Prepared by Messenger Staff
Zourabichvili Warns Europe Georgia Faces 'Hybrid Aggression'
Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, said the country is facing hybrid aggression that could affect any European state, warning that Russia is using Georgia as a testing ground.
Speaking at the Global Europe Forum, Zourabichvili said the threat does not depend on geography.
"This is a hybrid strategy, a hybrid aggression that Georgia is experiencing today, and it could happen in any country, even without shared borders with Russia," she said. "Russia is testing you when it tests Georgia."
She said early recognition of hybrid threats is essential and that democratic standards should be treated as security issues.
"Electoral fairness, media pluralism, and the rule of law become security imperatives," Zourabichvili said.
She called for closer scrutiny of electoral manipulation and propaganda, as well as concrete support for civil society.
"All cases of electoral manipulation and propaganda should be studied, and proactive measures taken," she said, adding that support must go beyond statements.
Zourabichvili warned that failing to respond to democratic backsliding sends a dangerous signal.
"When democracy is at risk, there must be action, not just words," she said, calling Georgia's situation a warning for Europe's future.
Imprisoned Opposition Leader Gvaramia Urges Removal of Georgian Dream
Imprisoned opposition leader Nika Gvaramia has called for the removal of the Georgian Dream government, accusing it of authoritarian rule and of serving foreign geopolitical interests.
In a letter published on social media, Gvaramia, who leads the Coalition for Change, said Georgia is experiencing political repression similar to Venezuela and claimed the government has lost legitimacy.
"Neither Maduro's regime nor our Dream authorities were recognized," he wrote, crediting civil society, independent media, and opposition parties for resisting what he described as illegitimate power.
Gvaramia accused the authorities of enabling sanctions circumvention for Russia and acting as a channel for money laundering for Iran.
"We serve Russia as a route for sanction circumvention and Iran as a large-scale money laundering channel," he wrote.
He also pointed to rising emigration, political prisoners, and violence as signs of systemic decay, saying a growing number of educated Georgians are leaving the country.
Gvaramia argued that the Anaklia deep-sea port is strategically vital and claimed its obstruction serves Russian economic interests by protecting the dominance of the Novorossiysk port.
He said Georgia's future depends on European integration, calling EU membership the country's only chance for long-term stability and prosperity.
"Only we have the chance on the eastern Black Sea coast to become an EU member and build a stable democracy," he wrote.
Gvaramia concluded by urging political change.
"In short, the Dream must be removed," he wrote. "Our time has come."
