The News in Brief

Mdinaradze Hails Security Services After Espionage Arrests

Georgian Dream Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze has praised the country's security services following the arrest of two individuals on espionage charges, saying the operation demonstrates the strength of Georgia's counterintelligence capabilities.

According to Mdinaradze, one suspect is accused of collecting intelligence for two foreign states, while the second is being investigated for espionage and allegedly coordinating a spy network by distributing funds and assigning tasks.

He said the arrests were carried out by the State Security Service after the suspects allegedly continued their activities despite previous warnings and arrests.

"Everyone should know that today the Georgian state, Georgian special services, Georgian law enforcement officers, and the security system are so strong that they can carry out unprecedented measures for our country-exposing real spy networks and detaining their members," Mdinaradze said.

Asked whether the suspects were connected to the intelligence services of Russia, Iran, France, or Poland, Mdinaradze declined to elaborate, saying only that "Poland is not involved in anything."

The State Security Service announced the arrests earlier this week as part of an ongoing espionage investigation.



Foreign Ministry Says Ambassador to Germany Still Awaiting Credential Ceremony

Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Ambassador Alexander Kartozia has yet to present his credentials to Germany's president, despite submitting copies of his credentials to the German Federal Foreign Office on December 17, 2025.

Kartozia was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Germany on October 1, 2025, after receiving Germany's approval in September of that year.

According to the ministry, Germany has since accepted the credentials of newly appointed ambassadors from more than a dozen countries, while the Georgian envoy remains awaiting the formal credential ceremony.

The ministry said Georgia has not received an official explanation for the delay. It also noted that the German Federal Foreign Office has not updated information about representatives of the Georgian government on its website despite repeated notifications from Tbilisi.

"The inconsistent approaches of the German Federal Foreign Office towards the Georgian state are completely incomprehensible to the Georgian side," the ministry said.