Day: June 5, 2026

Duchenne syndrome parents end protest

A 45-day continuous protest by parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy outside the Georgian government administration has ended successfully after the authorities agreed to establish a permanent working group to oversee the procurement and funding of the necessary medicines.

Following a second meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the two sides agreed that the government would consider purchasing the two main medications, with a final decision to be made on the basis of the most favourable terms available.

‘We have very little time’: How children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Georgia are fighting for their lives

For a year, parents of children with a rare and severe genetic condition have been urging the authorities to allow the import of costly medicines.

The parents taking part in the protest say the agreement represents an important victory. One of them, Zakro Gvishiani, said that “victory in this worthy struggle has been achieved” and that the daily protests would now end. He said a permanent working group would be established to focus on two specific medications, with a final decision expected in around two months following negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.

The medicines under consideration include both gene therapy and modern treatments designed to slow the progression of the disease, including therapies targeting the dystrophin gene and new-generation alternatives to steroids.

Although the parents are ending their daily protest actions following the agreement, they still plan to hold a previously scheduled “March of Gratitude” on Sunday.

Parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy meet Georgian prime minister

Above all, the parents are demanding that the government import and fund the medicines their children need.

Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze said the working group would address not only access to medication but also the broader needs of children affected by the condition. He said the prime minister’s involvement had been important and that cooperation with parents created the necessary basis for decision-making.

According to Sarjveladze, parents will be the first to receive updates at every stage of the process, followed by the wider public, in order to ensure maximum transparency and keep the focus on the children’s interests.

Fake accounts involved in campaign against Duchenne muscular dystrophy drugs in Georgia — Myth Detector

The investigation identified 75 fake accounts

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare genetic disorder characterised by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. Around 100 children in Georgia have been diagnosed with the condition.

A student-led initiative launched in support of the children grew into a nationwide campaign, raising more than 1.6 million lari (about $600,000) within a matter of days. However, even that substantial sum proved insufficient to cover the cost of the treatment.

As a result, organisers decided that the funds would instead be used to meet the children’s day-to-day needs, including breathing equipment, generators required to keep it running, medicines, adapted beds, wheelchairs and spinal surgery.

Duchenne syndrome parents end protest

Georgian police seize cryptocurrency machines

Georgia‘s Interior Ministry has seized 148 devices used for cryptocurrency mining during an investigation in the Mestia municipality. According to the ministry, the case concerns the illegal consumption of electricity and violations of energy usage regulations.

The ministry said the investigation was launched after authorities identified the use of specialised cryptocurrency mining equipment in various parts of the Mestia municipality.

According to investigators, local residents were illegally consuming large amounts of electricity and using the devices to systematically mine cryptocurrency, generating unlawful income in the process.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 229 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of up to three years.

Georgia steps up crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency mining

Georgia is stepping up its crackdown on cryptocurrency mining in Svaneti, where electricity remains free for residents within established consumption limits.

On 1 June, Mamuka Mdinaradze, one of the leaders of the ruling party, said the authorities were preparing to take decisive action against what he described as “illegal business activity that is damaging the energy sector”, primarily targeting unlawful cryptocurrency mining in the Mestia municipality.

Mdinaradze said electricity meters would be installed across the municipality, a measure that, according to him, had been blocked for years by various forms of resistance.

At the same time, he stressed that residents of the region would continue to receive free electricity up to a specified consumption limit, with standard tariffs applying only to usage exceeding that threshold.

Georgia loses arbitration case to Russian company, ordered to pay $76.9m

The dispute concerns a breach of the memorandum signed in 2011

Georgian police seize cryptocurrency machines