Saturday, April 18, 2026

Saakashvili says NATO is critical of detentions

President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) met NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (right) in Prague Monday. (Official photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — President Mikheil Saakashvili says he can’t remember having heard such a critical tone before from NATO regarding Georgia.

He was responding to a statement by NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who said he was

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Ex-minister accused of torture

The jailed ex-minister Bacho Akhalaia is now formally accused of torture. His next court appearance will be December 25. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — A jailed former minister was Monday handed additional charges under a section of the law which deals with torture.

The torture charge against Bacho Akhalaia — a close personal ally of President Saakashvili and former prison minister,

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Bus strike may be over Tuesday

The yellow buses may return to the streets of Tbilisi Tuesday, as drivers agree to end their strike. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — The bus strike in Tbilisi Monday appeared to be heading for a solution, as drivers promised to return to work Tuesday if a commission is formed to study their problems.

The conflict has lasted five days and encompassed more than 1300 drivers

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Ivanishvili met Barroso in Brussels

Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (left) met President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso (right) in Brussels Monday. (Official photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Prime Minister today held meeting with the President of the European Commission in Brussels.

José Manuel Barroso congratulated him on being appointed as prime minister and underlined the importance of his first visit to Brussels.

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Officers accused of abusing staff suspended

General Giorgi Kalandadze has been suspended as he awaits trial for allegedly abusing subordinates. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — Two military officers who were detained together with a former interior minister for abuse of powers, were on Sunday suspended.

Giorgi Kalandadze a month ago was appointed to the post of head of the general headquarters. November 7 he was detained

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Jailed ex-minister's father on the offensive

Samegrelo strongman Roland Akhalaia goes on the offensive as his son, a former government minister, awaits trial. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — The father of Bacho Akhalaia, the ex-minister who is jailed while awaiting trial for beating subordinates, demands an investigation of the defense minister.

Bacho Akhalaia was detained November 7 for abuse of powers and illegal deprivation

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Bus strike continues as negotiations fail

Bus drivers in Tbilisi are on strike for the fourth day. They might be joined by drivers of metro trains. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — Sunday, Tbilisi bus drivers met representatives of city hall to try to solve the conflict which has brought bus transport to a standstill, but the meeting ended unsuccessfully.

All drivers of yellow buses in Tbilisi are on strike for the fourth day.

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