**President Discusses Georgia’s Situation and Russia’s Influence**
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke at an Atlantic Council event on January 21. She discussed the current situation in Georgia, as well as Russia’s influence in the country. President Zurabishvili also shared her expectations for US policy toward Georgia under the new administration.
**European Parliament Criticizes Georgian Government**
During a European Parliament debate, MEPs criticized the deteriorating political situation in Georgia. The majority of MEPs sharply condemned the actions of the Georgian Dream government and the elections on October 26. They also expressed concern over the repression of demonstrators. European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, stated that violence and hate speech against protesters, politicians, media representatives, dismissal of public servants, and threats against President Zurabishvili are completely unacceptable.
**Protester Goes on Hunger Strike**
In solidarity with another detained protester, Mzia Amaghlobeli, Nikoloz Javakhishvili has started a hunger strike. Javakhishvili is charged with participation in group violence, which could lead to imprisonment of 4-6 years. For more updates on anti-Russia protests, visit our live blog: Resistance.
**Opposition Party Leader’s Video Footage Missing**
Natia Mezvrishvili, a member of the opposition party Gakharia for Georgia, wrote on Facebook that the Sheraton Hotel in Batumi no longer has a copy of the video footage from the January 15 attack on Giorgi Gakharia, the leader of the opposition party. Mezvrishvili suspects that the footage may have been destroyed or falsified.
**Detained Citizens Released**
The State Security Service (SSSG) reported on January 22 that Aleksi Mamulia and Ivane Japiashvili had been released after being illegally detained by Russian occupation forces. The two were detained near the village of Kvemo Nikozi, Gori municipality, for allegedly assisting a military deserter from the war in Ukraine.
**Public Defender’s Controversial Stance**
It has been nearly two years since Levan Ioseliani assumed the position of Public Defender of Georgia. His stances on important issues have sparked debate and drawn criticism from both inside and outside his office. Recent statements made by Ioseliani regarding the October 26 elections, police brutality, and the mistreatment of protesters have faced backlash from civil society organizations (CSOs) and demonstrators.
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