Day: April 20, 2026

Nikoloz (Nariman) Makarashvili, a controversial religious leader and suspended Orthodox cleric with a fringe but devoted following who hailed him as “King,” “God,” and “saint,” was found dead on April 19 in his apartment in Tbilisi’s Ponichala district.

Police have opened an investigation into incitement to suicide, a standard procedure in such cases, while followers traded accusations as the reports suggested that a group of them, due to religious beliefs, did not allow a doctor to enter the apartment to examine the monk, who was reportedly in poor health.

Makarashvili, who was said to have last been seen on April 9, lived alone in Tbilisi, where his followers regularly gathered outside his apartment and prayed, believing he performed miracles, including healing illnesses. He reportedly lived in near total silence for years and practiced prolonged fasting.

Tensions flared outside his apartment on Sunday, both before police forced open his door, when he was found dead, and in the aftermath, when followers demanded entry.

‘Monk Nikoloz’

Nikoloz Makarashvili was reportedly ordained as a monk in the 1990s and spent several years under the guidance of Monk Gabriel (Urgebadze), a Georgian cleric who has been canonized as a saint after his death. In 2016, the Georgian Orthodox Church distanced itself from Makarashvili, stating that “for nearly 20 years his priestly service had been suspended due to certain health-related reasons.”

Makarashvili reportedly had a disputed relationship with the Church, including with the late Patriarch Ilia II. However, he continued to attract followers. He had to change apartments in Tbilisi several times as his followers, who gathered in building entrances to pray and sing, often had disagreements, including occasional violent clashes, with other residents in the buildings, who complained about followers’ conduct.

His presence became a recurring topic on Georgian social media, where his followers were often referred to as a “sect.”

Also Read:

• 16/12/2025 – Outspoken Georgian Orthodox Cleric Suspended From Performing Priestly Duties

Georgia’s external merchandise trade, excluding non-declared trade, totaled USD 5.867 billion in January-March 2026, marking a 0.2% year-on-year increase, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) on April 20. China retained its position as Georgia’s largest export market, while Turkey remained the leading import partner, with motor cars continuing to dominate trade on both sides.

Exports increased by 23.4% to USD 1.723 billion, while imports declined by 7.1% to USD 4.143 billion. The trade deficit stood at USD 2.419 billion, accounting for 41.2% of total external trade turnover.

China led export destinations with USD 203.2 million, followed by Kyrgyzstan (USD 190.9 million) and Russia (USD 145.5 million). The top ten export partners accounted for 71.6% of Georgia’s total exports.

Motor cars remained the leading export commodity at USD 364.5 million (21.1%), followed by petroleum and petroleum oils at USD 208.1 million (12.1%) and precious metal ores and concentrates at USD 169.9 million (9.9%).

On the import side, Turkey led with USD 657.3 million, followed by Russia (USD 592.5 million) and China (USD 487.6 million). The top ten import partners accounted for 70.2% of total imports.

Motor cars also topped the list of imported commodities, generating USD 632.2 million (15.3%). Petroleum and petroleum oils followed at USD 338.6 million (8.2%), while petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons ranked third at USD 204.1 million, 4.9% of total imports.

Also Read:

• 16/04/2026 – Money Transfers to Georgia Up 9.8% in March, EU and US Lead
• 07/04/2026 – IMF Lauds Georgia’s ‘Robust’ Performance, Points to Uncertainty Amid War in Middle East
• 19/03/2026 – Georgia’s Foreign Trade Falls 6.9% in January-February 2026