Georgia Tbilisi Situation Report 2026

On March 14-15, thousands marched on Rustaveli Avenue for the 472nd day of pro-European protests, re-establishing tents at the Parliament building. However, police forcibly cleared the encampment early on March 15 using garbage trucks and instituted bag searches for pedestrians in the area. Concurrently, civil society faces severe pressure; on March 14, the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association announced a 'crisis mode' cutting free legal aid, while Transparency International Georgia's director was accused of treason by ruling party officials. Regionally, the security environment is deteriorating following US military strikes on Iran's Kharg Island on March 14, leading to increased transit flight traffic through Georgian airspace. Domestically, a massive landslide in Kursebi on March 12-13 destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of over 100 residents. Meanwhile, students at Ilia State University protested on Chavchavadze Avenue on March 10 against a 97% cut to their programs. The convergence of aggressive police tactics at Parliament, escalating state pressure on Western-funded NGOs, and regional military volatility creates a highly unpredictable security environment. For the Samgori-based school, staff and international students must strictly avoid the Parliament area due to unpredictable police bag searches and potential clashes. However, local commutes should improve as the Varketili Metro station is scheduled to reopen on March 16.

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Recent M4.4 and M4.5 earthquakes were detected in Russia near Sochi/Vardane on March 3 and 6.

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