Ukrainian Embassy and Georgian Parliament Speaker Clash over Explosives Case
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, September 18, 2025
The Ukrainian Embassy in Tbilisi and Georgia's parliament speaker traded sharply different accounts on Wednesday after Georgian security services detained two Ukrainian citizens and said they had found 2.4 kilograms of explosive hexogen in their vehicle.
The embassy said it was following media reports closely but had not received official confirmation from Georgian authorities that a criminal case had been opened on charges linked to the explosives. "The Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia is continuously monitoring information published in the Georgian media regarding the detention of two Ukrainian citizens suspected by Georgian law enforcement of illegally transporting the explosive substance hexogen," the mission said, adding that its consular staff were seeking permission to meet the detained men and clarify the circumstances of their arrest.
Georgian investigators have said the substance was discovered after the truck entered Georgia from Turkey and allege the cargo was routed through several European countries before reaching Tbilisi. State security officials have opened criminal inquiries and said the case is being examined for possible links to foreign intelligence activity.
Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili responded with condemnation of what he described as reckless conduct by foreign services. He questioned why, if the explosives were allegedly destined for Russia, Georgian territory should be used as a transit point. "Let them fight Russia directly and leave Georgia alone," he told reporters, adding that Georgia must not be pulled into another country's conflict.
Papuashvili said investigators had identified a specific address in the Avlabari district of Tbilisi as the intended destination and underscored that "Avlabari is not Russia." He also criticised European border controls, saying the material had passed through much of the European Union without being intercepted. "This is their understanding of brotherhood and friendship," he said, alleging that Ukraine's special services had previously carried out operations on Georgian soil.
The speaker linked the case to a broader pattern he described as interference around Georgia's election period. "This is not the first time that Ukraine's special services have been involved in various special operations in Georgia ahead of elections," Papuashvili said, referencing past incidents he said involved Ukrainian operatives. He said that such activity risked civilian lives and fuelled political instability.
Ukrainian and Georgian authorities have so far offered differing emphases: Kyiv's diplomats stress consular access and the lack of formal notice of charges, while Georgian security and some senior politicians stress national security and electoral stability. International and local media continue to follow the investigation as Georgian law enforcement works to determine the origin, intended destination and the network behind the seized material.
The embassy and parliament speaker both said they would monitor developments and keep the public informed as investigators press on.
