Security Council secretary to resign if Ivanishvili bloc wins presidency

    By | October 17th, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: , |

    Giga Bokeria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Giga Bokeria, Secretary of the Security Council, says he will leave the post if Georgian Dream candidate Giorgi Margvelashvili wins the presidential election. Margvelashvili on Wednesday told journalists that in case of a Georgian Dream victory […]

      President Saakashvili signs constitutional amendments

      By | October 17th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

      President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The constitutional amendments which reduce the power of the prime minister have come into force, after the president signed a bill which was passed by parliament on October 4. The amendment is published on the website of the legal gazette, matsne […]

        Georgian gov’t plans 12 mill USD in development of border areas

        By | October 16th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

        Davit Narmania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure says that investments in the amount of 20 million lari (USD 12 million) will be necessary to solve the problems locals are having who living in villages bordering with the Russian […]

          Former Georgian defense minister detained for 40 days in France

          By | October 16th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

          Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili, who was detained recently in France, has been placed in 40-day detention until his extradition request has been processed. According to French press, Kezerashvili was planning to travel to Albania from Nice […]

            NATO envoy met Georgian Euro-integration minister

            By | October 16th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

            James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Alexi Petriashvili, Minister for Euro and Euro-Atlantic integration, yesterday met with NATO envoy James Appathurai, who recounted the meeting on his official Facebook page. “He made a clear, realistic and convincing case for why, if/when the upcoming […]

              ISFED lists violations in Georgia’s election campaign

              By | October 16th, 2013|Categories: NGO news|Tags: , , |

              Nino Lomjaria, head of ISFED. TBILISI, DFWatch–The fifth interim report of International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), covering the period from September 8 to October 6, identified 5 cases of political intimidation, 3 cases of obstructing the election campaign and other […]

                Georgian Dream tops list of party donations

                By | October 16th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream party in September received more than half a million lari in donations (about USD 350 000). In October, the amount of donations was only 1500 lari (about USD 900). Meanwhile, the party of Nino Burjanadze, the Democratic Movement, […]

                  Georgia and the Eurasian Union

                  By | October 16th, 2013|Categories: Opinion|Tags: , |

                  Michael Fuenfzig is Assistant Professor at Tbilisi State University’s School of Economics. A few weeks ago, speaking at a press conference, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili floated the idea of Georgia joining the Eurasian Union. Although he later backtracked on his statements, the cat was out of the bag. Predictably, the United National Movement slammed […]

                    Strasbourg to announce ruling in Georgia vs Russia next year

                    By | October 15th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

                    TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg next year will announce its ruling in a case Georgia has lodged against Russia concerning the deportation of Georgian citizens from Russia seven years ago. This was conveyed in a message from the […]

                      Former Georgian defense minister detained in France

                      By | October 15th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                      Davit Kezerashvili was defense minister during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former Georgian defense minister has been detained in France. According to the Interior Ministry, Davit Kezerashvili, who served in President Saakashvili’s government, was detained on Monday in France in a joint operation between Interpol’s Paris […]

                        Prison minister meets family of dead prisoner

                        By | October 15th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                        Sozar Subari. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prison Minister Sozar Subari Monday arrived in Senaki, in western Georgia, to visit a family whose son is said to have committed suicide in prison. It was the demand of the father of Goga Dzvelaia that he wouldn’t bury his son until Subari […]

                          Ivanishvili to name successor first week of November

                          By | October 15th, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: |

                          Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili promises to name his successor in the first week of November, after the presidential election. In an interview with Channel 1 on Monday, he said that people will know who the candidate for new prime minister is in […]

                            Ivanishvili says Georgia might boycott Olympics

                            By | October 15th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                            Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishivli says that ‘if it becomes necessary’, Georgia will refuse to take part in the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, but that more time is needed to make a decision. The PM said this during an interview on Channel 1’s […]

                              Saakashvili gives citizenship to 3000 Georgians in Turkey

                              By | October 14th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                              President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili says he will grant Georgian citizenship to 3 000 more Georgians living in Turkey. Saakashvili was visiting the town Sakaria and the village Nusetie on Monday to meet with ethnic Georgians. He recalled that a few weeks […]

                                Saakashvili’s party leaves the inter-agency commission

                                By | October 14th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement party has left the inter-agency commission, which controls election processes in the country, as a sign of protest. UNM members claim the commission chairman, Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani, said at a closed session meeting […]

                                  No confirmation of claim Adeishvili is in Hungary

                                  By | October 14th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                  Zurab Adeishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–It is unknown in Georgia whether former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili is in Hungary and whether he was appointed as advisor to the Hungarian president. What is known is that Giorgi Sabanadze, the former chairman of Tbilisi Development Fund, […]

                                    Several rallies in Georgia to protest against Russian occupation

                                    By | October 14th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                    Sabina from Sweden performing in Tbilisi Sunday. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A number of protest rallies and events were held in Georgia last weekend to protest against Russian occupation and Georgia’s participation in the Sochi Winter Olympics. On Saturday, there was a rally outside the government offices in Tbilisi, where […]

                                      One man dies in mining accident

                                      By | October 14th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                      A Tkibuli mine. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 33-year-old has worker after a shaft ceiling collapsed following a micro blast in the coal mine in Tkibuli, a town in western Georgia. According to Valeri Kukhalashvili, Director General of Sakhnakhshiri GIG Ltd, which owns the coal mines […]

                                        Police operation claims two lives, four wounded

                                        By | October 13th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–One police special unit employee died during an operation to apprehend a man suspected of burglary. The suspect also died in the shooting. According to the Interior Ministry, employees of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regional police department […]

                                          Three detained at Bakradze campaign rally

                                          By | October 13th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                          (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three former political prisoners were detained in Batumi on Saturday during a campaign rally for Davit Bakradze, the presidential candidate for the National Movement party. Jimsher Kurtskhalidze, Jemal Buadze and Merab Gorgadze were taken away from […]

                                            Saakashvili urges gov’t to continue large scale projects

                                            By | October 13th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                            Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili asks the new government, which took power a year ago, to continue large projects started under him. Saakashvili, speaking after an awards ceremony for a TV show on Friday, said a new prognosis by the […]

                                              Georgian finance minister disputes IMF’s reduced growth prognosis

                                              By | October 12th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: , |

                                              Nodar Khaduri, Finance Minister of Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government of Georgia disagrees with a prognosis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicating that Georgia’s economic growth will experience a further slowdown. Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri said Friday that the government has been […]

                                                Ex-official wanted in Georgia given asylum in EU

                                                By | October 12th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                Giorgi Sabanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Italy has released the former chairman of Tbilisi Development Fund, which means he won’t be extradited to Georgia. Lawyers of Giorgi Sabanadze informed journalists that the reason he won’t be extradited is that he has received […]

                                                  Georgia preparing Interpol search for jihad video suspect

                                                  By | October 12th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                  TBILISI, DFWatch–Interior Minister informs that very soon Interpol will issue a red alert for the search for the man suspected of uploading two videos to Youtube threatening jihad against Georgia. The ministry is preparing the necessary documentation to send […]

                                                    Tbilisi City Hall to buy apples from conflict zone

                                                    By | October 12th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall plans to purchase apples from villages close to the Russian-controlled territories. The plan is the initiative of the Mayor of Tbilisi, and the goal is to help people living in the conflict zone who otherwise would be left without an income […]

                                                      Georgia will not open election precinct in Russia

                                                      By | October 11th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

                                                      Davit Zalkaniani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There will not be opened election precincts in the Russian Federation for Georgia’s presidential election on October 27. Davit Zalkaliani, First Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, told journalists that there are a number of difficulties involved when […]

                                                        Georgian fruit and vegetables to be exported to Russia

                                                        By | October 11th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia will allow export of Georgian fruit and vegetables to its market. Shalva Pipia, Minister of Agriculture, said Thursday that a document has been signed by the parties which lifts all restrictions on Georgian export of nuts, grapes, apple, pea, […]

                                                          Farmers demand payment for wine grapes

                                                          By | October 11th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                          TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 100 farmers demand to be paid for grapes they delivered to the wine maker Shildi. Two days ago, the farmers rallied outside the plant demanding their payment immediately. They told journalists that many of them should be paid thousands […]

                                                            IMF expects growth to slow down in Georgia

                                                            By | October 11th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: |

                                                            TBILISI, DFWatch–The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded its prognosis for Georgia’s economic growth this year from 6 to 2.5 percent. In the beginning of 2013, IMF assumed Georgia would have 6 percent growth, but then reduced the prognosis to 4 percent […]

                                                              Georgia Security Council deputy resigns

                                                              By | October 11th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                              Batu Kutelia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The deputy secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council, a former ambassador of Georgia to the United States, has resigned. Batu Kutelia did not comment about his resignation, but Tamar Kintsurashvili, the second deputy secretary of the Security […]

                                                                Russia’s South Ossetia fences now stretch 35 km

                                                                By | October 10th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , |

                                                                The barbed wire bundles in Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The length of barbed wire and fences along the delineation line with the breakaway region South Ossetia is now 35 kilometers. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze says 65 Georgian families have been affected as result of the installation of barbed wire […]

                                                                  Boycott Sochi petition has gathered over 8000 signatures

                                                                  By | October 10th, 2013|Categories: News, Sport|Tags: , |

                                                                  Paata Zakareishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A petition calling for Georgia to boycott the Sochi Winter Olympics has gathered over 8000 signatures. The petition was started by local non-governmental organizations. ISFED and Transparency International Georgia do not exclude that there will […]

                                                                    Georgia to join NATO Response Force in 2015

                                                                    By | October 10th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

                                                                    Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will join NATO Response Force (NRF) in 2015, NATO’s Secretary General says. At a monthly press conference, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that from next month the alliance will conduct a major exercise in Poland and the Baltics states. […]

                                                                      Georgian candidates on the campaign trail

                                                                      By | October 10th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , , , , , , , |

                                                                      Presidential candidate Nestan Kirtadze wants free natural gas for people near the conflict zone. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Less than three weeks left before the presidential election in Georgia, candidates are busy conducting their election campaign. Davit Bakradze, the candidate for the National Movement, on Wednesday met with people in the Racha region. He opened a new […]

                                                                        Dead prisoner’s body examined, no trace of violence

                                                                        By | October 10th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–The family of Goga Dzvelaia, a 16-year old who died in a cell in Kutaisi prison a few days ago, has conducted an independent examination of the body. It was conducted by Maya Nikolaishvili, who did an external examination of the body and took photos. […]

                                                                          Ivanishvili turns down request for Security Council session

                                                                          By | October 9th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                          Georgia’s National Security Council. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister has refused to participate in a session of the country’s National Security Council. In a written statement the PM and the speaker of parliament write that they believe attending the session will be like ‘participation […]

                                                                            ‘Smiling Georgia’ canceled, some elderly left toothless

                                                                            By | October 9th, 2013|Categories: Society|Tags: |

                                                                            Minister of Health Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s new government says it will not continue a plan launched by President Saakashvili two years ago called ‘Smiling Georgia’, which involved fixing the teeth of elderly people. Minister of Health Davit Sergeenko said at a press conference […]

                                                                              Saakashvili: Minister must be held to account for prisoner death

                                                                              By | October 9th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                              Andro Barnovi, head of the president’s administration. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 16-year old prisoner has died in Prison No 2 in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city. Preliminary information indicates that it was a suicide, but the teenager’s family calls it a murder. According to the Prison Ministry, the deceased was brought […]

                                                                                Georgia tops media freedom list in Eastern Partnership

                                                                                By | October 9th, 2013|Categories: Media, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia tops a new survey of media freedom among those eastern European countries that are not members of EU but associated through the Eastern Partnership. The report is called Media Freedom Index in Eastern Partners Countries and was presented in Moldova […]

                                                                                  Audit Office claims found further violations by Burjanadze’s party

                                                                                  By | October 9th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                  Nino Burjanadze says her party will cooperate with the Audit Office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Audit Office has again asked for documentation about the financial activity of presidential candidate Nino Burjanadze’s party. The Audit Office monitored the election campaign for two month between July 1 and September 9 and found […]

                                                                                    Petition calling on Georgia to boycott Sochi Olympics

                                                                                    By | October 8th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–A petition launched today in Georgia demanding to boycott the Sochi Olympics has quickly gathered more than 1500 signatures. The petition, which originates in Tbilisi’s NGO circles, appeals to Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, Sports Minister Levan Kipiani […]

                                                                                      Russia faults seven Georgian wine producers

                                                                                      By | October 8th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                      Levan Davitashvili, head of Georgia’s National Wine Agency. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has refused to let seven Georgian wine producers export 28 types of wines to the Russian market ‘due to non-compliance with hygienic standards.’ The official website of the Russian consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor published a list […]

                                                                                        Two tourists found after rescue operation

                                                                                        By | October 8th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                        Two Israeli tourists who got lost in the mountains have been rescued. (police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rescue workers have recovered two tourists from Israel who were lost for two days in a mountainous part of Georgia. According to the Interior Ministry, the tourists were discovered in Mestia, Svaneti. They left from the village Janbeshi toward the village […]

                                                                                          Burjanadze wants to punish ‘creators’ of 2008 war

                                                                                          By | October 8th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                          Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Nino Burjanadze, presidential candidate for Democratic Movement, on Monday presented her election program. Burjanadze explained that the program contains all important areas for the country’s development, and foreign and domestic affairs. […]

                                                                                            Change of prosecutor in Akhalaia case, again

                                                                                            By | October 8th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                            Prosecutor Ia Darjania asked to be taken off the Bacho Akhalaia case because of family connections. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There has twice been a change of prosecutor in the case against former prison minister Bacho Akhalaia for the 2006 prison riot. Prosecutor Ia Darjania on Monday asked the judge to replace her, because she cannot make independent decisions […]

                                                                                              Georgia weighing for and against participation in Sochi Olympics

                                                                                              By | October 7th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–News that a military pilot declared a hero by Russia for his service in the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 will be torch bearer for the Sochi Winter Olympics has caused a strong reaction in Georgia. The announcement has increased […]

                                                                                                Poti port closed due to storm

                                                                                                By | October 7th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                Poti. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four a fourth day, the port in Poti on the Black Sea has been closed for ships due to a storm. According to local media, the unloading of ships has been in progress for the last few days, but fifteen ships which should have arrived have been turned […]

                                                                                                  Tbilisoba warmed crowds in bad weather

                                                                                                  By | October 7th, 2013|Categories: Society|Tags: |

                                                                                                  Mtsvadi, traditional barbecue, at Tbilisoba. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite chilly weather, the Tbilisoba drew crowds in the old part of the capital last weekend. The Georgian capital’s annual festival sported events like tasting traditional Georgian food, taking a ride on a horse and enjoying the sights of old […]

                                                                                                    Russian 2008 war hero to be Olympic torch bearer

                                                                                                    By | October 7th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the first Olympic torch bearers for the Sochi Olympics will be Ivan Nachaev, who Russia has granted status as hero for his participation in the Russia-Georgia war of August 2008. According to Russian media, Nachaev is a pilot, whose plane was […]

                                                                                                      “ნაციონალური მოძრაობის” დროშა აღარ არის სახელმწიფო დროშა

                                                                                                      By | October 6th, 2013|Categories: ამბები-ძველი|

                                                                                                      "ნაციონალური მოძრაობის" ახალი დროშა. (ინტერპრესნიუსი.) ENGLISH დღევანდელი სახელმწიფო დროშა, რომელზეც თეთრ ფონზე გამოსახულია ერთი დიდი და ოთხი პატარა წითელი ჯვარი, პარლამენტმა 2004 წლის 14 იანვარს დაამტკიცა. მანამდე სახელმწიფო დროშა იყო მუქ წითელ ფონზე გამოსახული მარცხენა მაღალ კუთხეში პატარა შავი და თეთრი ზოლები. მიუხედადვ იმისა, რომ ძველი დროშა ეროვნულ დროშად ითვლება, რადგან ეს იყო მეოცე [...]

                                                                                                        Saakashvili reelected UNM leader, presents new party banner

                                                                                                        By | October 6th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                        The new National Movement party banner. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement in Georgia Saturday voted to keep Mikheil Saakashvili as party leader, and to change the party symbol to set it off from the national flag. UNM’s symbol, a five-cross flag, was made the national flag in January 2004 following […]

                                                                                                          Poll confirms Ivanishvili coalition’s lead

                                                                                                          By | October 6th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                          A Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner poll confirms that Giorgi Margvelashvili is likely to win the presidential election. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new party poll ordered by the president’s administration shows that 43 percent of Georgians support the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate for president, while 22 percent supports the National Movement candidate. The poll, which was conducted […]

                                                                                                            Soon leaving, Ivanishvili looks ahead to the next twenty years

                                                                                                            By | October 5th, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: |

                                                                                                            Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Ivanishvili claims he has fulfilled all the plans he had for the first two to three years after going into politics, and now moves on to the next stage: plans for the next 20 years. Ivanishvili said this during a campaign stop Friday […]

                                                                                                              15% more visitors to Georgia in September

                                                                                                              By | October 5th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–15.1 percent more visitors came to Georgia in September 2013 compared to same period last year. According to Interior Ministry, 507 082 persons visited the country in September, while 4 075 600 visitors came to Georgia in the first nine months of the […]

                                                                                                                State money siphoned off in construction of new parliament

                                                                                                                By | October 5th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                The pillars of the new parliament in Kutaisi. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The investigative service of the Finance Ministry has charged the director of the company that built the new parliament in Kutaisi with appropriation of a state money. According to the Investigative Service information, March 17, 2010, Meno International […]

                                                                                                                  Georgia considered free in terms of Internet

                                                                                                                  By | October 4th, 2013|Categories: NGO news|Tags: |

                                                                                                                  TBILISI, DFWatch–In a new survey of Internet freedom published by the US-based human rights organization Freedom House, Georgia receives 26 points and is listed in twelfth place among 60 countries measured with status as free. According to the survey, it is the […]

                                                                                                                    Georgia reduces power of National Security Council

                                                                                                                    By | October 4th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                    Giga Bokeria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s governing coalition may reduce the powers of the National Security Council and the council secretary to bring legislation in line with the constitution. Constitutional amendments which were passed by the National Movement party when it was […]

                                                                                                                      Georgia got help from US in jihad video investigation

                                                                                                                      By | October 4th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                      Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of Interior Irakli Gharibashvili says Georgia received assistance from the US in the investigation about the so-called jihad videos, and the government is preparing to announce an international search for the suspect through Interpol. […]

                                                                                                                        Ivanishvili’s won’t visit the US as prime minister

                                                                                                                        By | October 4th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                        Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he will not manage to visit the US before he leaves politics. He said during a meeting with journalists on Wednesday that the visit should have been held in November, but ‘probably it won’t take place.’ […]

                                                                                                                          Saakashvili pardons 18 000 probationers

                                                                                                                          By | October 4th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                          People queued outside the president’s palace to apply for a pardon. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Saakashvili has pardoned about 18 000 people on probation or already finished serving their sentence. The president signed a decree which has been sent to the appropriate bodies in order to be enforced. Andro Barnovi, head of the […]

                                                                                                                            Saakashvili doubts veracity of government’s jihad video theory

                                                                                                                            By | October 3rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                            Andro Barnovi, spokesperson for President Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A spokesperson for President Saakashvili says his administration distrusts the theory presented by the government today about who was behind the jihad threat video, claiming the ministry is telling lies in an attempt to assure people that the case can […]

                                                                                                                              Ivanishvili debated journalists in live broadcast

                                                                                                                              By | October 3rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                              Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili debating journalists Wednesday. (Ivanishvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili held a televised round table discussion with Georgian journalists on Wednesday. The debate turned into a squabble as the PM demanded answers about things the journalists have written. After a similar TV debate […]

                                                                                                                                EU spokesman: Georgia will not join the Eurasian Union

                                                                                                                                By | October 3rd, 2013|Categories: Europe, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                Boris Yaroshevich. (Civil Service Bureau.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A spokesman for EU’s delegation to Georgia says although Russia has increased its pressure on Eastern Partnership countries, there is no risk that Georgia will join the Eurasian Union, because the Georgian government’s stance is clear. In 2010, the […]

                                                                                                                                  Candidate numbers assigned in Georgian election

                                                                                                                                  By | October 3rd, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                  TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission in Georgia has assigned which number each candidate in the October 27 presidential election will have on the ballot-paper. Three parties have retained the numbers they had in the previous election, a privilege afforded […]

                                                                                                                                    Plan to bar Georgians from leaving country put on hold

                                                                                                                                    By | October 3rd, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–Lawmakers in Georgia have retracted a bill to make it possible for authorities to bar Georgians from leaving the country without specifying the reason. MPs Irine Imerlishvili and Zurab Abashidze said they were revoking the bill in order to improve it, […]

                                                                                                                                      NATO and EU concerned about Russian borderization

                                                                                                                                      By | October 2nd, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                      Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton express concern about the recent actions by Russian soldiers who are expanding the de facto border around the breakaway region South Ossetia and installing […]

                                                                                                                                        Russia was asked about Georgian occupation at PACE

                                                                                                                                        By | October 2nd, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                        Member of parliament Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia avoided questions about the occupation of Georgian territory during a debate of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Georgia’s delegation was not given an opportunity to ask questions. Speaker for the Russian […]

                                                                                                                                          Saakashvili warns against Russian moves to take lands in west

                                                                                                                                          By | October 2nd, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                          President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili claims Russia is planning to put the Baku-Supsa pipeline, Ganmukhuri and other territories in the Samegerelo region behind barbed wire. Saakashvili said Tuesday that he believes the moving of barbed wires and fences […]

                                                                                                                                            One man is detained for ‘jihad videos’ against Georgia

                                                                                                                                            By | October 2nd, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                            Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Tuesday provided details about a several month long investigation into two jihad videos posted on Youtube a few months ago with threats against Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan. His comments were a response […]

                                                                                                                                              Georgia’s economy grew 1.1 percent in August – estimate

                                                                                                                                              By | October 1st, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s estimated real GDP growth rate amounted to 1.1 percent in August 2013. For the first eight months of 2013, the same figure was 1.6 percent, according to Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat. GeoStat’s monthly rapid estimates […]

                                                                                                                                                EUMM concerned about South Ossetia borderization

                                                                                                                                                By | October 1st, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                The razor wire block in Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Monitoring Mission to Georgia Tuesday expressed concern about the installation of barbed wire by Russian soldiers in the villages Dvani and Ditsi at the border line around the breakaway region South Ossetia. Toivo Klaar, the new head of EUMM, […]

                                                                                                                                                  Groups to study Georgia’s prisoner abuse

                                                                                                                                                  By | October 1st, 2013|Categories: News, Prisoner abuse|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                  The release of the videos shocked Georgians one year ago. TBILISI, DFWatch–Local and international human rights organizations are to examine the footage of prisoner abuse, one year after it created a firestorm of criticism in Georgia. A handful of videos were leaked to the media by a former prison guard less than two weeks […]

                                                                                                                                                    53 election precincts abroad for Georgian election

                                                                                                                                                    By | October 1st, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–53 election precincts will be open at locations abroad for Georgians there who want to vote in the presidential election on October 27. According to the Central Election Commission, the highest number of precincts will be in Greece […]

                                                                                                                                                      Preparations continue for Georgia-Turkey 154 kV transmission line

                                                                                                                                                      By | October 1st, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                      Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new 154 kilovolt transmission line will be built between Georgia and Turkey. Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze and Nikolay Nikolov, Vice Director of Energo-Pro Georgia signed the memorandum of understanding Monday. A memorandum was first signed in 2009, […]

                                                                                                                                                        Protesters set up wire block outside Ivanishvili’s house

                                                                                                                                                        By | October 1st, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                        (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The organization Droa protested outside Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s business center Monday evening, installing barbed wires at the entrance. Police prohibited them from blocking the road with wires, so they placed them on the side walk. […]

                                                                                                                                                          Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not take part in Olympics

                                                                                                                                                          By | September 30th, 2013|Categories: News, Sport|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                          TBILISI, DFWatch–The two Georgian breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not take part in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics as independent nations. Georgia’s National Olympic Committee has received a letter from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) […]

                                                                                                                                                            Man doused himself in gasoline in Tbilisi

                                                                                                                                                            By | September 30th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                            Frustration with a dire economic situation drove the man to attempt to set himself on fire. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man attempted to set himself on fire at a protest rally in front of Tbilisi City Hall on Monday. Pouring gasoline over himself, the man said he has nothing in this world and there is no point in living. Protesters and police managed to stop him and took […]

                                                                                                                                                              Best Georgian wine harvest in decades

                                                                                                                                                              By | September 30th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                              Grapes harvested in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–81 companies have received and produced the highest amounts of grapes for decades, according to the Agriculture Ministry: 80 097.6 tons of grapes have already been processed this season. Last year, the number was 52 000 tons. Of Saperavi, one of the […]

                                                                                                                                                                Tbilisi displays divided views of Saakashvili’s legacy

                                                                                                                                                                By | September 30th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                Many were pleased with the speech President Saakashvili held at the UN recently. (Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili was given a hero’s welcome at Tbilisi airport Sunday, but outside the old parliament building protesters burnt an effigy of him. A crowd greeted Saakashvili as he arrived at the airport on Sunday night. They said that the […]

                                                                                                                                                                  The price of the state

                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 30th, 2013|Categories: Opinion|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                  Nino Evgenidze is Executive Director of the Economic Policy Research Center. Everyone demands something from the state budget: pensioners – increased pensions, public sector employees – higher salaries, socially needed – adequate social assistance, everyone else – free healthcare, education, etc. Not many of them realize that there is no […]

                                                                                                                                                                    76 prisoners released early

                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 29th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–67 prisoners were released on Saturday on recommendation of the commission for early release, according to the Prison Ministry. 14 of the released prisoners are women. The ministry says the commission has reviewed about 300 cases and […]

                                                                                                                                                                      Georgian journalists rally at border village

                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 29th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                      Georgian journalists rallied against Russian occupation Saturday. (Maestro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian journalists Saturday rallied in Dvani against the newly restarted work by Russian soldiers to reinforce a de facto border with the breakaway region South Ossetia. Locals say the Russian soldiers are going to move the razor wire perimeter 50 […]

                                                                                                                                                                        Georgia to increase police powers

                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 29th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is looking to increase police powers. Police will no longer have the right to stop and search people on ‘reasonable doubt’, but will have powers to do ‘special police control’, which according to the government’s […]

                                                                                                                                                                          New law will bar some Georgians from leaving the country

                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 28th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                          Irina Imerlishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian citizens may be barred from leaving the country because of state interests, and may not even be able to know the real reason for it, even by going to court. Members of the Georgian Dream coalition, who are the authors of the draft bill, say […]

                                                                                                                                                                            Georgia considers fining insufficient knowledge of language

                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 28th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                            TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is pondering the creation of a language inspection which will fine domestic media and public officials up to five thousand lari (nearly USD 3000) if they show lack of knowledge of the state language. The bill is still in the process of being prepared, but […]

                                                                                                                                                                              Russian helicopter spotted over border village

                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 28th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–A military helicopter was seen Friday flying over the village Dvani, where Russian soldiers are reinforcing the de facto border with barbed wire blocks and fences. The allegedly Russian military helicopter was filmed on video. The Ministry of Interior […]

                                                                                                                                                                                Ivanishvili: border reinforcement has to do with Olympics

                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 27th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the moving of the border line near the villages Ditsi and Dvani is connected to security around the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics. His comments were made on Wednesday while meeting economic analysts at his business […]

                                                                                                                                                                                  Saakashvili met Anders Fogh Rasmussen

                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 27th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                  Anders Fogh Rasmussen and President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili met with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in New York, within the frames of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the president’s press office, Saakashvili spoke with Rasmussen […]

                                                                                                                                                                                    70% increase in administrative fines

                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 27th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–Fines issued by the police for administrative violations have increased by 70 percent in the first six months of 2013 compared to last year. According to the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), which obtained official data […]

                                                                                                                                                                                      Two attempts to bring drugs into prison

                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 27th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                      TBILISI, DFWatch–Prison Ministry employees in Georgia have disrupted two attempts to bring drugs into a prison in Tbilisi. According to the ministry, the father of a prison came to Prison No 8 with a parcel. When the prison employees opened the parcel, there was […]

                                                                                                                                                                                        20 years since end of Abkhazian war

                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 27th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                        Government officials at the heroes memorial. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (center). Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (right). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of Sukhumi. The war in Abkhazia in 1992-93 ended after 13 months and 13 days. The war resulted in the death of about 6 000 combatants from both sides and about 20 000 civilians, and ended with the capture […]

                                                                                                                                                                                          Ivanishvili asks economic experts for advice

                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 27th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                          Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili Wednesday sat down with a group of economic analysts to find out more about how they view the situation. The PM had brought along quotes from newspapers with statements made by the assembled experts to different […]

                                                                                                                                                                                            Ivanishvili has decided on who will be his successor

                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 26th, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                            Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he has already selected a candidate for his successor, which will be the most powerful person in Georgia. Ivanishvili said Wednesday he has made a choice between three candidates, but defers […]

                                                                                                                                                                                              Saakashvili rallies Eastern Europe against Russian imperialism

                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 26th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                              President Mikheil Saakashvili. (UN.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili Wednesday gave a speech at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. His address mainly dealt with the threat Russia in his view poses to Georgia and other Eastern Partnership countries. The Russian […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                NDI poll shows Georgian Dream will win the presidential election

                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 26th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–39 percent of Georgians would like to have Georgian Dream’s candidate, Giorgi Margvelashvili, as their next president. 18 percent support Davit Bakradze from the United National Movement, according to a new survey by the National Democratic Institute […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Merabishvili trial to start October 7

                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 26th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The main court hearing in the case of the former interior minister Vano Merabishvili and the Kakheti governor Zurab Chiaberashvili will start on October 7. The main defendant must remain in pre-trial detention until then, the court decided. Both of […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Georgia extends maternity leave

                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 26th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is extending maternity leave and increasing the amount of paid leave. Parliament Wednesday began a fast-track review of the new bill, which will amend the labor code; an initiative of the healthcare committee. With the new […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Continued trouble at South Ossetia de facto border

                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 25th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ossetians ask locals in the village Dvani to empty their storage rooms, which they claim are on South Ossetian territory. “Ossetian villager came to us yesterday afternoon, called us and required to empty storage rooms in two days, because the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                        NGOs highlight problems with voter registration

                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 25th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                        From left to right: Rusiko Machaidze, Keti Chachava, and Irina Putkaradze. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–DF Watch organized another round table discussion on September 18 about election. It was attended by the representatives of two local non-governmental organizations, and the purpose was to discuss problems in the election period and what steps have […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Violations found in Burjanadze’s party

                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 25th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Audit Office says it found violations in the financial declaration of the Democratic Movement party, the leader of which is presidential candidate Nino Burjanadze. According to the office, Burjanadze’s party recently started opening new […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                            23 candidates in Georgia’s presidential election

                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 25th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                            TBILISI, DFWatch–23 people have registered as candidates in the upcoming presidential election in Georgia, according to the Central Election Commission. There were 54 applications, out of which 31 were rejected due to various reasons. 42 of the applications came from […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Government downplays A, SO Olympic ‘recognition’

                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 25th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Davit Jalaghania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two government spokespersons in Georgia Tuesday sought to downplay the significance of a news report that the Georgian breakaway regions will take part in the Olympics as independent nations. Georgia was planning to send a note of protest after the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Obama had brief meeting with Saakashvili

                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 24th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                US President Barack Obama and President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. (Photo from Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) (Comments from Saakashvili added.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili Monday met with President Barack Obama in New York. The brief conversation too place at a civil society event in connection with the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Georgians think government is doing important changes

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 24th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  TBILISI, DFWatch–According to the new survey of the National Democratic Institute, people think the government is making important changes for them, but do not like the prime minister’s decision about leaving his post. NDI’s survey of public attitudes, which was […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Abashidze warns of risks with trading with Russia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 24th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s representative in trade talks with Russia says there are considerable risks involved in entering that market. Zurab Abashidze, the prime minister’s special representative in Russian relations, nonetheless has a positive view of the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Georgia commits to peaceful means to solve border issue

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 24th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Davit Jalaghania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry says Georgia can only use peaceful and civilian methods against Russia’s action to move the border to the breakaway region South Ossetia. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Davit Jalaghania said on Monday that Russia […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        EU advisor: Georgia must stop looking back into the past

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 23rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Thomas Hammarberg. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU’s Special Advisor Thomas Hammarberg asks the government of Georgia to not politicize investigation of former officials and says Georgian society must stop looking back into the past and instead think about the future. Hammarberg, who is EU’s […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Saakashvili visits the US

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 23rd, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has left for the US to go on a working visit and deliver a speech at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The president will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of different countries, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            At least 60 houses flooded in Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 23rd, 2013|Categories: Environment, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            TBILISI, DFWath–Heavy rain on Saturday flooded more than 60 houses in Kakheti, a region in eastern Georgia . Rivers burst their banks and water flowed into the first floors and basements in the village Kistauri, in the Akhmeta region. Water destroyed home equipment […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Russian soldiers move South Ossetian border 600 meters

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 23rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers Sunday moved the border 600 meters into Georgian-controlled territory in the village Dvani, close to South Ossetia. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Russian soldiers started preliminary work to install wire fences, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Some challenges with EU’s simplified visa procedures

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 22nd, 2013|Categories: Europe, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                TBILISI, DFWatch–A new study shows that there are some challenges with the visa facilitation agreement Georgia has with the European Union. The agreement has led to a considerably simpler procedure for Georgians who want to travel to EU, as the number of documents […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Ukraine extradites former official to Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 22nd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Oleg Melnikov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukraine has extradited a former Georgian Interior Ministry official to Georgia. Oleg Melnikov was brought to Georgia Saturday morning. He was detained ten months ago in Ukraine after being subject to an Interpol search. Melnikov is charged with […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Georgia’s economy is on the right track, says economy minister

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 21st, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s economy is growing and will grow faster after the presidential election, the country’s economy minister said before the opening of a business forum on Friday. Saakashvili’s party, the National Movement, has frequently criticized the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Russia asks Georgia to extradite suspect in diplomat’s murder

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 21st, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian citizen from Chechnya who was recently detained for a shooting in Batumi is a suspect in the murder of a Russian diplomat in Abkhazia. The information comes from the de facto General Prosecutor of Abkhazia. According to Russian media, the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        US concerned about Russian border activity in contested region

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 21st, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States expresses concern about Russian soldiers installing wire fences at the South Ossetian border. A statement issued by the US Embassy to Georgia on Friday on instructions of the Department of State says the US is concerned with […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Border reinforcement brought up at Georgia-Russia talks

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 20th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The recent border reinforcement work by Russian soldiers near South Ossetia was one of the topics at the fourth round of bilateral talks between Russia and Georgia in Prague Thursday. Georgia was represented by the Prime Minister’s Special […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Suspect in Batumi shooting wanted for diplomat’s murder in Abkhazia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 20th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian citizen who was detained for shooting a cop in Batumi is suspected of murdering a Russian diplomat in Abkhazia on September 9. According to Russian channel NTV, Yusuf Lakayev is suspected of murdering the Russian envoy to the breakaway […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Gigantic hydro power dam given a green light in Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 20th, 2013|Categories: Environment, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The Khudoni dam will lead to forced resettlement of 800 people and destruction to the environment and historic sites. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A public discussion on Thursday about the construction of a new hydro electric power station in Svaneti led to a physical scuffle between supporters and opponents. The reason for disagreement was Khudoni power station, a mega project that was […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Two talk show hosts dismissed from the Public Broadcaster

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 19th, 2013|Categories: Media, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Eka Kvesitadze and Davit Paichadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Broadcaster has dismissed Channel 1 talk show hosts Eka Kvesitadze and Davit Paichadze. The two journalists claimed at a press conference on Wednesday that their dismissal, which they learned about the day before, was politically […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2 300 have been replaced in local government

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 19th, 2013|Categories: NGO news|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A second wave of changing gamgebelis has just begun, says Nino Lomjaria, head of ISFED. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Staff changes and dismissals at municipalities that began after the 2012 parliamentary elections continuing in Georgia. About 2300 person have lost their seats during the last 9 months. According to a report by International Society for Fair […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Georgia defines ‘immoral behavior’ in public

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 19th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Deputy Interior Minister Levan Izoria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Internal Affairs has defined the meaning of ‘immoral behavior’ in public places, a crime punishable with a fine of 200 lari (USD 120). ‘Immoral behavior’ is defined as actions which show disrespect to others, including sexual type […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Bomb hoax update: two schools and a bank evacuated

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 19th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      TBILISI, DFWatch–Wednesday there were two more false bomb reports in Georgia. The target of one of the hoax calls was the central office of Bank of Georgia. No bomb was discovered. An adult was apprehended and may be risking up to three years in jail. The other […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Russian soldiers cease border activity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 19th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have halted the installation of wire feinces in the border village of Ditsi near South Ossetia. According to the Interior Ministry, the situation is now peaceful in Ditsi, while police are continuing to patrol and the village. […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Russian border work is continuing, Georgia protests

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 18th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers are continuing to install wire fences along the border with South Ossetia in the village Ditsi. The fence now run a few meters from the house of the Beruashvili family. But locals say the three houses, which it seemed might end up on […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Olympic Committee lists Abkhazia and South Ossetia as countries

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 18th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            TBILISI, DFWatch–The public broadcaster in Georgia on Tuesday reported that the Russian Olympic Committee has listed Abkhazia and South Ossetia as separate countries to take part in the winter Olympics in Sochi in February. “This is very unpleasant precedent and we […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Bomb hoaxes continue in Georgia, tougher punishment introduced

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 18th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–The TV station Maestro was evacuated twice on Tuesday, as Georgia is increasing the sentence for making false terrorism reports from three years to five years in jail. The government explains that it is doing this after the many false bomb reports […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Georgia issues appeal about Russian border activity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 18th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry appeals to the international community to take measures in order to prevent illegal actions by Russia in the conflict zone. The appeal comes in response to reports about new activity by Russian soldiers on the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Russian soldiers begin border work, locals resist

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 17th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Russian soldiers have restarted work along the de facto border around South Ossetia in the village Ditsi. Locals say three houses are in danger of ending up on the other side, inside Russian-controlled territory. A few months ago […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Russian suspect in Batumi shooting on Sochi ‘dangerous persons’ list

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 17th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–A suspect detained for a street shooting in Batumi on a list of 88 persons considered a security threat to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. The list presents persons who are allegedly involved in extreme activities and terrorism, and includes Yusuf […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Abashidze-Karasin meeting to take place Sept 19 in Prague

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 17th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, will meet with the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia, Gregory Karasin, in Prague on September 19. Abashidze said Monday that they will discuss issues like export of Georgian product to Russia, cultural issues, and transport. “We will discuss these issues on the level of ideas […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Foreign trade turnover on same level as in ’12

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 17th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover was reduced by 0.1 percent in the first eight months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, according to new figures from Georgian National Statistics Department, GeoStat. The preliminary foreign trade data […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Access to public information has improved in Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 17th, 2013|Categories: NGO news|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Levan Avalishvili, Chairman of Institute for Development of Freedom of Information. (IDFI.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Access to public information has improved in Georgia after the October 1, 2012 parliamentary election, according to a new survey. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) named the most accountable and most closed public […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            More hoax bomb calls in Tbilisi, TV buildings evacuated

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 16th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            TBILISI, DFWatch–The wave of bomb hoaxes continued in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Monday morning, with first a call about a bomb in the parliament building in Kutaisi and in the building of Imedi TV. Both of the threats turned out to be hoaxes, but both buildings […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Georgia to simplify impeachment procedures

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 16th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is considering simplifying the procedures for impeaching some holders of high office. Apart from the president, the change will apply to the head of the Supreme Court, members of government, the general auditor of the State Audit Office and […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Georgia’s lawmakers consider taking a break to campaign

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 16th, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia is considering suspending work in October before the presidential election on October 27. Zviad Kvachantiradze, MP from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, on Saturday told journalists that the parliamentary majority agreed […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  TV studio in Georgia evacuated after bomb threat

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 16th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  TBILISI, DFWatch–On Sunday the TV studios of Rustavi 2 had to be evacuated because of a bomb threat. This is the fifth bomb threat in four days in Tbilisi. The live Sunday night show Post Scriptum was interrupted when the host, Davit Kikalishvili, said there was […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    OSCE’s Krivokapic visiting Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 16th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ranko Krivokapic. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE, Ranko Krivokapic, is visiting Georgia for three days, starting Monday. Krivokapic, who is also the Speaker of Parliament in Montenegro, will hold meetings with government officials and members of […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Direct foreign investments in Georgia grows 3% in Q2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 15th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Direct foreign investment 2011-2013. Preliminary data. (GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in the second quarter 2013 was USD 232 million, according to preliminary information. This is three percent more than in the first quarter and seven percent more than it was in the second quarter of 2012. According to […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Campaign event in Zugdidi goes ahead without violence

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 15th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        National Movement presidential candidate Davit Bakradze addressing supporters in Zugdidi Sept. 11, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On September 11, the National Movement’s presidential candidate David Bakradze rallied supporters in Zugdidi while representatives of Defend Georgia gathered for an anti-UNM demonstration. Unlike the events of July 20, there was no violence against […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Shooting incident in Batumi, three wounded

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 15th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three men were wounded in a shooting in Batumi on Friday night. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the incident began as a Russian citizen started shooting at the police. Ministry spokesperson Nino Giorgobiani said on Saturday that the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Switzerland signs visa agreement with Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 14th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter. (Panjikidze’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Switzerland has signed an agreement about simplifying procedures for the issuing of visas between the two countries. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze signed the agreement during a visit to her Swiss colleague Didier Burkhalter, according […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Should media be allowed to film inside election precincts?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 14th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Zakaria Kutsnashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s inter-faction group to oversee the election asks the Central Election Commission (CEC) to lift restrictions on the media in election precincts. Former head of CEC Zurab Kharatishvili last year enforced restrictions on where journalists […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Saakashvili grants citizenship to Georgian Turks

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 14th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Manana Manjgaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili Friday granted Georgian citizenship to almost 1000 Turkish citizens. According to the president’s administration, the reason for the decision is that all the persons concerned know Georgia and for practical purposes they […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Russia and South Ossetia to sign border agreement

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 13th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Vladimir Putin. (Official Kremlin photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an order to sign an agreement with the de facto government of South Ossetia about the ‘state border.’ The order instructs the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs to hold negotiations with the de facto […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Merabishvili appears in court in Kutaisi, cracks jokes

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 13th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Vano Merabishvili in Kutaisi City Court Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili on Thursday appeared in City Court in Kutaisi in an extensive criminal trial. Merabishvili is charged in several different cases, including the violent dispersal of protesters on May 26, 2011. […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Three bomb hoaxes in Tbilisi, TV studios, airport evacuated

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 13th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The terminal building at Tbilisi international airport was emptied of people and flights delayed. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Thursday there were three more false bomb reports in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. Two TV buildings and Tbilisi international airport were evacuated, but no bombs were found. A number of flights were postponed because of the evacuation of the airport. […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Saakashvili classified documents to cover up crimes: Ivanishvili

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 13th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili asks President Mikheil Saakashvili to release secret documents. One of the documents concerns the TV station Imedi. The PM says he is ‘shocked’ by all the material which is classified as top secret, as ‘crime […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          US looking forward to cooperating with Georgia’s new leaders

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 12th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas O. Melia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas O. Melia says the United States is looking forward to cooperating with the new prime minister and president of Georgia. Thomas O. Melia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Saakashvili’s party not allowed to air TV commercials

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 12th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The commercials claim Georgian Dream has broken its promises. (Frame from UNM’s commercial.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Broadcaster has turned down the National Movement party’s request to place free election commercial on its channels. According to a statement by the UNM, the party provided six commercials, one of which was about the ‘unfulfilled […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Municipalities are awarding bonuses without specific criteria

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 12th, 2013|Categories: NGO news|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–According to Transparency International Georgia (TI), municipalities in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region issued bonuses to civil servants worth more than half a million lari without speficying the reason. The organization’s third report about public […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Georgia’s CEC selects new chair

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 12th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission in Georgia Wednesday chose Tamar Zhvania as new chair. Zhvania previously worked on election issues at UNDP. She received the votes of all six of the commission members. President Mikheil Saakashvili on Monday […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Georgia had 28% more visitors in August compared to ’12

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 12th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia had 28.2 percent more visitors in August 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, according to the Interior Ministry. The ministry every month publishes data about visitors. There are three categories of visitors: tourists, transit travel […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Third century ruins discovered in Tbilisi

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 11th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ruins of what may have been an ancient palace were discovered on Monday in the old part of Tbilisi. Archeologists Merab Dzneladze and Levan Latsabidze said the ruins may date back to the fourth or third century AD, going by the architectural style, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Third team of Russian quality experts to Georgia Sept 16

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 11th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Levan Davitashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A third team of Russian experts are coming to Georgia on September 16 to check the quality of wine and mineral water. The experts come from the consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor and will check approximately 30 Georgian wine […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        EU expert team to evaluate Georgia’s visa action plan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 11th, 2013|Categories: Europe, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Commission is sending a team of experts to Georgia in mid-October in order to evaluate the implementation of the action plan for visa liberalization, according to Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. This was the outcome of […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Zourabichvili loses appeal

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 10th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Salome Zourabichvili (right). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia Tuesday upheld a decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to not allow Salome Zourabichvili to register as a presidential candidate. Zourabichvili earlier lost an appeal in Tbilisi City Court. The CEC’s decision, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Georgia opens new customs facility on border with Russia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 10th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The customs checkpoint at Kazbegi, on the border between Russia and Georgia, was opened on Tuesday after a year of construction work. Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri told journalists that new checkpoint help boost Georgia’s export. […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Tbilisi Air Show displays SU-25 and L-39

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 10th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Sukhoi SU-25 “Frogfoot” at Tbilisi Airshow Monday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Alexander Kartvelishvili Air Show was held in Tbilisi on Monday, with a display of Sukhoi SU-25 “Frogfoot” and the Aero L-39 Albatros. The first air show ever in the Georgian capital was held at the air field at the plane factory Tbilaviamsheni, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Saakashvili names three candidates for new CEC head

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 10th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: , , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, has presented three candidates for head of the Central Election Commission (CEC). Saakashvili’s proposed candidates are Tamar Zhvania, Manuchar Gamkrelidze and Konstantine Amirajibi. The candidates were […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  NATO and Georgia hold joint military exercise

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 10th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO on Saturday held a joint exercise with Georgia’s coast guard in Batumi. According to the Interior Ministry, three mine sweepers arrived in Batumi on Friday. The aim of the exercise was to demonstrate and test the existing mechanisms […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Saakashvili completes conquest of Mount Kazbegi

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 9th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    President Saakashvili and his team on Mount Kazbegi. (President’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili continued his walk on Mount Kazbegi with one of the leaders of the Russian opposition, Andrey Ilarionov. The Georgian president wrote about his trip on his official Facebook page. “Who said we would not climb up […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Russian diplomat shot in Abkhazia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 9th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      TBILISI, DFWatch–The first secretary at the Russian embassy in Abkhazia, Dmitry Vishernev, was Monday morning shot and killed in Sukhumi, the capital of the breakaway region. According to Abkhazian and Russian media, Vishernev was shot in the morning […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Georgia to sign Association Agreement with EU by spring

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 9th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Georgia’s Prime Minister meets with the Polish Foreign Affairs Minister (official photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says Georgia will sign an Association Agreement with the EU ‘by spring’, according […]

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          First five Georgian evacuees arrive home from Syria

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 9th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          TBILISI, DFWatch–Five of the Georgians who have been waiting to get out of Syria were brought home on Sunday. The five arrived from Istanbul the Tbilisi by plane and are among in all 18 Georgians who are expected to make it home soon. Seven more Georgians will arrive […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            New oil refinery planned on Georgia’s Black Sea coast

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 9th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new oil refinery will be constructed on the Black Sea coast with Azerbaijani money, according to Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Mr Ivanishvili was speaking during a visit to Riga, where he attended Riga Conference 2013. Government […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              54 through first hurdle ahead of presidential election in Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 8th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–54 persons are through the first hurdle in the upcoming presidential election in Georgia as the deadline to register as a candidate expired on Friday. Among applicants are Giorgi Margvelashvili, the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate, and Davit Bakradze, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Georgia denies report that it agreed to open Abkhazia railway

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 8th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The Georgian PM’s special representative Zurab Abashidze says if the railway through Abkhazia is to be opened it must happen based on the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government denies information from Armenia’s Secretary of National Security Council Artur Baghdasaryan that Georgia has agreed to open the railway through Abkhazia. Baghdasaryan said Georgia, Russia and Abkhazia had all […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Teenager arrested for parliament bomb scare

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 7th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  TBILISI, DFWatch–A 17-year old boy has been detained for being behind a bomb scare in the parliament building in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city. The Interior Ministry said Saturday that the suspect yesterday at 20:40 called in to the 112 call center to report […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Zourabichvili lost appeal in city court, continues fight

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 7th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Salome Zourabichvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday upheld a decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to not allow former Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili to register as a candidate for the presidential election. Zourabichvili’s appeal against the CEC’s decision […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      France-Georgia ends 0-0 at Tbilisi stadium

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 7th, 2013|Categories: News, Sport|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia played 0-0 against France in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match Friday. The teams met at Dinamo Stadium in Tbilisi. Goalkeeper Giorgi Loria successfully blocked what could have been a goal, and the game ended in a draw. “I am proud […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Parliament evacuated after another bomb threat

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 7th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament building in Kutaisi was evacuated Friday due to a bomb threat. Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili appealed to lawmakers to leave the building, despite the fact that a bomb threat earlier this year turned out to […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          One more Stalin monument appears in Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 6th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The new Stalin bust in Vanta. (ick.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new Stalin bust has appeared in the village Vanta in Kakheti. It stands on the fence of one of the houses, in front of a shop. Dali Kirvalidze, a resident in the house with the fence, says strangers installed the bust without their permission when the family […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Saakashvili goes for a walk at 4500 meters’ height

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 6th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            President Mikheil Saakashvili on top of Mount Kazbek (Kazbegi). (President’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has gone for another mountain walk, this time to conquer Mount Kazbeg, one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus, reaching 5 047 meters above sea level. According to the president’s administration, Saakashvili accepted […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Georgia’s Ivanishvili visiting Latvia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 6th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is visiting Latvia for two days, starting Friday. The visit begins with a meeting with Andris Bērziņš, President of Latvia, and Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis. Ivanishvili will also meet with the speaker of […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Storm leaves thick sediment, danger of landslides

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 6th, 2013|Categories: Environment, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                A fallen tree on the waterfront in Batumi. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite heavy rains and wind in the west of Georgia the last two days, no serious damage was done to villages and towns. But there is still a danger of landslides. Strong wind and rain caused problems in several regions of Georgia for the last two […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Georgia destroys 110 DVDs with illegal surveillance videos

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 6th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili feeding a surveillance DVD into a shredding maching Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The interior minister in Georgia Thursday destroyed 110 DVDs containing highly sensitive footage illegally acquired by the domestic intelligence during President Saakashvili’s government. The DVDs contained 144 files, totaling 181 hours, and were fed […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Georgians in Syria will return home on Sunday

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 5th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Archil Dzuliashvili, Georgian Ambassador to Egypt. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian citizens who are currently in Syria will return home on September 8, Archil Dzuliashvili, Georgian Ambassador to Egypt, said Thursday. Georgia will cover transportation costs for 18 of its citizens in order to bring them home from Syria, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Still unknown who will be Georgia’s next prime minister

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 5th, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite the great public interest, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili refrains from naming his replacement as he steps down in the near future. Georgia’s next head of government will benefit from a constitutional change which invests the prime minister with […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Russia offers Georgia help in bringing civilians home from Syria

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 5th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he trusts the US’s conclusion about chemical weapons use in Syria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia offers to assist in returning Georgian citizens to their home country from Syria. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told media Wednesday that the offer was conveyed to Zurab Abashidze, the prime minister’s special representative for relations with […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Ivanishvili offers UNM to give advice through mediators

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 5th, 2013|Categories: Economy, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he will only deal with Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party through mediators and suggests that they present their views to experts who then will explain it to the government. Ivanishvili […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ivanishvili: Georgia might join Eurasian Union

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 5th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanisvhili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanisvhili doesn’t rule out that Georgia might join the Eurasian Union, which will span most of the former Soviet Union when it is realized. But Ivanishvili says Georgia will only become member if it is benificial for the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Georgia and Russia to meet in Prague in mid September

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 4th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Russia plan another round of direct talks in Prague in the middle of September. The Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, Zurab Abashidze, told journalists on Tuesday that the details of the meeting are […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Georgia on high alert as flooding expected Thursday evening

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 4th, 2013|Categories: Environment, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Batumi. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm system is expected to hit western Georgia for the next two days, starting late on Wednesday. The weather forecast predicts a storm that will spread from the Baltic Sea to the shores of the Black Sea with cold and humid air masses, and […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Salome Zourabichvili not allowed to register as a candidate

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 4th, 2013|Categories: Elections '12-'13, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Salome Zourabichvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission refused to let former Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili register as a candidate for president in the upcoming election. The reason is that under Georgian legislation a citizen of a foreign country cannot […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    New Stalin statue in Telavi paint bombed

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 3rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    TBILISI, DFWatch–A new Stalin monument in the east of Georgia was paint bombed the same day as the opening ceremony. As Stalin monuments are resurrected around Georgia’s towns and villages, protesters paint them with slogans against the dictator […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Georgia’s dirty archive to be destroyed on September 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | September 3rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The Interior Ministry’s “Moduli” building in Saburtalo, Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A date has been set for destroying the Soviet-style ‘dirty archive’ accumulated by the secret police during the Saakashvili regime: September 5 at 15:00. Some of the archive consists of videos from hidden cameras pointing into the bedroom of […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Hospital director accused of harassment and discrimination

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | September 3rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Health Minister David Sergeenko said Iashvili Children’s Hospital was sold without any consultations with the ministry. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Doctors at the largest children’s hospital in Georgia accuse its new owner of sexual harassment, physical abuse and religious discrimination. Staff of several hospitals gathered outside the main entrance of Iashvili Hospital on Monday to protest against what […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Ivanishvili explains reasons for leaving Georgian politics

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | September 3rd, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Press office photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili seems to be sticking to his word and really plans to leave politics after two years in the game. On Monday, he issued another open letter explaining the reasons for his leaving. But again, he left the main […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Georgia to brief its diplomatic corps about foreign policy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | September 2nd, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Ministry is holding a conference for its diplomats. Maia Panjikidze, Foreign Affairs Minister, opened the conference in Tbililsi Monday. Prime Minister Ivanishvili and other government representatives will also attend the meeting, […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Georgian government impatient with delayed ambassadors issue

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | September 2nd, 2013|Categories: News, Politics|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the government is growing impatient as President Saakashvili has delayed for nine months the confirmation of seven new ambassadors. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said Saakashvili has not fulfilled his promise, but National Movement […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                New Stalin statue unveiled in Telavi, Georgia

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | September 2nd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                A new statue of Joseph Stalin was unveiled in Telavi, Georgia. (tv1.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A monument of Stalin has been installed in Telavi, a town in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region. The new statue is the work of two organizations, Stalineli and Veteran Union, and the creation of the monument was financed by donations. It now stands at the […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Croatian climber found 39 years after his death

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | September 1st, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Croatian climber Nenad Culic, who died in 1974, has been found. (police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rescue crew for the Georgian Interior Ministry’s emergency service have discovered a corpse of a Croatian climber who was lost in Caucasian mountains in 1974. A group of Croatian rock climbers went on an expedition to Ushba in the Svaneti region […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Muslims in Batumi, Georgia apply to build one more mosque

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By | September 1st, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The mosque in Batumi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Muslims in Batumi have asked the central government for permission to build one more mosque in the Black Sea coastal city, as the one mosque they have is not big enough. On Friday, people gathered and conducted prayers at the a deserted plot marked […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Georgia lacks ambassador to 7 countries, Saakashvili hasn’t signed

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By | August 31st, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is without ambassador in seven countries, because the president has failed to sign their confirmation. Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze said on Saturday that President Mikheil Saakashvili still hasn’t signed the document to confirm […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Friday prayer in Chela as minaret lies in storage 2 km away

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By | August 31st, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        (Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The minaret that was dismantled in southern Georgia earlier in the week and taken to Tbilisi has been returned to its village, but remains in pieces for the time being. The Revenue Service, which promised to rebuild it where it once stood […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Russia to simplify visa rules for Georgian citizens

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By | August 31st, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia is to simplify visa rules for Georgian citizens. Zurab Abashidze, the Georgian PM’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, told Russian media that visa rules will be simplified for Georgian citizens who are planning to visit Russia […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ambassador Yalowitz: Georgia is moving in the right direction

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By | August 30th, 2013|Categories: Interviews|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Kenneth S. Yalowitz is former US Ambassador to Georgia. DFW: Almost eleven months have passed after Georgia’s parliamentary election of October 2012 when the Georgian Dream coalition defeated United National Movement and the entire politics changed. It led to a mixed response from the US. Now almost a year after the elections, what […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              22 Georgians trapped in Damascus

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By | August 30th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TBILISI, DFWatch–The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Georgia is working on providing a safe route out of Syria for Georgian citizens who are in Damascus. Two days ago, Rustavi 2 reported that there are 22 Georgians in Damascus requesting help from the government. They […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Compromise about minaret will create new inter-religious council

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By | August 30th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                “Give us freedom of faith” says this poster. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Agreement was reached by Muslim and Christian leaders in Georgia on Thursday about what to do with a minaret which was removed from a mosque earlier in the week. The Georgian Orthodox Church — the Patriarchate — and the organizations Muslims of […]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  New inquest into how Saakashvili regime trained Chechen rebels

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By | August 30th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili Thursday announced a separate inquest into the Lapankuri border skirmish in August 2012, which claimed the lives of fourteen people. Nanuashvili told Interpressnews a new inquest is necessary because more than a year has […]