DFWatch staff 
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new opinion poll suggests that the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party remains the largest political force in the country. According to the poll, which was carried out by GORBI for Georgian broadcaster Imedi, 56.2% of likely voters would support GD if elections were held this week. The results show a fragmented opposition landscape, … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Georgia’s new ambassador to the United States, Tamar Taliashvili, at the White House on Friday. During the meeting, held in the Oval Office, Ambassador Taliashvili formally presented her credentials and conveyed a message from the Georgian government calling for a renewed chapter in … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s State Security Service has arrested three persons; among them, a former deputy defense minister, in connection with the alleged embezzlement of over 1.3 million GEL (approximately USD 480,000) in public funds. According to the SSS, the case involves the misuse of funds allocated for the purchase of medical equipment for the Ministry of … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian police have arrested four individuals and charged them with drug-related offenses involving the illegal purchase, storage, distribution, and facilitation of narcotics, according to the Prosecutor’s Office. The arrests followed an investigation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Officials say the suspects had acquired and stored several types and quantities of drugs, including … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian police have arrested a man in Tbilisi on charges of raping a foreign national, according to a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The suspect, born in 1999 and previously convicted of other offenses, was reportedly under a suspended sentence at the time of the incident. Authorities say he physically assaulted a … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A protest was held outside Tbilisi’s New Sports Palace, against Russian athletes competed in the World Fencing Championship. Demonstrators opposed the participation of 25 Russian fencers, out of whom they claim 17 are active military service members. Protesters carried banners reading “No Victory for Russians in Antsukhelidze’s Country” and “Antsukhelidze is Immortal,” referencing Giorgi … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian police have arrested two Ukrainian nationals on charges related to large-scale drug trafficking and possession, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The suspects, born in 2004 and 1998, were detained in the Imereti region during an operation by regional police. Authorities accuse the suspects of purchasing, storing, and … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A opposition politician in Georgia has promised large cash rewards to law enforcement officers who refuse to use force against protesters in case there is unrest in connection with the October 4 local elections. Levan Khabeishvili, former chairman of the United National Movement (UNM), called on security forces to “put down their weapons” and … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party is gearing up for the October local elections, with Tbilisi Mayor Kakhi Kaladze expected to run for a third term. Kaladze, a former professional footballer, confirmed this week that he will be the party’s candidate for mayor of the capital, although he has not formally declared his candidacy … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A fatal building collapse in central Tbilisi earlier this month has intensified debate over housing safety and city governance, just months before Georgia’s local elections in October. The opposition party Lelo for Georgia staged a protest on Thursday, spotlighting what it calls the city’s widespread neglect of deteriorating residential buildings. Standing in front of … Read more