after a march to the parliament building. The protesters’ demand is unchanged – to schedule re-elections and release the citizens arrested during the protest. Law enforcement officers were not mobilized in the streets surrounding the building, nor are they on Freedom Square. With water cannons arriving at Tbilisi's Freedom Square despite the peaceful atmosphere of the protests, the question arose whether the authorities plan to use them again to disperse peaceful demonstrators with some kind of chemicals. But this night the police didn't attack. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Georgian PM announces law to ban face-covering at rallies On Sunday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze revealed that the government plans to introduce a law prohibiting participants at rallies and counter-rallies from covering their faces. This move comes in response to the ongoing protests against the government’s decision to delay EU accession talks until 2028. Kobakhidze pointed out that similar laws are already in place in many European Union countries. He emphasized the importance of the law, stating it "would help reduce violence during public gatherings". He also confirmed that the government aims to finalize the technical preparations and pass the law by the end of next week, with full enforcement expected by the end of December. The Prime Minister highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement officers during the protests, noting that they endured both physical and psychological violence. He condemned the derogatory labels used against the officers, such as “blackshirts” and “Russian OMON [special police units],” describing these as “disgraceful” and an example of double standards. Kobakhidze also expressed his gratitude to the police, calling them "the true Europeans” of the protests and acknowledging "their heroism." He shared that over ten officers had to undergo surgery due to injuries sustained during the rallies, and several others were injured as well, yet the violence faced by law enforcement had not been condemned. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Opposition member in maximum security prison According to Irakli Chomakhashvili, the lawyer of activist and member of the opposition coalition "For Change" Saba Skhvitaridze, among those detained in connection with the protests, only his client was transferred to Prison No. 6 in Rustavi, which is a maximum security facility. "I ask the Minister of Justice to make a statement on the reasons for this. I also notified the Ombudsman and immediately demanded a visit to Skhvitaridze, including a visit to this particular cell, since the conditions there are unsanitary and do not meet international standards, as he himself explained. I received a promise from the Ombudsman that Sabu would be visited and, among other things, that this particular cell would be inspected." According to available information, on December 5, patrol inspectors kidnapped the activist outside of Tbilisi and handed him over to other police officers in a car. Skhvitaridze was beaten by police officers after they handcuffed him in the detention center. The police accuse him of assault. At the same time, they claim that he attacked them after he had already been beaten. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

The producer of mineral water "Nabeglavi" distances itself from the anti-European statement of the "Georgian Dream" and notes that "the termination of cooperation with Europe is categorically unacceptable." The company condemns violence against citizens: "Nabeglavi has a 27-year history and from the very beginning of its existence has been one of the pioneers in the Georgian national industry in the matter of asserting Western culture. Today it is a successful example of Georgian-European joint business. Accordingly, it is categorically unacceptable for us to cease cooperation with Europe even for one day. We condemn violence against any citizen who fights for a better future for the country and assertion of Western values! We firmly adhere to the course defined by Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia!" the statement says. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

12 days of protests in Georgia: beatings, arrests and theatre of the absurd. Every morning Georgia reads about attacks by special forces and criminal thugs backed by them. Beatings on the street move into cars and detention centers, where special forces hit people in the face, and police hit wherever they want. Administrative cells are overcrowded, detainees are sent to criminal detention centers. The court has turned into a conveyor belt of fines, where rapists are "defenders of law and order" and protesters are violators. Among those detained are teachers, doctors, writers and journalists. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Actors' march in support of those arrested on Agmashenebeli Avenue ✊ Today, Georgian artists held a protest march that began at the House of Justice. The action was organized in support of all illegally arrested protesters, including their colleagues, punished for defending the European future of the country. The demonstrators marched along Agmashenebeli Avenue with posters that read slogans such as "Police everywhere, justice nowhere!" The protesters used whistles to express their intransigence and demand justice. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

On December 9, 2024, Public Defender of Georgia Levan Ioseliani had a meeting with the EU Ambassador as well as with the US Ambassador, informing about the recent developments in the country, challenges in terms of protecting freedom of expression, and use of excessive force by law enforcement officers, as well as the situation of those detained and injured during the protests and the examination of their cases by the Special Investigation Service. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪