Georgia Intel: Tbilisi Protests & Russian Pressure

The operational environment in Tbilisi remains highly disruptive due to the convergence of severe weather, transit strikes, and strict immigration enforcement. The May 1 foreigner work regulations are being actively enforced, highlighted by the recent deportation of 103 foreign nationals. The nationwide taxi and courier strike that began May 1 continues to severely disrupt urban transit. Furthermore, the severe weather forecast for May 2-6 has materialized, causing a landslide on the Kutaisi-Alpana-Mamisoni road and bringing heavy rain to Tbilisi. In the security sector, the State Security Service arrested Giorgi Udzilauri on May 5. Udzilauri, a former PR head for Bidzina Ivanishvili's Cartu Group and a Finance Ministry official, is accused of spying for a European country. Diplomatically, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 4 at the EPC summit in Yerevan to discuss bilateral relations. Meanwhile, parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy continue their 24-hour protest outside the Government Administration as of May 4. These interacting factors require immediate attention from the Samgori business school administration. Heavy rains (36.8mm forecast for May 6) threaten localized flooding, which will exacerbate the mobility crisis caused by the taxi strike. Concurrently, the SSSG espionage arrest and the European Parliament's critical report on Georgia signal deepening political polarization. The school must audit all international student visas immediately and arrange dedicated transport for staff navigating the transit strike and flooded roads.

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