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
The West cannot hide behind the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism. By the time reports are written, the damage will already be done. Fact-finding is not a response strategy. Delay now means accepting repression as the new normal.
9/10
9/10
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The West cannot hide behind the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism. By the time reports are written, the damage will already be done. Fact-finding is not a response strategy. Delay now means accepting repression as the new normal.
9/10
9/10
Zurab Japaridze cut through the fiction. This case is not about “sabotage.” It is political retaliation against those opposing Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is already sanctioned by the United States.
6/10
6/10
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Zurab Japaridze cut through the fiction. This case is not about “sabotage.” It is political retaliation against those opposing Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is already sanctioned by the United States.
6/10
6/10
Giorgi Vashadze stated the obvious but devastating truth: “You cannot defend yourself if you do not know what you are accused of.” That alone should alarm any system claiming adherence to the rule of law.
5/10
5/10
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Giorgi Vashadze stated the obvious but devastating truth: “You cannot defend yourself if you do not know what you are accused of.” That alone should alarm any system claiming adherence to the rule of law.
5/10
5/10
The scale is telling. The indictment runs to 40 volumes. Yet Nika Gvaramia told the court that only two sentences even mention him.
No concrete acts. No individualized accusations. Just mass prosecution by association.
4/10
No concrete acts. No individualized accusations. Just mass prosecution by association.
4/10
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The scale is telling. The indictment runs to 40 volumes. Yet Nika Gvaramia told the court that only two sentences even mention him.
No concrete acts. No individualized accusations. Just mass prosecution by association.
4/10
No concrete acts. No individualized accusations. Just mass prosecution by association.
4/10
Those on trial are Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Zurab Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze. Different parties.
Different political roles.
One courtroom. One message: opposition itself is the crime.
3/10
Different political roles.
One courtroom. One message: opposition itself is the crime.
3/10
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Those on trial are Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Zurab Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze. Different parties.
Different political roles.
One courtroom. One message: opposition itself is the crime.
3/10
Different political roles.
One courtroom. One message: opposition itself is the crime.
3/10
The so-called evidence reportedly consists of public speeches, protest activity and media appearances. In other words, lawful political activity reframed as a criminal conspiracy. Potential sentences reach 15 years.
2/10
2/10
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The so-called evidence reportedly consists of public speeches, protest activity and media appearances. In other words, lawful political activity reframed as a criminal conspiracy. Potential sentences reach 15 years.
2/10
2/10
🇬🇪Georgia has entered a new phase of political repression. A mass “Opposition Silencing Trial” is now underway in Tbilisi, targeting leading opposition figures in a single, collective prosecution that Georgian Dream brands as a “sabotage case.” 1/10
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
🇬🇪Georgia has entered a new phase of political repression. A mass “Opposition Silencing Trial” is now underway in Tbilisi, targeting leading opposition figures in a single, collective prosecution that Georgian Dream brands as a “sabotage case.” 1/10
🇬🇪Sanctions work by raising the cost of enabling dictatorship.
For years, backing Georgian Dream had been “good for business” because the cost was close to zero.
That calculation has now changed.
1/3
For years, backing Georgian Dream had been “good for business” because the cost was close to zero.
That calculation has now changed.
1/3
February 6, 2026 at 8:22 PM
🇬🇪Sanctions work by raising the cost of enabling dictatorship.
For years, backing Georgian Dream had been “good for business” because the cost was close to zero.
That calculation has now changed.
1/3
For years, backing Georgian Dream had been “good for business” because the cost was close to zero.
That calculation has now changed.
1/3
🇬🇪Georgian Dream knows it lacks legitimacy.
That is why Georgians who say “this government is not legitimate” may soon be committing a "crime".
1/2
That is why Georgians who say “this government is not legitimate” may soon be committing a "crime".
1/2
February 6, 2026 at 8:20 PM
🇬🇪Georgian Dream knows it lacks legitimacy.
That is why Georgians who say “this government is not legitimate” may soon be committing a "crime".
1/2
That is why Georgians who say “this government is not legitimate” may soon be committing a "crime".
1/2
This is the endpoint: alternative thinking is treated as a crime, wanting regime change as illegitimate by law.
Not just authoritarianism, but a legal dictatorship.
Georgia is being pushed toward a Caucasus version of North Korea or Belarus.
11/11
Not just authoritarianism, but a legal dictatorship.
Georgia is being pushed toward a Caucasus version of North Korea or Belarus.
11/11
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
This is the endpoint: alternative thinking is treated as a crime, wanting regime change as illegitimate by law.
Not just authoritarianism, but a legal dictatorship.
Georgia is being pushed toward a Caucasus version of North Korea or Belarus.
11/11
Not just authoritarianism, but a legal dictatorship.
Georgia is being pushed toward a Caucasus version of North Korea or Belarus.
11/11
Throughout this, a constant propaganda narrative: criticism of Georgian Dream equals anti-state activity. Criticism of GD officials equals an attack on the Georgian people.
They erases the line between party, state, and nation.
8/11
They erases the line between party, state, and nation.
8/11
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Throughout this, a constant propaganda narrative: criticism of Georgian Dream equals anti-state activity. Criticism of GD officials equals an attack on the Georgian people.
They erases the line between party, state, and nation.
8/11
They erases the line between party, state, and nation.
8/11
Step three: brute force. Mass arrests, beatings, and the use of riot control chemicals associated with WWI-era agents. The state tested fear. Protesters stayed in the streets.
Repression failed to break momentum.
4/11
Repression failed to break momentum.
4/11
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Step three: brute force. Mass arrests, beatings, and the use of riot control chemicals associated with WWI-era agents. The state tested fear. Protesters stayed in the streets.
Repression failed to break momentum.
4/11
Repression failed to break momentum.
4/11
Step two: halting EU accession talks. A strategic break with Europe, framed as “sovereignty.”
Georgians protested again. The message from society was clear: Europe is the choice, not isolation.
3/11
Georgians protested again. The message from society was clear: Europe is the choice, not isolation.
3/11
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Step two: halting EU accession talks. A strategic break with Europe, framed as “sovereignty.”
Georgians protested again. The message from society was clear: Europe is the choice, not isolation.
3/11
Georgians protested again. The message from society was clear: Europe is the choice, not isolation.
3/11
Step one: the so-called “Russian law.” Sold as transparency. In reality, a stigma law targeting civil society and media. Georgians protested in massive numbers. The government learned protest alone would not stop it.
2/11
2/11
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Step one: the so-called “Russian law.” Sold as transparency. In reality, a stigma law targeting civil society and media. Georgians protested in massive numbers. The government learned protest alone would not stop it.
2/11
2/11
🇬🇪Georgia is sliding into a legal dictatorship. Not overnight. Step by step. Each protest is met with a new tailored law.
Each law designed to exhaust, criminalize, and isolate society until resistance itself becomes illegal.
Here is how the latest law changes everything.
1/11
Each law designed to exhaust, criminalize, and isolate society until resistance itself becomes illegal.
Here is how the latest law changes everything.
1/11
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
🇬🇪Georgia is sliding into a legal dictatorship. Not overnight. Step by step. Each protest is met with a new tailored law.
Each law designed to exhaust, criminalize, and isolate society until resistance itself becomes illegal.
Here is how the latest law changes everything.
1/11
Each law designed to exhaust, criminalize, and isolate society until resistance itself becomes illegal.
Here is how the latest law changes everything.
1/11
The law also bans individuals who work for foreign-funded organizations from joining all political parties for eight years and criminalizes so-called “external lobbying.”
Political participation alternative to Georgian Dream is turned into a personal legal risk.
6/12
Political participation alternative to Georgian Dream is turned into a personal legal risk.
6/12
January 28, 2026 at 10:33 PM
The law also bans individuals who work for foreign-funded organizations from joining all political parties for eight years and criminalizes so-called “external lobbying.”
Political participation alternative to Georgian Dream is turned into a personal legal risk.
6/12
Political participation alternative to Georgian Dream is turned into a personal legal risk.
6/12
Georgian Dream is doing this for one simple reason: it works. Every previous authoritarian law has been met only with Western “concern,” “worry,” and polite “urges to reconsider.”
No consequences. No costs.
GD feel absolute power and they use it to crush all opposition
2/12 @kajakallas.bsky.social
No consequences. No costs.
GD feel absolute power and they use it to crush all opposition
2/12 @kajakallas.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Georgian Dream is doing this for one simple reason: it works. Every previous authoritarian law has been met only with Western “concern,” “worry,” and polite “urges to reconsider.”
No consequences. No costs.
GD feel absolute power and they use it to crush all opposition
2/12 @kajakallas.bsky.social
No consequences. No costs.
GD feel absolute power and they use it to crush all opposition
2/12 @kajakallas.bsky.social
🇬🇪Georgian Dream is Europe’s most un-democratic and human rights-violating force currently in power.
Today, they announced new amendments to the "Law on Grants" that criminalize receiving foreign support, restrict political participation, and outlaw core democratic activity
1/12
Today, they announced new amendments to the "Law on Grants" that criminalize receiving foreign support, restrict political participation, and outlaw core democratic activity
1/12
January 28, 2026 at 10:33 PM
🇬🇪Georgian Dream is Europe’s most un-democratic and human rights-violating force currently in power.
Today, they announced new amendments to the "Law on Grants" that criminalize receiving foreign support, restrict political participation, and outlaw core democratic activity
1/12
Today, they announced new amendments to the "Law on Grants" that criminalize receiving foreign support, restrict political participation, and outlaw core democratic activity
1/12
And it fits a broader pattern.
Georgia is increasingly functioned as a safe haven for sanctions evasion, linked to both Russian and Iranian networks across trade, finance, and logistics.
7/11
Georgia is increasingly functioned as a safe haven for sanctions evasion, linked to both Russian and Iranian networks across trade, finance, and logistics.
7/11
January 23, 2026 at 7:26 PM
And it fits a broader pattern.
Georgia is increasingly functioned as a safe haven for sanctions evasion, linked to both Russian and Iranian networks across trade, finance, and logistics.
7/11
Georgia is increasingly functioned as a safe haven for sanctions evasion, linked to both Russian and Iranian networks across trade, finance, and logistics.
7/11
That distinction is crucial.
This is not sanctions “leakage”.
It is Georgian Dream sanctions facilitation.
6/11
This is not sanctions “leakage”.
It is Georgian Dream sanctions facilitation.
6/11
January 23, 2026 at 7:26 PM
That distinction is crucial.
This is not sanctions “leakage”.
It is Georgian Dream sanctions facilitation.
6/11
This is not sanctions “leakage”.
It is Georgian Dream sanctions facilitation.
6/11
This matters because Wärtsilä engines power many vessels central to Russia’s oil-export shadow fleet – a fleet explicitly targeted by EU sanctions to cut Kremlin war revenues.
4/11
4/11
January 23, 2026 at 7:26 PM
This matters because Wärtsilä engines power many vessels central to Russia’s oil-export shadow fleet – a fleet explicitly targeted by EU sanctions to cut Kremlin war revenues.
4/11
4/11
At the center is Arnika Trade LLC, a company registered in Tbilisi, identified as a key intermediary supplying spare parts for Finnish Wärtsilä engines used on Russian tankers under sanctions.
2/11
2/11
January 23, 2026 at 7:26 PM
At the center is Arnika Trade LLC, a company registered in Tbilisi, identified as a key intermediary supplying spare parts for Finnish Wärtsilä engines used on Russian tankers under sanctions.
2/11
2/11
🇬🇪Georgia and Georgian Dream is emerging as a key enabler of Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet.
New reporting by Finland’s YLE reveals how Georgia-registered companies are keeping Russian oil tankers operational despite EU sanctions.
1/11
New reporting by Finland’s YLE reveals how Georgia-registered companies are keeping Russian oil tankers operational despite EU sanctions.
1/11
January 23, 2026 at 7:26 PM
🇬🇪Georgia and Georgian Dream is emerging as a key enabler of Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet.
New reporting by Finland’s YLE reveals how Georgia-registered companies are keeping Russian oil tankers operational despite EU sanctions.
1/11
New reporting by Finland’s YLE reveals how Georgia-registered companies are keeping Russian oil tankers operational despite EU sanctions.
1/11
🇬🇪Disappointing to see France’s ambassador to Georgia, Olivier Courteaud, meet Irakli Kobakhidze to “continue close cooperation”. This is an illegitimate PM, under non-recognition and non-participation by other democracies.
January 22, 2026 at 6:34 PM
🇬🇪Disappointing to see France’s ambassador to Georgia, Olivier Courteaud, meet Irakli Kobakhidze to “continue close cooperation”. This is an illegitimate PM, under non-recognition and non-participation by other democracies.
