DFWatch staff 
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
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
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has compared the EU’s recent criticism of his government’s policies to medieval persecution. According to Interpressnews, Kobakhidze said: “Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for affirming that the Earth revolves. Today, people are being ‘burned’ for believing that a man is a man and a woman is a … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was shot dead in broad daylight on Thursday at a restaurant in central Batumi, a popular seaside resort on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. The murder occurred around 3:00 pm local time at a grill restaurant near the Le Méridien hotel on Ninoshvili Street. Authorities say the victim was hit in the back … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Rising tensions between Russia and its South Caucasus neighbors are approaching the level of a “trade war”, but one that appears to have brought unexpected benefits for Georgia. In June, Georgia recorded its highest monthly export figure ever. According to official statistics, exports rose 10.2% year-on-year to USD 639 million, with total trade turnover … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Mtavari Arkhi, one of the opposition’s most effective television channels, just two months after it permanently ceased broadcasting due to financial difficulties. The Prosecutor General’s Office said the probe targets alleged “abuse of managerial authority”, “embezzlement”, and “money laundering” by company executives. The investigation was triggered … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian opposition parties, ‘For Georgia’ and ‘Lelo – Strong Georgia’, have decided to join forces ahead of the country’s October 4 local elections. The two parties signed what they called a memorandum of cooperation, aiming to agree on “a non-partisan neutral candidate for mayor” and align on either majoritarian or joint party-list runs. … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union has issued its starkest warning yet to Tbilisi: fulfill key democratic conditions or face suspension of visa-free travel. The ultimatum, delivered by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, puts unprecedented pressure on Georgia’s ruling party just months ahead of local elections. “All options are on the table, including suspension of the … Read more