TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is waiting for confirmation from the European Union about whether to send military advisers to Mali to assist the Union’s mission there. Georgia told the EU in December it would contribute militarily to the fight against an Islamist insurgency […]
Five policemen who detained Tengiz Gunava, a former Interior Ministry employee, were later fired. Many Georgians are now complaining about police violating procedural rules. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new report says a growing number of people are complaining about assaults and threats from the police. The troubling statistic appears in the Georgian ombudsman’s annual report to parliament, which takes stock of the human rights situation […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia eases sanctions for entering its breakaway regions without proper procedures prescribed by the law on occupied territories. Violating this law first time will entail administrative sanctions, not criminal persecution and imprisonment as it is now. […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Rospotrebnadzor, a Russian state customer rights’ service, unexpectedly blocked comeback of Borjomi, the best-known Georgian mineral water brand, to the Russian market for undefined period. Even though Borjomi […]
Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II says it is unacceptable to renew talks about adopting the language charter (IPN photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Illia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgian Orthodox Church, considers unacceptable to renew talks about adopting the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – As Archil Kbilashvili, the Chief Prosecutor, said the president might be interrogated on the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia, seizure of independent TV by Saakashvili’s close ally and ‘some other cases’. […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Abkhaz de facto leader was evidently informed that Russian Orthodox Church, unlike the Kremlin which recognized Abkhazia as an independent country, wouldn’t tolerate drawing ecclesiastical borders along political split-lines, at least formally. […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s National Platform, an umbrella group of the tens of local NGOs, claims that information about current events of Georgia is incorrectly reported abroad and such situation evokes many challenges during a process […]
Zaal Samadashvili will retain the post of City Assembly Chairman for the next three months (Official Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Seven members of Tbilisi City Assembly, all from the Saakashvili’s United National Movement, were summoned on Friday for interrogation to the investigative body of the Ministry […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – A Georgian was released from prison by the breakaway region South Ossetia Friday. This was the third Georgian prisoner to be released in the same number of days. The de facto authorities of the region on Friday released Ushangi Dotiashvili, […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Ministry of Defense prepared two draft laws which, it argues, will increase its accountability before the parliament. The draft is about public and secret procurement […]
Storm damaged boulevard of Batumi (President Press-office Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The extent of damage after a storm March 23 continues to increase and has now reached about USD 4 million, according to the latest estimate. Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze on Thursday informed that the worst losses was damaged houses […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s participation in the EU led mission in Mali is finally decided but the details has been yet to be defined, nor is it clear how many Georgian officers will participate in operation in the war-torn African nation, Vako Avaliani, Advisor of the Defense Minister, told DF Watch. […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Foreign ministers of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey will be meeting on Thursday in Batumi, a city on the Black Sea coast. […]
The body belonged to a man who was seen falling overboard in the middle of a storm four days earlier. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The crew of a Georgian fishing boat Wednesday discovered the body of a man, 55, drifting in the Black Sea. The deceased, Davit Geladze, had been lost at sea during the storm of March 23 and was the subject of a search operation at the time his […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – President Mikheil Saakashvili has signed the constitutional amendment which reduces his power, and it will be enforced as soon as it is published on Georgia’s legislative website. Speaker of Parliament […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – A second group of Russian experts who should have arrived in Georgia on March 25 to monitor about 40 companies have rescheduled their visit for the beginning of April. […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – OSCE supports a draft law to reform Georgia’s public broadcaster, but has some critical remarks. The organization’s media freedom representative, Dunja Mijatović, thinks the amendments of the law on broadcasting can provide for pluralism and transparency […]
Agriculture University students perform at Education Ministry (DFWatch Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Agricultural University got its authorization back on March 26, two weeks after it was suspended by the authorization commission. The university is now allowed to carry on with all its 25 accredited programs. […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch -President Saakashvili on Monday presented parliament with a list of five new ambassadors. The candidates are Khatuna Salukvadze for Lithuania, Zurab Pataradze for Kazakhstan, Irakli Koplatadze for Turkey, Teimuraz Sharashenidze for Azerbaijan […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Swiss Ambassador’s appealed to Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, besieged by some MEPs mostly from influential European People’s Party, with an open letter which he wrote […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has awarded the architects behind the rehabilitation of Bagrati Cathedral the Medal of Excellence shortly after the cathedral rehabilitation was awarded the international prize Domus Restoration and Conservation. […]
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The governing coalition in Georgia says parliament will listen to President Mikheil Saakashvili’s annual address as soon as a set of recently passed constitutional amendments are signed into law and enforced. February 8, Saakashvili should have […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The constitutional amendments which reduce the powers of President Mikheil Saakashvili were passed on Monday by 114 votes against 0 at the third and final hearing. When the amendments come into force, the president can no longer change […]
Tbilisi, DFWAtch – President Saakashvili on Monday barred Parliament from voting on the bill which according to the government will ‘depoliticize’ courts while United National Movement, the former ruling party […]
The protesters demand simpler procedures for obtaining social assistance. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–It has caused strong reactions in Georgia that a one year old child died of hunger late at night on March 22. All over the country people are demonstrating against hunger and poverty. According to the doctors, one year-old Gogita Abashidze died […]
The storm also hit Batumi. (Photo: Vako Kavzharadze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm that hit Georgia’s Black Sea coast has inflicted losses of USD 1.8 million in the Adjara region alone, according to preliminary estimates. Archil Khabadze, Chairman of the Adjaria government, said at a briefing Saturday that 43 houses […]
Striking workers are blocking a railway line in Poti. TBILISI, DFWatch–The management of the metallurgical plant in Poti has fired nine employees the day after the port workers there went on strike. This decision led to a renewal of the workers’ rally, who at first demanded better working conditions and normal salary, […]
The storm has damaged Black Sea coast in Georgia (Photo: IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A tearing storm that hit Georgia on Sunday morning and has damaged infrastructure in Batumi city, the most popular tourist sight on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. No casualties reported yet, one fishermen disappeared, Ajara autonomous republic’s local authorities stated. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia again has offered to cancel visa requirements for Georgian citizens, if Georgia creates legal guarantees for Russian citizens to safely visiting the country, which means that Georgia will have to amend its law on the occupied territories. […]
Port and metal workers in Poti went on strike Saturday to demand better conditions. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Port and metal workers in Poti went on strike Saturday, demanding to improve their work conditions and have a normal salary. Journalists from the port city report that workers at the Georgian-Indian owned metallurgical plant were on strike the whole […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili and his wife Sandra Roelofs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili says he sees his role as different now than when he was in government. “My goal is to watch over the framework of our constitution and ensure that the government has an effective opposition and that the […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–While the students at the Agricultural University are waiting to see if their learning institution will get its accreditation back, they are continuing to attend lectures and demonstrating outside the Education Ministry. Chances are good that […]
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Davit Zalkaliani. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia held a final round of negotiations about an association agreement with the EU March 21-22. This latest round, which dealt with the political part of the agreement, saw some progress which means that Georgia is better prepared for the Eastern […]
A farewell ceremony was held at Vaziani military base outside of Tbilisi. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The 33rd and 42nd battalions of Georgia’s III and IV infantry brigades are today getting ready to depart for Afghanistan to participate in NATO’s ISAF mission. According to the Defense Ministry, both battalions have been through a six-month […]
EU’s Ambassador to Georgia, Philip Dimitrov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Commission recommends that Georgia amends its law on the occupied territories, improves errors in its election legislation, reforms its justice system, and avoids selective justice. The Commission writes this in a new report about the […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s coalition Thursday accepted a demand from President Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party, which let it pass a set of constitutional amendments which reduces the rights of the president. After the […]
US Ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–US Ambassador Richard Norland says Georgia has a strong and competitive government, a competitive parliament, independent media and justice system, and a strong and experienced opposition. Norland said this during a meeting in parliament Thursday. […]
Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri (left) and Defense Minister Irakli Alasania inspecting a military camp earlier this month. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Irakli Alasania Thursday told parliament that the defense ministry last year purchased 25 000 SIM cards for mobile phones in order to build up Facebook support before the election. Speaking during a meeting with the defense committee […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The constitutional amendments to limit the president’s power to dismiss parliament may fail to be passed. The reason is that Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvivi’s Georgian Dream coalition lacks the votes to pass the amendments, while Saakashvili’s […]
Emergency aid given after the 2008 war has been rotting away in several storehouses around Georgia. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Local government and Refugee Ministry representatives have discovered another locked warehouse full of undistributed equipment and supplies intended for people affected by the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. This is the second such discovery. In late 2012 […]
Students staged a mock lecture in the street in front of the Education Ministry. (Tabula TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Education Quality Development Center will March 26 at 18:00 decide whether to reinstate the Agricultural University’s accreditation. The center on Wednesday informed that five issues will be on the agenda of Tuesday’s session, including the issue […]
Prisoners released in the 2013 amnesty. (Photo is unrelated to the story in the article.) (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tengiz, a man now in his early sixties, was sentenced to 11 years in jail for burglary in 2007. December 7, 2012, he was pardoned by the president because of a difficult health condition after being recommended by Prison Minister Sozar Subari. Two […]
Member of Parliament Davit Bakradze says the National Movement party will give exactly as many votes to the governing coalition as it needs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party has agreed to support a set of the constitutional amendments which will limit the powers of the president, but only if Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s coalition lacks the required votes. The Georgian […]
Georgia’s new ambassador to the US, Archil Gegeshidze. (Radio Liberty.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s new ambassador to the US will continue his activity just like his predecessors did. Newly appointed ambassador Archil Gegeshidze Tuesday said President Mikheil Saakashvili for month didn’t sign the document about […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The former AC Milan player who is became Georgia’s Energy Minister plans to hold a farewell football match in the end of May. Kakhi Kaladze, who played for Milan in 2001-2010 and 2010-2012 for Genoa, originally planned to hold a final symbolic […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili currently has no specific plan to visit the United States. However, there visiting the US is on the list of future plans, according to Archil Gegeshidze, Georgia’s new ambassador to the US. After the […]
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maia Panjikidze, and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze on Tuesday met with the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to discuss bilateral relations and further cooperation. During her visit to Azerbaijan, Panjikidze also met with the prime minister […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President of Georgia on Monday approved the list of nine new ambassadors, by signing the document which parliament passed February 20. The new ambassadors are those serving in Belgium, Ukraine, France, US, Hungary, Austria, Latvia, Czech Republic […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is considering taking part in military operations held under the auspices of the European Union. First Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Davit Zalkaliani Monday informed the media about planned activities of the ministry. He said that Georgia […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–After an exchange of open letters between Georgian government officials and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the European People’s Party, the Georgian government has now published a long memorandum to argue its case against criticism […]
The yacht club in Batumi is closed because of a storm. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm hit Georgia Sunday evening and is threatening to inflict damage. Rescue personnel are mobilized in several regions of the country. According to local media, the wind has a speed of 20 meters per second on the Black Sea coast in the Adjara […]
Students at the Agriculture University continue to protest today, despite promises to restore the school’s accreditation. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Center for Education Quality Development on Saturday informed that the Agriculture University has corrected errors which led to its accreditation being suspended, and the authorization process will start on Monday. The center’s March 12 decision […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia will today start reviewing a draft bill for amending the constitution and reduce the president’s right to dismiss the government any time he wants without confirmation from the parliament. The bill, which is signed by 78 MPs, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister will participate at a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg from April 20. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will address the assembly, according to Tina Khidasheli, a member […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian speaker of parliament said his week-long visit to the US has been ‘beneficial, interesting and timely.’ Speaker Davit Usupashvili was Saturday meeting with the media after holding nearly 50 meetings with the US Congress, State […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A forensic examination has concluded that a video clip of a police operation in 2004 which ended the life of Buta Robakidze has been edited. The Prosecutor’s Office on Friday published the results of an examination of the video, which was released […]
Firefighters have cut down trees to try to contain the fire. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Firefighters are trying to contain a bushfire that is spreading in the Adjara region in south western Georgia on the Black Sea shores, bur wind is making their work is made difficult. Journalists for the local newspaper Batumelebi and the news agency […]
Simon Fraser, the UK’s Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, is visiting Georgia. (DF Watch photo.) DF Watch spoke to Simon Fraser, the United Kingdom’s Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, and David Moran, the UK’s Ambassador to Georgia, about the current situation. DF Watch: What is the view of the UK of our domestic processes as we for the […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A road in the Mtskheta region close to the capital is closed for all traffic after an avalanche. Also part of a road in Gudauri-Kobi in northern Georgia is blocked by masses of snow. The Road Department on Friday said clearance work is in progress. […]
Wilfried Martens, Belgian veteran politician and co-founder of the European People’s Party, is a staunch supporter of Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European People’s Party has published a declaration that highlights a divide in how current events in Georgia are understood in Brussels and Tbilisi. The EPP has adopted a declaration that makes it clear that the party thinks Georgia is no […]
Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Alexi Petriashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A time schedule for implementing the action plan for visa liberalization between Georgia and the EU has been confirmed. Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Alexi Petriashvili explained Thursday that the new agreement sets detailed goals for […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The prisoner amnesty in Georgia ended its term of execution March 13. 8 322 prisoners were freed in total. According to the Prison Ministry, about 800 cases are still pending review in court. Most of them are about charges of fraud, cases which […]
Prime Minister Bidizina Ivanishvili (Press Office Photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister has sent an open letter in response to a letter signed by 23 members of the European parliament for the European People’s Party (EPP). The center-right EPP criticizes Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for conducting […]
Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Press office Photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister says Europe has unrealistic expectations about the two political blocs in his country drawing a line over the past. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said Europe expects the former and current governments to start […]
Interpol’s notice regarding Davit Chakua. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia asks for help from Interpol in its search for a former government official. This time, the wanted note is about Davit Chakua, the former head of the prison department, who is charged with abuse of powers, humiliating and inhumane treatment, […]
Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has created a 12 member investigative group to deal with the mass of complaints flowing in. Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili said on Wednesday that the group consists solely of young prosecutors who finished […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Four fired doctors on Wednesday ended their week-long hunger strike after learning that the director of the emergency service where they worked has been removed from his position. The doctors started their protest March 6. They said had they […]
The students continued protesting Wednesday. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After another day of protest against the suspension of the Agriculture University’s accreditation, students and the education minister agreed to meet again and go through all the details which caused the suspension. On Wednesday, the students were […]
Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are twelve Georgian prisoners in South Ossetia, a breakaway Georgian region, according to the public defender Ucha Nanuashvili. He told Pirveli Radio Wednesday that his office has received positive signal from non-government organizations in […]
Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s chief prosecutor and justice minister claim that the long time former interior minister Vano Merabishvili was implicated in the killing of Sandro Girgvliani, a controversial murder committed by the police in 2006. Chief Prosecutor Archil […]
Speaker of the Georgian parliament, Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–23 members of the European parliament for the European People’s Party are criticized for being either misinformed or else writing a ‘shameful’ letter to the prime minister of Georgia. “That letter is a shame, or the MEPs didn’t know […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–In the case about the doctors on hunger strike, a managing council will be set up to chair the emergency service until the problems are solved. Health Minister Davit Sergeenko said it is being done to find a way out in the case of the four […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission has published its final recommendations on the draft of law amendments which are meant to reform the court system in Georgia and make the courts truly independent. The draft bill will amend the law on Courts […]
Graph showing number of visitors to Georgia 2006-2013. (Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The majority of foreign visitors to Georgia in 2013 came from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine and Iran. As there is no mechanism to categorize people crossing the border of the country, the government provides general information about […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia dropped by 47 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to the previous year, according to a new report by National Statistics Department, GeoStat. According to preliminary data, the total amount of […]
Zurab Lataria, one of the doctors on hunger strike. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four emergency service doctors have been on hunger strike since March 6. They are protesting against being fired and demand to replace the local management. The doctors claim that the director of the emergency center illegally fired them and that […]
Bacho Akhalaia on the day of his detention, November 7, 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former interior minister and close Saakashvili ally Bacho Akhalaia has been moved from a relatively privileged facility to Prison No 8 in north Tbilisi, notorious for numerous cases of torture and death. Akhalaia, who has been in detention since […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A draft law already presented to parliament which will reduce the powers of the president may be amended. According to the draft of constitutional changes, if the president dismisses parliament and government, he won’t have the right to himself […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe is finished preparing its first set of recommendations regarding a draft bill for reforming the Georgian justice system. Even though the recommendations have not yet been published, both President […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch–Georgia’s Speaker of Parliament on Sunday left for his first visit to the US amidst harsh criticism of the country’s new government from the Congress and US media. Davit Usupashvili, the speaker and the chairman of the Republican Party, […]
Dimitry Shashkin on Rustavi 2. TBILISI, DFWatch–The government want to question newly returned former defense minister Dimitry Shashkin about the embezzlement of state money and appropriation of petrol belonging to the ministry. Defense Minister adviser Vako Avaliani said Friday that an […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office has presented a new charge against the former head of the military police for illegal deprivation of liberty and humiliating treatment. Khatuna Paichadze, spokesperson for the Prosecutor’s Office, said Saturday that Megis […]
Minister for Diaspora Issues Kote Surguladze arrived with one hand in a cast. (Palitra TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four out of nineteen ministers appeared at the government session on Thursday with some kind of injury. Journalists were surprised to see minister after minister arriving with a broken arm or a black eye. Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze, a former AC […]
Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi. (National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The controversial restoration of Georgia’s historic Bagrati Cathedral has been awarded the international prize Domus Restoration and Conservation. According to the jury, ‘the intervention of critical reintegration of Bagrati Cathedral, one of the […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia on Friday decided to end the practice of mandatory consecutive sentence. Following the amendments to the Criminal Law code and Criminal Law Procedure Code, the longer sentence absorbs the shorter one; what is called […]
Georgia’s justice minister, Thea Tsulukiani. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a moment resembling the publication of Obama’s birth certificate, Georgia’s justice minister Tuesday appeared on the Public Broadcaster’s Channel 1 holding up two of her university diplomas as proof that she has enough education for the position. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament Thursday evening voted unanimously for a resolution that says the country aims to join the EU and NATO and defines the EU and the US as its ‘top strategic partners.’ This comes after a period in which President […]
Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri (left) and Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government accuses former officials during Saakashvili’s time in power of having embezzled state money in order to purchase luxurious cars and unnecessary apartments. The apartments were discovered at military bases which are in a […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s proposed amnesty for financial crimes has been rejected in parliament, as it failed to garner support in any of the parliamentary committees. At the plenary session Wednesday it emerged that representatives from […]
Chairman of the Supreme Court Kote Kublashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishivli says that he and Chairman of the Supreme Court have not discussed the issue of impeaching the latter. “We only spoke about how we should develop and go forward,” Ivanishivli says. Kote Kublashvili has […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia today passed a law which allows filming and taking photographs inside courtrooms. Also at today’s plenary session, parliamentarians decided to cancel fees for kindergartens and to separate the garbage fee from the […]
Levan Davitashvili, Chairman of the National Wine Agency. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian consumer safety bureau Rospotrebnadzor confirms that 36 Georgian wine companies and four mineral water companies are ready to enter the Russian market. On Wednesday, the agency, which is a federal service for protection consumers’ rights […]
Former government minister Dimitry Shashkin came back to Georgia today. (Imedi.) TBILISI, DFwatch–A former defense minister returned to Georgia Wednesday morning, accompanied by his family, to answer questions from investigators if it becomes necessary. So far, there are no charges against him. (Updated with comments from the Prosecutor’s Office […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has a large collection of art. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is still Georgia’s richest person, but his fortune has shrunk by USD 1.1 billion to USD 5.3 billion, according to a new rating by Forbes Magazine. On Forbes’s new list of the world’s richest people in 2013, Bidzina […]
Georgian Public Broadcaster board meeting. (Channel 1.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The supervisory board of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has dismissed the company’s chairman because he fired the news chief, allegedly for political reasons. After the change of government in Georgia, TV channels have gone through a period of […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The level of inflation did not significantly change in February, 2013, compared to the preceding month. According to Georgian National Statistics Department, GeoStat, the national currency is up by 0.3 percent. Price changes in the following […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A former high official in the Georgian prison system admits guilt in a case of mistreatment and torture of prisoners, but says he was a victim of the Saakashvili regime.Gaga Mkurnalidze, former deputy chairman of the Prison Department, is one of 17 […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili claims a group of Georgian exiles in Russia were behind the Georgian Dream coalition’s election win in October, 2012. (Photo: President’s administration.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili claims that billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili came to power in 2012 thanks to a group of Georgian exiles in Russia who provided funding and support. As he returned from a trip to Azerbaijan last week, Saakashvili […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says his meeting with President Mikheil Saakashvili was an exercise in futility. Summing up today’s conversation with Saakashvili, he opened with asking the journalists: “You have met with the president, did you […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili says three main challenges are facing democracy in Georgia: establishing independent courts, to end pressure against the media and to stop political persecution. He said this after a meeting with Prime Minister Bidzina […]
Snow chains is a prerequisite on some roads in Georgia these days. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The latest snowfall has made driving conditions so poor that the road from the winter resort Gudauri to the village Kobi has been closed for all traffic. On other roads there are restrictions from some types of traffic. Along the road section from […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Expectations are high before a meeting between Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and President Mikheil Saakashvili now at 15:00 Monday to solve a crisis over the constitution. Saakashvili has arrived at the government office in his electric car – this time with an escort […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president and prime minister of Georgia will meet have their second official meeting today at 15:00 at the government office to discuss ‘important topics for the country.’ The meeting will be closed to the media. Only PR staff working for the […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Saturday held pretrial hearing in two of the five criminal cases currently brought against former defense minister Bacho Akhalaia to decide on preventive measures before the trial. For the third time, Akhalaia was given pretrial […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office Saturday presented a fifth charge against close Saakashvili ally Bacho Akhalaia, this time about torture through abuse of powers. Those who were tortured were ‘punished’ for their political views, and the crime was […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office lost its appeal about issuing bail conditions for Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava in a case about money laundering and embezzlement. The Appeals Court refused to set a one million GEL (USD 600 000) bail for mayor and suspend him […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the main topics of conversation when Georgia and Russia met in Prague yesterday was whether Russia will simplify visa rules for Georgian citizens. (Article has been updated with comments from Russia’s foreign ministry.) The two countries […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president and prime minister will meet on Monday. The main topic of conversation will be ‘important issues of the country’, according to the president. The date of their meeting became known on Friday, after Prime Minister Bidzina […]
Bacho Akhalaia will be charged with setting off a prison riot in 2006 which claimed the lives of seven prisoners. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former government minister and close Saakashvili ally will be charged with misconduct during the country’s largest prison riot in 2006 which caused seven deaths. The Prosecutor’s Office today presented details of the prison riot and charged Bacho […]
From left to right: Georgia’s first lady Sandra Roelofs, President Mikheil Saakashvili, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva. (President’s administration.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili says no matter who is in government, the country will continue the same foreign policy course, also in relations with neighboring Azerbaijan. The Georgian leader visited Azerbaijan for two days and held meetings with his […]
Gregory Karasin represents Russia at today’s meeting in Prague. (Atlantic Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives of Georgia and Russia meet in Prague today to discuss trade, cultural and transport issues. The countries still have no formal relations after fighting a war in 2008. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili a few months ago appointed Zurab […]
Used cars is no longer Georgia’s number one export article. (MIA.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s economy has shifted toward processing industry, after many years of basing its exports on used cars and scrap metal, according to an economy expert. New figures show that the country’s economy is growing; and now, the export is no longer […]
Mikheil Saakashvili and his electric car. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has started a boycott of the protection services, testing the limits of the law. The message he wants to get out is that the government has cut his funding so much that they just as well might take away the security […]
The case of former government member Bacho Akhalaia and six others is the most controversial of the current trials.(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The trial of former interior minister Bacho Akhalaia and six others was rescheduled for today, because the judge had to make a decision about whether to allow evidence to be admitted. The new evidence was presented by the Prosecutor’s Office. […]
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko presented the new health insurance program Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new health insurance program became available to Georgians from Thursday. The program is open for citizens from the age of 6 to 60 who have not had health insurance before. Health insurance for every Georgian citizen was a part of the Georgian […]
Former interior minister Bacho Akhalaia was back in court Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The most controversial court case against former officials continued on Thursday, as ex interior minister Bacho Akhalaia made another appearance in the city court here in Tbilisi. The close Saakashvili ally is charged with abuse of powers, illegal […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili Wednesday appeared to drive his blue Nissan to the airport together with his wife without the protection of guards. He explained that it is the fifth week he hasn’t been using the services of the president’s […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili is concerned that Russian banks lately have bought two Georgian banks and plan to make more deals with other banks in Georgia. The Georgian banks in question deny the content of what the president said. Also the banks in […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili accuses the Ivanishvili government of failing to adopt a common document with EU, while it accuses him of telling lies. Tuesday, during a meeting with TV reporters, the president said that for the first time […]
From left to right: Georgia’s Patriarch Ilia II, the ambassador’s wife Mary Hartnett, and US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland. (US Embassy photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland asks the Ivanishvili government to avoid vengeance as it seeks to prosecute many of the people who ran the country while President Mikheil Saakashvili held power. “There was a need now to balance the desire for […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili today starts a two day visit to Azerbaijan. The visit will take place on February 27-28 and includes a personal meeting with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, according to the Georgian president’s press office. […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili talking to TV journalists. (Photo by the president’s administrations.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili says he wants to sit down with Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili to talk about how to solve a gridlocked power-sharing process. “I think we should talk with the government about many issues, like relations with Russia, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says his Georgian Dream coalition will agree to a demand put forth by President Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement and offer former government officials amnesty. The head of government writes in an open letter […]
Davit Davitashvili, Chairman of the National Wine Agency. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Six Russian experts yesterday landed in Georgia to inspect the production process of wine with an eye to returning the beverage back onto Russian dinner tables. They are sent here by the Russian consumer protection agency CPS to inspect companies […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police have detained two former policemen involved in the Robakidze case; a police operation in 2004 which led to the death of a 19-year old man. The two, Maizer Liparteliani and Levan Lobzhanidze, were detained Monday evening because they changed […]
Cecilia Malmström (left), EU’s Commissioner for Home Affairs, and Maia Panjikidze, Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister. (MFA.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU has agreed with Georgia about a visa action plan that may one day allow Georgians to enter Europe without a visa. But first, the country must pass through a set of requirements in data safety, border management, migration, public order, security […]
Gigi Ugulava will continue as mayor of Tbilisi until the first trial hearing. He is charged with money laundering and embezzlement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court did not listen to a plea from the Prosecutor’s Office to suspend Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Uglava from his position. Neither did it set bail conditions. Monday, the court reviewed the charges against Ugulava, a member of President […]
Zurab Abashidze represents Georgia in direct talks with Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Russia will meet for a second round of direct talks in Prague on March 1. The two countries have still not established formal relations following a brief war in 2008. Georgia’s envoy, Zurab Abashidze, told journalists Monday that they will […]
Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava addressing supporters after being questioned by investigators Saturday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office wants Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava removed from office and on a USD 600 000 bail as he awaits trial for money laundering and embezzlement. Even though Ugulava, a close ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili, is an elected […]
Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili says he may want to question Saakashvili about the takeover of Imedi TV. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili may be asked to give testimony as a witness in the case about the takeover of a TV station. The reason is that an investor who played a key role in bringing Imedi TV under his government’s control in 2008 said he was […]
Former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili is wanted in his home country Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president says it was not right of the former justice minister Zurab Adeishvili to run away from the country and that he wouldn’t have done the same. But Mikheil Saakashvili also said that Zurab Adeishvili had planned to leave Georgia […]
TBILISI, DFWatch -A former sports minister detained for being involved in a fatal gun accident that killed his friend was Saturday released on GEL 3,000 (USD 1,800) bail by Tbilisi court, along with two other men charged for the same incident. Lado Vardzelashvili, former sports […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili, who will leave office in October, says that he doesn’t plan to leave politics, because this would mean running away from the battlefield and letting everything which he has built be ruined. Saakashvili has served […]
Mikheil Saakashvili on Channel 1 talk show Friday. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili made a rare appearance on a TV talk show and spoke about his own and his government’s errors. Saakashvili was invited to Channel 1 to answer […]
Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava appoints Sevdia Ugrekhelidze as his replacement, in case he himself ends up in prison. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava is slapped with charges of money laundering and embezzlement, he appoints who will replace him if he is arrested. Thursday evening, Ugulava presented Sevdia Ugrekhelidze, a Tbilisi Council member, as the new first vice […]
Zviad Dzidziguri (center) and Bidzina Gujabidze (right), members of parliament for the Conservative Party, a part of the Georgian Dream coalition, dressed in the traditional Georgian attire Chokha. (Parliament photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Lawmakers in Georgia Friday discussed a proposal to allow members of the assembly to wear the national dress Chokha while in parliament. The bill is the initiative of Bidzina Gujabidze from the Conservative Party, who argues that the physical […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava is charged with money laundering and embezzlement of public money. Ugulava is a close ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili and in 2010 became the first elected mayor of the capital. Natia Sukhiashvili, spokesperson for […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ivanishvili government plans to do away with the governors in Georgia after the local election in 2014 and replace them with elected councils, Davit Narmania, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development says. A governor is a trustee […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili’s party plans a rally on April 19 to demand that the country’s western policy continues. The Secretary General of the National Movement says ‘the vague foreign policy’ by Ivanishvili’s government puts the country in danger. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili demands that parliament allows him to use his constitutional right to address the nation from parliament. Thursday, the Georgian leader sent an open letter to MPs calling on them to follow the constitution, which obliges […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–An independent expert claims that a video which was released a few days ago regarding Buta Robakidze’s murder, is edited. Marika Toklikishvili, who is an expert on audio and video footage, said at a press conference Thursday that even at first look, […]
Givi Targamadze is wanted in Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Moscow Thursday issued a warrant for the arrest in absentia of a Georgian politician who is accused of organizing mass riots in Russia. Russian media writes that the court agreed with investigators to impose restraint measures and confine […]
Chiora Taktakishvili, one of the activists who argue that the case against Bacho Akhalaia is politically motivated. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Wednesday started a monitoring of the trials against former government officials in Georgia. According to the OSCE webpage, the monitoring started with the pretrial hearing of Bacho […]
Bacho Akhalaia in Tbilisi City Court Feb. 20, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A trial drawing great public attention against former government officials was again rescheduled for February 28 by Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday. Tbilisi City Court held pretrial hearing for Bacho Akhalaia, a Saakashvili loyalist and former […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The negotiations between Saakashvili’s party and Ivanishvlii’s coalition about constitutional changes have failed, because the president demanded an amnesty for all crimes committed by officials in his government, a demand rejected by Georgian Dream. […]
People in Tbilisi protesting against construction of Aziz Mosque in Batumi. (DFWatch photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia has found a solution to a controversy concerning a planned mosque in Batumi, a city on the Black Sea coast. Locals have been outraged over the plans, as it should have been named after the historic Turkish leader Aziz. Now, the government […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court today holds pretrial hearing in the case against Saakashvili loyalist Bacho Akhalaia and other former government officials. The hearing has been rescheduled several times on request by the Chief Prosecutor. Wednesday’s hearings […]
Nikoloz Khachirashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement (UNM) has lost one more member of Tbilisi City Council, but still has a majority of seats. Nikoloz Khachirashvili on Tuesday said he is leaving the UNM faction, but will remain an independent and not join any other faction. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili faithful TV station Rustavi 2 has aired a 5-minute clip which appears to free police of culpability for the death of nineteen year-old Buta Robakidze, who was shot during a police operation on November 24, 2004. But the clip, the source […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister and president are considering writing a letter to NATO about integration issues, according to the country’s foreign minister. Foreign Affair Minister Maia Panjikidze on Tuesday visited parliament in Kutaisi in western […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will visit Georgia and bring action plan for visa liberalization issues on February 24. Maia Panjikidze, Foreign Affair Minister on Tuesday met with the National Movement members in parliament […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili Tuesday appointed a new business ombudsman. He said this will make it easier for them to make the government aware of problems they may have. The announcement took place at a meeting with business […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The visit of NATO’s top political governing body to Georgia has been agreed upon, said Irakli Alasania, Georgia’s Minister of Defense, to journalists on Monday. He said that the exact date of the visit of the North Atlantic Council as well as the […]
Davit Sakvarelidze (left) and Giorgi Vashadze, members of parliament for the National Movement party. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian justice minister and a member of parliament from the National Movement party (UNM) Monday argued about the issuing of a diplomatic passport during a conference to sum up the government’s first 100 days in power. The two were attending […]
Tbilisi, DF Watch – President Saakashvili’s United National Movement Party withdraws the draft bill which legally safeguards Georgia’s Western-oriented foreign policy in order ‘not to interrupt’ the process of negotiations between the government and the UNM. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of foreign experts is to monitor ongoing high profile criminal cases in Georgia. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, who took the initiative, told journalists that President Mikheil Saakashvili has agreed to establishing the group. Another […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–More than USD 94 million was transferred to Georgia from abroad in January, 2013. This is more than USD 10 million more than the same period in 2012. The total amount of money transfers in January was USD 94.1 million, which is 11.5 percent […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Lawmakers in Georgia today start debating whether to write its foreign policy into the constitution, and if so, how many details of it. Foremost among issues likely to end up in the constitution is EU and NATO membership aspirations. The bill, […]
UNDP Administrator Helen Clark. (UNDP photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–UNDP chief Helen Clark is expected in Georgia February 17 for a three-day visit. According to the UNDP, the organization’s administrator will hold meetings with government officials and representatives of local and international organizations. She […]
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A second meeting between Georgian and Russian representatives will be held on March 1, 2013, in a European country, but not in Geneva. Zurab Abashidze, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, said in an interview on […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has lifted the veil on what was said in an unusual conversation between him and President Mikheil Saakashvili last month. The two leaders, who are maneuvering a precarious power-sharing situation, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Bidzina Ivanishvili was Saturday elected honorable chairman of the Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia Party. The Prime Minister’s Party on Saturday held a large congress at Tbilisi Concert Hall to elect a political council and a party chairman. […]
Mayor Gigi Ugulava told police Feb. 8 that they had to establish order. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava has left the police building after three hours of questioning. He said that he thinks he won’t be questioned again about the street violence he was involved in on February 8. The mayor was questioned as a witness […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Four members of the US Congress have appealed to Secretary of State John Kerry to use the full diplomatic resources of his department to avert a political crisis in Georgia. The magazine The Hill on Friday published a letter signed by Michael Turner, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream coalition and the National Movement Party agree to reduce the powers of the president. This will need immediate enforcement of that part of the constitution which applies to the powers of the president and which should have been […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is to speed up the transfer of Turkish prisoners to Turkey, to let them be closer to their family as they serve out the rest of their sentence. The government wants to make it easier for people to care for a family member who is in prison, […]
Mayor Gigi Ugulava waving his arms, urging supporters to break through a crowd of demonstrators Feb. 8, 2013. TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court Friday issued a ruling that orders the city’s mayor, Gigi Ugulava, to appear before the police and explain himself about a massive street scuffle that he was involved in February 8. The court instructs Interior Ministry employees […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–By-elections will be held April 27 in three districts of Georgia to fill seats made vacant when members of parliament were appointed to government positions last year. The three districts are Nadzaladevi in Tbilisi, and Baghdati and Samtreida, two […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement continues to lose members in the Tbilisi City Council, but still controls a majority of seats. Zura Gachechiladze, known as Shonzo, on Friday left the National Movement and joined the alternative Freedom faction. After […]
Manana Kobakhidze, Vice Speaker of Parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The governing coalition in Georgia accepts a demand made by President Saakashvili’s National Movement party to write the country’s foreign policy course into the constitution. This means that Georgia’s aspirations to become a member of NATO […]
Givi Targamadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has declared a Georgian member of parliament internationally wanted, accusing him of past ties to the Russian opposition and having tried to finance a revolution. According to reports in the Russian media, investigators have charged Givi […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Around 800 rail workers in Khashuri in central Georgia went on strike Wednesday,demanding increased salaries and to restore benefits which they used to have years ago. There are no staff available on the railway section between Zestaponi further west […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian head of government Bidzina Ivanishvili is on a one-day visit to Turkey accompanied by some of his ministers. According to the prime minister’s press office, the delegation plans to hold meetings with Turkey’s president, prime minister […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Interior Ministry appeals to Tbilisi City Court asking for it to issue a court order requiring the Tbilisi mayor to appear for questioning. Mayor Ugulava has been asked repeatedly to come to the police and talk about the violence outside […]
The memorial stone. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s justice minister on Saturday opened a memorial for the victims of the Saakashvili regime, which held government power in the country from 2004 to 2012. The memorial stone at the entrance to the House of Justice bears the names of Zurab […]
Sergo Ratiani (left) and Koba Davitashvili (right) fighting while anchor Tea Sichinava (seated) of the show Arguments on Maestro TV tries to calm them down. TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the opposition and one from the ruling coalition beat each other live on Maestro TV Wednesday evening during a discussion about political violence. The two briefly clashed together while discussing who was to blame for the […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–For several days, investigators in Georgia have been calling National Movement members in for questioning without them appearing, including the Tbilisi mayor. Mayor Gigi Ugulava’s answer has repeatedly been to call on the investigators to come to his […]
Davit Bakradze (left) and Davit Usupashvili. (President’s administration.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The two main political blocs in Georgia met Tuesday to try to agree on how to change the constitution, but without results. Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili from the governing Georgian Dream coalition said he believes it is possible to bring […]
Part of the money will go to promoting better coordination at the Prime Minister’s Office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU Tuesday signed an agreement with Georgia which will release €20 million in aid for furthering democratic reforms in the country. According to an EU press release, the money will be spent on institution building aimed at supporting reforms […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The US Secretary of Defense Tuesday called Georgia’s Defense Minister and introduced him to the US action plan for Afghanistan. The main topic of conversation between Leon Panetta and Irakli Alasania was what kind of new functions the Georgian […]
Štefan Füle (left), the EU’s Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, and Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili in Tbilisi Feb. 12. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili says the current events in his country are dangerous and that he will meet regularly with the prime minister in the coming period. “Now we should stand higher than our ambitions. We and the government should […]
Graphic showing the number of prisoners in each prison. (Prison Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Almost to 7 000 prisoners have left Georgian jails after a mass amnesty came into force one month ago, according to the country’s Prison Ministry. This is twice as many as the government estimate before the amnesty. In total, 6 918 prisoners have […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A correspondent for Interpressnews in the Black Sea port reports that 350 drivers have been on strike from Tuesday morning, demanding an increase in their salary. Drivers say their hourly pay is USD 2.20 and want to increase it to USD 2.50, otherwise […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The prime minister and defense minister of Georgia will go to Turkey this week to discuss relations between the two neighboring countries. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania said on Monday that he and Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will go to Turkey […]
Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will host the session of the informal dialogue within the Eastern Partnership February 12 and 13. Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze and Economy Minister Giorgi Kbirikashvili will host the event, according to the press office […]
From left to right: Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili, President Mikheil Saakashvili and former Speaker of Parliament Davit Bakradze. (President’s administration.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president and the speaker of parliament Monday emerged after an hour-long meeting and agreed that it had been a productive one, although the only thing they agree on was that agreement is necessary on important issues. Speaker of Parliament Davit […]
Video still shows Gela Mamaladze in the moment he hit member of parliament Chiora Taktakishvili Feb. 8, 2013. TBILISI, DFWatch–The man suspected of beating a member of parliament outside the National Library last Friday was Monday allowed to go free until his trial for a USD 1 200 bail. Gela Mamaladze is charged with physically assaulting Chiora Taktakishvili, Sergo […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president will meet with the speaker of parliament in the evening today to discuss topics which lie at the base of a protracted dispute between the two main political blocs. Member of parliament Giorgi Gabashvili from the minority […]
Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili in front of the National Library Feb. 8, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office asks Tbilisi City Court to impose pre-trial measures against Gela Mamaladze, the man who is accused of beating opposition members outside the National Library on Friday. […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s official Facebook page. TBILISI, DFWatch–The prime minister and the president in Georgia are continuing to challenge eachother’s versions of a violent street clash Friday – via Facebook. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili Sunday evening issued another statement as answer to President […]
Protesters angry about the torture of prisoners blocking the entrance to the National Library before President Saakashvili’s state of the nation address. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two EU foreign policy spokespersons express deep concern over the violent incidents in front of the National Library in Tbilisi February 8. A violent clash developed as a column of activists for President Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party, led […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili invites Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his team to a dialogue. (Photo: President’s press office.) Tbilisi, DF Watch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili welcomes a statement by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili condemning Friday’s violence in front of the National Library and invites him to a new dialogue. Saakashvili said he welcomed ‘the fact that the Prime […]
Guram Donadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New details have been revealed about the murder of Buta Robakidze, while the former head of the interior minister’s press office was detained. Guram Donadze was charged for abuse of powers. Specifically, he is accused of ordering the filming of […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili unconditionally and unequivocally condemns the violence which took place on Friday outside the National Library. President Mikheil Saakashvili’s televised address to the nation was delayed after a group of […]
Reactions are strong against the political violence, but some question the actions of Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Some of the top people in President Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party Friday clashed with a crowd mostly consisting of protesters who were angry about the treatment of political prisoners. Over a hundred political prisoners were recently […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili says the Girgvliani case is ‘a black stain’ for him which he feels partly responsible for. After the televised state to the nation speech, which eventually ended up being held at his residence, the president invited journalists from […]
Climber and former member of parliament Gia Tortladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Finance Ministry’s investigative service launched an investigation into the organization of the former member of parliament and well-known climber Gia Tortladze. Investigators believe that money given by the Culture Ministry to the […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili says his party supports constitution changes regarding limiting his powers, but doesn’t support the change which suggests moving parliament back to Tbilisi. In his speech held at the president’s residence […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — After violent clashes caused him to change venue for the state of the nation address Friday, President Mikheil Saakashvili held his televised address from his residence. No one will be able to lock me up in this palace, the president said. He opened […]
