Georgia Arrests NGO Leaders on Espionage Charges

• •Two Georgian citizens, including an NGO head and a journalist, arrested for espionage.
• •Suspects allegedly transmitted sensitive information to foreign intelligence services.
• •Investigation reveals organized espionage activities funded by foreign entities.

Georgia's State Security Service has arrested Gulbaat Rtskhiladze, head of the Eurasia Institute, and journalist Irakli Chikhladze on espionage charges. They are accused of collecting and transmitting sensitive information to the intelligence services of two foreign countries over several years. The suspects allegedly maintained covert contacts with foreign intelligence representatives and organized events funded by these entities. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities emphasizing the seriousness of the breaches to national security. If convicted under Article 314 of the Georgian Criminal Code, they face 8 to 12 years in prison. This marks a notable increase in espionage-related arrests in Georgia, particularly in 2026.