![According to the report, arbitrary detentions by Russian and de facto [South Ossetian] authorities of Georgian citizens along the administrative boundary line remain one of Georgia’s significant human rights challenges.](https://dfwatch.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/khurvaleti_border_fence.jpg)
As the observance of Orthodox Easter starts today with Palm Sunday, many will be unable to go to cemeteries
Georgia's frozen conflict hampers Easter celebration in border villages
DFWatch staff
US congressman names Ivanishvili ‘illegal arms trader’, calls for freezing his assets
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Republican Steve Russell called for sanctions against representatives of the Georgian government for attempts at rigging the upcoming elections.
Steve Russell, 53, representative of Oklahoma, delivered a speech in the United States House of Representatives,
Ombudsman asks for thorough investigation of death in detention
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Defender has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate a death in preliminary detention.
The ombudsman’s statement reads that March 15, a person who was detained a day before died in a detention facility
Flying Spaghetti Monster not approved as religion in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Registry in Georgia rejected an application to register the Autocephalous Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as a public legal entity.
Journalist Lexo Machavarian’s April 19 application was rejected for two reasons. First, because
Eight flights postponed at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind
TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight flights were postponed yesterday at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind.
All the affected flights were by Turkish Airlines. Interpressnews quoted an airport spokesperson saying that the decision was made by the airline.
The delayed flights
Abkhazia shelves proposal to allow sale of real estate to foreigners
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia has decided not to lift a ban on selling real estate to foreigners.
The de facto parliament in Sukhumi has rejected a draft law that would have lifted the ban, which is written into the constitution.
Georgia plans total ban on tobacco ads, other strict measures
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is preparing an anti-smoking bill. It is not yet known when the law will come into force.
Amiran Gamkrelidze, head of the National Center for Disease Control, says he hopes that the new regulations will come into force from fall.
Georgia's universal health insurance will not be changed
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s minister of healthcare says there is no plan to change the system of universal health insurance, but the government is considering a number of reforms.
Appearing in parliament Wednesday to talk about last year’s achievements,
Darejan Tvaltvadze elected acting rector of Tbilisi State University
TBILISI, DFWatch–Academic staff at Tbilisi State University voted for a new acting rector on Wednesday. The winner was the vice rector, Darejan Tvaltvadze, who received 526 out of 967 votes cast.
Other candidates were TSU professors Levan Gordeziani
UN chief to visit South Caucasus this month
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon will pay an official visit to Georgia on 23–24 April on the invitation of Georgia’s Prime Minister.
The Secretary General will hold meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches.