The international organization Reporters Without Borders initially reported that Russian propagandist Alexander Malkevich was in Georgia during the parliamentary elections.
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The organization describes Malkevich as the "founder of a propaganda network" in Ukraine's occupied territories and is “alarmed by the role of the Kremlin’s relay in the proliferation of Russian disinformation in Georgia.”
In April 2021, the United States added Alexander Malkevich to its sanctions list, citing his role in facilitating global disinformation operations for Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group. Malkevich reportedly led a campaign that disrupted the election process in the United States. Additionally, the American government has offered a reward for information on him.
In August 2023, Malkevich was in occupied Tskhinvali and allegedly violated Georgia’s law on occupation. According to the propaganda outlet Sputnik, Malkevich arrived in Tskhinvali on the eve of the 15th anniversary of Russia's recognition of the "Republic of South Ossetia" and met with the so-called President Alan Gagloev. Gagloev awarded him the Order of Friendship for his "contribution to the development and strengthening of friendly relations between peoples."
Malkevich himself also publicized his presence in Georgia during the elections. On his Telegram channel, he shared photos from Georgian Dream’s final election event, held on October 23 at Freedom Square in Tbilisi.
"I didn’t just go to Tbilisi by chance. Of course, we filmed a report on Georgia’s parliamentary elections," he said. As Malkevich sais, Georgia’s Central Election Commission had granted him accreditation to cover the election process.
On October 27, he also posted a video recorded in front of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi, stating, "The course of the country is being decided right now."
"All four absolutely pro-Western parties are thriving towards power, and some of their leaders openly say they want to start a war with Russia. Essentially, this is an election between war and peace," the Russian propagandist told his audience.
While Alexander Malkevich was in Georgia and working, the Ministry of Internal Affairs denied entry to Czech journalist Ray Baseley, who was also scheduled to cover the parliamentary elections. After a 34-hour "illegal detention" at Tbilisi International Airport, Baseley was sent back to the Czech Republic.
In Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections, the Central Election Commission reported that Georgian Dream received 53.93% of the votes. President Salome Zourabichvili called these results illegitimate, stating that a "Russian special operation" had taken place in Georgia.
"This has never happened before. We were witnesses and, in fact, victims of a Russian special operation, one of the new forms of hybrid warfare, which was carried out against our people and our country," Zourabichvili said on the day following the election.
The results released by the CEC are not recognized by any of the four opposition parties that crossed the electoral threshold.
