**Former President Saakashvili Sentenced to 9 Years**
Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s former president, has been sentenced to nine years in prison. The court found him guilty of misusing state funds worth around $3.2 million during his time in office from 2009-2012. This new sentence will keep him incarcerated until 2030.
**Scholar Refuses Award**
A British scholar and expert on Georgian culture, Donald Rayfield, has turned down a Gratitude Award from the Writers’ House of Georgia. He is unhappy with the country’s current political climate and the actions of the ruling party, Georgian Dream. The award was meant to honor his contributions to understanding Georgian culture.
**Concerns Over Dismissal of Civil Servants**
A local election watchdog group, ISFED, has expressed concerns about the dismissal of 43 civil servants from the National Agency of Public Registry. They call this action “unjustified” and “discriminatory,” and have filed a lawsuit to protect the rights of those affected.
**Privacy Concerns Over Facial Recognition**
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has raised concerns about the use of facial recognition cameras by the Interior Ministry against protesters. They highlight issues with personal data collection and processing, and urge authorities to comply with national and international standards.
**University Wins Accreditation**
Ilia State University has been granted six-year unconditional accreditation after a months-long dispute over its status. The university had appealed to the Tbilisi Appeals Committee in December 2024, and their decision was accepted on March 12.
**Concerns Over Draft Laws**
The Social Justice Center (SJC) has criticized draft laws initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party. They express concerns about threats to freedom of expression, media independence, and equality rights, particularly with regards to proposals related to broadcasting and removing “gender” from legislation.
**Economic Growth**
The National Bank of Georgia has reported strong economic growth in January 2025, with a growth rate of 11.1%. The bank also noted that annual inflation remains below the target of 3%, and kept the key refinancing rate unchanged at 8%.