Latest news with #pro-Russian
The Star
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Second Georgian opposition leader placed in pre-trial detention as crackdown widens
Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change opposition group, charged with failing to appear before the Georgian parliament's temporary investigative commission, attends a court hearing in Tbilisi, Georgia May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/Pool/ File Photo TBILISI (Reuters) -A Georgian court on Friday placed Nika Melia, a leader of the country's main opposition party, in pre-trial detention, amid a widening crackdown against a pro-Western opposition that has staged months of anti-government protests. Melia, a top leader of the Coalition for Change opposition bloc, was detained on Thursday for refusing to appear at a parliamentary inquiry into alleged crimes committed under jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili between 2004 and 2012. The length of the detention was not immediately clear. Last week, a judge placed another leader of the Coalition for Change, Zurab Japaridze, in pre-trial detention for refusing to appear before the inquiry. Friday's hearing was disorderly, with Melia sentenced after being removed from the courtroom for throwing water at the judge from the dock. Previously one of the most pro-Western and democratic of the Soviet Union's successor states, Georgia under the leadership of the Georgian Dream party is accused by the ruling bloc's critics of moving in an authoritarian and pro-Russian direction. Georgian Dream says it still wants the country to eventually join the European Union but wants to preserve what it calls Georgia's traditional values and also to avoid conflict with Russia, its giant neighbour and former imperial ruler. Separately on Friday, another judge jailed a 19-year-old student activist for 12 days for insulting a Georgian Dream lawmaker she had called a "Russian slave" in a cafe this month. Georgian Dream, after winning an election last November that the opposition says was rigged, said it would halt talks on joining the EU till 2028. EU membership has wide support among Georgians and the goal has been enshrined in the constitution. The ruling party's decision to suspend the talks sparked mass street protests, prompting a violent crackdown and large-scale arrests by security forces. Georgian Dream is dominated by billionaire ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is widely seen as Georgia's de facto leader. In December, the United States sanctioned Ivanishvili for what it said were actions aimed at dismantling Georgian democracy for the benefit of Russia. (Reporting by Felix LightEditing by Gareth Jones)
Edinburgh Live
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Next country on Vladimir Putin's hit list after Ukraine named by former CIA chief
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former CIA chief has issued a stark warning that Vladimir Putin could expand his aggressive campaign into Europe if he succeeds in Ukraine, with one particular nation in his crosshairs. David Petraeus, who led the agency from 2011 to 2012, cautioned that the Russian leader might target the Baltic states next, particularly after intensifying attacks in Ukraine. According to Petraeus, Putin is poised for a significant summer offensive, having ramped up drone and missile strikes to weaken Ukrainian resolve. Now, Petraeus believes, Putin's ambition is to conquer all of Ukraine before advancing on a country he often mentions. During a session at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, Mr Petraeus outlined Russia's strategy to oust Zelensky and install a pro-Russian regime. "Russia seeks to remove Zelensky and replace him with a pro-Russian puppet," he declared, suggesting that the Kremlin's ultimate goal is to "install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine". Petraeus then warned that following this, Putin's gaze would turn towards "one of the Baltic states", adding, "Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states," reports the Mirror. He specifically highlighted Lithuania as a potential target, noting: "Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches and we should have listened a lot more." Long before the conflict in Ukraine erupted in 2022, Putin had repeatedly claimed that Ukraine was an integral part of Russia, asserting that Ukrainians and Russians were "one people". In 2020, he declared: "Kyiv is the mother of Russian cities. Ancient Rus' is our common source and we cannot live without each other." Similar assertions have been made about Lithuania by Kremlin-supported entities. The prominent Russian foreign-policy institute MGIMO released a 400-page tome on Lithuanian history, alleging it was founded solely as a vehicle for Polish terrorism. The publication, which includes a foreword penned by Putin's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, further contends that Lithuania's secession from the disintegrating USSR in 1991 was illegitimate and undemocratic. Lithuanian authorities are acutely conscious of Russia's overt antagonism towards their nation, having recently disclosed an evacuation strategy for their capital, Vilnius, in case of an invasion. The national government has also channelled funds into fortifying its border defences, particularly at a vital border juncture known as the Suwałki Gap. This location has long been regarded as one of the most probable launch points for a Russian assault on Lithuania, with Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Godliauskas informing POLITICO that the enhancements are "critical to us from a security and defence perspective". Mr Godliauskas further remarked: "They've always been part of our civil-military planning as key ground routes for allied support during a crisis."
Japan Forward
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Georgia Says No to Russia Without Restoration of Territory
Teimuraz Lezhava, Georgia's Ambassador to Japan, is famous for his witty and viral posts on X (formerly Twitter). Recently, he spoke exclusively with the Sankei Shimbun in an interview. With 20% of Georgia still under illegal Russian occupation, he made his position clear: "There will be no resumption of diplomatic ties with Russia unless our territory is restored." Lezhava also reiterated his country's unwavering support for Ukraine and commended Japan's accelerating efforts to bolster its national security. On November 15, 2021, Lezhava officially became the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Japan. As ambassador, his first viral moment came when he attended Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony wearing traditional Georgian attire. Social media quickly drew comparisons to the iconic costumes of the Ghibli movie Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind , catapulting him into online fame. Now 37, Lezhava first came to Japan with his family at the age of four for his father's research. He went on to attend Japanese elementary, middle, and high schools before graduating from Waseda University. Professionally, his career also began at a Japanese company. Believing his deep understanding of Japanese society gave him a unique voice, he began using X to introduce Georgian culture to a wider audience. That effort has earned him more than 350,000 followers. Although his posts often highlight the warmth of Georgian culture, featuring local wines and comfort foods like shkmeruli, his stance on global affairs is far more sober. Lezhava lived through Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia and the continued occupation of South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) and Abkhazia. He later witnessed the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, shaping a worldview firmly grounded in harsh geopolitical realities. Ambassador Lezhava emphasized, "Changing the status quo by force must never be tolerated. The rule of law is essential," he said, drawing a clear parallel between Georgia and Japan in their unwavering support for Ukraine. Speaking about Japan — surrounded by powerful neighbors like Russia, China, and North Korea — he observed, "Japan is reinforcing its security at an unprecedented pace." Lezhava added that he now seldom hears the country dismissed as being naively pacifist. Teimuraz Lezhava, Ambassador of Georgia to Japan (©Sankei by Katsuyuki Seki) Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, has drawn criticism for what some see as a pro-Russian stance. Addressing this, Ambassador Lezhava cited a tanka poem by Bokusui Wakayama: "Is the swan not sad — drifting, untouched by the blue of sky or sea?" Using the poem as a metaphor for preserving national identity without succumbing to surrounding influences, he explained, "If we fail to strike the right balance, it could endanger the very survival of our nation." Despite external pressures, he reaffirmed that Georgia remains firmly committed to its constitutional goal of joining the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (Read the article in Japanese .) Authors: Yusuke Hirata, Shigeyuki Mizuchi, The Sankei Shimbun
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Second Georgian opposition politician detained, his party says
POLICE in Georgia have detained an opposition politician, his party said on Thursday, the second such detention in a little more than a week of figures denouncing government policies bringing the country closer to Russia. The Coalition for Change, Georgia's largest opposition group, said one of its leaders, Nika Melia, had been detained. News reports said he was being held on charges of abusive behaviour towards a law enforcement officer and would be appearing in court. Previously one of the most pro-Western and democratic of the Soviet Union's successor states, Georgia under the leadership of the Georgian Dream party is accused by its opponents of moving in an authoritarian and pro-Russian direction. Last week, a Georgian court on Thursday placed Zurab Japaridze, another leader of the Coalition for Change, in pre-trial detention for an indeterminate period of time. Japaridze had refused to appear at a parliamentary inquiry into alleged crimes committed under jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili, between 2004 and 2012. Georgian Dream, after winning an election last November denounced as rigged by the opposition, said it would halt talks on joining the European Union until 2028. Membership of the 27-nation bloc is a popular goal among Georgians and incorporated in the constitution. Georgian Dream dismisses allegations that the November poll was falsified. The outcome triggered large-scale protests, with protesters confronting police and water cannon in the capital. Georgian Dream says it still wants to eventually join the EU, but also wants balanced relations with Russia, which ruled Georgia for around 200 years until 1991.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Another Georgian opposition politician detained
POLICE in Georgia have detained an opposition politician, his party said on Thursday, the second such detention in a little more than a week of figures denouncing government policies bringing the country closer to Russia. The Coalition for Change, Georgia's largest opposition group, said one of its leaders, Nika Melia, had been detained. News reports said he was being held on charges of abusive behaviour towards a law enforcement officer and would be appearing in court. Previously one of the most pro-Western and democratic of the Soviet Union's successor states, Georgia under the leadership of the Georgian Dream party is accused by its opponents of moving in an authoritarian and pro-Russian direction. Last week, a Georgian court on Thursday placed Zurab Japaridze, another leader of the Coalition for Change, in pre-trial detention for an indeterminate period of time. Japaridze had refused to appear at a parliamentary inquiry into alleged crimes committed under jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili, between 2004 and 2012. Georgian Dream, after winning an election last November denounced as rigged by the opposition, said it would halt talks on joining the European Union until 2028. Membership of the 27-nation bloc is a popular goal among Georgians and incorporated in the constitution. Georgian Dream dismisses allegations that the November poll was falsified. The outcome triggered large-scale protests, with protesters confronting police and water cannon in the capital. Georgian Dream says it still wants to eventually join the EU, but also wants balanced relations with Russia, which ruled Georgia for around 200 years until 1991.
