Terje Helland
@terjehelland.bsky.social
Geopolitics. Generous with compliments. Dedicated to helping others. Consultant. Communication. Rhetoric. Politics. Media.
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ENcouncil.org
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ENcouncil.org
It’s not a democracy in crisis - it’s a Russian-aligned kleptocracy in consolidation.
The West must see it for what it is, before Georgia is lost entirely.
18/18
The West must see it for what it is, before Georgia is lost entirely.
18/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
It’s not a democracy in crisis - it’s a Russian-aligned kleptocracy in consolidation.
The West must see it for what it is, before Georgia is lost entirely.
18/18
The West must see it for what it is, before Georgia is lost entirely.
18/18
Western leaders must stop treating GD as a confused democracy.
It is a mafia-state hybrid: an oligarchic system now financing itself through repression and Russian-aligned trade.
Every “anti-corruption” headline from Tbilisi is really a cash-collection drive.
16/18
It is a mafia-state hybrid: an oligarchic system now financing itself through repression and Russian-aligned trade.
Every “anti-corruption” headline from Tbilisi is really a cash-collection drive.
16/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Western leaders must stop treating GD as a confused democracy.
It is a mafia-state hybrid: an oligarchic system now financing itself through repression and Russian-aligned trade.
Every “anti-corruption” headline from Tbilisi is really a cash-collection drive.
16/18
It is a mafia-state hybrid: an oligarchic system now financing itself through repression and Russian-aligned trade.
Every “anti-corruption” headline from Tbilisi is really a cash-collection drive.
16/18
The irony?
While pretending to resist Western “interference,” GD is integrating Georgia’s economy into Russia’s sphere-exactly the dependency the Putin wanted.
Russia doesn’t need tanks in Tbilisi when it controls the cash flow.
14/18
While pretending to resist Western “interference,” GD is integrating Georgia’s economy into Russia’s sphere-exactly the dependency the Putin wanted.
Russia doesn’t need tanks in Tbilisi when it controls the cash flow.
14/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
The irony?
While pretending to resist Western “interference,” GD is integrating Georgia’s economy into Russia’s sphere-exactly the dependency the Putin wanted.
Russia doesn’t need tanks in Tbilisi when it controls the cash flow.
14/18
While pretending to resist Western “interference,” GD is integrating Georgia’s economy into Russia’s sphere-exactly the dependency the Putin wanted.
Russia doesn’t need tanks in Tbilisi when it controls the cash flow.
14/18
Others weren’t so lucky.
Associates of security chief Liluashvili and ex-Prosecutor Partskhaladze were arrested, and millions more seized.
One had 94 envelopes of cash-another hid nearly $3 million in bank safes.
This is a financial cleansing, not a moral one.
11/18
Associates of security chief Liluashvili and ex-Prosecutor Partskhaladze were arrested, and millions more seized.
One had 94 envelopes of cash-another hid nearly $3 million in bank safes.
This is a financial cleansing, not a moral one.
11/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Others weren’t so lucky.
Associates of security chief Liluashvili and ex-Prosecutor Partskhaladze were arrested, and millions more seized.
One had 94 envelopes of cash-another hid nearly $3 million in bank safes.
This is a financial cleansing, not a moral one.
11/18
Associates of security chief Liluashvili and ex-Prosecutor Partskhaladze were arrested, and millions more seized.
One had 94 envelopes of cash-another hid nearly $3 million in bank safes.
This is a financial cleansing, not a moral one.
11/18
Former PM Garibashvili’s $6.5 million stash wasn’t the state’s discovery-it was a forced return of withheld tribute.
He “admitted guilt,” paid a million-lari bail, and was released.
A political transaction disguised as law enforcement.
10/18
He “admitted guilt,” paid a million-lari bail, and was released.
A political transaction disguised as law enforcement.
10/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Former PM Garibashvili’s $6.5 million stash wasn’t the state’s discovery-it was a forced return of withheld tribute.
He “admitted guilt,” paid a million-lari bail, and was released.
A political transaction disguised as law enforcement.
10/18
He “admitted guilt,” paid a million-lari bail, and was released.
A political transaction disguised as law enforcement.
10/18
So, Georgian Dream turned inward.
If Russia can’t fully bankroll them, they’ll squeeze their own country instead.
Opposition figures, NGOs, and even former ministers are now targets in a giant internal cash-recovery operation.
7/18
If Russia can’t fully bankroll them, they’ll squeeze their own country instead.
Opposition figures, NGOs, and even former ministers are now targets in a giant internal cash-recovery operation.
7/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
So, Georgian Dream turned inward.
If Russia can’t fully bankroll them, they’ll squeeze their own country instead.
Opposition figures, NGOs, and even former ministers are now targets in a giant internal cash-recovery operation.
7/18
If Russia can’t fully bankroll them, they’ll squeeze their own country instead.
Opposition figures, NGOs, and even former ministers are now targets in a giant internal cash-recovery operation.
7/18
But Moscow’s patience isn’t infinite.
As the war dragged on and Russia’s coffers thinned, Kremlin pressure on Tbilisi grew: deliver more trade, more loyalty, maybe even cash.
The result? A regime that fears both bankruptcy and Moscow’s wrath.
6/18
As the war dragged on and Russia’s coffers thinned, Kremlin pressure on Tbilisi grew: deliver more trade, more loyalty, maybe even cash.
The result? A regime that fears both bankruptcy and Moscow’s wrath.
6/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
But Moscow’s patience isn’t infinite.
As the war dragged on and Russia’s coffers thinned, Kremlin pressure on Tbilisi grew: deliver more trade, more loyalty, maybe even cash.
The result? A regime that fears both bankruptcy and Moscow’s wrath.
6/18
As the war dragged on and Russia’s coffers thinned, Kremlin pressure on Tbilisi grew: deliver more trade, more loyalty, maybe even cash.
The result? A regime that fears both bankruptcy and Moscow’s wrath.
6/18
From 2022–2024, exports of “dual-use” goods-electronics, chips, and drones-through Georgia exploded.
Investigations (iFact, OCCRP) showed Georgian intermediaries routing banned components to Russia via Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Georgia became Moscow’s grey-zone hub.
4/
Investigations (iFact, OCCRP) showed Georgian intermediaries routing banned components to Russia via Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Georgia became Moscow’s grey-zone hub.
4/
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
From 2022–2024, exports of “dual-use” goods-electronics, chips, and drones-through Georgia exploded.
Investigations (iFact, OCCRP) showed Georgian intermediaries routing banned components to Russia via Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Georgia became Moscow’s grey-zone hub.
4/
Investigations (iFact, OCCRP) showed Georgian intermediaries routing banned components to Russia via Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Georgia became Moscow’s grey-zone hub.
4/
🇬🇪Over the past three years, Georgia has transformed from a fragile democracy into a Russian-aligned kleptocracy.
The ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), isn’t just authoritarian-it’s financially desperate.
Everything it does now revolves around one thing: cash.
1/18
The ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), isn’t just authoritarian-it’s financially desperate.
Everything it does now revolves around one thing: cash.
1/18
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
🇬🇪Over the past three years, Georgia has transformed from a fragile democracy into a Russian-aligned kleptocracy.
The ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), isn’t just authoritarian-it’s financially desperate.
Everything it does now revolves around one thing: cash.
1/18
The ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), isn’t just authoritarian-it’s financially desperate.
Everything it does now revolves around one thing: cash.
1/18
🇬🇪A year ago, I stood in Tbilisi and saw it with my own eyes – the opposition won the 2024 election.
Edison exit polls showed Georgian Dream losing badly. Yet GD fabricated a 54% “victory,” has since arrested the very politicians who defeated them, and now prepares to ban their parties altogether.
Edison exit polls showed Georgian Dream losing badly. Yet GD fabricated a 54% “victory,” has since arrested the very politicians who defeated them, and now prepares to ban their parties altogether.
October 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
🇬🇪A year ago, I stood in Tbilisi and saw it with my own eyes – the opposition won the 2024 election.
Edison exit polls showed Georgian Dream losing badly. Yet GD fabricated a 54% “victory,” has since arrested the very politicians who defeated them, and now prepares to ban their parties altogether.
Edison exit polls showed Georgian Dream losing badly. Yet GD fabricated a 54% “victory,” has since arrested the very politicians who defeated them, and now prepares to ban their parties altogether.
🇬🇪🇪🇺🇺🇸Georgia’s friends must impose wider sanctions against Kuprashvili and those executing this anti-democratic agenda. Freeze their visas, freeze their assets.
Send the message that weaponizing “anti-corruption” to undermine democracy will not be tolerated.
13/13
Send the message that weaponizing “anti-corruption” to undermine democracy will not be tolerated.
13/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🇬🇪🇪🇺🇺🇸Georgia’s friends must impose wider sanctions against Kuprashvili and those executing this anti-democratic agenda. Freeze their visas, freeze their assets.
Send the message that weaponizing “anti-corruption” to undermine democracy will not be tolerated.
13/13
Send the message that weaponizing “anti-corruption” to undermine democracy will not be tolerated.
13/13
The free world is starting to catch on. Lithuania (and other Baltic states) have sanctioned Kuprashvili with travel bans for helping orchestrate these repressions. They’ve put him on a list with human rights abusers and corrupt actors, barred from entering their countries.
12/13
12/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The free world is starting to catch on. Lithuania (and other Baltic states) have sanctioned Kuprashvili with travel bans for helping orchestrate these repressions. They’ve put him on a list with human rights abusers and corrupt actors, barred from entering their countries.
12/13
12/13
Don’t be fooled by the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s name. This month Kuprashvili was even welcomed by French anti-corruption officials – a PR gift he eagerly milked.
10/13
10/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Don’t be fooled by the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s name. This month Kuprashvili was even welcomed by French anti-corruption officials – a PR gift he eagerly milked.
10/13
10/13
This smacks of Georgian Dream’s propaganda - painting pro-democracy rivals as pawns of the West.
9/13
9/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This smacks of Georgian Dream’s propaganda - painting pro-democracy rivals as pawns of the West.
9/13
9/13
Kuprashvili’s reach extends to political opponents too. He has accused top opposition parties (UNM, Lelo, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, and others) of hiding foreign funding, claiming their voter outreach was really “external influence” threatening fair elections.
8/13
8/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Kuprashvili’s reach extends to political opponents too. He has accused top opposition parties (UNM, Lelo, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, and others) of hiding foreign funding, claiming their voter outreach was really “external influence” threatening fair elections.
8/13
8/13
In August, the regime went further: authorities froze the bank accounts of seven leading NGOs - from election monitors (ISFED) to human rights groups (IDFI, GDI, etc.) - on dubious charges.
5/13
5/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
In August, the regime went further: authorities froze the bank accounts of seven leading NGOs - from election monitors (ISFED) to human rights groups (IDFI, GDI, etc.) - on dubious charges.
5/13
5/13
This is part of a wider purge. Over the summer, the ACB and other state organs targeted prominent NGOs with “foreign agent” and anti-corruption laws, falsely branding them as political operatives.
4/13
4/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This is part of a wider purge. Over the summer, the ACB and other state organs targeted prominent NGOs with “foreign agent” and anti-corruption laws, falsely branding them as political operatives.
4/13
4/13
In Sept. ´25, Kuprashvili’s bureau moved against 30 NGOs using a new “Law on Grants.” It sent letters demanding every detail of these NGOs’ activities and funding. This law - pushed through by Georgian Dream in April - bans foreign grants without Georgian Dream consent (governm).
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
In Sept. ´25, Kuprashvili’s bureau moved against 30 NGOs using a new “Law on Grants.” It sent letters demanding every detail of these NGOs’ activities and funding. This law - pushed through by Georgian Dream in April - bans foreign grants without Georgian Dream consent (governm).
🇬🇪Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) might sound like a graft-busting agency, but under Razhden Kuprashvili it has become a political weapon.
Georgian Dream is using it to wage a repressive crackdown on civil society, silencing NGOs and opposition voices.
1/13
Georgian Dream is using it to wage a repressive crackdown on civil society, silencing NGOs and opposition voices.
1/13
September 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🇬🇪Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) might sound like a graft-busting agency, but under Razhden Kuprashvili it has become a political weapon.
Georgian Dream is using it to wage a repressive crackdown on civil society, silencing NGOs and opposition voices.
1/13
Georgian Dream is using it to wage a repressive crackdown on civil society, silencing NGOs and opposition voices.
1/13
This isn’t partisan.
Democrats and Republicans alike- 98 senators- stand behind MEGOBARI.
The only outliers are a handful shielding a pro-Russian regime. Mullin’s obstruction puts him out of step with America’s values and Oklahoma’s interests.
6/7
Democrats and Republicans alike- 98 senators- stand behind MEGOBARI.
The only outliers are a handful shielding a pro-Russian regime. Mullin’s obstruction puts him out of step with America’s values and Oklahoma’s interests.
6/7
September 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This isn’t partisan.
Democrats and Republicans alike- 98 senators- stand behind MEGOBARI.
The only outliers are a handful shielding a pro-Russian regime. Mullin’s obstruction puts him out of step with America’s values and Oklahoma’s interests.
6/7
Democrats and Republicans alike- 98 senators- stand behind MEGOBARI.
The only outliers are a handful shielding a pro-Russian regime. Mullin’s obstruction puts him out of step with America’s values and Oklahoma’s interests.
6/7
So why the reversal?
Why was Georgian Dream “anti-American” in 2020 but now suddenly worthy of protection in 2025?
Who benefits when Sen. Mullin buries a bipartisan bill to hold them accountable?
Oklahoma deserves answers.
5/7
Why was Georgian Dream “anti-American” in 2020 but now suddenly worthy of protection in 2025?
Who benefits when Sen. Mullin buries a bipartisan bill to hold them accountable?
Oklahoma deserves answers.
5/7
September 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
So why the reversal?
Why was Georgian Dream “anti-American” in 2020 but now suddenly worthy of protection in 2025?
Who benefits when Sen. Mullin buries a bipartisan bill to hold them accountable?
Oklahoma deserves answers.
5/7
Why was Georgian Dream “anti-American” in 2020 but now suddenly worthy of protection in 2025?
Who benefits when Sen. Mullin buries a bipartisan bill to hold them accountable?
Oklahoma deserves answers.
5/7
Here’s the kicker: in 2020, Mullin himself signed a letter warning about Georgian Dream.
He said they pushed out American businesses.
He said they were tied to Iran sanctions-busting.
He said they endangered US national security.
4/7
He said they pushed out American businesses.
He said they were tied to Iran sanctions-busting.
He said they endangered US national security.
4/7
September 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Here’s the kicker: in 2020, Mullin himself signed a letter warning about Georgian Dream.
He said they pushed out American businesses.
He said they were tied to Iran sanctions-busting.
He said they endangered US national security.
4/7
He said they pushed out American businesses.
He said they were tied to Iran sanctions-busting.
He said they endangered US national security.
4/7
Blocking MEGOBARI doesn’t just hurt Georgians fighting for democracy.
It helps Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing.
It undermines NATO, US security interests, and US allies in the Black Sea.
This is not “just another bill.” It’s strategic.
3/7
It helps Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing.
It undermines NATO, US security interests, and US allies in the Black Sea.
This is not “just another bill.” It’s strategic.
3/7
September 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Blocking MEGOBARI doesn’t just hurt Georgians fighting for democracy.
It helps Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing.
It undermines NATO, US security interests, and US allies in the Black Sea.
This is not “just another bill.” It’s strategic.
3/7
It helps Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing.
It undermines NATO, US security interests, and US allies in the Black Sea.
This is not “just another bill.” It’s strategic.
3/7
The #MEGOBARIAct is simple: it holds Georgia’s ruling “Georgian Dream” accountable for democratic backsliding and Russian-style laws and human rights violations.
It passed the House.
It has the backing of 98 Senators.
Only two remain reluctant. Mullin is one of them.
2/7
It passed the House.
It has the backing of 98 Senators.
Only two remain reluctant. Mullin is one of them.
2/7
September 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The #MEGOBARIAct is simple: it holds Georgia’s ruling “Georgian Dream” accountable for democratic backsliding and Russian-style laws and human rights violations.
It passed the House.
It has the backing of 98 Senators.
Only two remain reluctant. Mullin is one of them.
2/7
It passed the House.
It has the backing of 98 Senators.
Only two remain reluctant. Mullin is one of them.
2/7