Lana Kokaia

Georgian journalist based in Tbilisi

Freelance Georgian journalist based in Tbilisi covering human rights, social issues and developments in Abkhazia.

Stories by the Author

Paramedics and ambulance drivers took it to the streets in January 2023 to protest deteriorating working conditions and inadequate pay. It was the latest in a series of demonstration held since May 2022.

Paramedics and ambulance drivers took it to the streets in January 2023 to protest deteriorating working conditions and inadequate pay. It was the latest in a series of demonstration held since May 2022. © Medicine Union

Georgia: Medical Workers Struggle to Make Ends Meet

Health care employees call for higher wages and better working conditions amid rising cost of living.

23 Apr 23

Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava (left) with his friend and colleague Shmagi Samkharadze with whom he co-founded the youth organisation Amra (meaning sun in Abkhaz language). Buava left his native Abkhazia and moved to Georgia where he was granted Georgian citizenship in December 2022. Abkhazian de-facto authorities charged him with treason.

Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava (left) with his friend and colleague Shmagi Samkharadze with whom he co-founded the youth organisation Amra (meaning sun in Abkhaz language). Buava left his native Abkhazia and moved to Georgia where he was granted Georgian citizenship in December 2022. Abkhazian de-facto authorities charged him with treason. © Lana Kokaia

Georgia: “We Have the Right to Unify”

Abkhazian blogger accused of treason continues to campaign for coexistence.

14 Mar 23

Georgians in Abkhazia’s Gali district account for 98 per cent of the population. Yet, students struggle to study in their native language as authorities have imposed Russian as the language of instructions in all grades.

Georgians in Abkhazia’s Gali district account for 98 per cent of the population. Yet, students struggle to study in their native language as authorities have imposed Russian as the language of instructions in all grades. © Monica Ellena/IWPR

Abkhazia: Erasing the Georgian language

Russian is now mandatory in all schools in Gali district.

24 Nov 22

Gedatsi is a beer bar in Zugdidi, western Georgia. The name means "to drink'' in Mingrelian. Zugdidi is the administrative centre of the Samegrelo region, where most Mingrelian speakers are concentrated.

Gedatsi is a beer bar in Zugdidi, western Georgia. The name means "to drink'' in Mingrelian. Zugdidi is the administrative centre of the Samegrelo region, where most Mingrelian speakers are concentrated. © Lana Kokaia/IWPR

Georgia Risks Losing its Language “Treasure”

The lack of official status and the fear of separatism have drastically eroded the use of Mingrelian and Svan.

21 Oct 22

The Kamaz lorries were given to Sokhumi through a Russian-financed programme. Sokhumi is 80 km away from Gali.

The Kamaz lorries were given to Sokhumi through a Russian-financed programme. Sokhumi is 80 km away from Gali. © Lana Kokaia

Georgia: Landfill Overwhelms Gali Village

Ethnic Georgians say that the de facto Abkhazia government is using their land as a dumping ground.

8 Oct 21

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