Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Georgian PM lectures EPP head on separation of powers

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From left to right: Giga Bokeria, Joseph Daul, Gigi Ugulava, Davit Bakradze and Gigi Tsereteli.

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister gave an EU politician a lesson in the separation of powers in democracies on Tuesday, explaining that a government cannot interfere in decisions made by the courts.

Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the head of government

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Georgian volunteer soldier's arrest in Kiev stirs controversy in Georgia

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(Protest at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tbilisi, Jan. 23. On.ge.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The top prosecutor in Ukraine is calling off a criminal case against a Georgian man who volunteered to fight in the war in Donbass. The man is accused of a murder in Sochi in 2003 and risks extradition to Russia.

His defense lawyer at the trial

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Vano Merabishvili quits post in Saakashvili’s party

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Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A former interior minister and close ally of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili resigned as secretary general of the National Movement on Monday, the latest episode of a turbulent few months for the party that reformed Georgia over the course of a decade.

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Georgia ushers in bill to criminalize FGM after news report

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The practice is in use in Kvareli and a few other villages in the east of Georgia. (Aida Mirmaksumova.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in the former Soviet republic of Georgia has proposed a bill which will make it a crime to carry out female genital mutilation. The bill comes after a journalist revealed last fall that the practice was still in use in a few villages in the east of the country.

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Republican Party appoints woman to key position

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Tamar Kordzaia, party political secretary (right) and Khatuna Samnidze, the chairwoman. (Photo by Republican Party.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican Party in the former Soviet republic of Georgia on Saturday appointed a woman former lawmaker as new political secretary.

The appointment the 39-year-old lawyer Tamar Kordzaia is seen as a move to promote gender equality in politics.

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Saakashvili-supporters regain control of the National Movement

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(Free Zone.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The pro-Saakashvili wing of the opposition National Movement party took control of the party on Friday at a high-profile convention that concluded a months long internal feud.

According to party officials, over 7,000 delegates took part in the event at Tbilisi Sports Hall.

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First end-of-life care unit for children opens in Tbilisi

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First lady Maka Chichua spoke at the opening of the new children’s hospice in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.)
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(DFWatch.)
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(DFWatch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–After years of fundraising and hard work, a new end-of-life care unit for children living with life limiting illnesses has finally opened in Tbilisi.

The center is a hospice for minors who need a specific type of palliative care. At the opening ceremony on Tuesday,

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Lawyer’s group asks Georgian government to disclose Gazprom deal

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Sulkhan Saladze, project coordinator in Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association. (Imedi.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of lawyers in the former Soviet republic Georgia calls on the government to disclose a controversial deal it recently struck with the Russian-owned energy giant Gazprom over switching monetized payments for transiting Russian gas to Armenia.

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