ახალი წლიდან აფხაზები „ვიზების“ გაცემას ენგურის ხიდზე დაიწყებენ
(Newcaucasus.com) იანვრიდან აფხაზეთის ტერიტორიაზე მოსახვედრად საჭირო ე.წ. ვიზები „საზღვარზე“ გაიცემა, ამის შესახებ ქალაქ გალში გამართულ შეხვედრაზე სკოლის დირექტორებს განუცხადეს. […]
Georgia absent during UN vote to annul US recognition of Jerusalem
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia was among 21 countries that were absent during a vote in the UN General Assembly on Thursday to annul the US’s unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. “We […] have had consultations with our partners and our delegation […]
The moment Georgia’s PM told the opposition leader ‘f— you’
Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili. TBILISI, DFWatch–PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili swore several times at his counterpart during a debate with the acting head of the largest opposition party UNM on Wednesday. […]
აფხაზურ პოლიციას 50 რუსი სამართალდამცველით „აძლიერებენ“
აფხაზურ პოლიციაში 50 რუსი პოლიციელის დამატება იგეგმება. როგორც DFWatch-ს ადგილობრივებმა განუცხადეს, ამის მიზეზად „კორუფციის აღმოფხვრა“ სახელება. „სიახლეები გალში პერიოდულად ჩატარებულ თათბირებზე ხმოვანდება. ეს ინფორმაციაც ერთ-ერთ ასეთ შეხვედრაზე გაჟღერდა. ზოგადად აფხაზურ პოლიციას რუსი სამხედროები ყოველთვის ეხმარებოდნენ, მაგრამ ოფიციალურად სამართალდამცავ სტრუქტურაში მხოლოდ აფხაზი პოლიციელები ირიცხებოდნენ. […]
პატარა შფოთი ცხინვალში ფეხბურთის მსოფლიო ჩემპიონატის ბილეთების შეზღუდვის გამო
Fifa.com სამხრეთ ოსეთის დე ფაქტო რესპუბლიკის მცხოვრებლები 2018 წლის ფეხბურთის ჩემპიონატის ბილეთებს ონლაინ რეჟიმში ვერ ყიდულობენ, ამის შესახებ რამდენიმე დღის წინ განცხადება ე.წ. სპორტისა და ტურიზმის კომიტეტის ხელმძღვანელმა სერგეი ზასეევმა გააკეთა. […]
Al-Qaeda commander from Pankisi reported dead in Syria
Salahuddin al-Shishani, whose real name was Giorgi Margoshvili, was reportedly killed in Syria’s northern Hama province. TBILISI, DFWatch–A high-profile al-Qaeda affiliated field commander of Georgian-Kist origin has been killed in the Syrian civil war. Reports by Syrian and Lebanese news agencies said Salahuddin al-Shishani, was killed during a Russian air raid near Hama province, in northern Syria. […]
„სახელმწიფო რომ იცავდეს ეთნიკურ აზერბაიჯანელ ქალთა უფლებებს, ისინი უფრო აქტიურები იქნებოდნენ”
„ჩვენი ქალები ძალიან შრომისმოყვარეები არიან და ბევრს შრომობენ. პირობები რომ ჰქონდეთ, ისინი საკუთარ შესაძლებლობებს უფრო კარგად წარმოაჩენდნენ,” – ამბობს საქართველოს აქტიურ ქალთა ასოციაციის ხელმძღვანელი გულთაქინ მუსტაფაევა და დასძენს, რომ თუ ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელი ქალები ქვეყნის პოლიტიკურ და საზოგადოებრივ ცხოვრებაში აქტიურად არ არიან ჩართულნი, ამაში ისევ ხელისუფლებაა დამნაშავე. […]
Abkhazia plans to charge customs tax at checkpoint with Georgia proper
GALI, DWatch–Abkhazia plans to begin charging import tax at a checkpoint with Georgia proper and impose stricter regulations on what goods are allowed to bring across. The plans were aired by the head of Abkhazia’s de facto customs service, […]
ცხინვალის რეჟიმის შემდეგ საბაჟოს გახსნას სოხუმიც აპირებს
ენგურის ხიდი (Dominik K. Cagara) სოხუმის რეჟიმი ენგურის ხიდზე ე.წ. საბაჟო პუნქტის მოწყობას გეგმავს, რომ დანარჩენი საქართველოდან შეტანილ პროდუქციაზე გადასახადი დააწესოს და პლუს, აფხაზეთში აკრძალული საქონლის შეტანა აკრძალოს. […]
2,000 Russian troops conducting military drills in Georgian breakaway regions
Russian troops near the village of Dzartsemi, South Ossetia. (Sputnik-Ossetia.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian soldiers are participating in military exercises in both Georgian breakaway territories, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Troops from all of Russia’s four military districts are taking part in the drills. […]
აფხაზეთსა და ცხინვალში რუსები დიდ წვრთნებს ატარებენ, სადაც ჯამში 2 000 სამხედრო მონაწილეობს
რუსი სამხედროები ცხინვალის რეგიონში. (სპუტნიკ-ოსეტიას ფოტო) ოჩამჩირის რაიონის სოფელ ნაგვალოუში, კოდორის ხეობის სოფელ წებელდაში, გადაუთასა და ცხინვალის რეგიონის სოფელ ძარწემში, ოთხივე ამ რუსულ სამხედრო ბაზაზე რუსული სამხედრო წვრთნები მიმდინარეობს და საერთო ჯამში, 2 000-ზე მეტი რუსი ჯარისკაცი და 1000-ზე მეტი ერთეული საბრძოლო ტექნიკაა ჩართული. […]
Man suspected of 2012 Abkhazia assassination attempt killed in shooting
The Mercedez-Benz Ardzinba and Khagba were in was riddled with bullets on the road connecting Sokhumi with Gudauta. (Ekhokavkaza.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The man accused of attempting to assassinate Abkhazia’s former de facto president in 2012 was shot dead by strangers on Wednesday. Also his driver died in the attack. Pavel Ardzinba and his chauffeur were driving along the road connecting Sokhumi with Gudauta when their Mercedes-Benz was literally […]
აფხაზეთში ორი კაცი ჩაცხრილეს, ერთ-ერთი ანქვაბის მოკვლის მცდელობაშია ბრალდებული
“მერსედესი”, რომელშიც არძინდა და ხაგბა ჩაცხრილეს. (“ეხოკავკაზა”) ოკუპირებულ აფხაზეთში დაცხრილეს სოხუმიდან გუდაუთაში მიმავალი ავტომობილი, რომელშიც ყოფილი დე ფაქტო პრეზიდენტის, ალექსანდრე ანქვაბის თავდასხმაში ეჭვმიტანილი პაველ არძინბა და მისი მძღოლი დიმიტრი ხაგბა იმყოფებოდნენ. ორივე მათგანი ადგილზე დაიღუპა. […]
Saakashvili supporters in Georgia demand his release from Kiev prison
Nika Melia, the head of UNM ruling body, surrounded by party members, reads the address at Saturday briefing. Georgia’s former ruling party expresses solidarity against the “political persecution” of its leader, Mikheil Saakashvili, who is under arrest in Kiev, Ukraine. […]
Catastrophic mandarin harvest deals heavy blow to Abkhazia’s exports
TBILISI, DFWatch–Abkhazia’s export of mandarins and other produce has plummeted by 2.7 times, dealing a heavy blow to the breakaway republic’s economy. Local media blame the bad harvest on the spread of brown marmorated stink bug, which has devastated crops also in Georgia. […]
აფხაზეთიდან რუსეთში მანდარინის ექსპორტი თითქმის 3-ჯერაა შემცირებული
აფხაზეთში 2017 წლის მანდარინის სეზონი დაიწყო და მიუხედავად სოხუმის რეჟიმის მცდელობისა, გასული წლის ანალოგიურ პერიოდთან შედარებით რუსეთში იმპორტირებული მანდარინის მოცულობა 2,7-ჯერაა შემცირებული. […]
Complex prisoner exchange between Georgia and breakaway territories
Upon his release, Giorgi Giunashvili (center) was met by Georgian representatives at the defunct Ergneti checkpoint. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At the 42nd round of the Geneva talks, 12-13 December, Abkhazia will probably demand that Tbilisi must release an Abkhazian militant from a Georgian prison, and in return, Giorgi Giunashvili will be released from a Tskhinvali prison. […]
ვის გათავისუფლებას სთხოვს თბილისს სოხუმი გიუნაშვილის სანაცვლოდ?!
გიორგი გიუნაშვილს ერგნეთის გაუქმებულ გამშვებ პუნქტთან ქართული მხარის წარმომადგენლები ხვდებიან (Facebook). 12-13 დეკემბერს ჟენევის მოლაპარაკებების 42-ე რაუნდი გაიმართება და აფხაზური მხარე, დიდი ალბათობით, ამ მოლაპარაკებებზე დააყენებს საკითხს, რომ 26 ნოემბერს ცხინვალის ციხიდან გათავისუფლებული გიორგი გიუნაშვილის სანაცვლოდ ოფიციალურმა თბილისმა ქართულ ციხეში მყოფ აფხაზი მეომარი გაათავისუფლოს. […]
Gang fight at Tbilisi school leaves two 16 year old boys dead
TBILISI, DFWatch–Crowds gathered outside a school in the center of Tbilisi Sunday evening to pay tribute to two teenage boys who were brutally murdered by their peers two days earlier. School students and teachers, as well as relatives of the victims, […]
გალელებს „ვიდ ნა ჟიტელსტვოს“ აღებას ახალ წლამდე ავალებენ
აფხაზეთის სეპარატისტული რეჟიმი გალში მცხოვრებ ქართველებს საცხოვრებელი ნებართვის, ე.წ. „ვიდ ნა ჟიტელსტვოს“ აღებას ახალ წლამდე ავალდებულებს. ამის შესახებ მოსახლეობის ინფორმირება სოფლების გამგებლებს დაევალათ. […]
ახალი კადრების დეფიციტი არაქართულენოვან სკოლებში და ახალგაზრდა მასწავლებლების პრობლემა
ეთნიკური უმცირესობებით კომპაქტურად დასახლებული რეგიონების სკოლებში კვალიფიციური, ახალგაზრდა პედაგოგების ნაკლებობაა. მიუხედავად ამისა, ბევრი ახალგაზრდა კადრი დასაქმებას ვერ ახერხებს. […]
Georgian authorities confirm Akhmed Chatayev died in Nov 22 Tbilisi siege
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s State Security Service (SUS) acknowledged Friday that one of the suspects killed in a counterterrorism operation Nov 22 was Akhmed Chatayev. Local media have speculated that the Chechnya-born ISIS member was among the dead. […]
Georgia moves toward legalizing marijuana with Constitutional Court ruling
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Constitutional Court on Thursday struck down a law requiring a doctor’s prescription to use marijuana, scoring another victory for campaigners who want the soft drug fully decriminalized. An individual’s right “to choose the desired kind of the relaxation […] including marijuana, […]
Mastermind of Ataturk Airport attack may be among 3 suspects killed in Tbilisi siege
TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the three terrorism suspects killed in a shootout with police on November 22 might be a Chechen who oversaw the Ataturk Airport bombings in 2016 which claimed 45 lives. Vakhtang Gomelauri, head of the State Security Agency (SUS), […]
11 people dead in hotel fire in Batumi
TBILISI, DFWatch–11 people are confirmed dead, and an unknown number injured in a massive fire Friday night at a five-star hotel in Batumi which is hosting the Miss Georgia contest. More than a hundred firefighters and other personnel scrambled to the Leogrand Hotel & Casino […]
„ბევრი სახლი დაიკეტა, ბევრი კი დაინგრა” – როგორ ცხოვრობენ მარნეულის მაღალმთიან სოფლებში
2 წლის წინ მარნეულის მუნიციპალიტეტის სოფლებს ულიანოვკას, ხოჯორნს, წერაქვს, ხოხმელსა და ოფრეთს მაღლმთიანი დასახლების სტატუსი მიენიჭა. მას შემდეგ იქ მცხოვრები მოსახლეობა გარკვეული ფინანსური და სოციალური შეღავათებით სარგებლობს. […]
Tskhinvali regime closes single checkpoint with Georgia proper for two days
Razdakhan checkpoint near Akhalgori (cominf.org). De facto authorities of South Ossetia shut down the single checkpoint connecting the breakaway republic with Georgia proper due to the recently introduced public holiday, […]
One policeman, three suspects killed in Tbilisi anti-terror operation
(1tv.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three suspects and one police officer have been killed in a massive anti-terror operation in a Tbilisi suburb against suspected Chechens. Four police were also wounded in the standoff, which lasted over 20 hours, a spokesperson for the State Security Service of Georgia (SUS) said at a briefing Wednesday evening. […]
Memorial dedicated to the Abkhazian war to be restored in Scottish town
მემორიალური ქვა შოტლანდიის ქალაქ კილმანროკში. (rferl.org) TBILISI, DFWatch–A memorial stone dedicated to victims of a separatist war in Georgia 1992-93 will be restored, the deputy the foreign minister of Georgia has said. The stone in the town of Kilmarnock was recently taken down […]
თბილისში ამტკიცებენ, რომ შოტლანდიაში მემორიალის აღება არ მოუთხოვიათ
დავით დონდუა (http://mfa.gov.ge). შოტლანდიაში აფხაზური მემორიალი ადგილზე დაბრუნდება, ოღონდ კორექტირებული – ანუ „პოლიტიზირებული სიმბოლიკის“ გარეშე. მისი დემონტაჟი ან ნგრევა ქართულ მხარეს არ მოუთხოვია […]
South Ossetia bars ambulances from leaving at night and during weekends
(cominf.org). TBILISI, DFWatch–Breakaway South Ossetia is preventing ambulances from crossing the de facto border with Georgia proper on weekends and at nights from 8 pm till 8 am. Echo Kavkaza reports that the informal restrictions were introduced about a month ago, […]
ცხინვალი “საზღვარზე” სასწრაფო დახმარების მანქანებსაც ზღუდავს
სასწარაფოს მანქანები ახალგორში (cominf.org). ოკუპირებულ სამხრეთ ოსეთში სასწრაფო დახმარების მანქანების თბილისში გამოტარებაზე ახალი არაფორმალური წესი ამოქმედდა. […]
Faced with new bureaucratic hurdles, Georgians in Abkhazia ponder leaving
აფხაზური “ვიზა” (DFWatch). Gali, DFWatch–The de facto authorities in Abkhazia are developing new ways to discriminate against the ethnic Georgian population in the region’s southeast Gali district. “We are absolutely deprived of any civil rights. […]
სოხუმის რეჟიმის საბუთები, რომლებიც გალელებს ცხოვრების გარდა სხვა არავითარ უფლებას არ უტოვებს
სოხუმის რეჟიმი გალის ქართული მოსახლეობის დისკრიმინაციის ახალ გზებს ეძებს. ერთის მხრივ, სოხუმში სულაც არ სურთ, გალი მოსახლეობისგან დაიცალოს, რადგან ეს რაიონი მათთვის შემოსავლის მნიშვნელოვან წყაროს წარმოადგენს. […]
Damon Wilson: The victory makes GD fully responsible for where Georgia comes out
Damon Wilson is an American foreign policy advisor and the current executive vice president at the Atlantic Council of the United States, a foreign and public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. To assess the past local elections in Georgia, , Voice of America’s (VOA) Nana Sajaia interviewed Washington-based Damon Wilson, Executive Vice-President of US Atlantic Council. […]
Burjanadze: Georgia needs a president like Vladimir Putin
Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian opposition politician Nino Burjanadze expressed admiration for the Russian president in a new interview with German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle. “He brought Russia from its knees to its feet. You look at Russia, […]
Scottish town removes Abkhazian war memorial out of respect for Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Authorities in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock have decided to dismantle a memorial stone dedicated to victims in separatist-held Sohumi during the 1992-93 Abkhazian war. The problem was that the memorial not only commemorated […]
შოტლანდიაში სეპარატისტული სიმბოლიკის შემცველ მემორიალს აიღებენ: საქართველოს ელჩი
მემორიალური ქვა შოტლანდიის ქალაქ კილმარნოკში. (rferl.org) შოტლანდიის ქალაქ კილმარნოკში 1992-93 წლების ომში დაღუპული სოხუმელების ხსოვნის მემორიალური ქვის დემონტაჟი მოხდება, რომელზეც „აფხაზეთის რესპუბლიკის“ დროშაა გამოსახული. […]
რატომ გამახსენა მარნეულში ჩატარებულმა არჩევნებმა აზერბაიჯანი
21 ოქტომბერს საქართველოში ადგილობრივი თვითმმართველობის არჩევნები ჩატარდა. ეს იყო პირველი შემთხვევა, როცა არჩევნებს უცხო ქვეყანაში ვაკვირდებოდი. ისე მოხდა, რომ იმ უბნებზე აღმოვჩნდი, სადაც ძირითადად ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელები აძლევდნენ ხმას. […]
One of 17 detained Saudi princes is honorary citizen of Georgia
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal meets with PM Irakli Garibashvili in Tbilisi, 2015. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One member the Saudi royal family who was arrested on Saturday night holds a title of honorary citizen of Georgia. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal was arrested along with 16 other princes, four ministers and tens of other former or current high ranking officials. […]
South Ossetia plans to impose customs tax at checkpoint near Akhalgori
(cominf.org) TBILISI, DFWatch–Breakaway South Ossetia plans to charge customs tax for goods to the region’s lower east corner, to the detriment of the Georgians living there who depend on the trade. A customs point will be opened at the Razdakhan checkpoint near Akhalgori, […]
ცხინვალის რეჟიმი ახალგორში საბაჟოს ხსნის
სამხრეთ ოსეთის დე ფაქტო ხელისუფლება ახალგორის რაიონში საბაჟო პუნქტს ხსნის, რომ თბილისიდან შეტანილ ნებისმიერ პროდუქტზე გადასახადი დააწესოს. […]
Abkhazia calls Georgian PM’s language initiative ‘hypocritical’
PM Kvirikashvili’s initiative to protect Abkhaz language was met with a cold shoulder by the separatists in Sokhumi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An initiative by the prime minister of Georgia to protect the Abkhaz language has been rejected by Abkhazia’s de facto authorities as ‘Georgian populism’, ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘cynicism’. […]
კვირიკაშვილის განცხადება სოხუმში „ცინიზმად“ და „თვალთმაქცობად“ აღიქვეს
აფხაზმა ჟურნალისტმა იზიდა ჭანიამ კვირიკაშვილის განცხადებას დიდი ბლოგი მიუძღვნა „ეხო კავკაზაზე“ სათაურით „ზრუნვა აფხაზურ ენაზე და შიზოფრენიის სხვა ნიშნები“. (RFE/RL) „ქართული პოპულიზმი“, „თვალთმაქცობა“, „ცინიზმი“ – ასეთი გამოხმაურებები ჯერ ისევ არ ცხრება ოკუპირებულ სოხუმში მას შემდეგ, რაც აფხაზური ენის დღეს, 27 ოქტომბერს, პრემიერ-მინისტრმა გიორგი კვირიკაშვილმა […]
Georgians in Abkhazia cancel harvest, claim pesticide withheld by regime
(Photo by Dominik K. Cagara.) GALI, DFWatch–Georgian hazelnut farmer in Abkhazia canceled this year’s harvest after de facto authorities failed to hand out vital pesticide to battle a bug. The bug has already ravaged farms in Western Georgia but the damage is even worse in the breakaway region […]
აზიურმა ფაროსანამ გალელები მოსავლის გარეშე დატოვა, ხალხი უმძიმეს მდგომარეობაშია
Gali, Abkhazia (Dominik K. Cagara) აზიურმა ფაროსანამ დიდი ზიანი მიაყენა გალის რაიონს. თხილის პლანტაციები, გალელების შემოსავლის ძირითადი წყარო, ისე დაზარალდა, რომ ბევრ სოფლებში თხილი საერთოდ არ მოუკრეფავთ. […]
„აქ ერთი ოჯახივით ვცხოვრობთ” – ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელებით და სომხებით დასახლებული სოფელი
მუსტაფა ჰუსეინოვი (მარცხნივ) და დავით პეტროსიანი. (ნურანა მამადდის ფოტო) მარნეულის მუნიციპალიტეტის სოფელი წოფი ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელებითა და სომხებით არის დასახლებული. ამ ორ ქვეყანას შორის არსებული კონფლიქტის მიუხედავად, ისინი საქართველოს ტერიტორიაზე მშვიდობიანად თანაცხოვრობენ. […]
Six far right activists arrested during anti-gay protest at football federation
TBILISI, DFWatch–Six far right activists were arrested Tuesday night at the office of the Georgian Football Federation’s (GFF) in Tbilisi, as they protested the wearing of a rainbow colored LGBT armband by one of the national team members. The right wing nationalists demand that the federation […]
Rally in Sokhumi to demand action against drug abuse epidemic
(Abkhazinform.com) TBILISI, DFWatch–A campaign to demand action against drug addiction brought a large crowd out in the streets of Sokhumi on Thursday, under the slogan “Abkhazia without Drugs”. The people who had gathered on Sergey Bagapsh […]
აფხაზეთში ნარკოდანაშაულთან ბრძოლის გამკაცრებას ითხოვენ
(abkhazinform.com) 26 ოქტომბერს სოხუმში, სერგეი ბაღაფშის მოედანზე ჩატარდა აქცია „აფხაზეთი ნარკოტიკების გარეშე". აქციის მონაწილეების განცხადებით, ბოლო წლებია ნარკომანიამ აფხაზეთში საგანგაშო მასშტაბებს მიაღწია და უფრო და უფრო მეტი ადამიანი ხდება ნარკოდამოკიდებული. ისინი სოხუმის მთავრობას ნარკოდანაშაულის წინააღმდეგ ბრძოლის გამკაცრებისკენ მოუწოდებენ, რომ „მომავალი თაობა დაღუპვისაგან როგორმე გადაარჩინონ“. ადგილობრივი მედიის ინფორმაციით, აქციაში მონაწილეობა მიიღეს სტუდენტებმა, მოსწავლეებმა, ომის ვეტერანებმა, საზოგადოებრივი [...]
President Margvelashvili questions the benefits of total GD victory
TBILISI, DFWatch–The will of the Georgian people was expressed in the local elections, but it is questionable whether a total win by one political party will be beneficial for the country, President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in his first comments on the local elections, which were held on Saturday. […]
Georgia denies South Ossetia’s claim to have opened representation in Catalonia
Dimitri Medoev (center) meets with members of Italy’s “Northern League”, Eliseo Bertolasi and Palmarino Zoccatelli. (South Ossetia foreign ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian breakaway region claims it opened an official representation in Catalonia during a visit by its unofficial foreign minister. Georgia rejects the claim and says the visit was purely private in nature. […]
ცხინვალის მინისტრის ევროტური
დიმიტრი მედოევი იტალიის “ჩრდილოეთის ლიგის” წამომადგენლებთან, ელიზეო ბერტოლაზისა (მარცხნივ) და პალმარინო ზოკატელისთან. (http://www.mfa-rso.su) ოკუპირებული სამხრეთ ოსეთის დე ფაქტო საგარეო საქმეთა მინისტრი 23 ოქტომბერს კატალონიაში იმყოფებოდა. როგორც ცხინვალის საგარეო უწყება აცხადებს, „ვიზიტი ოფიციალური იყო“ […]
მარნეულში მცხოვრები ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელების საარჩევნო დღის წესრიგი
„არჩევნებზე ყოველთვის იმ იმედით მივდივართ, რომ იქნებ რაიმე წინსვლა იყოს, მაგრამ შედეგს ვერ ვხედავთ. მხოლოდ არჩევნების პერიოდში მოდიან, დაპირებებს იძლევიან და მიდიან,“ […]
რეპორტაჟი ყიზილაჯლოდან – „დღემდე ვინც ავირჩიეთ, არავის არაფერი გაუკეთებია“
მარნეულის მუნიციპალიტეტის სოფლ ყიზილაჯლოში, სადაც ძირითადად ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელები ცხოვრობენ, მოსახლეობა აცხადებს, რომ არჩევნებზე ხმის მისაცემად მიდის, მაგრამ არჩეული კანდიდატებისგან არაფერს ელოდება. […]
Former AC Milan player elected Tbilisi mayor
Former professional football player Kakha Kaladze has been elected mayor of Tbilisi, representing the ruling party Georgian Dream. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former AC Milan football player and Georgia’s current vice Prime Minister Kakha Kaladze has won a decisive victory in the election for Tbilisi mayor with 54 percent of the votes, according to an exit poll at 6pm. The exit polls was carried out by Edison Media Research. […]
Abkhazia shuts down elementary school in Georgian populated region
The Georgian school in the village Tagiloni, 9 km from Gali, which was closed recently. (DFWatch.) GALI, DFWatch–Breakaway authorities in Abkhazia have closed a public school in the region’s southern district which has a predominantly ethnic Georgian population. De facto authorities told school principals in Gali on Wednesday that the school in Tagiloni, a the village near Gali, […]
Gunman wounds four ahead of Georgia’s local elections
People gathered outside the hospical in Marneuli, where the wounded Georgian Dream members were being treated. (1tv.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A gunman opened fire at a local office of Georgia’s ruling party Thursday night, wounding four people, two days before nationwide local elections that will gage the government’s hold on power. The attack, which wounded a candidate for Georgian Dream, […]
Georgian schools in Akhalgori facing a language dilemma
Anatoly Bibilov, de facto president of South Ossetia. AKHALGORI, DFWatch–As eight Georgian schools in Akhalgori, South Ossetia have fully switched to Russian as the language of instruction, teachers find it hard to teach and are afraid of losing their jobs. As most pupils don’t know Russian, this may make their families leave Akhalgori and settle […]
ახალგორის ქართული სკოლების დაწყებითი კლასები სწავლას ჯერ ისევ ვერ იწყებენ
ანატოლი ბიბილოვი: „რატომ უნდა უმზადებდეს სამხრეთ ოსეთის რესპუბლიკის ბიუჯეტზე მყოფი სკოლები კურსდამთავრებულებს ქართულ უმაღლეს სასწავლებლებს?!“ (osradio.ru) სექტემბრიდან ოკუპირებული ახალგორის რვავე ქართული სკოლის დაწყებით კლასებში სწავლება რუსულ ენაზე გადავიდა. პედაგოგებს რუსულ ენაზე სწავლება უჭირთ და ამის გამო შიშობენ, რომ, შესაძლოა, სამსახური დაკარგონ. ბავშვებმა კი საერთოდ არ იციან რუსული, რის გამოც შეიძლება ოჯახებს ახალგორის დატოვება და წეროვანში [...]
გალის რაიონში ქართული სკოლა დახურეს
სოფელ მეორე თაგილონის სკოლაში 29 ბავშვი სწავლობს. (DFWatch.net) ოთხშაბათს გამართულ შეხვედრაზე გალის სკოლების დირექტორებს განუცხადეს, რომ სოფელ მეორე თაგილონის სკოლა იხურება […]
CSOs Seek Involvement in Public Defender’s Selection Process
We would like to respond to the statements related to the selection of Georgian Public Defender and call on the Parliament of Georgia to ensure civil society participation in the process of selecting the main human rights defender of the country. It is well-known to everyone that according to legislation, a Public Defender may be nominated [...]
Either school or hijab – “my daughters will not go to school without hijab!”
According to official statistics 10,7% of the Georgian population – about 399,000 persons – are Muslims. 333,000 of them are ethnic Azerbaijani. Part of them thinks that in accordance to the Muslim tradition, a girl shall wear a hijab over 14. “I want to learn and become a teacher. If I do not study, I know in future I will have hard life. I was not allowed into the school because I am wearing a hijab. I do not know what will happen now. […]
Circassians prevented from attending jailed activist’s court hearing
TBILISI, DFWatch–The regional court in Russia’s Krasnodar region upheld the decision made by the lower court to imprison a popular 67-year-old Circassian civic activist, while his supporters were barred from attending the trial on Monday. […]
კრასნოდარის სასამართლომ უხუცესის განაჩენი ძალაში დატოვა, ჩერქეზი აქტივისტები პოლიციამ ქალაქში არ შეუშვა
კრასნოდარის სამხარეო სასამართლომ 16 ოქტომბერს ძალაში დატოვა აგვისტოში მიღებული გადაწყვეტილება 67 წლის ჩერქეზი უხუცესისა და აფხაზეთის „გმირად“ შერაცხული რუსლან გვაშევის 10 ათასი რუბლით დაჯარიმებაზე. […]
South Ossetia declares Jehovah’s Witnesses ‘extremists’
Sonya Khubaeva. TBILISI, DFWatch–The supreme court in the breakaway region South Ossetia has ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses is an extremist organization and banned its activities. When the ruling comes into force in a few days, Jehovah’s Witnesses members will face up to 10 years […]
ცხინვალში იეჰოვას მოწმეები ექსტრემისტებად გამოაცხადეს და საქმიანობა აუკრძალეს
რელიგიის საკითხებში ცხინვალის მთავრობის რწმუნებული სონია ხუბაევა ამბობს, რომ სამხრეთ ოსეთში ამ რელიგიას „საქართველოდან გამოგზავნილი ოსები ავრცელებენ“. (nykhas.ru) ოკუპირებულ სამხრეთ ოსეთში იეჰოვას მოწმეების დევნა დაიწყო. რამდენიმე დღის წინ ეს რელიგიური გაერთიანება ექსტრემისტულ ორგანიზაციად გამოცხადდა და მისი საქმიანობა აიკრძალა. […]
UNM mobilizes thousands against ‘oligarch’ Ivanishvili’s property takeover
TBILISI, DFWatch–Several thousand supporters of Georgia’s opposition National Movement party demonstrated Sunday outside the home of a former prime minister whom they call an oligarch and accuse of taking over valuable properties. […]
ან სკოლა ან ჰიჯაბი – „ჩემი შვილები სკოლაში ჰიჯაბის გარეშე არ ივლიან!”
„მინდა ვისწავლო და მასწავლებელი გამოვიდე. რომ არ ვისწავლო, ვიცი, რომ მომავალში ცხოვრება გამიჭირდება. იმის გამო, რომ ჰიჯაბს ვატარებ, სკოლაში აღარ დამიშვეს. […]
Leaving behind “post-Soviet” politics in Georgia
For years democratization is seen as a top down process of constitutional engineering, nation-building, and market reforms. Until the early 2000s, states in former Eastern Europe saw their membership of NATO and the European Union as the final stage of consolidating their democracy. […]
Opposition clash with police as Tbilisi assembly OKs Ivanishvili land deals
TBILISI, DFWatch–The city assembly in Tbilisi, the Sakrebulo, on Tuesday approved the handover of two land lots to former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for the symbolic price of one Georgian lari. While the vote went ahead, a ruckus of shouting and pushing took place outside, […]
Abduction of Mukhtarli Abated Trust of Ethnic Azerbaijani Population towards Georgian Authorities
Khayal Azizov Ethnic Azerbaijani people make up 6.3% of the Georgian population that is 233,000 persons. It is the biggest ethnic minority community in the country though their voice is least heard here. […]
Circassians protesting against jailing of remembrance day organizer
Abkhazians hold a rally in solidarity with Ruslan Gvashev in Sokhumi. (Anaid Gogoryan/RFE/RL.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In southern Russia’s Krasnodar region, Circassians, Abkhaz, Adyghe, Kabardians and Shapsughs continue to protest against the persecution of a 67-year-old activist regarded as a national hero and the most prominent civil rights worker. […]
რუსი ძალოვნების მხრიდან აქტივისტის დევნის გამო ჩერქეზებსა და აფხაზებში უკმაყოფილება იზრდება
რუსლან გვაშევი (kavkaz-uzel.eu) რუსეთის კრასნოდარის მხარეში ჩერქეზების უფლებების დარღვევის გამო ერთი თვეა პროტესტი არ ცხრება. […]
PACE president resigns amid controversy about Syria trip
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Council of Europe official resigned on Monday after a controversial visit to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad. Pedro Agramunt announced his resignation as president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in a letter on Monday. […]
Wizz Air launches flights from Kutaisi to Rome, Paris, Barcelona and Prague
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Hungarian low-cost airline which is already very popular in Georgia may see its popularity rise to new heights after it announced new routes to Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Prague. “We are truly delighted to announce that starting […]
„ელ პაისი“: კატალონიამ შეიძლება ორშაბათს დამოუკიდებლობა გამოაცხადოს
წარწერა პლაკატზე: “კატალონია ესპანეთი არ არის”. კატალონიის პარლამენტმა შეიძლება დამოუკიდებლობა ორშაბათის სესიაზე გამოაცხადოს, ამის შესახებ ინფორმაციას, ავტონომიური ოლქის ულტრა-მემარცხენე პარტიაზე დაყრდნობით ესპანური გაზეთი „ელ-პაისი“ ავრცელებს. […]
Abkhazia appeals to UNESCO for help to save cultural monuments
TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto authorities in Abkhazia have asked the United Nation’s agency for cultural heritage, UNESCO, help protect historic buildings within territory they control. In a video published a few days ago, Georgia is accused of having a “destructive” policy […]
სოხუმი იუნესკოს ძეგლების გადარჩენას სთხოვს
აფხაზეთის დე ფაქტო ხელისუფლება გაეროსა და იუნესკოს თხოვნით მიმართავს, აფხაზეთის ტერიტორიაზე არსებული უნიკალური ძეგლების დაცვა-გადარჩენაში დაეხმარონ, ხოლო ძეგლების „სავალალო მდგომარეობას“ საქართველოს „გამანადგურებელ პოლიტიკას“ აბრალებენ. […]
Six opposition activists detained outside Tbilisi City Hall
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia detained six opposition activists on Monday, as supporters of the National Movement rallied outside Tbilisi City Hall to demand an immediate halt in the handover of two prime land plots to a company owned […]
Ethnic Armenians clash with police in south of Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Ethnic Armenians clashed with police in a village in the south of Georgia on Saturday after locals attempted to place a religious stone in the yard of Kumurdo temple. The tense situation in the village Kumurdo calmed down on Sunday but the brief street […]
Police evict city assembly members as Tbilisi land plots handed to Ivanishvili
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two candidates for Tbilisi mayor were among opposition politicians and activists who were forcibly dragged out of the city council on Friday before a proposal was approved that will hand over two land plots to a company owned by former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili. […]
Abduction of Mukhtarli Reduces Trust in Georgian Authorities among Ethnic Azerbaijani Population
Ethnic Azerbaijani people make up 6.3% of the Georgian population, or 233,000 persons. It is the biggest ethnic minority community in the country, though their voice is least heard here. The main reason is that ethnic Azerbaijani people do not trust the Government of Georgia. Moreover, they are afraid of the government. […]
მუხთარლის გატაცებამ საქართველოს ხელისუფლებისადმი ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელების ნდობა შეარყია
აფგან მუხთარლის სოლიდარობის აქცია სახელმწიფო კანცელარიასთან. 1 ივნისი (რადიო თავისუფლების ფოტო) საქართველოს მოსახლეობის 6,3% – 233 000 ადამიანი – ეთნიკური აზერბაიჯანელია. ეს ყველაზე დიდი ეთნიკური ჯგუფია ქვეყანაში მცხოვრებ უმცირესობებს შორის, თუმცა მათი ხმა აქ ყველაზე ნაკლებად ისმის. […]
Georgian parliament passes new Constitution as opposition walks out in protest
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament almost unanimously adopted a new constitution on Tuesday as opposition factions walked out and said the day will mark the establishment of one-party rule in the country. […]
Georgia’s president refuses to convene parliament to pass revamped Constitution
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili has turned down a request by the ruling party to call an unscheduled session of parliament in order to adopt the new Constitution, citing the threat of one-party rule. “The president will not convene an extraordinary session,” […]
Georgia’s constitutional reform gets cautious thumbs up from CoE
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Venice Commission draws an overall positive conclusion about Georgia’s latest constitutional reform in an assessment published Friday, but the Council of Europe experts are still concerned about the lack of consensus among the country’s largest political parties. […]
Azerbaijani agents shadowing opposition journalists in Tbilisi
Layla Mustafayeva. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The exiled wife of jailed Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli says she fears there may be a new wave of harassment against herself and other critics of the regime of Ilham Aliyev. Mukhtarli was abducted in downtown Tbilisi on May 31 and taken across the border […]
David Lynch to found film festival and cinematography institute in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–American film director David Lynch is coming to Georgia in November to launch a film festival and open a new institute of cinematography named after him. The iconic director, who is known for the films Blue Velvet, Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive, […]
Openly lesbian woman to run for public office in Georgia, a first
Nino Bolkvadze. TBILISI, DFWatch–For the first time, an openly lesbian woman will run for political office in Georgia. Nino Bolkvadze, a professional lawyer, was nominated Friday by the Republican Party to compete for a seat in the Tbilisi city council, the Sakrebulo, this October. […]
Georgian PM denounces Saakashvili as a sad reminder of the past after Ukraine border stunt
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili is Georgia’s ‘very sad past’ says Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili while commenting recent developments in Ukraine. “Mikheil Saakashvili is the political past of our country, a very sad past, and it is very unfortunate, […]
Georgian ex-president burst through police block and into Ukraine
TBILISI, DFWatch–After trying for several hours, Mikheil Saakashvili finally managed to get into Ukraine Sunday evening, with the help of his supporters. Currently he is in Lviv and reportedly plans to travel to Kiev. “I don’t plan to oust anyone, I plan only to legally defend my interests,” […]
Saakashvili breaks through Ukraine border assisted by crowd of supporters
Mikheil Saakashvili addressing the media before boarding the train. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili broke through the border to Ukraine on Sunday, aided by a crowd of supporters. At first, the train he was riding from Poland, bound for the Ukrainian city of Lviv, was held at the border in Przemysl, […]
Saakashvili confirms pledge to enter Ukraine on September 10
Mikheil Saakashvili made the pledge during a webcast from the Polish capital in mid August 2017. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has repeated a pledge made three weeks ago to return to Ukraine on September 10, despite the risk of being detained and extradited to Georgia where he may face criminal charges and possible imprisonment. […]
Georgian priest sentenced to nine years in prison for murder attempt
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Tbilisi court on Tuesday sentenced a high ranking cleric to nine years in prison for trying to kill the patriarch’s personal secretary with poison. The case has sent shock waves through Georgian society and revealed divisions within one […]
CoE’s Buquicchio disappointed by Georgian stalemate on new constitution
TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio is disappointed by the lack of progress on Georgia’s constitutional reform. The commission president took to Twitter on Monday to react to a lack of agreement between […]
52 tourists rescued in Georgia’s mountains this summer
TBILISI, DFWatch–Fifty-two foreign tourists got lost in Georgia in the period from June 1 to August 17, according to figures published Friday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and reported by Interpressnews. Everyone was rescued safe and sound except two German nationals, […]
Another forest fire breaks out in different part of Georgia’s Borjomi national park
(Palitra TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Just days after a massive wildfire was contained inside one of Georgia’s national parks, another one has flared up in another area of the same park. This time, it’s the resort area of Abastumani which has been hit by forest fire. The affected site is not far from […]
Georgia national park forest fire reportedly contained
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (SKNews.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A wildfire which destroyed over 100 hectares of endemic forest in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park ‘has almost been extinguished’, the Georgian prime minister said Friday evening. “In the evening, I personally visited all critical locations with ministers. […]
Wildfire has destroyed 100ha of forest in central Georgia
(SKNews.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A wildland fire is still raging across a large nature park and key tourist destination in central Georgia, but authorities believe the main pockets will be contained by Friday unless their efforts are made difficult by strong wind. “We currently don’t have new […]
Massive wildfire in Georgia’s Borjomi National Park
(1tv.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A massive wildfire was raging on Monday in Borjomi, a forested nature park and important tourist destination in Georgia. The fire started Sunday in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park but intensified Monday evening when it spread to over 6 hectares in the hills above […]
William Courtney: Russia might seek to annex Abkhazia
William Courtney (rand.org) William Courtney, former US Ambassador to Georgia told Voice of America’s Anna Kalandadze that “President Putin’s August 8 visit underlined Moscow’s apparent determination to retain control of Abkhazia despite the costs to Russia’s international reputation. But the Kremlin […]
Saakashvili announces plan to return to Ukraine via Poland
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian-born former governor of Ukraine’s Odessa region Mikheil Saakashvili announced Wednesday the time and date of his return to Ukraine despite being stripped of that country’s citizenship. Saakashvili, who recently launched […]
Georgian minister rejects “offer” to extradite Saakashvili in apparent prank
TBILISI, DFWatch–A prank by two Russian pro-Kremlin bloggers has led to calls for the resignation of Georgia’s interior minister for rejecting a fake offer by Ukraine to extradite former President Mikheil Saakashvili. A voice sounding like Georgia’s minister of internal affairs […]
Georgia to ban unhealthy food in its public schools
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia plans to ban unhealthy food in public schools, particularly sugary beverages and salty products, in an effort to promote healthier lifestyle among school children. “When children come to school in September they will see a different buffet,” Alexandre Jejelava, […]
Fire devastates mountain overlooking Tbilisi
(imedinews.ge) A massive fire spread on the slopes of Mtatsminda, a mountain overlooking Tbilisi on Tuesday late evening. […]
22-year-old woman dies from suspected drug use at music festival
(GEM Fest/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have brought in stricter anti-drug measures at a youth festival after a 22 year old woman tragically died. The female bank employee became ill Friday after allegedly ingesting the drug ‘bio’. She was rushed to hospital but died 8 hours later. […]
Georgian soldier killed in Afghanistan
Veruli Bebiashvili, mother of the deceased. (Palitra TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian soldier has died in Afghanistan while out on patrol near Bagram Airbase, 60km north of Kabul. Lance sergeant Mdinari Bebiashvili (25) was killed as two suicide bombers attacked his convoy Thursday evening. The platoon that was hit consisted […]
US Vice President Mike Pence visiting Georgia
US Vice President Mike Pence arrived at Tbilisi airport Monday evening, accompanied by his wife Karen. (Photo published by the US Embassy in Tbilisi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–US Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Tbilisi on Monday amid a US-led military exercise, which for a moment brought a US military convoy within close proximity of Russian troops stationed in the breakaway region South Ossetia. […]
I hope there will be a dialogue about selling Georgia anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons: policy specialist
Daniel Kochis (Heritage Foundation) Voice of America’s Anna Kalandadze spoke to Daniel Kochis, a Europe policy specialist in the Margaret Thatcher’s Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, a US Conservative think tank, ahead of US Vice President’s visit to Tbilisi. […]
Saakashvili threatens with new revolution in Ukraine
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former president, who was recently stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship, vowed Saturday to return to Kyiv and oust President Poroshenko, his one-time ally. Mikheil Saakashvili was speaking to Georgian TV station Rustavi 2 from […]
Georgian MP fined for wearing pistol at rally against extremism
Otar Kakhidze appeared with a pistol in his belt during a recent rally against extremism. TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian opposition member of parliament was fined 200 USD on Wednesday for demonstratively wearing a pistol in his belt during a rally against far right extremists. Otar Kakhidze, a lawyer who represents European Georgia in the national assembly, […]
Former president of Georgia stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship
Mikheil Saakashvili in November, 2016. TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukraine has stripped former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili of his citizenship, shortly after a visit to Georgia by Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko. A Ukrainian member of parliament first reported it on Facebook, and the information […]
ვიდეო: ამერიკული სამხედრო ხომალდი ირანულ კატარღას გამაფრთხილებელ ცეცხლს უხსნის
აშშ-ის სამხედრო-საზღვაო ძალებმა სამშაბათს სპარსეთის ყურეში ამერიკულ და ირანის გემებს შორის ინციდენტის ამსახველი ვიდეო გამოაქვეყნეს. […]
უკრაინის საზღვარზე რუსული დამრტყმელი შენაერთების კონცენტრირება ხდება: გენშტაბის უფროსი
ვიქტორ მუჟენკო (უნიანი) რუსეთი უკრაინის საზღვარზე სამხედრო შენაერთების კონცენტრირებას ახორციელებს, აცხადებს უკრაინის შეიარაღებული ძალების გენშტაბის უფროსი ვიქტორ მუჟენკო. […]
Nationalists hurl eggs and bottles at European Georgia march
TBILISI, DFWatch–Plastic bottles, eggs, brooms and other objects were hurled at people marching through the center of Tbilisi Sunday evening to protest against what they call ‘Russian fascism in Georgia’. The march was organized by political party European Georgia, […]
ამერიკა რუსეთს ახალ სანქციებს უწესებს
ამერიკის კონგრესის ქვედა პალატა სამშაბათს კენჭს უყრის, და დიდი ალბათობით მიიღებს, კანონპროექტს, რომელიც რუსეთისთვის და ირანისთვის ახალი სანქციების დაწესებას ითვალისწინებს. […]
Georgian opposition TV claims tax debt used to silence its voice
Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia. TBILISI, DFWatch–The director of Georgia’s biggest opposition TV company claims the government is using tax laws to to get it off air ahead of the local elections in October. “TV company Rustavi 2 is again under threat […] The state is seemingly preparing for a decisive blow […]
Independent candidate for mayor vows to halt Tbilisi building spree
Aleko Elisashvili, the popular independent candidate for Tbilisi mayor, vows to halt an ongoing construction boom that is rapidly changing the old city’s aesthetic looks. TBILISI, DFWatch–The independent candidate for Tbilisi mayor Aleko Elisashvili vows to suspend all construction projects in Tbilisi until there have been carried out comprehensive studies into all the schemes to see whether they are compatible with the urban fabric of the Georgian capital. […]
ალეკო ელისაშვილი: მინდა გული გაგიხეთქოთ – გაცემულია ნებართვები 6,5 მილიონი კვ.მ.-ის მშენებლობაზე
თბილისის მერობის დამოუკიდებელი კანდიდატი ალეკო ელისაშვილი აცხადებს, რომ მისი გამარჯვების შემთხვევაში მშენებლობაზე მორატორიუმი გამოცხადდება და მოხდება უკვე გაცემული ნებართვების დეტალური შესწავლა. მისი თქმით, უკვე გაცემულია ნებართვები კოლოსალური რაოდენობის მშენებლობაზე, რაც სასწრაფო რეაგირებას მოითხოვს. „მინდა გული გაგიხეთქოთ: უკვე გაცემულია, და ჯერ არ აშენებულა, 6,5 მილიონი კვადრატული მეტრის სამშენებლო ნებართვები. ეს, იცით, რა რაოდენობაა? ეს არის, დაახლოებით, კიდევ [...]
Trump picks new Afghanistan ambassador who served in Georgia
John Bass at the opening of the Batumi Center for Civic Engagement April 5, 2012. He was – U.S. Ambassador to Georgia at the time. (Archil Talakvadze/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–US President Donald Trump has nominated former Ambassador to Georgia John Bass as new ambassador to Afghanistan. Bass currently serves as the US ambassador to Turkey. From 2009 to 2012, he served as ambassador to Georgia. He was nominated […]
საქართველოში ყოფილ ელჩს ტრამპი ავღანეთის სტრატეგიულად უმნიშვნელოვანეს მისიას ანდობს
საქართველოში ამერიკის ყოფილი ელჩი, ჯონ ბასი პრეზიდენტმა ტრამპმა ავღანეთში შეერთებული შტატების საგანგებო დესპანად წარადგინა. […]
დონბასში ერთ დღეში 9 უკრაინელი სამხედრო მოკლეს
20 ივლისი წელს ყველაზე ტრაგიკული გამოდგა უკრაინის არმიისათვის – დონბასში გუშინ 9 უკრაინელი სამხედრო დაიღუპა. მათგან 6 უშუალოდ საბრძოლო შეტაკებებისას მოკლეს, 3 კი ნაღმზე აფეთქდა; […]
Georgia suspends two officials while investigating journalist’s abduction
Interior Minister Giorgi Mghebrishvili said the two officials are suspended to eliminate all suspicion. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has suspended two high ranking officials to ensure the impartiality of an investigation into the alleged abduction of an Azerbaijani investigative journalist. The decision comes after immense pressure from human rights groups, […]
German Greens MEP backs Gülen school official’s plea against extradition
Rebecca Harms. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of the Greens faction in the EU parliament calls on Georgia not to extradite a school manager to Turkey. “To be a teacher is not a crime,” said Rebecca Harms, a German politician who is current head of the Greens-European Free Alliance in the EU parliament. […]
Rally in Tbilisi to demand ‘illegal’ immigrants kicked out
Organizers of the rally, including Sandro Bregadze (right), hold an icon of King Davit IV Aghmashenebeli. (Facebook/Nini Ketelauri.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Nationalist groups in Georgia mobilized supporters Friday for an anti-immigration rally in the center of Tbilisi. Activists carrying flags and slogans for nationalist causes demanded ‘illegal’ immigrants kicked out of the country and called on authorities to bring […]
Anti-immigration activists plan rally in Tbilisi Friday evening
The rally is being organized by Sandro Bregadze. TBILISI, DFWatch–Nationalists in Georgia plan an anti-immigration rally in the center of Tbilisi Friday evening. The rally, which will take place on Aghmashenebeli Avenue at 8pm, will take aim at illegal immigration, especially from Muslim countries. One of their demands is to close down […]
Constitutional Court overturns ban on gay men donating blood – again
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court has overturned a ban on donation of blood by men who have had sex with other men. The lawsuit to lift the ban was filed by LGBT rights activists Gocha Gabodze and Levan Berianidze. The ban on donating blood for ‘a man who has had a sexual […]
Detained Gülen school director to ask for asylum to avoid extradition
TBILISI, DFWatch–A detained Gülen school official is asking for asylum in Georgia in order to avoid extradition to Turkey, where he may face brutal and inhumane treatment, according to his lawyers. Georgia detained Mustafa Emre Cabuk in May. He is one of the managers of Demirel […]
Five foreign tourists rescued by helicopter in Caucasus mountain range
TBILISI, DFWatch–Five foreign tourists were rescued by helicopter from a mountain plateau in the main Caucasus range Saturday after being isolated by a flooded stream. Personnel from the Emergency Management Agency used helicopters belonging to the border […]
Separatists deny leader injured in car crash visiting other breakaway region
The de facto presidents of Georgia’s two breakaway territories: Raul Khajimba (Abkhazia) (left) and Anatoly Bibilov (South Ossetia). (Photo published by the office of Abkhazia’s de facto president.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The separatists in one of Georgia’s two breakaway regions denied a report in Russian media that their leader was injured in a car crash Saturday while visiting another separatist region. Anatoly Bibilov, the de facto president of the tiny enclave South Ossetia, […]
Indian citizen refused entry to Georgia twice without being given a reason
TBILISI, DFWatch–An Indian businessman was refused entry to Georgia for the second time on Wednesday, after a similar incident two days earlier. A lawyer for Akbar Khan Qureshi said the young Indian entrepreneur again was turned away in the border control at Tbilisi airport […]
Two men rescued by helicopter from flooded river in Samegrelo
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two men were rescued by a police helicopter in Western Georgia on Wednesday. The two got stuck in the middle of a flooded river near the village Khabume in Samegrelo. Local rescue workers were unable to bring the two men out of the river Khobistskali, […]
2,500 sqm destroyed by fire at Tbilisi’s largest market
TBILISI, DFWatch–A fire tore through Georgia’s largest outdoors market Sunday evening, leaving at least four people hospitalized, including one firefighter, and devastating up to 2,500 square meters of commercial space, officials said. The fire at Eliava bazaar in Tbilisi […]
PACE to discuss dismissing its president in October
PACE President Pedro Agramunt. (Council of Europe.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will discuss a proposal to dismiss its chairperson in early October after a motion was tabled on Friday. The motion to dismiss PACE President Pedro Agramunt was backed by 158 out of the 636 member […]
CoE official dismayed over Georgia’s constitution ‘crisis’
Gianni Buquicchio. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Council of Europe official is in despair over the way Georgian leaders have handled the drafting of a new constitution, calling the debacle a ‘crisis’. “I’m disappointed and become more and more disappointed for every hour,” head of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio […]
Georgia’s local elections slated for end of October
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgians will go to the polls to elect new mayors and local governments in the end of October, President Giorgi Margvelashvili announced on Tuesday. The local elections will be held in the ‘end the third week of October’, the president said, […]
Popular TV host to represent opposition UNM in Tbilisi mayoral race
Zaal Udumashvili launched his bid for the mayor post on Monday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s main opposition party is hoping that a popular news anchor will bring it back to power in the politically important position of Tbilisi mayor. The nomination of Zaal Udumashvili, host of the main news program on Georgia’s largest TV channel Rustavi 2, […]
Georgian president slams blueprint for new Constitution
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili rejects a draft new Constitution presented by the ruling GD government because it is not based on a consensus. “The entire Georgian society believes we need a consensus document, but Georgian Dream […]
Azerbaijani RFE/RL journalist detained, barred from leaving country
Kamran Mahmudov (right) pictured next to his Azerbaijani colleague Afgan Mukhtarli, whose abduction in Tbilisi in May caused a public outcry in Georgia. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A journalist at Radio Free Europe’s now closed office in Azerbaijan was detained on Thursday and told that he cannot leave the country. Kamran Mahmudov, a former producer for RFE/RL, was detained at the border on the way into Georgia and taken to the […]
Helmut Kohl was a great friend of Georgia
Helmut Kohl (wikiwand.com) Helmut Kohl, in hand with Edward Shevardnadze, Michael Gorbachev, and George H.W. Bush, convinced Europe to rise to the occasion and believe that history can progress, that unity and national sovereignty can go hand-in-hand, and that conflict is not inevitable when Germany is united. […]
Georgia’s ruling GD party demurring on electoral reform
Speaker of Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling party will defer until 2024 to fulfill one of its main promises: to overhaul an election system that has favored the incumbent force for decades. The system of single-mandate districts, so-called majoritarians, was supposed to have been phased out […]
Georgia’s parliament approves immediate halt in sale of farm land to foreigners
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament decided Friday to declare a temporary ban on the sale of agricultural lands to aliens until a constitutional ban comes into force. 87 MPs voted in favor of the amendment to the Law on Ownership of Agricultural Land, amid fierce pressure […]
European Parliament calls on Georgia to investigate journalist’s disappearance
TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Parliament calls on Georgia to thoroughly investigate the disappearance of an Azerbaijani investigative journalist in the center of Tbilisi two weeks ago. MEPs further urge Baku to immediately release Afgan Mukhtarli and drop all charges. […]
Rappers whose arrest sparked review of drug policy released on bail
Mishka Mgaloblishvili. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia released on bail two rappers whose controversial arrest on drug charges may have hastened a review of the drug policy. The court released the two on bail Monday after their arrest June 10 for possession of between 1.5 and 2.3 grams […]
PM responds to groundswell of support for Georgia’s jailed rappers
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister promised to soften the country’s drug policy Saturday evening as a large crowd gathered in the capital Tbilisi in support of two detained rappers who claim drugs were planted on them by police as revenge for a music video. […]
Tbilisi on edge as strong rain brings fear of ‘another 2015’
TBILISI, DFWatch–Strong rain with hail hit Tbilisi and some other parts of Georgia on Saturday, causing damage to cars, infrastructure and crops. As some Tbilisians feared a repeat of the tragic flooding in 2015, the police blocked Vake-Saburtalo Road in Tbilisi following advice […]
Azerbaijani MP claims Georgian intel collaborated on journalist’s abduction
Elman Nasirov. TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of Azerbaijan’s parliament claims Georgian and Azerbaijani intelligence agencies collaborated on abducting a journalist in Tbilisi and send him back to Baku to face jail. Elman Nasirov, a member of Azerbaijan’s national assembly Mili Meclis, […]
Two rappers caught with ecstasy claim police planted drugs on them
TBILISI, DFWatch–The arrest of two rappers for drug crime in Georgia on Friday adds fuel to criticism against the country’s law enforcement agencies, which are already under fire for suspected involvement in the mysterious abduction out of the country of an Azerbaijani journalist eleven days ago. […]
CEO of Georgia’s embattled opposition television station resigns
Nika Gvaramia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rustavi 2 director general Nika Gvaramia resigns. Gvaramia’s resignation was reported yesterday by several Georgian media outlets and confirmed Friday morning by one of the TV company’s editors who spoke to DFWatch on condition of anonymity. […]
Georgia’s ruling party bans sale of agricultural land to foreigners
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling party has decided to ban the sale of agricultural land to foreigners by adding a clause to the Constitution. PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced Thursday that a passage will be added to the Constitution to ban the sale of land […]
Georgian world boxing champion arrested in the US
WBO world middleweight champion Avtandil Kurtsidze. TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian world boxing champion has been arrested in the United States along with a martial arts practicioner, also from Georgia, for alleged ties to a Russian crime syndicate. Avtandil Khurtsidze, who currently holds a World Boxing Organization middleweight title, […]
Earthquake of magnitude 5.1 in eastern Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 rattled Georgia late Wednesday evening with only minor damage reported in one village. The quake occurred at about 10.30pm with the epicenter near Dedoplistskaro in Kakheti, 100km east of Tbilisi, […]
TV news anchor may join race for new Tbilisi mayor
Zaal Udumashvili speaking at a demonstration in Tbilisi in February, 2017. (Rustavi 2.) Independent candidate Aleksandre Elisashvili may also have a chance. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A news anchor on Georgia’s biggest private television channel has confirmed that he may run for mayor of Tbilisi as a candidate for the biggest opposition party UNM. The entry of Zaal Udumashvili, host of the evening news on Rustavi 2, […]
Protesters put bags over their heads as parliament silent on Mukhtarli case
(Liberali.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian journalists covered their heads with plastic sacks during a meeting of the parliament’s human rights committee on Tuesday to protest the abduction of an Azerbaijani investigative journalist in Tbilisi. But the committee did not discuss […]
Georgia’s ruling party to tap energy minister as new Tbilisi mayor
Kakhi Kaladze. (Ministry of Energy.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling party in Georgia is expected to name Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze as its candidate for new Tbilisi mayor, to replace the incumbent Davit Narmania. Georgian Dream MPs and members of government met on Sunday behind closed […]
Georgian leaders send condolences to victims of London attacks
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president and prime minister have expressed their condolences to the families of victims of the recent London terror attack, which left seven dead and over 48 injured. “I am deeply outraged over the brutal terrorist incidents in #London. […]
Zbigniew Brzezinski will be missed
Brzezinski at the Munich Security Conference, 2014. (www.securityconference.de) To anyone close enough to speak with him in first name terms, he was Zbig. A typical American habit of kerbingconsonant-rich names that echo history to sound short, familiar, and approachable. […]
Georgian authorities deny involvement in abduction of Azerbaijani journalist
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s head of government Thursday denied that his country’s authorities had been involved when a journalist was abducted three days earlier in Tbilisi and delivered into the hands of Azerbaijani police for criminal prosecution. […]
Abduction of Azerbaijani journalist sparks outrage in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists rallied in Tbilisi on Wednesday against the apparent abduction and return to Azerbaijan of an investigative journalist who had criticized the Aliyev regime. Journalists and rights activists rallied outside the government office […]
Journalist who sought refuge in Georgia abducted to Azerbaijan
Afgan Mukhtali TBILISI, DFWatch–An investigative journalist who fled Azerbaijan and sought asylum in neighboring Georgia was abducted by unknown men in Tbilisi on Monday and taken across the border to his home country. Journalist Afgan Mukhtali is now being held in Baku, […]
Murder plot against Georgian patriarch allegedly revealed
Edisher Karchava. (ambebi.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lawyer for the Georgian church claimed on Monday that there is a plot to assassinate the head of the church, involving high-level clerics. One of the clerics implicated in the attempt on Patriarch’s life is Metropolitan Petre Tsaava, according to […]
Opposition candidates vying to unseat unpopular Tbilisi mayor
Elene Khoshtaria was nominated by European Georgia as candidate for Tbilisi mayor. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s second largest opposition party named a woman as its candidate for Tbilisi Mayor on Saturday. The European Dream party congress nominated Elene Khoshtaria (37) as mayoral candidate as political parties are gearing up for the local elections. […]
Coffey: Trump’s finally come to the realization that Russia is not partner for U.S.
Luke Coffey To assess the visit of NATO Parliamentary assembly to Tbilisi, Georgia, discuss future of Transatlantic relations and Pres. Trump’s visit to Europe Voice of America’s Anna Kalandadze spoke to Luke Coffey, Director, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy, […]
Georgia detains school manager connected to Gülen network
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has detained a manager of a private school in what appears to be a case of pressure exerted by Turkey on Georgian authorities to crack down on institutions associated with the exiled preacher Fethullah Gülen. Mustafa Emre Cabuk, quality manager […]
State auditor shown holding pistol in bar in new online video
Lasha Tordia (far left) apparently brandishing a pistol at PAM Club last December. TBILISI, DFWatch–A new video of a public auditor pointing a pistol in a bar last December further undermined his claim that a recent fight with an ex-prosecutor was corruption related. The video surfaced on the Internet on Wednesday, and shows state auditor Lasha Tordia […]
MIA presents video, auditor maintains bar fight was corruption related
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Internal Affairs released a surveillance video and witness testimony on Monday which appeared to undermine claims by the country’s top public auditor that a recent bar fight was connected to a corruption probe. But the low resolution […]
Prosecutors drop case against Georgian ECHR judge’s brother
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prosecutors in Georgia have dropped a case against the brother of a judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) who said the investigation was connected to her work. None Tsotsoria (center) is a judge currently serving at the European Court of Human Rights. The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia (POG) called off the probe […]
Georgian priest walks out on first day of his murder trial
TBILISI, DFWatch–A high profile trial of a Georgian priest accused of planning to murder the patriarch’s personal secretary got off to a dramatic start Friday as the defendant left the courtroom in protest and asked his lawyers to do the same. This was the first hearing […]
Gay pride film screening canceled in Tbilisi after bomb threat
TBILISI, DFWatch–The screening of a gay pride film in a Tbilisi park had to be canceled Friday evening after someone called in a bomb threat. LGBT people, rights activists and others, mainly youth, had gathered in Mziuri Park for a screening of the British historical comedy […]
Georgian ECHR judge: ‘Raid of my brother’s flat was related to my job’
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) suspects that a police raid against her brother’s apartment was connected to her work. “I have reason to believe that [the police raid] is related to my work at the European Court of Human Rights. […]
Russia and Abkhazia establish joint center to combat organized crime
TBILISI, DFWatch–Separatist authorities in Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia signed an agreement with Russia on Thursday, establishing a joint Russian-Abkhaz coordination center in Sokhumi to combat organized crime and other serious crimes. The joint […]
UNM claims police search of judge’s brother’s flat is political pressure
Nona Tsotsoria (center) at a meeting with Supreme Court judges in Latvia. (Photo published by the Latvian government.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The opposition in Georgia claims the police raided the flat of a judge’s brother to put pressure on the judge after an unfavorable decision in the ECHR. Police carried out a raid Thursday night in the flat of brother of a judge who currently represents Georgia […]
Public meeting about new constitution interrupted by protests
TBILISI, DFWatch–A public meeting in Tbilisi on Monday to discuss a set of constitutional amendments was interrupted by two different groups of protesters. The head of the organizing committee now says they will extend the hearing process with a number of extra […]
Four years after violence, Tbilisi’s LGBT activists meet under tight security
TBILISI, DFWatch–Four years after a mob of thousands of people violently attacked them, Georgia’s LGBT community needed strict security to observe The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) on Wednesday. Several […]
EU envoy sparks outrage in Tbilisi by congratulating Russia-backed separatist leader
Herbert Salber (left). (Photo published by South Ossetia’s de facto president.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A European Union official congratulating the leader of a Russian-backed breakaway republic on winning the election has caused a diplomatic scandal in Tbilisi. Herbert Salber, a German diplomat who is the EU’s special representative to South Caucasus […]
Court told ex-president Saakashvili protected Girgvliani’s murderers
Sandro Girgvliani was 28 years old when he was murdered in January, 2006. Irakli Okruashvili. (GPB.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former minister claimed Georgian ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili protected several high ranking officials from prosecution as the high-profile trial about the murder of a young bank employee in Georgia eleven years ago continued in Tbilisi on Monday. […]
Top state auditor stays away from police questioning for health reasons
Otar Partskhaladze. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of Georgia’s state audit office refused to be questioned by police on Monday, after alleging that a former chief prosecutor attacked him at a bar Friday night. Lasha Tordia excused himself on the grounds of his poor health condition after Friday’s incident […]
Alexandra Hall Hall: Georgian PM explores getting a free trade agreement with the U.S.
“Georgia is not a post-Soviet state. It is a European state […] So, looking at a free trade agreement with the U.S. is kind of a maturing of the relationship.” To assess the recent visit of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili to the U.S., Voice of America’s (VOA) Anna Kalandadze interviewed British diplomat and a political observer Alexandra Hall Hall. […]
State auditor says former chief prosecutor assaulted him at bar
Lasha Tordia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of Georgia’s State Audit Office claims an investigation into a land plot scheme was the reason he was physically assaulted by a former chief prosecutor and his associates at a bar in Tbilisi Friday night. General Auditor Lasha Tordia (37) said he was attacked […]
Batumi City Hall turns down request to build second mosque
TBILISI, DFWatch–The city hall in Georgia’s second largest city Batumi has rejected an application for permission to build a second mosque in the 150,000 strong city. In the largely Muslim city there has been a several decades long conflict about whether to allow a second mosque. […]
Six former prison guards in Georgia will face trial for torture
TBILISI, DFWatch–Six former guards at the notorious Penitentiary No 8 in Tbilisi have been detained for alleged torture of prisoners during the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili. Legal proceedings have been launched against former Head of Legal Regimen of the same facility, […]
Five villages cut off from the world after river thrashes road in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A rain-swelled river on Thursday cut off the only road to five villages in the northern part of Georgia, leaving the inhabitants isolated from the rest of the world. The river Vedura swelled after several days of hard rain in the Upper Svaneti region. […]
Georgia bars former Moscow mayor Luzhkov from entering
In this photo from 2006, Yuri Luzhkov (right) is seen in Abkhazia with Abkhaz and Russian politicians. (Alexander Popov/TASS.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has placed the former mayor of Moscow on its ‘black list’ of people barred from entering the country. Yuri Luzhkov was briefly in Georgia last weekend and the opposition called for his prosecution for violating a 2008 law. When Luzhkov’s tourist trip became […]
Protesters demand safer workplaces after four die in coal mine
TBILISI, DFWatch–Three people were detained in Tbilisi on Tuesday during a protest in response to a mining accident that took four lives earlier the same day. The protesters from student group Auditorium #115 and trade union activists gathered in front of the […]
Two Russian bikers turn up at May 9 event in Georgia despite ban
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two members of the notorious Russian motorcycle gang Night Wolves turned up in Tbilisi’s Vake Park on Tuesday for the May 9 commemoration of victory over Nazism in World War II, despite the gang’s members being banned from entering Georgia. […]
Georgian opposition calls for former Moscow mayor to be punished
TBILISI, DFWatch–An otherwise uneventful tourist visit to Georgia by the former mayor of Moscow was interrupted by opposition calls for him to be ‘punished’. Word spread of Yuri Luzhkov’s visit to Georgia after priest Serafim Bit-Kharibi posted photos […]
To Understand Georgia’s Constitutional Reforms, Look Beyond the President
Georgia needs a parliament that is more pluralistic, not less. Rather than locking in Georgia’s democratic gains, the draft constitution appears likely to benefit Georgian Dream, writes Joseph Larsen, analyst at Georgian Institute of Politics. The Georgian Dream (GD) […]
Constitutional Reform in Georgia – a Step Forward
Tamar Chugoshvili is Parliament’s First Deputy Chairperson. In 2010-2012 she was the Chairperson Georgia’s of Young Lawyers’ Association. In total, 33 amendments have been made to the Constitution of Georgia, adopted in 1995, however, only two rounds of these amendments have been of fundamental importance […]
Georgian priest must remain in detention until beginning of murder trial
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian priest accused of planning to poison an adviser to the patriarch is to remain in pre-trial detention. That was decided at a hearing in the Tbilisi City Court on Friday. The judge rejected all the around a dozen pleas by arch priest […]
Russian bikers denied entry to Georgia for WWII commemoration
TBILISI, DFWatch–Nearly 50 Russian pro-Kremlin bikers were stopped at the border on Wednesday as they were trying to enter Georgia in connection with an annual tour to commemorate the end of World War II. The bikers were not given an explanation for why they were denied entry, […]
Georgian opposition wants referendum about constitutional changes
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian opposition groups said Monday that the country’s democratic development is being reversed unless a set of constitutional amendments is stopped. The groups demand a referendum about the changes. In a declaration, the opposition listed eight […]
Russian biker gang Night Wolves plans Georgia trip
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian biker gang Night Wolves plans to visit Georgia to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the end of World War II. The gang is known for its support of the Kremlin and leader Alexander Zaldostanov (“the Surgeon”) has appeared at many […]
Georgian priest on trial for planning to murder patriarch’s adviser
TBILISI, DFWatch–A priest is being put on trial in Georgia for planning to use poison to murder a close adviser to Patriarch Ilia II, the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church. As the case files were handed over to the court on Thursday, the Prosecutor General’s Office wrote in a statement that […]
Woman found strangled, ex-husband arrested as suspect
TBILISI, DFWatch–A mother of four was found strangled in Tbilisi on Tuesday. Police suspect her ex-husband who was arrested soon after. Miranda Vacheishvili (40) was apparently strangled with a lead wire. She was living in an uptown district of the capital, and had complained […]
Georgia’s auto park continued 8% growth trend in 2016
TBILISi, DFWatch–The number of cars in Georgia grew 8 percent in 2016, continuing a trend of steady expansion of the nation’s auto park of mostly older vehicles. The growth in 2016 was to 1,125, which is 8 percent, with German carmakers retaining their leading positions. […]
Pregnant woman among five killed in car crash near Kutaisi, Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A pregnant woman was among the five who were killed in a horrendous road accident along a highway in western Georgia on Sunday. The accident happened at night, along a highway near Kutaisi in the west of the country. First two cars collided head-on, […]
Georgia inches closer to one-party rule with new draft Constitution
A meeting of the Constitutional Commission. In the center Irakli Kobakhidze, parliament’s speaker, who was commission chair. (Pia.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is moving closer to one-party rule, opposition groups warn, as a new round of constitutional amendments was approved by a commission on Saturday. Georgians are no strangers to changing their Constitution, but the latest set of amendments […]
Dropping a cigarette butt in Tbilisi now costs you USD 33
TBILISI, DFWatch–Littering in the Georgian capital may now cost you a fine of 80 laris (USD 33). This includes dropping cigarette butts. 14 people were fined as the new regulation began being enforced on Thursday. 13 of them were fined for dropping cigarette butts in the streets. […]
Georgian MP injured after colleague throws ashtray, hits wrong person
(1tv.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of the Georgian parliament was lightly injured on Wednesday, after a verbal and physical confrontation that led to an ashtray being hurled at his face. Otar Kakhidze was accidentally hit by an ashtray during a confrontation […]