Misha's slogan: "I'm not vicious, just stupid."

I'm briefly visible at 0:30 (reflected) and 0:40 (real).

"The malware was cleverly designed: It could turn on the computers’ cameras and microphones, capture screen shots every 10 seconds, and record keystrokes and passwords"

Content warning - really awful details. Really awful.

Hooray!

A relatively objective guide.

From 2008. I missed this at the time.

More or less sympathetic profile from the Independent.

Analysing a peculiar video.

A frank interview.

Georgian politics: a US consultant writes.

"A decade of rule by Saakashvili has left the country more divided, and its democracy more endangered, than at any time in its post-Soviet history."

...government getting too nervous to be subtle?

Opposition footballer's assets frozen by democracy-loving government t.

Measuring outcomes rather than rhetoric.

Georgia’s politicians are hypersensitive to charges of collusion with Russia, the old imperial power. President Saakashvili denounces opposition figures for being tools of the Kremlin. But the record suggests that he might himself be vulnerable to the same charge

Former foreign minister speaks.

Latest Amnesty International statement

"Last year, the government of Georgia held a session of the cabinet in a grotto named after the mythical martyr of humanity, Prometheus."

"shiny glass buildings, sleek lime green waiting areas and touch-screen computers do not alone a democracy make."

Georgia’s richest man remains without Georgian citizenship, an absurd situation of which most of his compatriots disapprove; the sooner that is resolved, the better. The Chamber of Control stands accused of levying disproportionate fines on the Georgian Dream movement, which Mr Ivanishvili has refused to pay. (It has responded by seizing some of h…

"Democracy is deteriorating rapidly as President Saakashvili and his allies are increasing repression and rights of opposition political parties, as well as average citizens."

...if in London, that is.

Amnesty brief report and statement on harassment of activists.

Excellent summary piece in Irish Times

Georgian cuisine is the best I've ever tasted.

'As a farmer in central Georgia recently told a friend of mine: "I have cows and pigs. Why should I vote? I have enough shit in my life already."'

#fb Party finance watchdog running roughshod over human rights..

I quite like the idea of skills tests for presidential candidates. (Though in this case, of course, it is a proxy for acceptability to the Russians.)

Taking a ferry from Ukraine to Georgia.