Prepared by Messenger Staff
U.S. Defense Official Holds Talks in Georgia on Military Cooperation
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of War Andrew Loomis met Georgian Dream Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani in Tbilisi to discuss bilateral military cooperation, Georgia's Defense Ministry said.
The talks covered existing defense ties and future cooperation between the two countries, as well as the regional security situation and security challenges, the ministry said.
Officials also discussed joint military exercises, Georgia and U.S. military contributions to international missions, and other defense programs.
During his visit, Loomis also met First Deputy Defense Minister Paata Patiashvili and Deputy Chief of the Defense Forces Major General Irakli Chichinadze.
Georgian defense officials thanked Loomis and the U.S. delegation for the visit and said it was important for strengthening bilateral defense ties, according to the ministry.
October 4 Convict Alleges Torture in Detention
Nana Sander, sentenced to seven years over the October 4 unrest near Atoneli Palace, told the Court of Appeals she was subjected to physical and psychological torture in detention.
Sander said she spent months in a poorly ventilated solitary cell in extreme heat, suffering breathing problems and repeatedly losing consciousness.
"For months, I was subjected to psychological and physical torture. I was deprived of oxygen. There was simply no air," she said.
She said she repeatedly reported the alleged abuse and detention conditions to authorities but that no action was taken. She also said surveillance footage could support her account.
"I have no hope in any court in this country," Sander said, adding that she hoped the case could eventually reach the European Court of Human Rights.
Sander denies the charges and is appealing her seven-year sentence.
Far-Right Group Steps Up Protests Against $6.5 Billion Eagle Hills Project
Georgia's far-right Conservatives for Georgia rallied in Tbilisi on Sept. 20 against a planned $6.5 billion investment by UAE-based Eagle Hills, calling for the cancellation of large-scale developments near Tbilisi and Batumi.
The protesters gathered at Liberty Square, where organizers announced a new initiative, "National Unity for the Protection of Georgian Lands," to coordinate opposition to the projects.
Giorgi Kardava, a leader of the group, said the initiative would bring together political groups, academics, demographers, lawyers and economists and establish a "National Council for the Protection of Georgian Lands."
"Georgian land is not for sale," Kardava told the crowd.
He said the group would expand its protests and challenge the projects through the courts.
"In the near future, lawsuits and applications prepared by our lawyers will be submitted to the Constitutional Court of Georgia, the Panel of Administrative Cases and the Prosecutor's Office," he said.
The Eagle Hills investment, announced in January 2025, covers major residential and commercial developments near Tbilisi and Batumi. The Georgian government has called it the largest investment in the country's history.
The projects have faced criticism over the terms and transparency of the agreement, their financial feasibility and potential environmental and social effects. Far-right and anti-immigration groups have focused on fears over immigration and demographic change, referring to the planned developments as "Arab towns."
Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sept. 21 compared the protests with demonstrations against the Namakhvani hydropower project in 2020-2021.
"Alt-Info and the National Movement are on one front against Georgia's interests. This is a repeat of Namakhvani HPP," Papuashvili said, accusing opponents of repeating what he called an "absurd campaign."
Conservatives for Georgia emerged from Alt-Info, an ultra-conservative, anti-Western and pro-Russian movement that was involved in the violent July 2021 attacks on journalists and LGBT rights supporters in Tbilisi. Several of its leaders are under U.S. sanctions.
The party won one seat in Tbilisi City Council in the 2025 municipal elections.
