Saturday, July 25, 2026

DFWatch staff

Anti-government rally draws crowds in Batumi as verdict in editor’s trial is expected Monday

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TBILISI, August 2 – Demonstrators gathered in Batumi over the weekend to demand the release of several individuals detained during recent opposition protests. The march, involving opposition party members, NGO representatives, and civic activists, ended outside the regional government building of Adjara, where daily demonstrations have continued for months. Participants expressed solidarity with those detained … Read more

Opposition supporter in Georgia ordered to undergo forced psychiatric evaluation

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TBILISI, August 2 – A Georgian court has approved a psychiatric evaluation for activist Nino Datashvili, who has been in pre-trial detention since June 20, 2025, on charges of assaulting a public official during a protest earlier that month. The decision to order the evaluation, made at the request of the prosecutor’s office, has triggered … Read more

Tbilisi’s opposition eyes backing urban conservationist who promises to end capital’s traffic jams ‘within a year’

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TBILISI, August 1 – Opposition forces in Georgia are weighing whether to nominate Aleko Elisashvili for mayor — a former urban heritage activist who has pledged to eliminate the capital’s notorious traffic congestion “within a year.” Elisashvili, a long-time critic of the government and advocate for better urban planning, says he would accept the nomination … Read more

Georgia to reopen Russia-Georgia border crossing after mudslide scare

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TBILISI, August 1 – Authorities in Georgia have lifted an earlier glacier alert and cleared the border area between Russia and Georgia of immediate danger and recommended that the Dariali boarder crossing be reopened. The National Environment Agency lifted its mudslide alert in the mountainous Devdoraki Valley, after confirming that water levels have returned to … Read more

Georgian editor’s trial postponed till Monday

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TBILISI, August 1 – A Georgian editor on trial for allegedly assaulting a chief of police will deliver her closing argument on August 4, following a delay granted by the judge at her request. Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder of newspapers Batumelebi and Netgazeti, is accused of slapping a police chief during a January protest outside police … Read more

Two U.S. troops injured at NATO-linked military drill in Georgia

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TBILISI, August 1 – Two U.S. military personnel have suffered minor injuries during the military exercise Agile Spirit 2025 in Georgia. The accident took place during the multinational exercise, at Norio training grounds, when a vehicle overturned. The two were treated at a local hospital before being transferred to another medical facility. Their condition is … Read more

Body found on Batumi beach, cause of death unknown

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TBILISI, August 1 – Authorities in Batumi are investigating after a man’s body was found washed ashore on the city’s New Boulevard coastline. Police and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene. The body was taken to the forensic bureau for examination. The cause of death is unknown at this stage. No further details have … Read more

Verdict in Georgian editor’s case expected Friday

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TBILISI, July 31 – A Georgian court is expected to deliver its verdict August 1 in the criminal trial of journalist and newspaper founder Mzia Amaglobeli, in a case that has sparked international outrage. Supporters of Amaglobeli are planning to gather outside Batumi City Court during the final hearing waiting for the verdict. They argue … Read more

Official in Georgia’s largest opposition party arrested on immigration fraud charges

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TBILISI, July 31 – Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS) has arrested a senior opposition figure, Lasha Tsanava, on charges of immigration fraud. Tsanava, a political council member of the United National Movement (UNM), is accused of receiving money from a foreign citizen in return for promising to help secure a residence permit in Georgia. According … Read more

Georgia’s strong economic growth not benefiting the broader population

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TBILISI, July 31 – Georgia’s economy continues to expand, with official statistics reporting 6.3% growth in June 2025 and an average 8.3% increase over the first half of the year. International forecasts suggest Georgia remains one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, outperforming global averages by a significant margin. Yet despite the positive data, … Read more