TBILISI, August 8 – Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze Friday slammed what he calls Europe’s “destructive ideology” around gender and identity, defending his government’s recently introduced law on family values and the protection of minors. Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze described Europe’s current direction as a “complete catastrophe” and said Georgia must shield itself from trends that, … Read more
TBILISI, August 6 – Retracting an earlier demand, Sweden’s Jessica Rosencrantz said while EU treaties guarantee full legal protection for all minorities, including LGBT people, candidate countries such as Georgia are not required to legalize gay marriage in their national laws. Rosencrantz, who is minister for EU affairs, corrected remarks by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf … Read more
TBILISI, July 30 – Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) has published a list of individuals it claims have been sanctioned by nine Western countries in recent years. The group states that over 230 people affiliated with Georgian Dream (GD), including judges, prosecutors, members of parliament, government ministers, and security officials, have been subjected to visa … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A leading opposition figure has welcomed Lithuania’s decision to impose visa bans on ten additional Georgian officials, calling it a step toward isolating the country’s ruling elite from the “civilized world.” Lithuania’s diplomatic move brings the total number of Georgian citizens facing Lithuanian entry restrictions to 112. Grigol Gegelia the opposition party Lelo – … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Lithuania has imposed visa sanctions on ten more Georgian citizens, effectively barring them from entering the country. This brings the total number of Georgian nationals facing such restrictions to 112, according to a searchable database maintained by Lithuania’s Migration Department. The individuals newly added to the list include judges, prosecutors, parliament members, and government … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Orthodox Church has expressed serious concern about recent EU recommendations, warning they contradict verbal and written assurances made during earlier talks with Georgia’s religious leadership. According to a statement released by the Patriarchate, the Church is alarmed by proposed demands that Georgia repeal legislation “on the protection of the sanctity of the … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has compared the EU’s recent criticism of his government’s policies to medieval persecution. According to Interpressnews, Kobakhidze said: “Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for affirming that the Earth revolves. Today, people are being ‘burned’ for believing that a man is a man and a woman is a … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union has issued its starkest warning yet to Tbilisi: fulfill key democratic conditions or face suspension of visa-free travel. The ultimatum, delivered by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, puts unprecedented pressure on Georgia’s ruling party just months ahead of local elections. “All options are on the table, including suspension of the … Read more