Georgia Intel: Tbilisi Protests & Russian Pressure

On May 7, a Tbilisi court sentenced 10 opposition figures, including opera singer Paata Burchuladze, to seven years in prison for the October 2025 protests, sparking widespread condemnation and ongoing daily protests. Concurrently, authorities arrested five security officers for violently dispersing protesters during the 2024 demonstrations. As expected in the prior report's forward watch, the Holy Synod met on May 11 and elected Metropolitan Shio Mujiri as the 142nd Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, resolving a highly anticipated succession. The security environment for expats remains precarious. On May 10, unverified reports indicated three Russian citizens were tortured and robbed in a residential apartment in Varketili, adjacent to the Samgori district. Meanwhile, the State Security Service arrested a former Cartu Group official for alleged espionage on May 5, and the watched nationwide immigration raids recently resulted in the deportation of 45 foreigners. The intersection of deep political polarization, aggressive immigration enforcement, and economic strain creates a volatile operating environment for the Samgori school. With the National Bank raising the refinancing rate to 8.25% amid 5.9% inflation, and recent violent crime in neighboring Varketili, international staff and students face heightened administrative and physical risks. Furthermore, heavy recent rainfall and potential metro disruptions compound logistical challenges across Tbilisi.

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