Friday, April 24, 2026

ECHR suspends Rustavi 2 takeover 'until further notice'

A letter by ICHR to Rustavi 2 lawyer published on facebook by Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia
A letter by ICHR to Rustavi 2 lawyer published on Facebook by Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia

TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday confirmed a decision by one of its judges to suspend a ruling by Georgia’s Supreme Court about changing the ownership of the opposition-leaning TV company Rustavi 2.

“A Chamber constituted from the Section

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Georgia rejects idea of hosting refugee center for EU

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Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz meets his Georgian counterpart during a visit to Tbilisi on February 3, 2017. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia distances itself from a controversial statement by the Austrian minister of foreign affairs, who proposed establishing refugees’ centers outside the borders of the EU, including in Georgia.

“There are no plans to set up refugee camps

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Georgian PM proposes creating new media ombudsman post

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PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister proposes creating an office of media ombudsman.

The PM’s proposal comes at the same time as the situation surrounding a lawsuit about the country’s most popular TV company remains in a deadlock.

After a meeting with PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili

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Georgia's embattled TV station Rustavi 2 plans new rally on Saturday

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A scene from the February 19 rally. (Rustavi 2.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Embattled Georgian TV channel Rustavi 2 plans another rally in Tbilisi on Saturday to protest what it claims is an attempt by authorities to silence free speech in the country.

On March 3, Georgia’s Supreme Court upheld a decision to change ownership of Rustavi 2.

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Leaders of Georgia's Orthodox Church gather to discuss poisoning plot

synodTBILISI, DFWatch–When top clerics within the Georgian Orthodox Church gather for a Holy Synod on March 9, there are several difficult problems on their agenda, notably a priest accused of planning to murder someone in the patriarch’s inner circle.

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Petre Tsaava, the Metropolitan of Chkondidi, has spoken about corruption in the Church in a series of TV appearances. (2030.news)

The Synod is the highest authority

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Georgia's ruling party postpones switch to indirect election of president

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Irakli Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream is backing down on a previous pledge to phase out the use of direct elections to select a president already from next year. Instead, the ruling coalition plans to introduce the change from the 2023 election.

“The rules of presidential

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Georgia Supreme Court upholds decision to change Rustavi 2 ownership

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Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Supreme Court in the former Soviet republic of Georgia has controversially upheld a decision to take away ownership of the country’s biggest opposition TV channel and hand it to a private investor. Critics say the decision will effectively silence

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