Two former officials charged with extorting business shares
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia Thursday charged two former officials with torture and property appropriation of a businessman, who was murdered later. […]
Georgia must have small, professional, flexible army: Khidasheli
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The number of troops is not important, what’s crucial is to have a professional army, as Georgia will never be able to win any war by the number of soldiers, Minister of Defense Tina Khidasheli said in a talk show 2030 at GDS pro-governmental TV channel Wednesday evening. […]
Activists call for banning Russian TV channels in Georgia
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Representatives of ten NGOs and one media outlet issued a statement in which they urged the government to ban twelve Russian TV channels in Georgia. The activists, roughly half of them former officials […]
US Abrams tanks arrived in Georgia
American heavy military equipment arrived to Georgia (Ministry of Defense) Tbilisi, DFWatch – American tanks and armored vehicles arrived for joint American–British–Georgian military exercises to be held between 11–25 May. American heavy military equipment arrived to Georgia for a joint […]
Patriarch gives blessing to World Congress of Families
TBILISI, DFWatch–Patriarch Ilia II has endorsed a controversial ‘pro family’ congress to be held in Tbilisi in May and is expected to deliver a keynote speech. The leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II gave his blessing to the 10th World Congress of Families which will be held in Tbilisi on May 15-18, […]
Ethnic and religious minorities affected by population decline: Census
43% of the population of Kvemo Kartli is Muslim, 40% in Achara , and 12% in Kakheti (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–The 2014 census sheds light on issues related to ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities in Georgia. The size of all ethnic minorities fell drastically. While Georgia has lost 15% (658 thousand) of its population since the 2002 census, the number […]
Georgian parliament to discuss constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
An anti-gay protest May 17, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Public discussion about amending the constitution to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman are over and parliament will start discussing the bill next week. The amendment will determine marriage as a voluntary […]
MPs propose making femicide a separate crime
Tamar Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two MPs from the parliamentary majority have proposed adding to the Criminal Code a separate offense called femicide, which is the premeditated murder of a woman on the basis of her gender. The bill sets punishment […]
National Movement accused of hindering visa liberalization
Levan Berdzenishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–MPs from the parliamentary majority in Georgia accuse members of the National Movement of hindering the process of achieving visa-free travel with the Schengen area. Georgian Dream members claim that two MPs from the former […]
Angry neighbors claim 65 year old man wanted to rape 11 year old girl
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Over a hundred people in Kobuleti, a town on the Black Sea coast, have surrounded the house of a 65 year old man who they claimed wanted to rape an 11 year old girl. People gathered outside the house and attempted to break in. They demand […]
20 sheep killed in Dedoplistskaro as police car plows into flock
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–20 sheep were killed when a police car plowed into their flock near Dedoplistskaro in eastern Georgia a few days ago. Information Center of Kakheti reported that the incident happened on Sunday on the central highway in the village Gamarjveba, […]
Three cases of homophobic violence reported last month
Jemal Beridze (Facebook) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian media reported about three cases of homophobic violence which took place last month in Tbilisi. The Facebook user, Jemal Beridze wrote on 23 April that he was assaulted by three unknown attackers for wearing an earring. […]
61 more villages abandoned in Georgia in 12 years: Census
TBILISI, DFWatch–There are 223 deserted villages in Georgia, according to the census conducted in 2014 and published last week by the National Statistics Office (GeoStat). In 2002, when the previous census was conducted, […]
42 people died in the workplace in Georgia last year
Many workplace accidents have happened in the mining town Chiatura in western Georgia. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–42 people died at work in 2015, while 82 people were injured, the public defender informed on May 1, the International Worker’s Day. According to his statement, in 108 cases, a criminal investigation was launched, but it was halted in 42 of the cases. […]
Georgian soldier dies in Ukraine war
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more Georgian soldier is reported to have died in the war in Ukraine. Revaz Tsiklauri was reported dead late on Sunday. Tsiklauri died in the town Abievkaa, near Donetsk. A facility he was in was shelled. Tsiklauri was from the village Lapankuri, […]
Five persons arrested in Georgia for trying to sell uranium
TBILISI, DFWatch–Five people were arrested April 26 for attempting to sell radioactive uranium for USD 3 million. Savle Matiashvili, investigator at the counterintelligence service of the State Security Service, said at a briefing on Thursday […]
Quincy Jones, Macy Gray, Prodigy will play at Black Sea Jazz Festival
TBILISI, DFWatch–Quincy Jones, Macy Gray, the Prodigy are some of the artists to visit the Black Sea Jazz Festival in Georgia in July. Director of Eastern Promotion, which organizes the festival, said on a press-conference on Thursday that the festival will be held in […]
Georgian Dream almost caught up by the UNM: IRI polls
(IRI) Georgia’s governing coalition has almost been caught up by the former ruling party, according to the latest poll by International Republican Institute (IRI), published Friday. […]
Population in Georgia shrunk by 15 percent in 12 years: Census
Tbilisi, DFwatch – Population of Georgia declined by 15 percent from 4.372 million in 2002 to 3.714 million in 2014, according to the data released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) on Thursday. […]
No land transfer between Georgia and Turkey
Turkish border crossing at Vale. Wikimapia Tbilisi, DFWatch – The information about the alleged transfer of 15 acres of land from Georgia to Turkey, which went viral on Georgian media, was untrue. Yesterday, Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah published information about the alleged land transfer between Georgia and Turkey. […]
Georgian president pardons 95 prisoners in connection with Easter
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Wednesday pardoned 95 prisoners in connection with Orthodox Easter. The pardon decree was issued on April 27, and 69 of the pardoned prisoners have already left jail, according to Zviad Koridze, […]
Parliament speaker fears visa-free travel for Georgians may be delayed
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU’s plans to allow visa-free travel for citizens of Georgia may be postponed, the Georgian speaker of parliament said Monday. Davit Usupashvili blamed members of the party of former President Mikheil Saakashvili of lobbying against visa […]
Freedom House: Georgia regional leader in media freedom
Georgia earned the highest score of 49 points (0 is best, 100 is worst) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia took the 96th place among the world’s 199 countries and regions evaluated in the latest edition of the Freedom of the Press report prepared annually by Freedom House. Georgia earned the highest score of 49 points […]
Pshavi historical province to get Protected Landscape status
Tsikhetgora in Pshavi. Photo credit: Alexander Bainbridge / Wikipedia Commons TBILISI, DFWatch–Pshavi, the historical and cultural province of eastern Georgia, might soon be granted the official status of a Protected Landscape. Pshavi is located in the mountains of Mtskheta–Mtianeti region alongside the Aragvi River, on the way to the historical […]
Pro student union rally draws people who don’t know why they’re there
(Imedi TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Groups from different universities in Georgia demonstrated in the streets of Tbilisi on Tuesday, mainly demanding education reform, but local media wrote that many of the students didn’t know what the goal of the event was. The […]
National Movement activist claims he was attacked by local officials in Rustavi
(geotimes.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–An activist for the National Movement claims that several officials at the Rustavi City Hall, including the deputy mayor, insulted and beat him Monday night. Mamuka Chikovani, head of the UNM’s branch […]
Georgian charged with murdering mother and son arrested in Greece
Body found in a barrel buried underground (Channel 1) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The extradition procedures have already been started, but yet it is not known when or whether Greece will extradite the suspect. “I cannot tell you more details,” DFWatch was told at MIA press office. the suspect Giorgi Kuparadze is at the hospital […]
Tbilisi students object against Soviet style surveillance methods
TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at Tbilisi State University (TSU) protested on Monday against what they call a ‘police regime’, demanding that law enforcement bodies stop threatening their families and that the so-called ODRs are removed from publicly owned universities. […]
Ramazzotti’s concert in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Eros Ramazzotti dedicated his concert in Tbilisi on Sunday to the American singer and songwriter Prince, who died April 21 at the age of 57. […]
Georgian team won European judo championship
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Judo Team won the European Judo Championship in Kazan, Russia. In the final competition, the Georgian male judo team won 3:2 against the Russian team. The victories were won by Nugzar Tatalashvili, Avtandil Chrikishvili […]
Saakashvili confident his party will return to power in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president and current governor of Odessa, told a Georgian TV channel on Sunday that he is confident of victory for his political party in the parliamentary election in October, and afterward […]
North & East European foreign ministers support visa-free travel for Georgia, Ukraine
Photo by MFA of Latvia TBILISI, DFWatch–Foreign ministers of Europe’s northern and eastern countries call on EU member states to go ahead with a plan to allow 90 days visa-free visits for Georgian and Ukrainian citizens. On 21–22 April, a meeting of foreign ministers of Baltic, […]
The Azerbaijan Crackdown: An Update
Abbas Atillay (RFE/RL) by OCCRP Soon, it will have been a year since reporters for OCCRP and other organizations took a long, hard look at what is going on inside Azerbaijan’s prison system. Last June, journalists from the US joined colleagues from the Caucasus region and eastern […]
Abkhazian exhibition in Montenegro shut down on Georgia’s request
Montenegrin police covered the exposition with tarp following Abkhazia’s refusal to remove it from the fair (Chamber of Commerce of the de-facto Republic of Abkhazia) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia filed an official complaint with the authorities of Montenegro, as a result of which Montenegrin police shut down an Abkhazian tourism exposition. The Abkhazian exposition was a part of an international […]
Georgia’s frozen conflict hampers Easter celebration in border villages
Khurvaleti, one of the villages where the cemetery is on the other side of the fence. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The frozen conflict over South Ossetia will prevent many people in the border areas from visiting their family graves this Easter. As the observance of Orthodox Easter starts today with Palm Sunday, many will be unable to go to cemeteries […]
US congressman names Ivanishvili ‘illegal arms trader’, calls for freezing his assets
Youtube / Rep. Steve Russell Tbilisi, DFWatch – Republican Steve Russell called for sanctions against representatives of the Georgian government for attempts at rigging the upcoming elections. Steve Russell, 53, representative of Oklahoma, delivered a speech in the United States House of Representatives, […]
Ombudsman asks for thorough investigation of death in detention
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Defender has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate a death in preliminary detention. The ombudsman’s statement reads that March 15, a person who was detained a day before died in a detention facility […]
Flying Spaghetti Monster not approved as religion in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Registry in Georgia rejected an application to register the Autocephalous Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as a public legal entity. Journalist Lexo Machavarian’s April 19 application was rejected for two reasons. First, because […]
Eight flights postponed at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight flights were postponed yesterday at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind. All the affected flights were by Turkish Airlines. Interpressnews quoted an airport spokesperson saying that the decision was made by the airline. The delayed flights […]
Abkhazia shelves proposal to allow sale of real estate to foreigners
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia has decided not to lift a ban on selling real estate to foreigners. The de facto parliament in Sukhumi has rejected a draft law that would have lifted the ban, which is written into the constitution. […]
Georgia plans total ban on tobacco ads, other strict measures
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is preparing an anti-smoking bill. It is not yet known when the law will come into force. Amiran Gamkrelidze, head of the National Center for Disease Control, says he hopes that the new regulations will come into force from fall. […]
Georgia’s universal health insurance will not be changed
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s minister of healthcare says there is no plan to change the system of universal health insurance, but the government is considering a number of reforms. Appearing in parliament Wednesday to talk about last year’s achievements, […]
Darejan Tvaltvadze elected acting rector of Tbilisi State University
Darejan Tvaltvadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Academic staff at Tbilisi State University voted for a new acting rector on Wednesday. The winner was the vice rector, Darejan Tvaltvadze, who received 526 out of 967 votes cast. Other candidates were TSU professors Levan Gordeziani […]
UN chief to visit South Caucasus this month
Ban Ki-Moon will hold meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches (EPA) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon will pay an official visit to Georgia on 23–24 April on the invitation of Georgia’s Prime Minister. The Secretary General will hold meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches. […]
Georgia’s Press Freedom score declines, ranking rises: RSF
Georgia: 64th place, Armenia: 74th place, Russia: 148th place, Turkey: 151st place, Azerbaijan: 163rd place TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite the relative rise in the ranking to the 64th place, the highest place in the region, Georgia’s score slightly declined. Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières, RSF), a France-based international organization, issued the […]
Georgia may end compulsory military service in 2017: Defense minister
Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli says compulsory military service may be abolished from 2017. “This is my decision as minister of defense,” she told Channel 1 on Tuesday. “If another leader comes to this office, naturally, that decision may be changed.” […]
Constitutional Court rules against Saakashvili’s mother
Giuli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court ruled against the mother of former President Mikheil Saakashvili in her appeal against the seizing of her property. Giuli Alasania demanded that it be declared unconstitutional to seize property which might not […]
Gold bars worth USD 445,000 seized at Georgia-Azerbaijan border
(Finance Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service arrested two Azerbaijani citizens on the so-called Red Bridge border crossing for attempting to illegally import 12 kg of gold to Georgia. The value of the gold bars is more than one million laris (USD 445,000). […]
Student activists say police threatened their families
Students at Tbilisi State University created a new movement in March. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The student movement Auditorium 115, which sprang up a during a protest at Tbilisi State University (TSU) in March, claims that law enforcement bodies are putting pressure on them and their families. The State Security Service denies this. […]
EU considers including kill switch in agreement about visa-free travel
TBILISI, DFWatch–EU may add a suspension clause to the text of the document about visa-free travel for citizens of Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia and Kosovo. The addendum will give Brussels the right to rapidly bring back visa requirements if it becomes necessary. […]
Tbilisi City Court rules in favor of Gia Gachechiladze in Maestro case
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court decided Monday that the Georgian rock singer Giorgi Gachechiladze, also known as Utsnobi, will remain in control of the TV company Maestro. The city court’s ruling forms the conclusion of a several months long lawsuit […]
Police in Georgia arrest 6 persons for trying to sell uranium
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have arrested six persons for attempting to sell radioactive uranium for USD 200 million. Savle Motiashvili, an investigator at the State Security Service, said at a briefing on Monday that they have arrested a three Armenian and […]
Students and lecturers in joint protest at Georgian Technical University
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the last week, several lecturers at Georgian Technical University (GTU) have been on hunger strike demanding the resignation of the rector, who has been elected three times in a row. Five lecturers, with the support of students, […]
Batumi Muslims continue demanding the right to build a new mosque
Prayers in Batumi pray in the street outside of Orta Jame (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – On 15 April, after the weekly Friday prayer, Acharan Muslims organised a peaceful rally demanding construction permit for a new mosque in Batumi, Batumelebi (‘Batumians’) reported. The protesters marched to the government buildi […]
Abkhazian MP’s car hit by explosion in Sokhumi center
(Sputnik Abkhazia) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The official car of Almas Japua, MP in Abkhazia’s de facto parliament called the National Assembly, was hit by an explosion on Saturday evening, Sputnik Abkhazia reports. The car exploded on Sergei Bagapsh Square in […]
Georgian no longer language of instruction in Gali, Abkhazia
TBILISI, DFWatch–There are now no schools using Georgian as language of instruction in Gali, a part of the breakaway region Abkhazia where 97 percent of the population are ethnic Georgians (Megrelians). Georgian children have to study school subjects […]
Man arrested in Tbilisi for slitting wife’s throat
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was arrested a Tbilisi suburb Wednesday, suspected of slitting his wife’s throat with a knife. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an investigation has been launched under article 108 of the Criminal Code about premeditated murder. […]
Constitutional Court deprives security service of surveillance access keys
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court ruled Thursday to take the access keys to secret surveillance away from the State Security Service, which until now has had the technical means to access data that may identify people. Lika Sajaia, parliamentary […]
U.S. Department of State releases new report on Georgia’s human rights record
According to the report, arbitrary detentions by Russian and de facto [South Ossetian] authorities of Georgian citizens along the administrative boundary line remain one of Georgia’s significant human rights challenges. TBILISI, DFWatch–American Country Reports on Human Rights Practices points out shortcoming in Georgia’s democratic development, independence of the judiciary, minority rights protection, political persecution, and restrictions in media freedom. […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover January-March down 7%
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first three months of 2016 was USD 2.136 million. This is 7 percent less than in the same period last year. According to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat, […]
Georgian Manganese loses lawsuit over GEL 200 million tax penalty
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The company Georgian Manganese, which owns manganese mines in Chiatura and a ferro-alloy plant in Zestaponi, lost a court case against the government on Tuesday and must pay a 200 million laris (USD over 88.2 million) tax penalty […]
TSU students reject reform proposal, relaunch protests Saturday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at Tbilisi State University (TSU) will resume their protests on Saturday, after negotiations with the Ministry of Education failed. After a meeting with Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze Wednesday evening, members of the group Auditorium 115, […]
Poll: Georgian Dream 15%, National Movement 13%
TBILISI, DFWatch–Less than six months before the parliamentary election in Georgia, an opinion poll shows Georgian Dream in the lead with 15 percent and the National Movement second with 13 percent. But 38 percent don’t know who they would vote for. […]
Saakashvili blames sex tape scandal on Bidzina Ivanishvili
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a TV interview Tuesday, Mikheil Saakashvili blamed former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili of a series of sex tapes posted online with threats against politicians. A fourth video was sent to a Georgian media outlet the same day as the former […]
Former head of Georgian military police charged with contract killing
Megis Kardava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has charged the former head of the military police Megis Kardava with the murder of general Roman Dumbadze. The decision was made on April 7, but published on Tuesday. According to the Chief […]
Georgia improves on Freedom House index
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia slightly improved its position on the Nations in Transit index published by the human rights organization Freedom House, and has the best result over the past nine years. Georgia’s score in the latest index is 4.61 points out of 7. […]
Georgian sex tape scandal continues, another video threat posted online
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more Georgian sex video was posted on the Internet on Tuesday. The clip was sent to a media outlet; the same delivery method as the previous three times. This time, the website news.ge received an email with a video depicting […]
More Georgians think the country is moving in the wrong direction
(National Democratic Institute.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A larger share of Georgians think the country is going in the wrong direction, according to new opinion poll published Monday by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). According to the poll, 39 percent of people think that Georgia is moving […]
Georgia increasingly attractive for Azerbaijani businessmen and activists
Border with Azerbaijan (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–An increasing number of Azerbaijani citizens have been moving to Georgia in order to work and study. In addition to growing interest from tourists, one can already speak of a trend in which an increasing number of Azerbaijani choose […]
10% fewer Georgians want to join the Russian-led Eurasian Union
(National Democratic Institute.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The proportion of Georgians who think their country should join the Russian-led Eurasian Union has fallen by about ten percent since August, 2015. 20 percent of Georgians now agree that they should join the Eurasian Union, according […]
One person detained at South Ossetian boundary line
TBILISI, DFWatch–43-year-old Erosi Takadze was detained by Russian border police at South Ossetian administrative boundary line (ABL) on Saturday, 9 April. According to Mr Takadze’s relatives in the village of Kirbali, which is located in Gori region right next […]
Another Georgian citizen killed in Syria
(ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vakha Bugiev, 39-year-old native of Chechnya became yet another Georgian citizen who died in Syria, Information Centre of Kakheti (ICK) reported. Mr Bugiev arrived to Georgia via Azerbaijan during the Second Chechen War in 2000 and was […]
Panama leak shows how Davit Kezerashvili became an oligarch
Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A newspaper report based on the leaked Panama documents shows how Davit Kezerashvili, who was defense minister during Saakashvili’s presidency, became an oligarch a few days after he resigned. The Swiss newspaper Tribune […]
12 Babushara victims buried in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–12 more bodies have been identified from the Babushara airport disaster during the 1992-1993 Abkhazian war. The bodies were buried at Brothers’ Cemetery in Tbilisi on Saturday April 9, when Georgia commemorates the victims of the tragedy of 9 April 1989. […]
Pope Francis to visit Georgia as part of Caucasus tour
TBILISI, DFWatch–Pope Francis will visit Georgia in September as part of a tour of the Caucasus, by invitation of President GIorgi Margvelashvili. The president’s administration said Saturday that Margvelashvili invited the pope last year during his […]
Georgia marks National Unity Day
Government members attend the ceremony at April 9 memorial (government.gov.ge) Members of the Georgian government gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi in order to commemorate victims of the tragedy of 9 April 1989. […]
Shalva Ramishvili denies allegations he sexually harassed actress
Actress Tatia Samkharadze (Taso Barnova). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The actress Tatia Samkharadze, or Taso Barnova as she is also known, claims that journalist and producer Shalva Ramishvili sexually harassed her. “I confirm that [my] former boss, Shalva Ramishvili, sexually harassed me, and it […]
Republican Party cabinet members will resign in August
Khatuna Samnidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican cabinet members will leave their posts in August, party leader Khatuna Samnidze said in an interview on Friday. The Republicans are part of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, but recently decided to run on an independent ticket […]
Check-in-Georgia kicks off April 24, nationwide series of concerts
TBILISI, DFWatch–A nationwide music festival titled Check-in-Georgia will kick off in Tbilisi on April 24. The 35 concerts and festivals around the country will feature Robbie Williams, Maroon 5 and José Carreras. The festival, […]
Forest fire nearby Russian military base in South Ossetia
Location of Russian military facility (OpenStreetMap) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has declared readiness in helping to extinguish a forest fire in the vicinity of a Russian military facility in South Ossetia, Novosti-Gruziya reported. […]
Georgian lawmaker questions policy of seeking NATO membership
Tamaz Mechiauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A prominent member of parliament from the governing Georgian Dream coalition says Georgia should not seek membership in NATO if it is against the state interests. Tamaz Mechiauri, head of the finance and budget committee, also said he […]
Suspect arrested for fatal stabbing in Tbilisi suburb
Zarangul Akhmedova, mother of the murder victim. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia arrested a person Thursday accused of murdering 22 year old Pikrat Akhmedov on December 28 in Ponichala, a predominantly Azeri suburb of Tbilisi. The Ministry of Internal Affairs informed said police from Isani-Samgori […]
Romania welcomes Georgia, Ukraine in potential NATO Black Sea fleet
Mihnea Motoc (MApN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of defense of Romania Mihnea Motoc hopes that during the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw a decision will be made regarding creation of NATO Black Sea fleet with participation of Georgia and Ukraine. […]
Georgia to begin checking asset declarations by officials
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is introducing a new law from January 2017 which will lead to a 1,000 fine for any official who fails to file or files incorrect asset declarations. There is currently no mechanism for reacting to incorrect submissions of asset declarations. […]
UK refuses to extradite former Georgian minister of defense
Uk rejected Georgia to extradite Davit Kezerashvili (ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–‘Political prosecution’ was used as the justification for the London court’s refusal to extradite former UNM official who served as Minister of Defense of Georgia during 2008 Russo-Georgian War and was charged with numerous crimes after his party […]
Talk show host fired, reason unclear
Shalva Ramishvili. TBILISI, DFWatch–Shalva Ramishvili, a talk show host and producer at Imedi TV, was fired on Tuesday. In an interview with DFWatch, the journalist ruled out the possibility that he was fired because of government pressure. There was no warning […]
Georgia leaves gas transit agreement with Gazprom unchanged
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has renewed an agreement with Gazprom which means the country will continue to receive 10% of natural gas transiting through to Armenia. Gazprom has sent the text of the agreement to the Georgian Ministry of Energy, […]
One Armenian and one Azerbaijani MP concerned by Karabakh escalation
Ruslan Pogosyan and Ali Mamedov. (parliament.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two parliamentarians from the governing Georgian Dream coalition – one of Armenian, the other of Azerbaijani origin – express concern over the military situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after the recent escalation in hostilities. “We call […]
Usupashvili: Partnership with UNM ‘not serious’
Usupashvili: We can’t speak seriously about a partnership with the United National Movement (2030) TBILISI, DFWatch–Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili flatly denied allegations that the Republican Party of Georgia, commonly known as the Republicans, was considering a partnership with the United National Movement (UNM) before the parliamentary […]
The story of Azerbaijani journalist fleeing her country
Investigative journalist Gulnur Kazimova from Azerbaijan Facebook) By Delilah Damanova TBILISI, DFWatch–Last week European House hosted another meeting of the Thinking Citizen Center, an alternative education initiative for Georgia’s ethnic Azerbaijanis. The Center’s vision is the intellectual and cultural transformation of ethnic […]
Georgia marks NATO Week on the eve of Warsaw Summit
Tbilisi City Council decorated with the NATO member state flags (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Two-day NATO–Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum in Tbilisi opened NATO Week 2016, which will last from 4 to 19 April. ‘Georgia’s NATO and EU integration is our return to the European family with whom we are linked to by our common values of democracy, freedom and human rights protection. […]
Fighters recruited among Georgia’s minorities for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Arnold Stepanyan. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has complicated relations between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in Georgia. A small group of Georgian citizens plan to go to fight in case the conflict continues. […]
Georgia’s parliamentary election scheduled for October 8
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of Georgia on Tuesday announced that the parliamentary election in 2016 will be held on October 8. “I want to inform the public that the date of the parliamentary election is set for October 8. Tomorrow, the prime minister […]
Gori university lecturer claims she was fired because of anti-Stalinist views
Arina Tavakarashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lecturer at the University of Gori, a town 80km west of the capital, claims that she was fired because of her anti-Stalinist opinions. Arina Tavakarashvili wrote on her Facebook page that the canceling of her lectures was related to the issue […]
Vice speaker doubts ‘Panama Papers’ report about Ivanishvili
Manana Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A leading Georgian parliamentarian says she doubts the accuracy of a journalistic investigation published on Sunday which also included material about the Georgian billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili’s […]
Georgian president calls for Karabakh de-escalation
President Giorgi Margvelashvili addressing the Georgia-NATO forum in Tbilisi on April 5, 2016. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili called for a ‘peaceful end to the tensions’ in the recent outbreak of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, Rustavi 2 reported. President made his remarks during the second day of the NATO–Georgia […]
17% more visitors to Georgia in March 2016 compared to last year
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors entering Georgia in March grew by 16.7 percent, compared to same period last year, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the new monthly report of MIA the number of visitors in March was 450,875. […]
Demand for tougher regulation of surveillance following sex tapes scandal
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Organizations that are members of the campaign This Affects You Too on Monday called on the government to take measures to rein in the use of secret surveillance and wiretapping. The groups also demand the resignation of Chief Prosecutor […]
Tbilisi State University to select new rector on April 20
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi State University (TSU) has scheduled the selection of a new rector for April 20. Vladimer Papava resigned as rector after a student rebellion and a nearly week-long sit-in. The TSU’s academic council decided on Monday that the […]
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Georgia may offer to host negotiations
Vakhtang Kapanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is considering offering Azerbaijan and Armenia to negotiate about the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, where at least 33 people have died and more than 200 have been injured during the last few days, according to the United Nations. […]
National Forum withdraws from coalition, parliamentary majority
Gubaz Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Forum withdrew from the governing Georgian Dream coalition -on Sunday, and the following day party leaders said they are also withdrawing from the parliamentary majority. Leader of the party Kakha Shartava […]
Offshore Company Spent 3 Years Chasing Ivanishvili’s Passport
Bidzina Ivanishvii showing his passport during president election of October, 2013 (DFWatch) By Nino Bakradze and Dave Bloss Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project TBILISI, REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA — Bidzina Ivanishvili’s wealth is not all hidden away in vaults. His 108,000 square foot glass house perches on a hill above the capital city of the country he returned to rule as prime minister after leaving for neighboring Russia as a young man and accumulating billions of dollars before moving back to Georgia in 2004. […]
EU’s Avramopoulos optimistic about visa-free travel for Georgians
Dimitris Avramopoulos. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU’s commissioner for home affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos said Saturday that he is confident that the EU Parliament will support the proposed visa liberalization for Georgia. After meeting with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the commissioner […]
Tbilisi plans to regulate its taxis to ‘eliminate discomfort’
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall has begun work on a new taxi regulation that will eliminate the discomfort of taking taxis in the capital. Mayor Davit Narmania said Friday that taking a taxi will become more secure and comfortable. The new regulation […]
National Forum third GD coalition partner to go independent
Gubaz Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Forum, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, declared Thursday its intention to run as an independent party in the parliamentary election this fall. The Republican Party was the first of the parties in the […]
Sex tapes were not uploaded from Georgia: Prosecutor
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Mamuka Vasadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Chief Prosecutor’s Office claims three sex tapes posted to the Internet in order to threaten politicians were not uploaded from Georgia. Mamuka Vasadze, Deputy Chief Prosecutor, said at a briefing on Friday that investigators are currently […]
European People’s Party president meets imprisoned UNM officials
Joseph Daul (Ipn) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Joseph Daul expressed his support for the United National Movement and made comments on EU visa liberalisation process. President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Joseph Daul paid a visit to Georgia in order to meet with representatives of the opposition party United National Movement (UNM) and express his support for the party. […]
Georgia aims to maintain 10% share of Gazprom natural gas transit
Anti-Gazprom demonstration in Tbilisi in March, 2016. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has offered Gazprom to continue the transit of natural gas to Armenia. under the same conditions as before. The details of the offers are not known, but the negotiations between the Georgian government and Gazprom will finish […]
Republicans and Georgian Dream to run as independent parties
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two of the parties in the governing Georgian Dream coalition have decided to run as independent parties in the upcoming parliamentary election. The Republican Party declared Thursday that they plan to participate in the election independently, […]
New Georgian sex tape posted online
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more sex tape was uploaded to Youtube on Thursday, targeting a Georgian politician. The video was posted on the personal Facebook pages of a journalist and an actor and later removed. The police questioned actor Beso Zanguri. Journalist […]
TSU rector resigns after weeks of protests
Vladimer Papava. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vladimer Papava, the rector of Tbilisi State University (TSU), resigned Wednesday, but denied that he had done so because of pressure. “A lot of things influenced this decision. Their hunger strike and your demands, but many other things,” Vladimer Papava said. […]
Georgian official blames Russia for sex tape scandal
Levan Izoria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A deputy head of the Georgian counterintelligence on Monday hinted that Russia could be behind leaked surveillance videos recently used to threaten government members, although he did not rule out any theory. The videos were uploaded […]
Intelligence official denies the presence of agents at TSU
Levan Izoria said the practice of placing ODR agents at universities to spy on students ended in 2015. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The conflict at Tbilisi State University (TSU) seemed to be over a few weeks ago, but now Georgian intelligence has jumped into the fray, announcing that it hasn’t had agents at TSU since the beginning of this year. The presence […]
Ukraine fires deputy chief prosecutor, a Georgian
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Davit Sakvarelidze, a former Georgian official, has been fired as deputy chief prosecutor of Ukraine. He was fired for violating the ethics of a prosecutor, and for interfering in the business of another prosecutor, according to the the website […]
Reports: Georgian women more present in business than in government
Proportion of senior management roles held by women (Grant Thornton) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia scores high in international rankings of women’s participation in business management, although few Georgian women hold political office. […]
CEC approves referendum bid about same-sex marriage
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved a proposal to hold a referendum about whether to allow same sex marriage in Georgia. The proposal, which was submitted by a group of seven people, will not automatically […]
Sukhishvili performed at Russian oligarch son’s Moscow wedding
Mikhail Gutseriev. TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian media reported that Elton John, Sting, Jeniffer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Beyonce and others performed at the wedding of the son of Russian oligarch Mikhail Gutseriev March 26 in Moscow. It caught some attention in Georgia […]
Over 1,400 minors became parents in Georgia last year
A girl participates in a performance to protest early marriages in November, 2015 (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 1,440 minors became parents in 2015 and there were registered 611 marriages of people from 16 to 18 years, according to a report published Monday by Georgia’s ombudsman. In 2014, there were registered 665 marriages involving minors. […]
One more human rights activist released from Azerbaijan prison
(freeintigamaliyev.com) TBILISI, DFWatch–Azerbaijani authorities released from prison Intigam Aliyev, a lawyer and human rights activist, on March 28, as the court in Baku commuted his 7.5 years-long term to a suspended 5 year sentence, Radio Liberty Azerbaijan reported. […]
‘No tragedy’ if GD coalition falls apart: Kaladze
Vice PM sees no tragedy if the coalition falls apart (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream — Democratic Georgia, a key political party within the Georgian Dream coalition, may opt for running independently in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Kakha Kaladze, Minister of Energy stated Saturday, thus adding fuel to the fire in the widespread […]
Georgian PM takes part in Armenian Easter celebrations
(Prime Minister’s press office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited the newly renovated Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi’s Old Town, in order to join Armenian Easter celebrations. Adherents of the Armenian Apostolic Church are almost exclusively ethnic […]
Tbilisi City Hall will pay for Sameba Cathedral restoration
(Ministry of Finance) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall announced its plans to sponsor restoration works at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, known colloquially as Sameba (‘Trinity’), which was damaged by fire earlier this month. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili asked the Minister […]
Car dealers demonstrate against ban on right-hand drive vehicles
Rustavi car market. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Car dealers demonstrated in Rustavi on Friday against the government’s initiative to ban the registration of cars with right-hand drive from 2017. The protest took place at Georgia’s largest car market, located in Rustavi, […]
Former police official Erekle Kodua sentenced in absentia
Erekle Kodua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former government official was Thursday sentenced in absentia by Tbilisi City Court to two years in jail for exceeding official powers. The Prosecutor General’s Office says Erekle Kodua, who chaired the Special Operative Department (SOD) of the […]
Public hearing process begins for constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
Vice Speaker Manana Kobakhidze, one of the parliamentarians behind the bill. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A parliamentary commission has launched a public debate about a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The first meeting was held on Friday in Telavi, in the eastern Kakheti […]
Apartment block planned on cemetery for German prisoners from WWII
TBILISI, DFWatch–A construction company plans to build residential apartments on what according to locals is a cemetery for German prisoners of war from World War II. According to the environmentalist group Guerrilla Gardening Tbilisi, construction is planned […]
Gori wind farm expected to start producing electricity in December
TBILISI, DFWatch–Construction of wind a farm in Gori, 80km west of the capital, will be completed by the end of 2016, according to the Energy Ministry. Deputy Energy Minister Irakli Khmaladze said the power station […]
Georgia’s foreign trade Jan-Feb down 2%
Rustavi used car market. (Rustavi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first two months of 2016 was 2 percent less than last year, totaling USD 1,413 million. According to a new monthly report by the National Statistics Department (GeoStat), export was down 13 percent to USD 281 million, […]
Abkhazia field meetings to be resumed after near four-year break
From an earlier IPRM meeting in Abkhazia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parties have agreed to resume talks aimed at solving problems in the border areas near the Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia. Agreement to resume the talks, called Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), was reached […]
Georgia postpones ban on registration of right-hand cars till 2017
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia postpones banning on registration of cars with right-hand drive until January 1, 2017, to allow enough time to car importers to reshuffle their business and carry out commitments under the existing contracts, Deputy Minister of Interior said during […]
Tkibuli miners threaten new strike
Workers in the coal mines in Tkibuli were on strike in February. (Tkibuli municipality/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Trade Unions warns that workers in the coal mines in Tkibuli may go on strike again. Workers were on strike for two weeks in February, but an agreement was reached a few weeks ago. The trade union says the the mining […]
Ivanishvili won’t return to politics: Kaladze
Kakha Kaladze (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili will keep promise not to return to politics, Minister of Energy and the first vice Prime Minister, Kakha Kaladaze stated on Thursday, diffusing speculations in the media that the oligarch would be included […]
Interpol drops arrest warrant for Georgia’s former security chief
Data Akhalaia (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor states that former chief of security had Interpol’s red notice removed against him due to his refugee status, not ‘political persecution’, despite his family’s claims. Interpol removed an arrest warrant that was […]
Two suspected of stealing oil from BP’s pipeline in Georgia
(investigation Service) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two persons have been detained for allegedly stealing crude oil from Baku-Supsa Pipeline (BSP), which is used to transport Azerbaijani oil to Georgia’s Black Sea terminal and is operated by British Petroleum. The crime […]
Netherlands extradites former Georgian counterintelligence officer
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Netherlands on Tuesday extradited a former Georgian intelligence official known as ‘Mastera’. Giorgi Dgebuadze, a former official of the Constitutional Security Council (Kudi), was transferred by the request of Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office. […]
Georgian Orthodox Church calls sex-tape blackmail malice
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Orthodox Church said in a statement Tuesday that the publishing of sex-tapes in the media is ‘deliberate malice.’ Two videos were recently published on Youtube, showing well-known Georgians engaging in sex. The tapes […]
Georgia strengthens security at airports and borders after Brussels attacks
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is strengthening security measures in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. At least 34 people were killed in Brussels on Tuesday. Three bombs went off in the morning; two at Brussels airport and one at a metro station […]
Georgian politicians react to Brussels attacks
PM: “express my condolences to the Government and people of Belgium and in this difficult time I wish them strength and endurance” (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s main political figures pay condolences and stress the importance of strong intelligence services in wake of today’s terrorist attacks in Brussels. At least 34 people died in today’s terror attacks that shook Brussels, Belgian public broadcaster VRT reported. […]
Dispute about control over Maestro settled
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Agreement was reached on Monday between the owners of Maestro TV to allow the channel to continue using its logo, settling a several months long dispute. The agreement was announced in a statement by Gia Gachechiladze (‘Utsnobi’), who owns […]
Saakashvili calls on his party in Georgia to introduce gender quotas
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who is governor of Odessa in Ukraine, has advised his party home in Georgia to have 50 percent women on the election list for the upcoming parliamentary election, which will be held later this year. […]
Iraqi media: Body of Omar al-Shishani found
Tarkhan Batirashvili TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten bodies of Islamic State fighters were found east of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, including the body of Tarkhan Batirashvili (Omar al-Shishani), the Iraqi TV channel Al Sumaria reported. General in the Iraqi army Islail Mahlawi told […]
Georgia’s Russia envoy Abashidze answers president’s criticism
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Diplomat Zurab Abashidze has expressed astonishment at a statement by President Giorgi Margvelashvili that he had not properly handled a critical remark by a Russian diplomat. Abashidze, whose full title is Prime Minister’s […]
Prayer service suspended at Sameba Cathedral after fire
(Prime Minister’s press office/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prayer service has been temporarily halted at Sameba Cathedral after a fire burned about 1,200 square meters on the ground floor of the building on Sunday. However, prayer will offer in four little churches on the territory of Sameba that are […]
Georgian president faults envoy’s handling of Russian diplomat’s reprimand
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Monday criticized his country’s envoy for failing to respond adequately to criticism from a Russian diplomat during a bilateral meeting in Prague last week. President Margvelashvili […]
Margvelashvili praises TSU students for their commitment
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Sunday praised the students at Tbilisi State University for their commitment to social issues after the end of a near week-long sit-in. President Giorgi Margvelashvili recalled sending advisers to the university during […]
Fire burns 1,200 square meters at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An area of more than 1,200 square meters was burnt at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi on Sunday after a fire started on the ground floor of the cathedral. More than a hundred firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, which started at about 14:00 and lasted […]
Inequality lowers Georgia’s happiness score: Report
worldhappiness.report TBILISI, DFwatch–According to the World Happiness Report 2016, published today, Georgia is in 126th place out of 157 countries included in the study. The result places Georgia as the ‘least happy’ country of the former Soviet Union, while Uzbekistan […]
Georgian leaders send condolences to Russia after Rostov-on-Don plane crash
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili (Official Photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President and Prime Minister expressed their condolences to the families of victims of a deadly plane crash in Rostov, Russia. “I express my deepest sympathy to the victims of Flydubai passenger plane crash in Rostov, where dozens […]
House used for checkpoint should be compensated: Ombudsman
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian ombudsman says the Ministry of Internal Affairs failed to compensate a man for using his house as a checkpoint in a village bordering South Ossetia. In a statement published Friday, the ombudsman writes that the […]
String of concerts planned in election year, including Robbie Williams
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As the parliamentary election draws nearer, Georgia’s Culture Ministry is planning a string of concerts, beginning in April, which will feature world famous musicians. Negotiations have been launched with Robbie Williams and Eros Rammazotti. […]
Georgia lets Russian MP visit Tbilisi despite ban on Abkhazia & SO visits
Grigory Karasin. (Atlantic Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian member of parliament will be allowed to attend a meeting of the parliamentary assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Tbilisi between July 1 and 5, although he has violated […]
Koba Gvenetadze appointed new head of Georgia’s National Bank
Koba Gvenetadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president has appointed a new head of the National Bank (NBG). The appointment was signed by President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Thursday. Outgoing NBG head Giorgi Kadagidze will be replaced Koba Gvenetadze, a former politician […]
Building of new fire trench discussed at South Ossetia field meeting
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As representatives of Georgia and the breakaway region South Ossetia sat down on Tuesday for a regular field meeting, one of the major topics of discussion was the situation in the village Jariasheni, where construction work is in progress. […]
Russian diplomat criticizes Georgian leaders for anti-Russian rhetoric
Grigory Karasin. (Atlantic Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian deputy foreign minister has criticized Georgian politicians for engaging in anti-Russian rhetoric, warning that patience has its limits. Gregory Karasin made the statement in Prague on Wednesday after meeting with Georgian […]
Negotiation attempts fail to solve TSU student protest
One of the leaders of Auditorium 115. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For more than a week, students have been protesting at Tbilisi State University and the tension continues to escalate. TSU is split in two, with the police and security guards protecting every entrance to the two-wing building occupied by students. […]
More people charged in Georgia sex tape scandal
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office Saturday evening arrested two persons for illegally storing and spreading videos depicting individuals in intimate settings. The office said that apart from the two who were arrested Saturday – Zurab Jamalashvili […]
Student conflict escalates as rector refuses to resign
TSU Rector Vladimer Papava. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On the fifth day of protests, two opposing student groups continue to occupy a building at Tbilisi State University. Both groups grew increasingly frustrated with a decision by police not to allow anyone to enter the building except accredited journalists. […]
Two men detained for distributing secret surveillance videos
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people have been detained for allegedly collecting, storing and distributing videos depicting the private lives of people. The Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed the detentions, and later issued a statement which said that the two are detained for […]
US confirms Shishani’s death
Undated photo of Tarkhan Batirashvili, Abu Omar Shishani TBILISI, DFWatch–Pentagon officials confirm the death of the Islamic State’s prominent field commander Tarkhan Batirashvili (Omar al-Shishani), CNN reported. On 9 March, major Western news outlets reported that Mr Batirashvili, 30, was ‘likely killed’ in […]
NGOs demand tougher measures to stop surveillance videos
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NGOs in Georgia demand the creation of an investigative tool to combat the spreading of videos depicting people’s intimate lives and they want international experts to be involved in this. The initiative comes from organizations which are part […]
Georgian president promises to defeat ‘dark forces’ behind sex tapes
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday promised that the ‘dark forces’ attempting to blackmail free society will be defeated and fittingly punished. “I guarantee that the fight against those criminals will be won,” he said at a briefing […]
Georgia sex tape scandal not over, new video posted Monday
Lasha Berulava. TBILISI, DFWatch–Strangers Monday posted one more video online showing sex scenes involving a public person. The Youtube video was accompanied by a warning that more videos will be posted soon. Youtube was cut off for some time for Georgian users. […]
Gaprindashvili withdraws candidacy after student protests
Counter-rallies separated by the police (DF Watch) TBILISI, DFWatch–After four days of students occupying a building at Tbilisi State University, Giorgi Gaprindashvili announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy for university chancellor. “I am ready to step [aside] considering the interests […]
Shishani ‘clinically dead’: Syrian monitor
Tarkhan Batirashvili, Abu Omar Shishani TBILISI, DFWatch–According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Islamic State’s field commander Tarkhan Batirashvili, mostly known under his nom de guerre Abu Omar Shishani, has been ‘clinically dead’ for several days, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported. […]
Russians building new road near South Ossetia boundary line
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russians are constructing a new road near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) with Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia, at the village Jariasheni. The State Security Service Sunday informed that the construction […]
Ex-prosecutor reveals systematic sex surveillance and blackmail
Maia Mtsariashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former Tbilisi prosecutor claims that the military inspection at the Defense Ministry used to collect videos depicting intimate situations of gay men during Saakashvili’s presidency, to use for blackmail. Maia Mtsariashvili, a former prosecutor, […]
Sanikidze calls for inquest into intel agents at TSU
Tamar Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze is considering asking parliament to hold an inquest into the presence of intelligence agents at Tbilisi State University. Saturday evening, Sanikidze met students at TSU who for the last three days […]
Georgian man charged with faking power of attorney to steal land plot
(Finance Ministry, Investigative Service.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was detained on Saturday, charged with appropriating a plot of land in Tbilisi which belongs to an Egyptian citizen. The investigation service of the Finance Ministry informed that a Georgian citizen called Giorgi fabricated documents in order […]
Harsh punishment for spreading secretly recorded sex video: Georgian PM
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Saturday warned people who uploaded a sex video of an opposition politician to the Internet that they will be harshly punished. In a statement issued on Saturday the PM explains that this will be an example […]
Compromising video of opposition politician posted on Youtube
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A video depicting the sex life of a politician from the opposition was Friday posted on Youtube and privately sent to several Georgian journalists by e-mail. Some of the media outlets disclosed the name of the person in the video, but later apologized. […]
Life of Muslim Meskh repatriates at South Ossetian boundary line
Salim Iskanderov (DFWatch) Tsitelubani, DFWatch – The Iskanderov family members tell the story of life on the move, Meskh activism in Georgia, and challenges of life at the ABL. When DF Watch first knocked on Salim Iskanderov’s door, he was suspicious. […]
Students clash with police over candidate for university assembly
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students clashed with security guards and police at Tbilisi State University on Thursday while trying to prevent the election of a new chancellor of the university senate. The assembly of the senate had to be canceled. Students continue […]
Man attacks Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kutaisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man attacked a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kutaisi, western Georgia, on Thursday. The inebriated attacker beat him and tore book and, leaflets and smashed the JW stand. The incident took place on Thursday morning near […]
Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia exchange prisoners
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia exchanged prisoners with South Ossetia and Abkhazia at the Enguri on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Reconciliation and Civil Equality, agreement was reached with the de-facto governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia […]
Direct foreign investments in Georgia down 23% in 2015
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia went 23 down percent in 2015 compared to the previous year, according to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat. According to the report, the amount […]
17% of teachers pass professional exams, up from 4% in 2015
Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The vast majority of Georgian school teachers have failed their professional exams. On Thursday, Businesscontact.ge published statistics which shows that the teachers in primary school had the worst exam results of all. Teachers […]
Georgians, please behave well in Europe: justice minister
Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani called on her country’s citizens not to shame themselves after the visa liberalization comes into force and the borders of Schengen will be open for Georgians. Tsulukiani told journalists after […]
ISIS’s Georgian-born commander ‘wounded, not dead’: Report
Undated photo of Abu Omar TBILISI, DFWatch–The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced that according to its sources military commander of the Islamic State, Tarkhan Batirashvili, was seriously injured in an American airstrike on 4 March, yet not killed, Reuters reported. […]
Free Democrats support constitutional ban on gay marriage
Viktor Dolidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Free Democrats, an opposition party which until 2014 was a member of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, supports a Constitutional amendment that will define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Four members […]
EU Commission proposes visa-free travel to Schengen for Georgians
Dimitris Avramopoulos. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Commission on Wednesday proposed to lift visa requirements for Georgian citizens. If approved by the Union’s legislative bodies, Georgians may be able to visit the Schengen area without a visa from this summer. […]
EU Commission to announce visa liberalization for Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Commission is expected to announce its proposal for visa-free travel for Georgians today at a press conference in Brussels. The press conference is scheduled for today at 20:30 Tbilisi time. There is a three hour difference between […]
Georgian medical student confirmed dead in the Syrian war
Beslan Mukhtarov TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian member of Jabhat an-Nusra is confirmed dead after spending one month alongside Syrian Turkmen in Syria’s Latakia region. 30-years-old Beslan Mukhtarov was confirmed as the 17th Georgian citizen who was […]
Georgian defense minister: We have been informed of al-Shishani’s death
Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli says the U.S. government has informed that there is an assumption that Tarkhan Batirashvili, known as Omar al-Shishani or Omar the Chechen, was killed on Friday, but they are studying the situation. […]
March 8 rally in Tbilisi calls for more women in politics
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Labour rights and women’s political participation were the central issues during the International Women’s Day rally in Tbilisi. The rally included speeches and performances organised by a coalition of various feminist, LGBT, […]
CNN, Reuters report Georgian-born IS militant’s killed by U.S. forces
Undated photo of Abu Omar TBILISI, DFWatch–Several media reported Tuesday that Georgian-born militant Omar al-Shishani, one of the Islamic State’s top commanders, has been killed by U.S. forces. CNN, Reuters and other media reported that Shishani, whose birth name is Tarkhan […]
Ombudsman highlights remaining challenges on Women’s Day
Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On the International Women’s Day, Georgia’s Public Defender highlighted problems related to protection of women’s labor rights, supporting women’s participation in decision-making and elimination of violence against women. Ucha Nanuashvili […]
Alexi Petriashvili gives first comments since attack
Alexi Petriashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An opposition politician who was shot last week left the hospital on Tuesday and made his first statements to the press. Alexi Petriashvili, former member of government and party secretary of the opposition Free Democrats, said he didn’t know […]
Rockslide blocks SH-7 road between Zugdidi and Mestia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The SH-7 road in northwest of Georgia is closed after a rockslide near the village Tsitskhvari. A large mass of rock and soil slid onto the SH-7, which runs between Zugdidi in Samegrelo and Mestia in the Svaneti region. […]
Lecture on homophobia disrupted at Free University in Tbilisi
(Identoba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A public lecture about homophobia was called off at the Free University in Tbilisi as result of a protest by a radical religious group that claimed the lecture was propaganda. Identoba, an organization working to defend the rights of sexual and […]
GD coalition agrees on constitutional block against gay marriage
Prime MInister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) coalition on Monday agreed to support a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The constitutional amendment was discussed at a session […]
Suspect detained in attack on opposition politician
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian police announced Friday that a man has been detained suspected of the brutal assault on Alexi Petriashvili, former member of government and prominent member of the opposition Free Democrats. At a special briefing at the MIA, […]
Air Arabia, Scat, El Al, ARKIA and Dniproavia eye Batumi airport
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Air Arabia, Scat, El Al Israel Airlines, ARKIA and Dniproavia are considering flights to Batumi airport on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. Guram Jalaghonia, head of the Civil Aviation Agency, told Business and Political Insight (BPI) on Monday […]
Court approves Levan Gachechiladze as new director of Maestro TV
Levan Gachechiladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Registry on Monday registered Levan Gachechiladze as director of Studio Maestro. The registry said in a statement that Gachechiladze was appointed director of Maestro as a result of a decision made by the Appeals Court on March 1. […]
Anti-Russian protest gathers thousands in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several thousand people joined the National Movement on Sunday in a protest against the Georgian government’s negotiations with Gazprom. People formed a 7 km long human chain from the government office to the former Russian embassy […]
Large vehicles prohibited on S-3 road that connects Georgia and Russia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are restrictions on heavy vehicles on a section of the S-3 road north of Tbilisi leading to the Russian border. Due to heavy snowfall, it is prohibited for trailers, semi-trailers and vehicles with more than 30 seats to drive between […]
Month-long strike at Ksani factory ends as solution reached
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A strike at a glass factory in Ksani near Tbilisi has ended after 29 days. Workers demanded increased salaries, collective contract and office space for the local trade union. They achieved a 7.5 percent pay raise and from January 1, 2017 will […]
Batumi Muslims rally demanding permit to construct a mosque
Batumi Mosque (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Batumi Muslims continue to rally for permission to build a new mosque in the city. The only existing mosque, called Ortajame, is not large enough and people have to pray on the street. Several hundred Muslims gathered outside […]
New domestic flights between Kutaisi and Natakhtari near Tbilisi
airport of Mestia (Air Navigation of Georgia) TBILISI, DFWatch–From March 10, there will be two flights per week between Natakhtari airport near the capital and Kutaisi. Flights will be carried out every Tuesday and Thursday between Natakhtari and Kutaisi, Georgia’s third largest city, about […]
Republican Party will remain part of GD coalition
Davit Usupashvili (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican Party will remain in the Georgian Dream coalition, Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili said Thursday after meeting Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. The reason for the meeting was a recent statement by the prime minister […]
Tbilisi NGOs ask Brussels to specify reform criteria
The letter is addressed to Federica Mogherini. (EU Commission.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight non-governmental organizations in the Georgian capital ask the EU to specify exactly how to measure the reforms the country is carrying out after signing an association agreement with the EU in 2014. The association agreement involves […]