Tuesday, December 9, 2025

DFWatch staff

Georgian president renews offer to pardon jailed opposition leaders if they participate in elections

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TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Kavelashvili from Georgian Dream (GD) offers to pardons jailed opposition leaders, under the condition that they agree to participate in the upcoming local elections. He framed the offer as a constitutional initiative aimed at supporting democratic participation. But the offer sparked mixed reactions, especially among opposition groups who see the move more … Read more

Georgia's economy earns praise in new IMF report

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TBILISI, DFWatch–In recent years, during regional tension and global turmoil, Georgia’s economy has shown exceptional growth, according to a new report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Among the country’s robust performance indicators are high GDP growth, falling inflation, and declining public debt. Since 2021, Georgia has sustained average annual real GDP growth exceeding 9%, … Read more

Conflicting accounts about group stranded at Georgia-Russia border

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TBILISI, DFWatch–A diplomatic and humanitarian standoff is developing at the Dariali border crossing between Georgia and Russia, where approximately 80 individuals are stranded in a neutral zone between the two countries. According to Ukrinform, a Ukrainian state news outlet, the group was “deported” by Russian authorities in what has been described as a form of … Read more

Georgian Prosecutor's Office questions two former officials about 2019 border incident

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday questioned two former officials as part of an investigation into a 2019 border incident near Russian-controlled South Ossetia. The case centers on the deployment of a border detachment under Georgia’s State Security Service (SSSG), which reportedly entered the Chorchana area without proper coordination. A police checkpoint was established … Read more

Georgian Prosecutor’s Office questions two former officials about 2019 border incident

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday questioned two former officials as part of an investigation into a 2019 border incident near Russian-controlled South Ossetia. The case centers on the deployment of a border detachment under Georgia’s State Security Service (SSSG), which reportedly entered the Chorchana area without proper coordination. A police checkpoint was established … Read more

Georgian opposition figure proposes new joint platform headed by ex-president Zourabichvili

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Jailed opposition figure Giorgi Vashadze has proposed a new political initiative aimed at unifying key opposition parties ahead of parliamentary elections. The plan involves the creation of a joint political platform headed by ex-President Salome Zourabichvili, joining together the “Resistance Platform” and eight parties currently boycotting the municipal elections. “This is not just a … Read more

Jailed editor offered plea deal as newspaper's bank accounts seized

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TBILISI, DFWatch–A jailed newspaper editor in Georgia has been offered a plea deal by prosecutors as her trial draws to an end. Founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaghlobeli, is on trial for slapping a police officer during a January protest. Her trial has drawn widespread condemnation. As the court goes through the evidence, the … Read more

Jailed editor offered plea deal as newspaper’s bank accounts seized

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TBILISI, DFWatch–A jailed newspaper editor in Georgia has been offered a plea deal by prosecutors as her trial draws to an end. Founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaghlobeli, is on trial for slapping a police officer during a January protest. Her trial has drawn widespread condemnation. As the court goes through the evidence, the … Read more

Georgian Orthodox Church raises concern over EU recommendations

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TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Orthodox Church has expressed serious concern about recent EU recommendations, warning they contradict verbal and written assurances made during earlier talks with Georgia’s religious leadership. According to a statement released by the Patriarchate, the Church is alarmed by proposed demands that Georgia repeal legislation “on the protection of the sanctity of the … Read more

Georgia demands justice for fatal 2023 incident at latest IPRM meeting

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TBILISI, DFWatch–At the latest IPRM meeting, Georgian officials “strongly demanded the punishment of the representative(s) of the Russian occupation forces” responsible for the 2023 killing of Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi. According to Georgia’s State Security Service, Tbilisi also reiterated demands for “the release of all persons held in illegal detention” and condemned new “illegal borderization … Read more