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 […]
Parliamentarian for Saakashvili’s National Movement party Chiora Taktakishvili emerged from the chaos with a bloody nose. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Violent clashes broke out as some of the central figures in President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party were trying to enter the National Library to listen to the state of the nation address. Two rallies were ongoing in the area: One by former […]
Georgia’s ambassador to South Korea Nikoloz Apkhazava (left) and South Korea’s First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Anh Ho-young. (Photo: Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and South Korea have signed their first inter-governmental treaty about visa free travel for citizens holding diplomatic, official and service passports. The agreement on the waiving of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official […]
The restored Stalin statue in Akura was torn down and doused with pink paint. (Channel 1.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Monuments of Joseph Stalin which have been restored in two Georgian villages were bombed with pink paint, torn down, and damaged. After the change of government, the population in some villages demanded to restore old monuments of Soviet dictator […]
Tbilisi, DF Watch – The President of Georgia will address the nation at 18:00 today from the National Library. The diplomatic corps, church leaders, journalists and students are invited to attend the event. After his speech, the president will answer questions. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Spring recruitment for compulsory military service has started. Citizens from 18 to 27 year will be recruited — about 1 650 persons in total. This is a significant decrease from 4 347 in 2012. Gocha Kharshiladze, chair of the military service […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili will address the nation from the National Library instead of from parliament. Saakashvili should have held his annual address on Friday, but the event was postponed by the ruling Georgian Dream coalition. […]
Member of Parliament Marika Verulashvili has left the National Movement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Two more members of parliament for the National Movement have left their party’s faction in the last few days. The party of President Mikheil Saakashvili is now down to 55 representatives in the assembly of 150. Speaker of Parliament Davit […]
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The president’s annual speech to parliament is postponed indefinitely. This is a decision made by the ruling coalition. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili today said consultations had been held and a decision was made to not hold […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The new government in Georgia wants to amend the law on the occupied territories in order to soften the punishment for people who violate it. The Law on Occupied Territories was adopted in October 2008, a few months after the Russian-Georgian war. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — One would think Georgia’s fresh interior minister would have his hands full, as his government has enforced a mass amnesty which has freed more than three thousand prisoners, but Irakli Gharibashivli says the crime situation in the country hasn’t […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili spoke with Georgian soldiers serving in Afghanistan and thanked them for their service. According to the press office of the Defense Ministry, Ivainishvili Wednesday visited the ministry and held a video […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says Georgia’s foreign policy course is unchanged and doesn’t need constitutional guarantees. He also says that the country will restore its territorial integrity and mend relations with Russia. The National […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s finance minister Nodar Khaduri says the government expects 6 % growth in 2013, low inflation and reduced state debts. He also notes that 6 percent growth is the minimum estimate on which the Georgian government is working. The finance […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has presented parliament with a bill which will give amnesty for industrial, financial and economic crimes. A few days ago, the president spoke about the importance of announcing a financial amnesty to attract […]
Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The Georgian interior minister says he has discovered audio files of all his phone calls for a whole year, secretly recorded and stored on computer disk. Irakli Gharibashvili was Tuesday invited to the TV channel Rustavi 2 to sum up the government’s […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Three new funds will be established in Georgia, which will be sovereign fund of Georgia, a private investment fund and a youth fund. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili at a press conference Tuesday briefly outlined the three new funds, saying that […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s head of government Bidzina Ivanishvili has temporarily suspended the process of canceling his French passport, because it may cost him his position. The prime minister said at a press conference Tuesday that he still doesn’t have […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili Tuesday answered questions about alleged nepotism in his government. He said he doesn’t agree that people should get positions through being familiar with others, and that competition is the best way to get good […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili and Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava have left for Germany to participate in a conference organized by the German Marshall Fund. According to the president’s press office, there is planned an event called […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The opposition National Movement party in Georgia compares Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili with Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro after statements he made at a press conference Tuesday. Ivanishvili was summing up his first hundred days of being in […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the party of President Mikheil Saakashvili is trying to recruit one of his biggest assets; Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the National Movement is attempting to win over Defense Minister Irakli Alasania to their side. He says he heard rumors that some of the UNM members have contact with him, but when he asked Alasania about it, […]
Levan Davitashvili, head of the National Wine Agency, believes Georgian wine might be back on Russian dinner tables by the end of spring. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian wine might get back on the Russian market by the end of spring and it will cost about USD 10, which is higher than the average wine price in Russia. A delegation from Georgian business and government is in Moscow to negotiate about a return […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A set of constitutional amendments are set to be debated in parliament today Tuesday. The amendments have been through a public hearing process with town hall type meetings around the country. The Judiciary Committee will discuss it […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Two veterans of Russian and Georgian politics met in Munich and discussed current problems between their two countries and ways of solving them. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 49th Munich Security Conference. Igor Ivanov, former […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch — Goga Zhvania, brother of the deceased prime minister Zurab Zhvania, says he is cooperating with the Prosecutor’s Office and is sure the case of his brother’s death will soon be reopened. Goga was voted into parliament last October, representing […]
Gennady Onishchenko, head of the consumer protection bureau in Russia, will meet with the Georgian negotiators. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — A delegation from Georgia is in Moscow on Monday to negotiate about letting Georgian wine, mineral water and other products onto the Russian market. The seven persons delegation left on Sunday. Two of them represent the national agency of wine, two […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — After having been questioned about his role in a large embezzlement case, the Tbilisi mayor says the Prosecutor’s Office is in a deadlock and in a hurry. Even though Gigi Ugulava refused to appear for questioning, he invited investigators […]
Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Venice Commission president Gianni Buquicchio says he will continue cooperating with the new government in Georgia. Before he left Georgia, Buquicchio held a press conference to sum up his stay and his meetings with the president, the prime […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili calls on Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream coalition to make all constitutional amendments unanimous. The governing Georgian Dream coalition wants to change the constitution, but is nine votes […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili’s annual address to parliament will take place on February 8, 2013. “As a result of consultations, a decision was made that the president’s annual speech, defined by the constitution, will take place at 14:00 Friday […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili compares the opposition victory in the October, 2012 parliament election with an epidemic. “Sometimes I think there was no election on October 1, but some type of natural disease swept across some of our […]
“If anyone has illusions that I am leaving and won’t come back, I will tell them that I cannot grant such a pleasure to Ivanishvili, Kbilashvili, Tsulukiani and the others,” says Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Tbilisi mayor and staunch Saakshvili ally Gigi Ugulava failed to show up for questioning at the Finance Ministry’s Investigative Service today. He was called to explain himself regarding a case of suspected embezzlement of five million lari […]
Impatient. National Movement Secretary Vano Merabishvili can’t wait four years for the next election. “There are other methods,” he says. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili’s political party says it can’t wait four years for a change of power and instead will try to ‘weaken’ the Ivanishvili government. Secretary General of the National Movement, Vano Merabisvhili, says they do not plan […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office claims to have revealed a case of embezzlement in a cleaning contractor for the city of Tbilisi. Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili said that Tbilservice Group – a company established in 2006 which provides […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — TBC Bank has stopped the seizing of minibuses belonging to Tbilisi Minibus Ltd and lets the company continue work as normal when drivers have ended their strike. Thursday morning, the National Enforcement Bureau entered the garage in Gldani, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Moscow denies rumors about ongoing negotiations with Georgia to bring the country back as member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The rumors were reported a few days ago in Russian media. Alexander Lukashevich, spokesperson for […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Another official from Mikheil Saakashvili’s government was Wednesday charged with abuse of powers and bribery. The Finance Ministry’s investigative service accuses former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili of assisting a criminals gang with […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The National Enforcement Bureau has started seizing the property of Tbilisi Minibus Ltd, which owns all the yellow minibuses in the capital. Their drivers are on strike for the seventh day. Employees of the bureau arrived in the garage in Gldani, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The governing Georgian Dream coalition is ready to cooperate with the opposition about the foreign policy. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili said this on Wednesday after Saakashvili’s party accused the prime minister and his party […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The company which runs the minibuses in Tbilisi has given striking drivers an ultimatum: If they don’t agree with the company and end their protest, the company will fire them and announce new vacancies. But despite the threat, the drivers have […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili holding a photo of a sleeping Gubaz Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili says that the governing Georgian Dream coalition is unable to gather together a constitutional majority in parliament – that’s why they are threatening the opposition. Saakashvili said this while visiting Kutaisi, […]
Venice Commission President Gianni Buquicchio (left) and Speaker of Parliament Davit Bakradze (far right). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The Georgian Speaker of Parliament promises that his country will not adopt constitutional changes that are not in line with recommendations by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. After meeting with Venice Commission President Gianni […]
Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The Ivanishvili government is replacing Georgia’s ambassadors to 18 countries, and has sent the list of candidates to President Mikheil Saakashvili for approval. After he has signed it, the list will be sent to parliament to get its approval, […]
Giorgi Baramidze, spokesperson for the National Movement party. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party wants to tie Georgia to the mast in terms of the course of its foreign policy. Spokesperson Giorgi Baramidze Wednesday presented a draft bill that will write into legislation what the […]
Agriculture Minister Davit Kirvalidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia is preparing to start distributing spring vouchers to its farmers. Preparations for spring are already finished, Agriculture Minister Davit Kirvalidze said after Tuesday’s government session. The ministry has completed registering about 800 […]
“We haven’t discussed the CIS issue at all,” says Zurab Abashidze,Georgia’s Special Representative for Russian Relations. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia is not considering to return to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). There is no contact with Russia about this issue. This is how official Tbilisi responds to Russian media who are reporting that there are negotiations with Georgia […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — British Airways will temporarily cancel its flights to Georgia from April 1, 2013, spokesperson Irakli Gordeli told journalists on Monday. The airline started flights to Georgia in 2012. Gordeli said they made this decision in the beginning […]
People in Gavazi and Kardenakhi, two Georgian villages, demonstrated Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Victims of a hailstorm last summer in the Kakheti region are demonstrating in several towns and villages Tuesday, claiming that the authorities have inaccurately calculated their losses. There are rallies ongoing in the villages Gavazi and Kardenakhi […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili claims the idea to reopen the old railway line through Abkhazia is a Russian game. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili says he will agree to open the railway line through Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia on one condition only: that the Russian occupation of Abkhazia is brought to an end. Otherwise, opening the railway will mean […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Another former government official was January 26 released on USD 120 000 bail. Tsezar Chocheli used to be governor of the Mtskheta Mtianeti region in Saakashvili’s government. According to the Finance Ministry, he supported the signing of […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — On their fourth day of strike, minibus drivers in Tbilisi were joined by more supporters, while Tbilisians either travel by crowded buses or metro — or walk. Even though Tbilisi City Hall took measures to increase the number of buses and wagons […]
Writing on Facebook. Vano Merabishvili would be “in emergency mode” if he had still been prime minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s foreign trade turnover experienced a sharp downward trend at the end of 2012, according to precise data from Georgian National Statistics Department, GeoStat. Although it is mostly the month of December which shows an alarming tendency, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Tbilisi international airport on Monday had to cancel or divert several incoming international and local flights due to heavy fog. One flight from Moscow (04:00 pm) was delayed, while a flight from Ekaterinburg (10:20 pm) is canceled, as well as a […]
The minibus strike is stepped up as negotiations fail. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Almost no yellow minibuses are to be seen in the capital as the driver’s strike continues. Sunday morning, a rally was held at one of the largest minibus garages, and drivers negotiated with Tbilisi Minibus, the company they work for, without […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s new government has pardoned the National Movement party for law violations during the election campaign in 2012. The violations were described in a dossier published Friday by the Audit Office, a public body tasked with tracking […]
A third of minibus drivers in Tbilisi are on strike. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The strike among minibus drivers in Tbilisi continued Saturday. More drivers joined the strike which started Friday, creating more problems for the population in the capital. Their demands are same as before: to reduce the price of travel […]
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II on Friday visited All Saints Church in Moscow. (Photo: Salome Tsertsvadze and Ekaterina Tkachenko.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian Patriarch Ilia II Friday visited the All Saints Church in Sokol, in northern Moscow. The church is the site of a now defunct graveyard where there are buried many well-known Georgians and royals. There has been construction work in […]
Prison Minister Sozar Subari. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The Prison Minister says the number of prisoners that will be released under a new law on amnesty, will increase from 3 000 to 5 000. About 3 000 prisoners are already released, Prison Minister Sozar Subari told TV9 yesterday. The rest will leave […]
The National Movement’s Giorgi Tevdoradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party has ceased work in the commission organizing public hearings about proposed constitutional changes. The National Movement party’s representatives say the reason is that they dislike statements made by the […]
600 drivers of minibuses (“marshrutkas”) in Tbilisi are on strike against a new license system. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — About 600 minibus drivers went on strike in Tbilisi Friday, causing crowding on buses and in the metro. The strike has the support of about 30 % of all minibus drivers in the capital. They are protesting against a new license system which has left […]
Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The new government in Georgia has presented a promised set of amendments to the labor code which it says will not only protect the rights of employers, like it was in the past. Georgia’s labor code was liberalized by the Saakashvili government […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says his brief encounter with his Russian counterpart was not more than a handshake and an introduction. But Ivanishvili says he had a feeling that Dimitry Medvedev is interested in mending relations […]
Three Georgian soldiers were wounded in Afghanistan Thursday. (Photo: Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Three Georgian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan when insurgents opened fire as they were out on patrol. Corporal Erekle Kharshiladze and Junior Sergeant Iaho Kakulia received minor injuries. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, […]
Tedo Japaridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Representatives of Georgia and Russia will meet at the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Tedo Japaridze, head of parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, told journalists about the planned meeting on Thursday […]
Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze on Thursday confirmed that the prime ministers of Russia and Georgia met unofficially in Davos. Panjikidze told journalists in Davos that Bidzina Ivanishvili and Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday met […]
Davit Bakradze, ex Speaker of Parliament for the National Movement party. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — A spokesperson for President Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement Party accuses the new government of harassment of their parliament members. Davit Bakradze, former speaker of parliament for the National Movement, said in […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili doesn’t want speculation about a possible presidential run for Defense Minister Irakli Alasania in October, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the reason he removed Defense Minister Irakli Alasania from his post as vice prime minister was to end speculation in Alasania’s party about making him a candidate for president. The prime minister […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili delivering his speech in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 24, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The Georgian and Russian Prime Ministers met for the first time in Davos Thursday and had a several minutes long conversation. This is the first time heads of government of the two countries have met since diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian Patriarch Illia II on Wednesday met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and passed on greetings from Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Vladimir Putin hosted Illia II and Kirill I of Russia at suburban residence in Novo […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is invited to a Russian breakfast on Friday at the World Economic Forum in Davos. But Ivanishvili insists that Russian officials won’t attend and that he will only be meeting with Russian businessmen. […]
Davit Nardaia (left) and Christopher R. Kilford, Jan. 23, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia and Canada Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding about defense policy. The agreement was signed by Colonel Christopher R. Kilford and Davit Nardaia, Chairman of Georgia’s International Affairs and EU Integration Department at […]
The National Movement Party’s Secretary General, Vano Merabishvili, says Georgia’s economy is in an alarming state. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The party of President Mikheil Saakashvili has started a campaign to gather signatures in support of his initiatives about tax amnesty and decriminalization of financial crime. The president presented his new initiatives to the government a few days […]
Irakli Alasania is no longer vice prime minister, only defense minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has relieved Defense Minister Irakli Alasania of his additional responsibilities as vice prime minister. The press office of the PM says a decree was issued January 21 and that Ivanishvili will explain […]
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania in the funeral of Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze Jan. 5, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says the Georgian Dream coalition has had ‘an awkward discussion’ about selecting a candidate for the presidential election, but he doesn’t consider himself a candidate, as he feels responsibility for the post he […]
Manana Archvadze Gamsakhurdia, widow of Georgia’s first president after independence. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s new government will transfer USD 80 000 to the family of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, the country’s first president after independence. Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri told journalists on Tuesday that this money was debt that Eduard […]
Nikoloz Vashakidze was appointed during the National Movement’s time in government. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Nikoloz Vashakidze resigned on Tuesday, citing incompatibility with the current foreign policy of the country. Vashakidze is one of the officials who have stayed over from the previous government. He […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Activists for the governing Georgian Dream coalition continue to rally people around the country in their demand to replace local government tops, including those appointed by their own party. Tuesday, two rallies are being launched in Tsalka, a town […]
Davit Katsarava and Salome Gogiashvili, hosts of Imedi TV’s morning show. (Screen grab.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Two well-known Georgian TV anchors are accused of having used a homophobic slur. January 18, one of the anchors of a morning talk show on Imedi TV said: ‘I’m honestly sorry for both surrogate children of Elton John’. The other one […]
President Mikheil Saakashvili criticized the new Georgian government of trying to combine the impossible: Good relations with Russia and NATO at the same time. (CoE photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili criticized his own prime minister for saying that Georgia should have good relations with both Russia and NATO. In a speech to the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (CoE) Monday, the president criticized his […]
The storm in Georgia in July 2012 ripped the roof off many houses. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The victims of a hailstorm in Georgia last summer will finally get compensation, ranging from USD 3 600 to USD 4 800. Davit Narmania, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, said Monday that the loss was estimated in such extreme […]
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili in an interview with DF Watch Dec. 20, 2012. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos and plans to hold meetings with leaders of several countries – but not Russia. Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze said at a press conference Monday […]
Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The government in Georgia has decided to offer more than 300 refugees their own house in the regions for a symbolic price of one lari, or USD 0.60. Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze told journalists after the government session Monday that even more […]
Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili (Interpressnews). TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s chief prosecutor says he has “material” which is even more violent and shocking than videos leaked two weeks before the parliamentary election last year, which set off a wave of demonstrations. Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili […]
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk (left), welcoming Georgian Patriarch Ilia II (right) in Moscow Jan. 20, 2013. (Photo published by the Russian Church.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Patriarch Illia II on Sunday left for Russia to receive an award. His visit will also include a meeting with the Russian president Vladimir Putin. “I want to ask you that I leave for Moscow and we will have a conversation on very […]
Ex Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili is believed to be in hiding in Belgium. All his four passports have been revoked. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili has been detained in absentia for things he did to Cartu Bank, which has links to current Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Five other persons who are also implicated in the case were released on bail. […]
Aslan Usoyan, or Ded Hassan (“Grandpa Hassan”), was shot and killed in Moscow January 16, 2013. TBILISI, DFWatch — The body of a mafia boss who was killed in Moscow was on a plane to Georgia to be buried, but had to be sent back after Tbilisi refused to let it in. Aslan Usoyan, better known as Ded Hassan (Grandpa Hassan), a 76 year-old mafia boss was shot in […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s foreign trade turnover increased by 11 percent in 2012 compared to the previous year. Georgia’s National Statistics Department on Friday published a report which showed that the country’s foreign trade turnover of goods was USD 10 220 […]
Vladimer Bedukadze was released on bail January 19, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — The man who published the videos that spurred the prisoner abuse scandal was today released on USD 1 200 bail. Tbilisi City Court Saturday evening released Vladimer Bedukadze, the former employee of Prison No 8, where the majority of torture cases […]
190 political prisoners were released last Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Political prisoners, who were released last Sunday when the new amnesty law came into force, visited the Georgian Patriarch, who blessed them. The prisoners came to Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi to attend the prayer for the Orthodox holiday of Epiphany, […]
Yuval Fuchs, Israel’s Ambassador to Georgia. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Yuval Fuchs, Israel’s Ambassador to Georgia, tells DF Watch that cooperation between Israeli and Georgia should be strengthened and he thinks Israel is able to help Georgia in terms of economic development, especially in agriculture. But there was […]
TBILISI,DFWatch — The Special State Protection Service of Georgia is now under the control of the government, and not the president. Parliament passed the law by 88 votes against 1 on Thursday. Earlier, the president had a right to appoint the chair of the Special […]
Vladimer Bedukadze blew the whistle on the abuse of prisoners in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Police in Georgia Thursday morning detained former prison guard Vladimer Bedukadze at Tbilisi airport, as he arrived from Istanbul. Bedukadze last year published five video clips documenting prisoner abuse, which caused a public outrage that led […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili asks the government to award pension to all families which have had one of their members die in the military. He presented the initiative at New Year’s and described it again at a press conference at his palace […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili proposes to make it a crime to publish material exposing someone’s private life. A few days ago, the Prosecutor’s Office released information about a former government official ordering Defense Ministry officials […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili suggests that the government decriminalizes economic crime, because of the importance of continuing to attract investments. Saakashvili said at a press conference at his palace in Tbilisi Thursday that […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A former Interior Ministry top was Thursday released on bail. Shota Khizanishvili, who after the National Movement’s election loss became Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, was included in a mass amnesty which applies to more than 18 500 prisoners. The […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A common economic market between Georgia and Armenia. This was one of the tangible results of a visit by Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili to neighboring Armenia Thursday. He was accompanied on his official visit by a government […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Ministry of Internal Affairs has finished looking into what happened when a well-known musician was questioned, and says it did not find any indications that he was pressured. Beka Gochiashvili, 16, a jazz pianist who lives in the US but […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Another public hearing is ongoing in Kutaisi to discuss constitutional amendments about changing the location of parliament and limiting the president’s power. Members of parliament from the majority Georgian Dream and the minority National […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Rikoti tunnel, which connects the western and eastern parts Georgia, will be closed from January 18 to January 30, from 20:00 in the evening until 08:00 in the morning, because of work to repair the electric system. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, Shota Khizanishvili, was given an additional charge in relation with the disappearance of Besik Surmava, a former security guard for Bidzina Ivanishvili. Surmava disappeared shortly before the parliamentary election, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The former chairman of the Revenue Service ‘kind of admits’ being part of an effort to bankrupt Cartu Bank. Cartu Bank was one of the first targets of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s government after the billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The human rights group Freedom House writes in a new report that Georgia is now an electoral democracy. The group gives Georgia an improved democracy score in its report Freedom in the World 2013, as a consequence of the peaceful transfer […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Police in Georgia have detained a regional director of the feared domestic intelligence service, the Constitutional Security Department (CSD). Temur Pataridze, who headed the CSD (in Georgian abbreviated to KUD, or ‘Kudi’) in the Autonomous […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Ambassador David Moran on January 14 began work as the temporary trustee of the UK to Georgia, the UK embassy in Tbilisi informs. On his arrival, Moran said he was pleased to be in Georgia and to start working and living in this beautiful country. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A well-known Georgian musician claims he was harassed by police during a short stay in Georgia. Beka Gochiashvili, 16, a jazz pianist who lives in the US but spent his holidays here in Georgia, told the TV station Rustavi 2 about the incident […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — French gendarmes have detained 21 Georgians suspected of cooperation with Russian mafia. According to reports in French media, they are accused of stealing hundreds of bank cards and attempting to break into accounts and steal money. The operation […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The political prisoners who were released on Sunday demand to impeach President Mikheil Saakashvili. The former prisoners think a person who allowed having hundreds of political prisoners, and having a torture policy in the prison system, where many […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The president’s administration has published a letter written by the foreign minister, who writes to the president asking to call back several ambassadors. This comes amid a period when the president and the prime minister are trying to portray […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Prosecutor’s Office has published a video clip apparently showing that officials in the previous government ordered the secret filming of public persons while engaging in sexual acts, as a means to blackmail them. A statement issued by […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Georgian President and Prime Minister, who only have met once after the parliamentary election, Sunday celebrated the jubilee of the Georgian patriarch and shared what seemed to be a serious conversation. Last time the two leaders met […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Local supporters of the governing Georgian Dream coalition in a town in western Georgia are on hunger strike for the eighth day demanding that the local mayor resigns. Organizers plan to hold a demonstration January 16 if their demand is not met. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Clerics from different Orthodox countries will leave today, Monday. The guests arrived five days ago in order to congratulate Georgian Patriarch Ilia II with his 80th birthday and 35th year since his inauguration. Patriarch Bartholomew I of […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — 190 persons determined to be political prisoners were Sunday released from jail as a mass amnesty comes into force in Georgia. Prison Minister Sozar Subari was present at Prison No 6, which is in Rustavi, a town 20 km south of the capital. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili says he will continue to appoint his party members to bodies under his control. Saturday, Saakashvili appointed Khatuna Ochiauri, member of parliament (MP) before the last election, as governor of Mtskheta Mtianeti […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia is sending documentation to Interpol in order to announce former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili wanted and issue a so-called Red Notice. The Interior Ministry on Friday said Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Georgia has submitted […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Friday, another rally was held to demand the resignation of the local government in a small town in eastern Georgia. The population of Tetritskharo, which lies in the Kvemo Kartli region, doesn’t want the former ruling party to govern their town, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili has presented a new initiative to double pensions for veterans and allocate permanent pensions for families of soldiers and policemen who have died in the line of duty. The president’s administration has prepared a […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Prison Ministry plans to release political prisoners no later than Sunday, immediately after a new law on amnesty comes into force. Prison Minister Sozar Subari said after the government session today that the ministry will publish a list […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was Friday set free on bail, as prosecutors have dropped two of the four charges against him. The charge regarding setting up illegal armed units was today withdrawn, while a USD 9 000 bail was set […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A court in Kiev has prolonged the pretrial detention of a former Georgian interior ministry employee for 12 more months. Oleg Melnikov, who used to work at the Constitutional Security Department, probably the most feared body in Saakashvili’s […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Parliament’s judiciary committee has started reviewing a draft bill which will free former government officials from responsibility for crimes committed while in office. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili first announced the idea in the end of […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The former Georgian defense minister Bacho Akhalaia who is now in detention facing three charges wants to be judged by a jury. Davit Dekanoidze, lawyer of Akhalaia, on Wednesday said at a press conference that his client wants his […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvil has appointed a former government official who has twice been detained after the change of government as new governor in the Samegrelo region. Tengiz Gunava used to be Chairman of the General Inspection […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Another witness has changed his testimony in one of several court cases against former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili. The changed testimony led the Appeals Court to strip the case of one of the charges. Orkuashvili was minister […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Four Russian climbers have been taken by an avalanche in the Kazbegi mountains in northern Georgia. One has been brought to safety alive, the other three are presumed dead. Rescue workers have been unable to find their bodies because of thick fog. The four […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili accuses the new government of suspending a number of projects which his government started, and causing a loss of thousands of jobs. A few days ago, he said that the previous government started many projects and […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia is to use juries in trials concerning crimes committed by officials, including abuse of powers. The initiative comes from the Prosecutor’s Office and was picked up by the Justice Ministry, which has prepared a draft bill and presented […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Two witnesses have changed their testimony in the case against Irakli Okruashvili, the former Defense Minister who turned against Saakashvili’s government and had to leave the country before he was sentenced to eleven years in jail. There are four […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Thick snow is now covering most of Georgia. Some villages are isolated while there are restrictions on traffic on several roads. Tbilisi airport works normally, but a few flights have been canceled: 17:00, January 9, from Mestia to Tbilisi, 09:30, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Prosecutor’s Office has forwarded the National Audit Office results of its investigation into the National Movement Party’s eleven rallies last September. The rallies were held September 8 in different regions of the country to show off support. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Prosecutor’s Office has dropped two out of four charges against former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili. He was part of the government of Saakashvili’s National Movement party, but turned against him and was forced to leave the country […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The Ivanishvili government is reducing the length of compulsory military service from fifteen to twelve months. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania on Tuesday said this will be the first stage of a reform to reduce the length of military service […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A large number of clerics from different Orthodox countries will start gathering in Tbilisi tomorrow to mark the 80-year jubilee of the Georgian Patriarch Illia II. Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople is among the guests arriving in Georgia […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian troops serving in Afghanistan will not carry out battle functions after 2014, when the ISAF mission will end, but they will help Afghan security structures and army in military training. Irakli Alasania, Georgia’s Defense Minister, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The new Georgian government has decided to make child delivery completely free from July 1, 2013. Dimitry Khundadze, head of the parliamentary committee on healthcare, said on Monday that expenses for child delivery will be completely covered […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A traditional Alilo procession was held in Tbilisi on Monday to celebrate Christmas according to the Julian Calendar. Alilo, which is also a Christmas chant, was organized in each region and city of Georgia, as well as different districts […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Parliament will go back to work from mid-January in order to start work on a bill about constitutional amendments which will prevent the president from dismissing the government. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government proposes to change […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — There are restrictions on road traffic in northern Georgia due to heavy snow fall. There is danger of landslide on the road between Kobi and Gudauri, a resort in Kazbegi the mountains, and along the road Mtskheta-Stepandtsminda-Larsi, due to a snow […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — A group of supporters of the former government have started gathering signatures in support of President Mikheil Saakashvili. The group has published a petition on its Facebook page which says that according to the constitution, Mikheil Saakashvili […]
Tbilisi, DF Watch – Georgia marks Christmas on January 7 by Julian calendar by two major picturesque processions in Tbilisi and many other towns of Georgia. Alilo, a Christmas chant, is organized almost in each district and regions of the country. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Tbilisi City Court Saturday sentenced former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili in absentia to preliminary detention. Both his Georgian passport and diplomatic passport have been suspended. He left Georgia after the National Movement’s election […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili’s second term ended on Saturday, January 5. Five years ago, on January 5, 2008, Georgia held a snap presidential election, following a period of social unrest. The protests reached their peak on November 7, 2007, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili Friday evening signaled that he largely agrees with the Ivanishvili government over what to do with the ambassadors. In a statement, Saakashvili’s press office writes that the president has decided to call […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and James G. Stavridis, Commander of the U.S.’ European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe have expressed their condolences over the death of Georgian Sergeant Giorgi […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Foreign Ministry is looking into why the Israel has denied a group of Georgian worshipers entry visa. Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze responded to reports that Georgian worshipers were denied entry into Israel for Christmas. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The parties that make up the Georgian Dream coalition will compete against each other in the local election in 2014, Levan Berdzenishvili, one of the coalition leaders, said today. The next election is the presidential election in October, 2013. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Salome Samadashvili, Georgia’s ambassador to the EU, claims 18 ambassadors will be replaced by the new government, but Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze says the number is only five. Samadashvili on Friday told Maestro TV that she was told that […]
