Author: DFWatch staff - Page 170

TV news anchor may join race for new Tbilisi mayor

June 7, 2017 by DFWatch staff

News anchor Zaal Udumashvili — Zaal Udumashvili speaking at a demonstration in Tbilisi in February, 2017. (Rustavi 2.)

Independent candidate Aleksandre Elisashvili may also have a chance. (DFWatch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A news anchor on Georgia’s biggest private television channel has confirmed that he may run for mayor of Tbilisi as a candidate for the biggest opposition party UNM.

The entry of Zaal Udumashvili, host of the evening news on Rustavi 2,

Protesters put bags over their heads as parliament silent on Mukhtarli case

June 6, 2017 by DFWatch staff

Journalists wore plastic bags over their heads to raise awareness about the apparent abduction of journalist Afgan Mukhtarli in Tbilisi — (Liberali.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian journalists covered their heads with plastic sacks during a meeting of the parliament’s human rights committee on Tuesday to protest the abduction of an Azerbaijani investigative journalist in Tbilisi.

But the committee did not discuss

Georgia's ruling party to tap energy minister as new Tbilisi mayor

June 6, 2017 by DFWatch staff

Kakhi Kaladze is the likely pick for candidate for new Tbilisi mayor. — Kakhi Kaladze. (Ministry of Energy.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling party in Georgia is expected to name Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze as its candidate for new Tbilisi mayor, to replace the incumbent Davit Narmania.

Georgian Dream MPs and members of government met on Sunday behind closed

Georgian leaders send condolences to victims of London attacks

June 4, 2017 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president and prime minister have expressed their condolences to the families of victims of the recent London terror attack, which left seven dead and over 48 injured.

“I am deeply outraged over the brutal terrorist incidents in #London.

Georgian authorities deny involvement in abduction of Azerbaijani journalist

June 1, 2017 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s head of government Thursday denied that his country’s authorities had been involved when a journalist was abducted three days earlier in Tbilisi and delivered into the hands of Azerbaijani police for criminal prosecution.

Abduction of Azerbaijani journalist sparks outrage in Tbilisi

May 31, 2017 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists rallied in Tbilisi on Wednesday against the apparent abduction and return to Azerbaijan of an investigative journalist who had criticized the Aliyev regime.

Journalists and rights activists rallied outside the government office

Journalist who sought refuge in Georgia abducted to Azerbaijan

May 31, 2017 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–An investigative journalist who fled Azerbaijan and sought asylum in neighboring Georgia was abducted by unknown men in Tbilisi on Monday and taken across the border to his home country.

Journalist Afgan Mukhtali is now being held in Baku,

Murder plot against Georgian patriarch allegedly revealed

May 29, 2017 by DFWatch staff

Edisher Karchava, lawyer for the Georgian Church — Edisher Karchava. (ambebi.ge)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A lawyer for the Georgian church claimed on Monday that there is a plot to assassinate the head of the church, involving high-level clerics.

One of the clerics implicated in the attempt on Patriarch’s life is Metropolitan Petre Tsaava, according to

Opposition candidates vying to unseat unpopular Tbilisi mayor

May 28, 2017 by DFWatch staff

Elene Khoshtaria is European Georgia's candidate for mayor of Tbilisi. — Elene Khoshtaria was nominated by European Georgia as candidate for Tbilisi mayor. (Facebook.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s second largest opposition party named a woman as its candidate for Tbilisi Mayor on Saturday.

The European Dream party congress nominated Elene Khoshtaria (37) as mayoral candidate as political parties are gearing up for the local elections.

Georgia detains school manager connected to Gülen network

May 26, 2017 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has detained a manager of a private school in what appears to be a case of pressure exerted by Turkey on Georgian authorities to crack down on institutions associated with the exiled preacher Fethullah Gülen.

Mustafa Emre Cabuk, quality manager