**Government Plot to Overthrow Government Exposed**
The State Security Service has revealed a plot by unnamed organizers to violently overthrow the government. The plan involves extreme forms of violence, including sacrificing 2-3 people to disrupt the inauguration of the new president this week.
**President Condemns Ongoing Violence**
President Salome Zurabishvili awarded journalists covering protests in Georgia with medals for Civic Dedication at the Orbeliani palace. She condemned the ongoing violence in Tbilisi and across Georgia, highlighting mass violations of the Georgian Constitution and international human rights laws.
**Hungary Blocks EU Sanctions on Georgian Officials**
Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili is visiting Hungary, where she met with her Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó. Hungary has confirmed that it will block any EU initiative to sanction Georgian officials, calling the proposal “nonsensical and unjustified”.
**Georgian Dream’s 2025 Budget Passed**
The single-party parliament approved the 2025 state budget with 88 votes in favor. The budget projects economic growth of 6% and an average inflation rate of 1%. The volume of state budget allocations increases by GEL 895.2 million compared to the previous budget presentation.
**Former Georgian Dream Cabinet Member Condemns Ruling Party**
Former cabinet member Giorgi Chkheidze has published a letter saying that halting EU accession was “national treason”. He condemned the ruling party’s patron, Bidzina Ivanishvili, for capturing power and undermining democratic institutions.
**CSOs Condemn Repression and Arrests**
Eleven Georgian CSOs have issued a joint statement condemning the widespread arrests, torture, and repression currently taking place in the country. The CSOs are actively assisting detainees by providing access to legal assistance.
**EU Criticizes Georgian Government’s Response**
The EU has criticized the Georgian government’s response to ongoing pro-EU protests, highlighting severe human rights violations and warning of diplomatic repercussions. The EU calls for the immediate release of all detained individuals and an end to political persecution.
**Council of Europe Expresses Concern**
PACE monitoring rapporteurs for Georgia have expressed their deep concern about the arrests and pre-trial detentions of opposition and activists, as well as police brutality against journalists and peaceful demonstrators.