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join the military bloc but Russia does not want to see the two nations become part of what it views as a hostile military organisation.
Putin, speaking to Russian diplomats from around the world in Moscow, said there was a need to restore trust in Europe and spoke out against what he said was NATO’s attempts to deploy new bases and military infrastructure near Russia’s borders.
“We will respond appropriately to such aggressive steps, which pose a direct threat to Russia,” Putin said, according to Reuters. “Our colleagues, who are trying to aggravate the situation, seeking to include, among others, Ukraine and Georgia in the orbit of the alliance, should think about the possible consequences of such an irresponsible policy.”
2.6 New charges filed in murder case that brought down Georgian government
A school student was charged on July 20 with giving false testimony in a case concerning the killing of two teenagers in a brawl outside their Tbilisi school.
The failure to identify and convict the killer of one of the two boys, David Saralidze, precipitated the d ownfall of prime minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili’s government , as d emonstrations organised by Saralidze’s father escalated into mass anti-government protests.
Two teenagers have already been sentenced in the case. Known only by their initials as they are underage, “G.B.” was sentenced to ten years and six months for the premeditated murder of Saralidze’s friend Levan Dadunashvili, and “G.J.” to nine years and nine months for the attempted murder of Saralidze.
Chief prosecutor Irakli Shotadze resigned after the verdict was announced, and the case was taken directly under the control of the interior ministry. The government has pledged to revive the investigation and ensure those responsible for Saralidze’s death are brought to justice.
“D.G.”, who was detained on July 20 and charged with giving false testimony, has already given all information he has to prosecutors, his lawyer said, Agenda.ge reported.
2.7 Polls & Sociology
New poll indicates continued Georgia trend of dissatisfaction with national institutions
A new poll by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research indicates a continued trend of dissatisfaction with national institutions in Georgia, including the police, but it also indicates a more positive trend in attitudes toward local institutions.
“Not long ago, the police were considered an exemplar of Georgia’s commitment to reducing corruption,” said Stephen Nix, IRI regional director for Eurasia in a press release issued on May 29. “The dramatic decrease in trust reflected in this latest IRI poll is troubling, and appears to be closely related to
10 GEORGIA Country Report August 2018 www.intellinews.com