On February 2, the Democracy Research Institute held a presentation of the results of the 8-month monitoring of the activities of far-right groups. Topics presented within the framework of the presentation were: the activity of far-right groups in social networks, observation of assemblies and demonstrations of far-right groups, activities of the Conservative Movement/Alt-Info party and financial monitoring.

 

The far-right social media discourse includes three main directions: homophobic rhetoric, which intensified ahead of May 17 and reached its climax on July 8, 2023, with the disruption of the festival announced by Tbilisi Pride. The observation revealed the Government's loyal policy towards far-right violent groups. Pro-Kremlin rhetoric intensified in the background of the Russian Federation's cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens and the resumption of direct air flights. Far-right groups tried to emphasize the importance of close communication with Russia, citing economic benefits. Since September, defending former Prosecutor General of Georgia Otar Partskhaladze, who was exposed by the US Department of State for his activities in favor of Russia, became an active topic. Anti-Western and anti-American rhetoric especially intensified after the statement released by the State Security Service, which pointed to the USAID role in planning of alleged destabilization and civil unrest. The military conflict renewed after the Hamas attack on Israel in October gave a new impetus to the anti-American rhetoric of openly pro-Russian far-right groups. It is significant that the presentation of the collective West in a negative context was formed as a kind of trend and was used along with the authorities’ anti-Western rhetoric.

 

The report reviews the monitoring results of anti-Western, homophobic, in particular anti-Tbilisi Pride Week actions. The monitoring made it clear that the actions of far-right groups are characterized by systematicity and discipline. The loyal attitude of the law enforcement officers towards the far-right leaders is also noticeable.

 

The report also presents an analysis of the activities of the far-right Conservative Movement/Alt-Info and the openly pro-Russian Alt-Info political unit. The far-right and openly pro-Russian extremist group, Conservative Movement, started opening offices across the country in January 2022.[1] From February 2022 to October 2023, the Conservative Movement/Alt-Info had 102 donors. 101 of them were individuals and one was a legal entity. From January to October 2023, only two donors were added to the radical extremist group.

"Political transformation of far-right groups in Georgia"

 

[1] mtisambebi.ge, 24 February 2022, "The Alt-info party with 77 offices - how Russia is growing in Georgia", available at:

https://mtisambebi.ge/news/item/1460