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U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert Over Bomb Threats in Tbilisi
On the evening of May 6, the U.S. Embassy in Georgia issued a security alert regarding reported bomb threats targeting three major shopping malls in Tbilisi: East Point, Galleria Tbilisi, and the Tbilisi Shopping Area. The Embassy advised its personnel to avoid these locations until further notice and encouraged the public to monitor local media for updates.
"The Regional Security Office of Embassy Tbilisi has advised all Embassy staff to avoid these locations," the alert stated, raising concerns over public safety and the nature of the threats.
Shortly after the alert was made public, Georgia's State Security Service (SSSG) responded via a Facebook post, calling the threats "another false report" and stressing that all necessary and urgent measures were being taken. In a pointed remark, the agency called on members of the diplomatic corps to show greater responsibility and to refrain from releasing uncoordinated statements.
Tbilisi Court Sentences Businessmen in Embezzlement Case, Families Claim Political Motives
Judge Iza Kelenjeridze of Tbilisi City Court found businessman Giorgi Chikvaidze and his associate Irakli Papiashvili guilty of embezzling large sums of money. Chikvaidze received a nine-year prison sentence, while Papiashvili was sentenced to eight years. Both men deny the charges, and their legal teams plan to appeal the ruling.
Tensions flared in the courtroom as Papiashvili was taken into custody, prompting an emotional reaction from supporters and family members. Chants of "Shame!" and "Murusidze's servant" echoed through the court - the latter referencing influential Appeals Court judge Levan Murusidze, often associated with Georgia's so-called "judicial clan."
Chikvaidze's mother, Eka Tsereteli, alleged that the case was politically motivated. She claimed her son holds sensitive information about Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and vowed to reveal more in the coming days. Tsereteli defended both men's innocence and openly criticized the presiding judge.
Similarly, Papiashvili's father accused the court of being influenced by politically connected figures, suggesting that the verdict was intended to target Chikvaidze specifically.
