The Georgian Dream government exercises a loyal attitude towards violent far-right and pro-Russian groups with whom it often shares messages, a report by the Democracy Research Institute (DRI), a Georgian think tank has found.
"The loyal attitude of law enforcement officials toward far-right leaders is also striking," the report says.
Russia-friendly rhetoric has particularly intensified following the Russian Federation's cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens and the resumption of direct flights. Frequent similarities in anti-Western narratives between far-right groups and the Georgian government have also been reported.
The report also includes monitoring of the groups in social networks, their public meetings and rallies, as well as financial expenditures.
The report noted an intensification of homophobic rhetoric amid the disrupted Tbilisi Pride Festival on July 8, 2023.
Anti-Western and anti-American rhetoric intensified especially after the State Security Service's statement alleging the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) “planned destabilization and civil unrest," the report states.
Hamas’ attack on Israel in October last year was followed by a new wave of anti-American rhetoric amongst the pro-Russian far-right groups, the watchdog said.
The radical Russia-linked groups have disciplined and coordinated messaging; the report finds.
Russia-linked Conservative Movement began to expand its presence across the country in January 2022. Between February 2022 and October 2023, opening tens of offices and beefing up media presence. They received donations from 102 sources, mostly individuals with one contribution from a legal entity.
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