TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian father and son who were detained by Russian soldiers close to the so-called administrative border with South Ossetia a few days ago were were released on Monday. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, Avtandil and Kakhi Khaduri, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Maya Pankikidze, Foreign Affairs Minister of Georgia, is on a visit to the United States and will today attend a reception in Washington organized by the Georgian embassy to mark Independence Day of Georgia. She will also meet with Miriam Sapiro, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Food Safety Service responds to the Russian chief sanitary inspector, who said that Georgia was planning ‘bio-sabotage’ in Russia. Veriko Gulua, head of the Service’s press office told DF Watch that this statement is groundless […]
The crew of Top Gogo during an earlier film shoot. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Egypt has apologized for detaining a group of Georgians during a swimwear photo session. The Georgians were having a photo shoot for swimwear when several Egyptian policemen thought they were filming a porn movie and detained the crew. Egyptian […]
Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian interior minister says that an archive of secret recordings of people’s private lives will be destroyed next week. Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili said this during a public meeting at the Center of European Politics […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will mark NATO week from 3 to 10th June. It will be opened by NATO envoy James Appathurai and the minister for Euro Atlantic integration. Elene Gotsadze, director of the information center for NATO and EU, said Friday that James Appathurai, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia has forced through two more laws that were vetoed by President Saakashvili. This is the latest in a series of vetoes by Saakashvili after the change of government in October, 2012. Under normal circumstances, his signature […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday released a Lithuanian businessman pending his trial. Saulius Vaitkevičius was detained two days ago at Tbilisi airport and charged with a large amount of money appropriation and embezzlement. The prosecutor […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–1 600 workers at the Ferro plant in Zestaponi called off their strike Friday. The strike lasted more than a week, and paralyzed the plant which accounts for 12% of Georgia’s national export. Management agreed to enter into negotiations and finally […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (center left) and Kakhi Kaladze at Dinamo Stadium in Tbilisi Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The farewell match of former AC Milan player Kakhi Kaladze on Friday ended with Kaladze’s friends losing 1-3 to Milan. Kaladze, who is Energy Minister now, played for Milan against his friends, a team which was mainly filled by well-known Georgian […]
The de facto border in Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two more Georgian villagers for illegally crossing the so-called administrative border around breakaway South Ossetia. The detainees are Avtandil and Kakha Khaduri. They were detained two days ago and taken to Tskhinvali. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court placed Vano Merabishvili in pre-trial detention; the second time such a measures is imposed on the former interior minister. This time additional charged were added since his hearing in Kutaisi City Court last week, dealing with […]
This is the kind of razor wire being erected by Russian soldiers in the Georgian-controlled village Ditsi. (Radio Liberty.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian Federation has not yet reacted to a diplomatic note of protest from Georgia regarding the moving of the so-called administrative border into Georgian-controlled territory near breakaway South Ossetia. But the Deputy Foreign Affairs […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Six policemen who are in prison awaiting trial are not in any danger, according to the Prison Ministry in Georgia. The six are being held at Gldani prison in northern Tbilisi, a large facility which became infamous last year in connection […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has confirmed for DF Watch that a Lithuanian businessman has been detained. According to the office, Saulius Vaitkevičius, owner of supermarket chain Populi, is charged with appropriation of another company’s […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has again blocked a bill. This time it was a set of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. The president has remarks about two aspects of the draft: First about the dates when certain regulations will come into force. […]
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition is considering making it possible for a person with dual citizenship to hold three top posts in the country: president, prime minister and speaker of parliament. The amendments will only apply to the constitution, which […]
A view of the village Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border soldiers have again been seen in the village Ditsi, on Georgia controlled territory close to the de facto border with Russian-controlled South Ossetia. On Monday, the first reports came about Russian soldiers in the villages Ditsi and […]
The EU Monitoring Mission does not accept the moving of the de facto border around South Ossetia and installing of new barbed wire. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The recent installation of fences near Ditsi is unacceptable, EUMM says in a statement. Staff from the EU Monitoring Mission arrived in the village Ditsi, where Russian soldiers have erected new barbed wire which moves the de facto border 300 meters […]
Maka Kvaratskhelia, spokesperson for the company that owns the plant in Zestaponi. TBILISI, DFWatch–At Zestaponi’s ferroalloy factory workers are still on strike. The week-long strike is paralyzing the one of the largest companies in the country, which accounts for 12 percent of the exported product. Two of the workers are on hunger strike, while […]
People demonstrated against Russia moving the border. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A rally was held outside the former Russian embassy in Tbilisi on Tuesday to protest against Russian soldiers moving the so-called administrative border 300 meters into Georgian controlled territory on Monday. Members of non-government organizations, […]
Former Minister of Internal Affairs Vano Merabishvili is held personally responsible for the violent dispersal of demonstrators two years ago which led to at least two deaths and was accompanied by a nationwide crackdown on opposition groups. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The charges against former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili concerning events on May 26, 2011 were Tuesday expanded. The violent dispersal of peaceful anti-government protesters by police and regime loyal vigilantes two years ago resulted in at least […]
The EU’s field observers are tracking Russian activity on the de facto border around South Ossetia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers’ moving of the de facto border between Georgian- and Russian-controlled territory is being followed by European Union’s observers in the area. Yesterday evening, the European Union Monitoring Mission to Georgia (EUMM) […]
Vano Merabishvili, former interior minister and current party secretary of the National Movement party of President Mikheil Saakashvili, appearing in Kutaisi City Court last week. Co-defendant Zurab Chiaberashvili on the right. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of parliament for President Saakashvili’s National Movement party have again taken leave from their duties as a sign of protest. Party spokesman Giorgi Baramidze says they will not attend plenary sessions until all the ‘political […]
‘Call of Taburetka’ lets the player be a priest who fends off gay rights activists using a stool. TBILISI, DFWatch–A new Facebook game has become popular among Georgians. It emulates the violent incidents on May 17, when clerics took the lead in disrupting a demonstration against homophobia in Tbilisi. The violence, which led to almost 30 persons being injured, […]
The workers at the Ferro plant in Zestaponi demand group contracts, a pay rise, and generally better conditions. (gtuc.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The week-old strike at Zestaponi’s ferro-alloy plant continues, as there is still no progress in the attempts to negotiate with management. Meanwhile representatives of the Georgian Trade Unions claim that parliament is about to adopt amendments […]
A view of Tskhinvali, the only city in the breakaway region South Ossetia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia Monday confirmed that Russian soldiers have moved the de facto border with South Ossetia 200 to 300 meters and is planning to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM). […]
Controversy continues over what really happened in Tbilisi on May 17, 2013, and who is to blame. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava criticizes President Mikheil Saakashvili for having ‘incorrectly ordered’ his facts while commenting on a gay rights rally last week. Saakashvili criticized the LGBT activists for having planned a rally the same day […]
The metal works plant in Zestaponi accounts for 12 percent of Georgia’s export. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the largest factories in Georgia is still paralyzed by a now week-long strike by hundreds of workers who demand higher salaries, better social conditions, collective contracts and compensation for night shifts. A group of students have joined […]
These protesters want to ban ‘gay propaganda’. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two small counter-rallies were held at the Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday in Tbilisi. The organizers of one rally, ‘The law is supreme’, were the same as those who organized ‘No to Theocracy’ on Friday. Meanwhile members of the National Front […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of PACE will arrive in Georgia May 28 for a two-day visit. Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, is on a regional tour and comes to Georgia after finishing his visit to Azerbaijan. He […]
From last year’s celebration at Roses Square, Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Preparations are ongoing in Georgia for the Independence Day celebration Sunday, May 26. Government officials say there will not be a military parade through the capital as there has been in the past. Instead, there will be held different events […]
Police line on May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two more persons have been charged with violence on May 17, when a rally against homophobia was disrupted by a crowd of thousands of people encouraged by Orthodox clerics. The clashes led to almost 30 people being injured. The Interior Ministry […]
‘No to theocracy’ said one part of the demonstrators. The other part wanted a ban on ‘homosexual propaganda’. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two opposing rallies about very sensitive social issues went ahead peacefully in downtown Tbilisi Friday. People gathered at 18:00 to protest against ‘propaganda of homosexuality’, while the other rally was ‘no to theocracy’ – a protest […]
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, visiting Georgian troops in Afghanistan February, 2012. TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia, has approved the main directions of development of the ministry and Georgia’s armed forces until 2016. The goal of the Strategic Review of Defense 2013-2016, which is a manual for the Defense Ministry, […]
A counter-demonstrator on May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The two opposing sides in Georgia’s gay rights debate are to hold demonstrations at the same spot in Tbilisi today. But Prime Minister Ivanishvili reassures the public that people will be able to express their views peacefully. The first one is in support of the LGBT people […]
Metal workers in Zestaponi are keeping up their strike. (Zestaponi.com.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Workers at the Chiatura Mining and Enrichment Plant will May 25 join the strike at the Zestaponi Ferroalloy Plant, which started four days ago, while three persons Thursday went back on hunger strike in the same conflict. The workers who are […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A session of the NATO Georgia commission was held May 22 in Brussels. Ambassadors discussed the planned visit to Georgia of the North Atlantic Council this summer. Zurab Abashidze, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, […]
Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former AC Milan player Kakhi Kaladze’s farewell match on May 31 is getting closer and people are already queuing to buy tickets. Davit Mujiri, who coordinates the organizing of the match, on Wednesday held a press conference to give more details […]
A scene from May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia says it is charging two high-ranking clerics who work for the country’s Orthodox church. (Article has been corrected.) The police is pressing charges against the archimandrite of Sameba cathedral, Father […]
Vano Merabishvili in Kutaisi City Court yesterday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili on Thursday was moved from Kutaisi, in western Georgia, to the capital, and placed in the so-called Matrosov prison, where former government officials and others are offered slightly better conditions […]
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili (left) at his first court hearing. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI–Kutaisi City Court Wednesday placed former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili in pretrial detention. Zurab Chiaberashvili was released on bail. The hearing lasted five hours. Both Merabishvili, Secretary General of Saakashvili’s United National […]
Spokesman for the Georgian Orthodox Church, Mikael Brotkoveli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Orthodox Church separates itself from the violent incidents of May 17, when clerics disrupted LGBT activists from holding a peaceful rally, resulting in 28 injured. Church spokesman Mikael Botkoveli on Wednesday evening said at a briefing […]
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili says the charges are ridiculous. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The City Court in Kutaisi will this afternoon decide whether to place Saakashvili ally Vano Merabishvili and National Movement party member Zurab Chiaberashvili in pretrial detention. Meanwhile their supporters and other UNM members are gathered […]
Steel workers in Zestaponi are still on strike. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds workers of Georgia’s large ferroalloy plant in Zestaponi are continuing their strike and do not plan to give up until their demands are met. Three workers have decided to end their hunger strike after consultations with the head […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says that church prayer isn’t an excuse for anyone to violate the law. The PM on Tuesday met with a club of experts and after the meeting he commented on the May 17 events, when Orthodox Christians and clerics […]
The attacks are continuing, according to Identoba. Two women were beaten in the street. One of them had bite marks on her arm afterwards. (Identoba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police have detained four persons suspected of resisting police and petty hooliganism on May 17, when Orthodox Christians held a counter-rally against an attempt at marking the International Day Against Homophobia. There is one minor among […]
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili during his first interrogation December 1, 2012. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained former Interior Minister and Saakashvili faithful Vano Merabishvili. He is charged with sabotaging the investigation of the murder of a bank employee, Sandro Girgvliani, in 2006, appropriation and embezzlement in connection with […]
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, and former US President Bill Clinton meeting recently. (Photo published on Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The foreign ministry and the president’s administration in Georgia are embroiled in a quarrel over who is to blame for the bad coordination of foreign visits. The ministry accuses the president’s administration of not coordinating visits abroad […]
The ferroalloy plant in Zestaponi produces 12 percent of Georgia’s national export. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Metal workers in Zestaponi in western Georgia are on strike and have paralyzed the functioning of a plant which is responsible for 12 percent of Georgia’s export. The operation of the Zestaponi ferroalloy plant was suspended almost all of Monday. […]
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, is visiting Thailand. (Photo posted on the president’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili again asks members of the Georgian Dream coalition to go on visits abroad together with him. The president on Sunday left for Thailand in order to participate in the second Asia-Pacific Water Summit, as well as to hold […]
Victims and activists ask parliament to create a commission to study the crimes of the Saakashvili regime. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former political prisoners on Sunday held people’s congress at Sport’s Palace in Tbilisi in order to demand the restoration of justice and put the Saakashvili regime on trial. The congress decided to set up a people’s movement with the same […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili speaking at Police Day. (Photo published by Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police Day was marked in Georgia May 19. It was supposed to have been held on May 6, but the event was rescheduled due to the Easter celebration. The Interior Ministry used the occasion to present a new uniform, a shoulder-mounted video […]
Repulsed by Friday’s violence, campaigners demand a proper investigation of every incident. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A peaceful rally to protest Friday’s violent clashes went ahead without serious incidents outside the government office on Saturday. In the afternoon, LGBT activists and their supporters started gathering in front of the government’s office, […]
Priests removing the police barricades Friday. (Click to enlarge.) (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After the violence yesterday, a gathering is planned today Saturday outside the government building on Ingorokva Street 7 at 15:00 to condemn what happened. Organizers say the goal is to condemn the violence by clerics and others who confronted the LGBT […]
Clerics addressing the anti-gay demonstrators with megaphone Friday. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian church is distancing itself from the violence on May 17, but maintains that LGBT propaganda is not acceptable. Patriarch Ilia II commented on the violent clashes between his parishioners and LGBT campaigners in Tbilisi. Ilia II called […]
Orthodox Christian activists successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration against homophobia in Tbilisi Friday. Twenty eight people were injured. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Orthodox Christian activists Friday successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Tbilisi. After numerous violent incidents throughout the day which led to more than twenty people being […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover fell in the first four months of 2013. (GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–According to preliminary data, Georgia’s foreign trade turnover has decreased by four percent in the months January through April of 2013, compared to the same period in the preceding year. The total foreign trade turnover in this period totaled […]
Salam Zaurbekov, Aslan Margoshvili and Bajaudi Baghakashvili were reburied in Duisi, Pankisi Gorge, Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The bodies of three militants who died in a border shooting in August 2012 were Thursday reburied in Duisi, in the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia. An autopsy has been carried out on the bodies of Salam Zaurbekov, Aslan Margoshvili and Bajaudi Baghakashvili, […]
The three ISAF soldiers killed in a May 13 attack were Thursday brought back to Georgia. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The three Georgian soldiers who May 13 died in Afghanistan were today brought back to Georgia. The bodies of Corporal Alexandre Kvitsinidze, Corporal Vladmier Shanava and Sergeant Zviad Davitadze, arrived at Tbilisi airport on Thursday morning. […]
The three who died will be buried on May 16. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia, has declared May 16 a day of mourning as a tribute to those Georgian soldiers who have lost lives while serving in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. The presidential order says that May 16 will be announced […]
Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office and the Prison Ministry have discovered a secret archive of prison videos. At a meeting with journalists, Prison Minister Sozar Subari said that when the government came to power these kinds of archives were put away, but […]
Deputy Interior Minister Gela Khvedelidze is free on bail. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Gela Khvedelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister accused of leaking a sex tape, is free on USD 3 000 bail and has been removed from his position. Khvedelidze was detained a few days ago for publishing a video with intimate scenes between three people. Wednesday Tbilisi […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) talking to Marco Rubio, the junior US Senator from Florida (R). (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After touring the United States for several days in the beginning of May, President Mikheil Saakashvili is back on an other visit to the country. He has already had a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, one of the Republican party’s presidential […]
The three soldiers who died in Afghanistan will soon be brought home to Georgia. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten of the 27 wounded Georgian soldiers in an insurgent attack have returned to duty in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, while the remaining 17 are still undergoing medical treatment. Part of the wounded may be taken to Germany or brought to […]
The storm destroyed crops and fruit in five villages. TBILISI, DFWatch–A strong hailstorm hit Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region Monday, almost completely destroying fruits and crops in five villages. Giorgi Sibashvili, former Deputy Governor of Kakheti, told Interpressnews that hail has destroyed agricultural lands […]
Master Sergeant Zviad Davitadze (left), Corporal Aleksandre Kvitsinadze and Corporal Vladimer Shanava lost their lives in the attack. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian soldiers who were wounded in yesterday’s attack in Afghanistan are in a satisfactory health condition and have been moved to the main hospital at Base Bastion, according to the Ministry of Defense. Three Georgian soldiers in the 42nd battalion […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of eight persons will study crimes commited during and after the Russia-Georgia war in August, 2008. Following a decision by Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili, representatives of three bodies will sit in the investigative group and study […]
Last year’s demonstration in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An announced gay rights rally is causing outrage among different groups in Georgia who plan to interrupt the rally May 17 and organize parallel rallies against LGBT people in the country. Non-governmental organizations which work with defending […]
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Still from a Ministry of Defense video announcement.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgian soldiers died on Monday in Afghanistan in a large attack by insurgents. There are wounded soldiers as well, Defense Minsiter informs. Georgia’s Defense Minsiter Irakli Aalasania said Monday that the insurgent attack took place […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has vetoed two bills passed by parliament. One of the bills is about amendments to the Civil Code of Georgia, which allows to change the status of non-profit legal entities and change the status of a a private law entity […]
Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Internal Affairs has agreed with the Prosecutor’s Office to immediately destroy a ‘dirty archive’ of compromising material created during President Saakashvili’s various governments. Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said […]
Deputy Interior Minister Gela Khvedelidze (left) was detained for releasing the sex tape. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The deputy interior minister has been detained for posting a sex video on the Internet allegedly involving a journalist who had criticized him. Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili Sunday evening held a press conference to talk about the investigation into […]
Giorgi Margvelashvili speaking as Georgian Dream’s candidate for president. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishivli calls on President Mikheil Saakashvili to set a date for the presidential election. Representatives of the president’s administration told DF Watch that the president’s opinion about this issue is still unknown. […]
The scuffle at La Truffe involved throwing of cups, plates and ashtrays. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili left a restaurant in Tbilisi before there broke out a scuffle between several well-known politicians. Three members of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM), including two parliamentarians, […]
Tbilisi international airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–21 percent more foreigners visited Georgia in April 2013 than in the same month the year before. In the first five months of the year as a whole, 32 percent more foreigners visited the country, compared to the preceding year. These figures […]
Giorgi Margvelashvili looks likely to become Georgia’s next president, if the latest poll is correct. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition has chosen Minister of Education Giorgi Margvelashvili as its candidate for president in the upcoming election. “Giorgi Margvelashvili has all good skills to be a president,” Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said at […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling Georgian Dream coalition is preparing a bill to decriminalize the use of marihuana. Head of parliament’s human rights committee Eka Besealia said the coalition plans to introduce certain measures regarding marihuana, because certain […]
The laboratory building lies near the international airport in Tbilisi. TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has decided to change the ownership of the Richard G Lugar Public Health Research Center in Tbilisi. The liquidation process is to take three months and the center’s property will be handed over to the National Center […]
The city authorities in Tbilisi celebrated EU Day Thursday. (Photo published by Mayor Gigi Ugulava.) TBILISI, DFWatch–May 9, “EU Day” was observed in its member countries. Also in Georgia, which is not a member, the day was celebrated with cultural events. A concert was held in Tbilisi by the initiative of the mayor. Diplomats and national minorities, as […]
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says he knows ‘almost for certain’ who the Georgian Dream coalition will pick for presidential candidate. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of the two main political blocs in Georgia are discussing who might be their candidate for the presidential election in October, 2013. Both plan to hold a ballot to select their candidate. In a recent survey conducted by the National […]
The eleven had been detained for crossing the border into South Ossetia, a Georgian breakaway region which Russia has propped up for over twenty years. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eleven more Georgia citizens have been released from their detention by Russian soldiers. They were detained earlier in May for crossing the border with South Ossetia. The release on Wednesday came after the Ministry of Interior had held […]
A demonstration to support labor rights May 1 was violently dispersed by police. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has fined five participants at a May Day rally in Tbilisi with 400 GEL (USD 240). About two dozen other participants are awaiting sentencing in two months. The five were fined for petty hooliganism and for disobeying police orders. […]
Activists plan to gather outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Human right organizations and gay rights activists plan a flash mob event May 17 outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi. The flash mob will last half hour and the purpose is to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, which is marked in […]
FBI Director Robert Mueller (left) and Georgia’s Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Robert Mueller, director of the US federal police FBI, has paid a visit to Georgia in connection with the Olympic winter games in Sochi in 2014. This is Mueller’s second visit to Georgia. The first time was in May, 2010, when he discussed deepening […]
Georgian police in Lapankuri, August 29, 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Authorities in Georgia Wednesday conducted a somewhat belated autopsy of the bodies of some of the dead in a special operation along the border with Russia in August, 2012. The shooting in a forested hillside in Lapankuri, near the border between Georgia […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentarians from the coalition of Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and the National Movement (UNM) party of President Saakashvili on Tuesday met with a delegation from the OSCE to discuss current events in Georgia, foreign policy and other […]
Five of the detainees were minors from the village Korbouli. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Twelve Georgian citizens were Tuesday released after having been detained by Russian soldiers for crossing the border of South Ossetia. May 1 to 4, Russian soldiers detained 22 people living in villages near to the breakaway region. According […]
Bidzina Ivanishvili’s coalition is searching for a candidate for president. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (left) has been mentioned as a strong contender. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition will name its candidate for president next week. At the end of the week, the coalition’s council will decide who will represent it in the upcoming presidential election. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Tuesday […]
Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili (center left) and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili discussed the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan. The heads of state of the two neighboring countries underlined that the construction of […]
Gigi Tevzadze, Rector of Ilia State University in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The rectors of two large universities in Georgia ask President Mikheil Saakashvili to use his right to veto a law amendment which in their opinion will restrict the autonomy of universities. Gigi Tevzadze, Rector of Ilia State University, also known as Iliauni, said on Tuesday […]
The Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, where some of the OSCE delegation’s meetings will take place. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A delegation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chaired by Wolfgang Grossruck, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, arrives in Georgia today Tuesday for a three day visit. In the delegation are also […]
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Defender says the eleven Chechen fighters who died in a shooting incident at the border between Georgia and Russia in August 2012, were part of an operation by the then Georgian government to train and equip fighters and send […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his wife Eka Khvedelidze celebrated Easter in his home region Sachkhere in the middle of the country. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Orthodox Church celebrated Easter May Day 5, as the parish attended traditional prayers at churches around the country and the Patriarch conducted midnight mass at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi. The liturgy started at 11:00 pm Saturday […]
Former AC Milan player Kahki Kaladze, is energy minister in his native country Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Andriy Shevchenko, Demetrio Albertini, Alessandro Nesta, these are among the confirmed names for football players who will take part in the farewell match of former AC Milan player and current Minister […]
A woman waiting for the bus in Sokhumi, Abkhazia. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Romania has recognized Georgia’s so-called neutral travel documents, which are issued to people living in the breakaway territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry received word of the decision Friday in a note from the […]
Students acknowledge that they painted slogans on the walls of several buildings, but say the police also committed violations. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police on Thursday published footage from street surveillance cameras which shows how participants in a May Day rally damaged private property by spray painting slogans on city walls and damaging police cars and private cars. The students who […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia climbs 15 places on Freedom House’s latest list of press freedom around the world. On the list Freedom of the Press 2013, Georgia is listed as partly free in 96th place with 49 points, up from 111th place and 52 points the year before. […]
Minister of Agriculture Davit Kirvalidze has resigned after ten of his staff were detained in a corruption scandal. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Minister of Agriculture, Davit Kirvalidze, resigned on Thursday taking responsibility for a fraudulent scheme uncovered in his ministry which recently led to ten people being detained. Police on Wednesday detained ten employees suspected […]
US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili Wednesday continued his tour of the US and held meetings with Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden. “We applaud the democratic transition that has been taking place in Georgia,” Kerry said in […]
Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania said on Wednesday that in the past, there have been exceeded expectations about Germany’s support for Georgia’s aspirations to become a NATO member. He said this as he opened a forum to discuss strategic […]
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili (left), Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia the Ivanishvili government will consider halting the prosecution of former government officials as part of an initiative by the prime minister to bring about reconciliation. But Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili made it clear […]
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili (right), expects NATO to commit to making Georgia a member through a Membership Action Plan in 2014. On the left, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Georgia, Guenther Baechler. (Official Photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new government expects Georgia to receive a membership action plan (MAP) next year. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said this Tuesday at the 22. anniversary of the Georgian army. The head of government has often had to defend himself against […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rose Roth Seminar in Tbilisi this week. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The plan to reopen a railway through breakaway Abkhazia came up during a NATO seminar in Tbilisi. Lawrence Scott Sheets, South Caucasus Project Director for the International Crisis Group, said during the 83rd Rose Roth Seminar of NATO’s […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament is ready to listen to the president’s annual address to the nation, but the president may not show up. Pavle Kublashvili from President Saakashvili’s United National Movement party says that the annual address has not been scheduled. […]
Voters queuing on election day October 1, 2012. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is considering using biometric information to identify voters in the next election. A cross-faction group in parliament presented a proposal on Monday about how to prepare the voters’ list in the future. Those behind the project […]
Zurab Abashidze is Georgia’s representative at the meetings. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Zurab Abashidze, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia, will meet with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin on 4 or 5 June in Prague. This will be the third meeting between Abashidze and Karasin since […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (center) attending NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose Roth Seminar in Tbilisi. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–‘A magical recipe for Georgia’s NATO integration without offending Russia is Georgia becoming an interesting country,’ says Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. He said this Monday as he attended the 83rd Rose Roth Seminar of NATO’s […]
Amiran Papinashvili (left) and Lasha Shavdatuashvili, two of Georgia’s gold medalists this year. (Ministry of Sport.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia won the 2013 European Judo Championships for men with three gold, three silver and one bronze medal, followed by Russia with one gold, one silver and one bronze and France with one gold and six bronze. The Georgian team won a gold medal […]
Voting underway Saturday at a precinct in Nadzaladevi, Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition’s candidates have won the by-election in all three districts, according to preliminary results after counting of votes in all precincts. The Central Election Commission on Sunday published the results of counting votes […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili speaking from his business center in Tbilisi. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said Friday that Georgia has softened its tone towards Russia in the new security doctrine. But Defense Minister Irakli Alasania and Secretary of the National Security Council Giga Bokeria deny that Georgia […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will announce his political bloc’s candidate for president in one or two weeks. Mr Ivanishvili said this during an appearance on a talk show on Rustavi 2 Friday. The presidential election is scheduled for […]
Voting precinct in Tbilisi’s Nadzaladevi district Saturday. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Results published by the Central Election Commission after Saturday’s by-election in Georgia show that all three Georgian Dream coalition candidates are leading. According to the CEC results, Tamar Kordzaia, Georgian Dream coalition candidate […]
Photo from Baghdati showing the car allegedly belonging to a policeman parked outside the voting precinct. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, a by-election is underway in three election districts. Turnout is largest in Baghdati, a town in western Georgia, where 21 percent (5 000) voters already had cast their vote by noon. 10 percent voted in Nadzaladevi, a district in Tbilisi, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–By-elections are held three places in Georgia on Saturday to fill seats in parliament that became vacant as the Ivanishvili government took power last year. The three election districts are, Nadzaladevi in the capital Tbilisi, and Samtredia […]
Avtandil Chrikishvili. (Ministry of Sports.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has its third European judo champion, after Avtandil Chrikishvili won gold medal in men’s 81 kg on Friday. Chrikishvili defeated Tomislav Marijanovic of Croatia in the final to win gold in the 2013 European Championship in Budapest. […]
An armored vehicle on Roses Square in Tbilisi May 26, 2012. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ivanishvili government is making plans for a different kind of Independence Day celebration on May 26. Instead of a big military parade in the capital, as was the rule under President Saakashvili, it is planning to hold many smaller events […]
The session hall in parliament in Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia will overturn President Saakashvili’s veto against two judicial reform bills on May 1. Irina Imerlishvili, chair of the committee on procedural issues, said at a press conference Thursday that parliament will […]
A guard tower in Rustavi prison. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two former inspectors at a prison in Rustavi, a town just south of Tbilisi, have been detained, suspected of mistreatment of prisoners. Interpressnews quotes a representative of the regional prosecutor’s office who gave the names of the detainees […]
Lasha Shavdatuashvili. (Sports Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Lasha Shavdatuashvili Thursday won gold in the European Judo Championship in Budapest. This is Georgia’s second gold in this year’s championship. The first one was won by Amiran Papinashvili. Before Thursday’s win, 21 year old […]
(Source: GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first three months of 2013 was USD 2 144 million. This is five percent less than in the preceding period, according to a new report by Georgia’s National Statistics Department, Geostat. Export amounted to […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian newspaper Izvestia accuses Georgia’s special services of having trained one of the brothers behind the recent Boston marathon bombings, but Georgian officials deny this. According to an article published in Izvestia, Tamerlan Tsarnayev, […]
Georgia’s first lady Sandra Roelofs (left), President Mikheil Saakashvili, and former US President George W. Bush. (Photo published on Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili kicked off his visit to the US by meeting with ex-president George W. Bush and NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Pictures posted on Saakashvili’s official Facebook page showed him and his wife […]
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maia Panjikidze (left), and US Secretary of State, John Kerry in Brussels Wednesday. TBILISI, DFWatch–US Secretary of State John Kerry has promised that he will visit Georgia. Kerry made the promise as he met Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze in Brussels on Wednesday to talk about Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, […]
NATO’s Caucasus and Central Asia envoy James Appathurai (left) and Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze in Brussels today. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia offers NATO to use the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to ship equipment out of Afghanistan after the ISAF mission finishes in 2014, Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze says. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, one of the largest […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has vetoed two law amendments passed by parliament as part of an effort to reform the justice system. One bills is about new rules for staffing the High Council of Justice, while the other one has to do with restricting […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili has criticized Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for remarks he made regarding two breakaway regions in a speech in Strasbourg Tuesday. Mr Ivanishvili, who was speaking at a session of the Parliamentary […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili answering questions in Strasbourg Tuesday at a meeting of the Council of Europe. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Tuesday presented his government’s plans for creating new jobs, amending the labor legislation and usher in new reforms to promote business. Mr Ivanishvili was speaking at a session of the Parliamentary […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Next week President Mikheil Saakashvili plans to visit the US next week to meet with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and his old friend John McCain […]
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, says the new dialogue with Russia doesn’t mean his country no longer needs support from its partners. TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the fact that there is a dialogue between Tbilisi and Moscow shouldn’t create the impression that the country doesn’t need support from its partners anymore. He said this in a speech at a session […]
The owner of this hotel was detained for providing space for organized prostitution. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained several hotel owners for providing space for organized prostitution. On Monday, the Interior Ministry informed that police from Adjara’s main police department had detained a man named Gela (born in 1984), […]
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, is preparing for an important speech in Strasbourg tomorrow. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) plans to bring up the issue of changing Georgia’s foreign policy towards Russia during the ongoing session in Strasbourg. Alexey K. Pushkov, director of […]
Patriarch Ilia II has long been the most trusted person in Georgia. (Photo courtesy of the Georgian Orthodox Church.) TBILISI, DFWatch–92 percent of Georgians say they like Patriarch Ilia II, who for many years has been the most trusted person in the country. According to a new survey published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on Monday, 75 percent say they like Prime […]
National Democratic Institute’s Country Director for Georgia, Luis Navarro, presenting the poll on Monday. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–If public attitudes stay the same until fall, the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate will win the presidential election clearly, without the need for a second round. 58 percent of Georgians say they would like to see the Georgian Dream candidate […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The U.S. State Department has published a report on human rights which describes the October election in Georgia as historic. The report deals with the parliamentary election in October, the prison torture, problems within the justice system […]
ID cards with micro chip are mandatory, but some believe they are a sign of the Antichrist. (Scene from the new commercial.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Ministry of Justice has produced a six-minute commercial to explain that a new ID card with a micro chip is not a sign of the Antichrist, as many locals believe. Clerics and part of the parish planned a rally at the Ministry of Justice […]
Tabula editor Tamar Chergoleishvili called Data Akhalaia a ‘maniaki’ (a serial killer). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party, the National Movement, are speaking out against a former head of the domestic intelligence service CSD/KUD, who criticized the party strongly last week. A message was posted to the Facebook […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg on Tuesday. His speech is expected to deal with the new reforms his government has begun of the courts and the constitution, […]
Jvristsera, church weddings, are not legally recognized in today’s Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia may consider granting legal status to weddings conducted by the church. This issue will be studied in the near future by the commission which handles relations between the state and the Orthodox Church. Today, a marriage […]
The Ivanishvili government is ‘partly friendly towards Russia’, President Mikheil Saakashvili claimed at a rally of his party, the National Movement, on Friday. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a speech Friday, President Mikheil Saakashvili accused the Georgian government of being ‘partly friendly towards Russia’. He was speaking at a rally of his party, the United National Movement, in Tbilisi in order to show off popular support […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The United National Movement (UNM) party of President Mikheil Saakashvili will be subject to intense scrutiny today as it launches this year’s election campaign outside the old parliament in Tbilisi. Two organizations have informed that they […]
Viktor Yushchenko, former president of Ukraine, wants to pay back USD 400 for a hot bath that was paid for by the state during Saakashvili’s government. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Viktor Yushchenko, the former president of Ukraine, has jumped into a political squabble in Georgia by saying he is willing to pay back USD 400 he was given for a visit to one of Tbilisi’s hot baths. The ex-president says through his spokesperson […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili’s National Movement party is holding a protest rally at the old parliament building in Tbilisi today. According to the Interior Ministry, several streets and squares will be blocked off in connection with the event. There will be no traffic […]
Locals in Tsikhisdziri after the incident. (TV9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has published details of the military employees who a few days ago harassed and physically abused people on religious grounds. According to a statement issued on Thursday, Onise Khabulava, Chairman […]
The office of Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) in Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Transparency International Georgia (TIG) says the head of the commission that oversees and regulates the telecommunication and broadcasting sectors is not tending to his duties. TIG now calls on parliament to investigate if Irakli Chikovani […]
The emergency aid found in Gori last month. (Ministry of Refugees.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the third time the Refugee Ministry has discovered a warehouse where there has been kept products and household items meant to be distributed to the refugees from the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, but instead has been locked away all this time. […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili (right) during a visit by Russian journalist Ksenia Sokolova (left) in October, 2010. The president’s protection service, the SSPS, covered her stay with USD 6 000 and in addition paid for a USD 1 800 necklace for her. TBILISI, DFWatch–Two days before a planned rally by President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement, the ruling Georgian Dream coalition accuses it of embezzlement of state money. But the UNM claims the government is presenting […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party have taken the last two days off from work in parliament in order to prepare for a big rally on April 19. One of the party’s leaders, Davit Bakradze, on Wednesday explained that for two […]
Tbilisi, DF Watch – President Mikheil Saakashvili says it was possible to avoid Russia-Georgian war of August 2008 only if Georgia would give up its statehood. He also remembered details of war saying that more than […]
Merabishvili claims UNM members are under pressure (DFWatch Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili claims that a scathing attack on him by a former colleague was the result of pressure. A message posted to Facebook and allegedly written by Data Akhalaia, the former head of the domestic […]
Marina Dolidze, mother of Amiran. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals in a village close to the Black Sea shore claim that a group of soldiers late at night verbally and physically abused seven locals based on religious views. The locals say three military police department employees stopped Levan Meskhidze […]
Tamaz Khetsuriani, one of the drivers on strike in Imereti. (Maestro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Problems are building for the local population as drivers on a minibus route between Zestaponi and Samtredia, two small towns in western Georgia, are on strike against a cut in their salaries. The strike is especially causing problems for small scale […]
Data Akhalaia, former head of Georgia’s domestic intelligence service CSD/KUD, attacks former interior minister Vano Merabishvili in an open letter on Facebook. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A message posted on Facebook allegedly by a former official who fled from Georgia after the October elections has triggered a massive outcry in the country. The message purports to be written by Data Akhalaia, former head of Georgia’s domestic […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–42 percent of Georgians think that Russia is a threat to Georgia, but that the threat is exaggerated. 26 percent think Russia is a real threat to Georgia, while 23 percent think Russia is no threat to Georgia. 9 percent don’t know, while one percent refused to answer […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Most Georgians agree with a new constitutional amendment, which was recently passed and reduced the rights of the president. People also support an initiative to reverse a decision to have parliament in the country’s second biggest city Kutaisi, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has not invited President Mikheil Saakashvili to the celebration of Independence Day May 26, which this year will not involve a military parade. Vice Speaker of Parliament Manana Kobakhidze said the president still […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava has threatened that any investigator involved in the planned new investigation of the 2008 Georgia-Russia war will be participating in ‘betrayal’ and will be ‘punished’ when the right time comes. The government of […]
Thomas Hammarberg, the EU’s special representative to Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Thomas Hammarberg, the EU’s Special Representative in Georgia, says both sides of in the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 made mistakes and it is good if it will be investigated. Finishing off a visit, Hammarberg said at a press conference Sunday […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is visiting Germany to participate in a conference organized by the German Marshall Fund. Part of the delegation are also Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili, Foreign Affair Minister Maia Panjikidze, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ivanishvili government’s decision to launch a new investigation into the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 is receiving a lot of criticism from opponents and former government officials, who claim that the decision is ‘anti-state’ and will […]
Ishkhani is a Georgian monastery from the 7th century which lies inside Turkey. (Photo: Buba Kudava.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Turkey has agreed to allow Georgian specialists to participate in the restoration of a Georgian the 7th century Ishkhani Monastery on its territory. A meeting was held on Friday at the Ministry of Culture of Turkey in Ankara, where representatives […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakashvili, says Georgia has a government which is ashamed of conducting an independence day parade and this way gives up the key to its independence. Georgia marks its independence day on May 26. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The city assembly in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city, has dismissed its mayor by 14 votes against five. Besik Bregadze, former Kutaisi mayor, said that he now has an opportunity to rest, but still doesn’t know if he will remain […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained a 45 year old woman who is suspected of making and selling pornographic photo and video material of her 11 year old daughter. A 42 year old man was simultaneously detained in Israel, suspected of distributing […]
Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili and Poland’s president Bronisław Komorowski in Warsaw Friday. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili says he doesn’t plan to cooperate with a new investigation of the Russia-Georgia war in August, 2008. “I, as president, distance myself completely from the statement by the prime minister that it was a fault […]
USA2Georgia, one of the companies that offers online shopping to Georgians. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The e-commerce company PayPal will now offer its services in the country Georgia. It is not easy to get onto the company’s list of countries it covers, Deputy Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili said Thursday. “But thanks to the efforts […]
The large hail stones caused damage to mainly peach trees and vineyards. TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight villages were affected by the hailstorm April 10, which lasted about 20 minutes and destroyed crops, mainly peach trees and vineyards. Among the villages that were damaged were Ruispiri, Ikalto, Kondoli and Tsinandali. In some of the villages, […]
Ishkhani Monastery in Turkey is undergoing restoration work. TBILISI, DFWatch–The rehabilitation of the Georgian Ishkhani Monastery on Turkish territory has been partly suspended. The Ministry of Culture a few days ago asked for a halt in rehabilitation work at the 7th century monastery until Georgian specialists have had […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained two prison employees for torturing and raping a prisoner in 2012. The detentions took place at Ksani prison north of the capital. Two other employees are being searched for in the same case. The Prosecutor’s Office […]
The Georgian mineral water Borjomi will soon be on sale in Russian supermarkets. TBILISI, DFWatch–After a second round of inspection, the Georgian mineral water Borjomi has been allowed to export to Russia. The watershed decision became known in Russian media on Thursday. Russian customer rights’ service known as Rospotrebnadzor has completed […]
The hail left a 7-8 cm thick layer on the ground some places. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A hailstorm Wednesday destroyed harvest and flooded the first floors of houses in the village Ruispiri in eastern Georgia. Information Center of Kakheti reports that the hailstorm lasted 20 minutes and ripped the flowers off trees. “The hail […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has defended an initiative to investigate what happened during the war in 2008 between Russia and Georgia. The small Caucasus nation fought a brief war against Russia in August that year, and as Russia […]
The evaluation will not touch on the question of whether Russia started the war, which Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says is proven by the facts. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In the next few days, Georgia will begin an evaluation of its own military actions during the war with Russia in August, 2008. Georgian military experts who have studied the August war have for a long time said it is necessary to have an official […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has a clear message to President Mikheil Saakashvili: If you want to dismiss the government and announce a new election for parliament, go ahead and see what happens. Ivanishvili said he would welcome […]
Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakashvili (left), two days after he broke his arm in three places in a bicycle accident. Turkish president Abdullah Gül right. TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite having a broken arm, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili carried on his tour of Turkey Tuesday and met his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gül. On Sunday, Saakashvili crashed with a trailer in Antalya during his daily bicycle exercise. […]
Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg says his country can not mediate between Georgia and Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia only respects larger states, therefore the Czech Republic cannot be mediator between Georgia and Russia, Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg said on Tuesday. The minister, who is visiting Georgia, said this at a joint press conference […]
People gathered outside the old parliament in Tbilisi to pay tribute to those who were killed on April 9, 1989. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–April 9 Georgia remembered that it was 24 years since Soviet troops dispersed a peaceful protest in Tbilisi, and 22 years since the day when Georgia restored its independence. People started arriving late night yesterday at the April 9 memorial […]
Education Minister Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s education minister Giorgi Margvelashvili has announced that school books will be free for every pupil in 2013-2014. He made the announcement at a press conference at one of the schools in Tbilisi on Monday. Margvelashvili underlined […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) says people are still being fired for political reasons in Georgia and calls on the government to prevent it. The call comes after the dismissal of several employees of the local […]
Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili broke his arm Monday as he was out cycling in Antalya, Turkey. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has broken his arm while riding a bicycle during a visit to Turkey. He is undergoing medical treatment in Istanbul and all his meetings are postponed. The accident was reported by Turkish media, […]
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s justice minister says it is necessary to question President Mikheil Saakashvili about the Russian-Georgian war in August 2008. Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani on Monday told local journalists that when the time comes for questioning […]
Tamar Kordzaia is Georgian Dream’s candidate for the Nadzaladevi district in the capital Tbilisi. (Georgian Dream photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission in Georgia has confirmed the list of candidates for the by-elections on April 27. The two major political blocs in Georgia presented their majoritarian candidates one week ago. The election is needed because three […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Michael Aastrup Jensen and Boriss Cilevics from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will arrive in Georgia on Monday for a five-day visit. On Monday, the co-rapporteurs have planned to hold meetings with Prime Minister Bidzina […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili met with Georgians in the Turkish city Bursa. (President’s photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili is on an official visit to Turkey, and has already held meetings with the Turkish prime minister and ethnic Georgians living in the northern industrial city Bursa. After meeting with the prime minister, […]
From the reopening of Rabati castle in August, 2012. (President’s photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Friday a round table discussion was held about the rehabilitation of historic Rabati castle in the south of Georgia, but it ended without agreement. Representatives of the Culture Ministry, arts experts, archeologists, clerics, as well as the Secretary […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament has finally passed the bill about common courts after months of discussions. But the law still requires the president’s signature in order to come into force, which it is expected that President Mikheil Saakashvili will refuse to provide. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto government of Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia has released six Georgians who were detained for ‘illegally crossing the border.’ Two of them have been detained since September 19, 2012. Malkhaz Titvelashvili and Givi […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government on Friday defended Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili after he was listed in an article in the Guardian as one of the people who own secret companies registered on the British Virgin Islands. The reason he didn’t disclose […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will conduct a population census November 5-19, 2014. An action plan is already ready and preparations for the census will start in 2013. Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure Davit Narmania and Head of the National […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of prisoners in Georgia was reduced by 56.2 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, according to the Ministry of Corrections. The number of prisoners has been a cause of alarm during the last years. […]
The Mtkvari is the longest river in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–The course of one of the main rivers in Georgia will not be changed, the energy minister said at a meeting with members of President Saakashvili’s party on Thursday. Mtkvari is the longest river in Georgia, and crosses the whole country from west […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili’s National Movement party has lost its majority in Kutaisi city assembly. This is the second largest city in Georgia, and where the parliament currently is located. A nearby air field also newly connected the city by international […]
Rabati castle in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia. (Ministry of Culture.) Turkey’s ambassador to Georgia confirms that experts from Turkey have visited Rabati castle and requested certain ‘changes and improvements’ for the complex. Two days ago, a spokesperson for President Mikheil Saakashvili presented a draft of an agreement […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The head of Adjara police has been taken to hospital with convulsions and strong anxiety after he was accused of violence and an organization demanded his suspension. Doctors say police chief Valerian Telia, who was brought […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party is critical to a process to amend the law on the occupied territories. The amendment deals with rules for how to travel to the breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia and punishment for breaking the rules. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government has announced a USD 3 million tender for the rehabilitation reconstruction of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. On Mikheil Saakashvili’s initiative, a new parliament was built in Kutaisi, the second largest city in the country. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Several hundred prisoners have complained to the public defender’s office from September of 2012 until the end of the year saying they were subject to mistreatment by prison staff. The disturbing figures are included in the ombudsman’s annual […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM) party is withdrawing a proposal to give amnesty to people guilty of financial fraud, saying it would fail to get the necessary votes. Member of Parliament for UNM Zurab Japaridze on Wednesday […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili at the reopening of Rabati Castle in August 2012. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili claims that the Ivanishvili government plans to make a deal with Turkey about removing Christian symbols from the historic Rabati Castle, but the Ministry of Culture claims Rabati won’t be destroyed in any of case. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–In 2014, Georgia will conduct its first population census in 25 years. This was decided by the State Coordination Commission on Tuesday. Head of the commission is Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. The last census was conducted in 1989 […]
