Saturday, February 7, 2026

DFWatch staff

Georgia’s opposition claims charges against leaders of June 21 revolt is political persecution

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Authorities are pursuing criminal charges against several high-profile opposition figures after the June 21-22 uprising in the center of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Spokespersons for two major opposition parties, United National Movement (UNM) and European Georgia, claim they are being targeted for political reasons, while the government accuses the opposition of having attempted to … Read more

Most of the stranded students at Enguri have made it through

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ZUGDIDI, DFWatch–Most of the school graduates from Abkhazia who were stuck at Enguri bridge on their way to exams eventually managed to get through on Monday, DFWatch was told by several of them. However, some teenagers are still stranded at the only point of crossing between the breakaway republic and Georgia proper.  Due to the … Read more

Students stuck at Enguri bridge on their way to exams, due to row between Tbilisi and Sokhumi

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TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of teenagers from Gali district are stuck on the breakaway Abkhazia side of Enguri bridge after Sokhumi closed the sole passage in the wake of anti-Russian, anti-government rallies in Tbilisi. The students are trying to get to Georgia proper in order to take part in the Unified National Entrance Exams, which are … Read more

Sokhumi may close Enguri checkpoint after Georgian MP's angry outburst about 'killing' Russians

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of the separatist parliament in Sokhumi are demanding criminal action against Georgian MP Akaki Bobokhidze for an angry outburst during a brawl last week during an inter-parliamentary assembly. Bobokhidze, who represents European Georgia, scolded a member of the Russian Duma who was chairing the assembly. “We were killing you in Abkhazia and will … Read more

Russian Duma member evacuated from Tbilisi hotel amid angry protests after he presides over debate in Georgia's parliament building

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TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian parliament member was evacuated from the Radisson Blue hotel in Tbilisi after a group of opposition protesters confronted him Thursday evening. Sergey Gavrilov, a member of Russia’s Communist Party, and his colleagues were rushed from the hotel to Tbilisi airport, Georgian media reports. Gavrilov insists “radicals” poured water on him and tried … Read more

Tbilisi Pride to go ahead, despite threats from radicals

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TBILISI, DFWatch–After much deliberation, the organizers of Tbilisi Pride have decided to go ahead with the first Pride parade in Georgia, according to  a statement released on Facebook Tuesday. “Despite existing risks, the first march of dignity in the history of Georgia is in force and we are not going to cancel it. Our supporting … Read more

DOS statement on events surrounding Tbilisi Pride

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“The United States will continue to urge Georgian authorities to protect all citizens regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” US Department of State spokesperson has said commenting recent developments in Georgia relating to Tbilisi Pride. The text of short statement was provided by Voice of America’s Georgian Service. “The United States is deeply concerned … Read more

A critic of Azerbaijan government detained in Georgia, face extradition

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The police in Georgia detained Azerbaijan’s opposition activist Avtandil Mammadov on the request of Baku on Monday and he may face extradition to his home country. Mammadov was arrested in Marneuli, a town inhabited largely by ethnic Azerbaijanis, 35 km east from Tbilisi, radio Marneuli reports based on the information provided by Mammadov’s family and … Read more

Georgian ultra-conservative millionaire plans to unleash vigilante patrols against Tbilisi Pride

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TBILISI, DFWatch–An ultra-conservative Georgian millionaire vows to set up vigilante patrols on the streets of Tbilisi to prevent LGBT rights activists from holding a planned pride march. “We’ll establish people’s squadrons. […]  Among the crowd gathered here there are a lot of individuals with military experience, a lot of athletes, rugby players, and wrestlers,” Levan … Read more

Nine detained in Tbilisi as conservatives and LGBT rights campaigners clash

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TBILISI, DFWatch–At least nine people were detained by police in Tbilisi at as defenders of LGBT rights clashed with conservatives on Friday. The police had to set up barriers between the two groups of protesters in order to avoid a physical confrontation. The LGBT activists gathered at the government building Friday evening to protest its … Read more