DFWatch staff 
TBILISI, October 10 – A delegation from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament is meeting with representatives of Georgia’s opposition parties as part of a series of talks focused on the country’s ongoing political crisis and post-election unrest. The visiting MEPs are: Kathleen Van Brempt of Belgium, Nacho Sánchez Amor of … Read more
TBILISI, October 9 – Former Georgian Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia has been summoned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation, the ministry confirmed Wednesday. Officials did not specify which case Akhalaia has been called to testify in. According to a statement by his wife, Ani Nadareishvili, he is … Read more
TBILISI, October 9 – Georgia’s security service on Thursday released new findings, with details about another “safe house” in the case involving two Ukrainian nationals accused of smuggling explosives into the country. The State Security Service (SUS) said Wednesday it had located a second apartment in Tbilisi’s Gldani district, allegedly rented by one of the … Read more
TBILISI, October 9 – The Georgian capital is set to expand its metro network for the first time in years, with two new deep-level stations planned in Gldani and Varketili, Mayor Kakha Kaladze said Wednesday, affirming a promise he made ahead of being re-elected. The project, aimed at easing congestion and meeting surging passenger demand, … Read more
TBILISI, October 9 – Georgia’s ruling party says the idea of revolution is over, and it no longer expects large-scale protests after the failed October 4 rally in Tbilisi that ended with clashes outside the presidential residence. Government officials and analysts close to the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party now argue that the political momentum … Read more
TBILISI, October 8 – Georgia’s Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday that 12 additional people have been arrested in connection with the October 4 unrest in Tbilisi, bringing the total number of detainees to 35. Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said at a briefing that the new arrests followed “intensive investigative and search operations.” The detainees … Read more
TBILISI, October 8 – Turkey is pouring USD 1.6 billion into modernizing and electrifying its key east–west railway link from Divrigi to Kars and the Georgian border, but experts warn Georgia’s outdated infrastructure could limit the benefits of the project once it reaches the frontier. Transport researcher Davit Gochava told BPN that the new Turkish … Read more
TBILISI, October 8 – A new round of planned tax increases in Russia could make imported wines, especially those from Georgia, significantly more expensive for Russian consumers, industry experts warn. Under a proposal submitted to the State Duma on September 29, the Russian government plans to raise excise taxes on all alcoholic beverages starting in … Read more
TBILISI, October 8 – The Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday held a hearing for four people detained during the unrest that followed the October 4 rally in the Georgian capital. The defendants, Tornike Mchedlishvili, Abo Naveriani, Eva Shashviashvili, and Davit Sturua, appeared before Judge Lela Maridashvili, who will decide whether to keep them in pre-trial … Read more
TBILISI, October 8 – Three construction firms have submitted bids to build a massive new football stadium near Tbilisi International Airport, a project expected to become the largest sports facility in Georgia. According to tender documents published by the Municipal Development Fund, proposals were received from three companies: Georgian builder Anagi with an offer of … Read more