Brief news reports, wires.
Remittances from Russia almost halved in August: NBG
TBILISI, DFWatch – The number of remittances from Russia to Georgia in August decreased by 45.5 percent compared to last year and amounted to $60 million, although this country is still the leader and accounts for about a fifth of the total volume, according to the release published by the National Bank of Georgia on Friday. In [...]
Opposition demands setting up parliamentary commission to study corruption in judiciary
TBILISI, DFWatch – The opposition appeals President Salome Zurabishvili to convene parliament’s extraordinary session for creating special commission to study corruption in the judiciary. Opposition MPs say they have the necessary votes to set up commission. A total of 50 PMs’ votes are needed to create a temporary investigative commission, while the opposition has 56 mandates in [...]
Amid hysteria over “second front”, Abkhaz militia kicks off drills in Gali
The pro-EU protests in Tbilisi, which forced the government to kill the highly controversial bill on “foreign agents”, have triggered a natural hysteria in occupied Abkhazia, where the narrative has stubbornly been spread as if the West is forcing Tbilisi to open a “second front”. As a climax of this hysteria, the military forces of the [...]
Georgia makes it mandatory for schools and kindergartens to display national symbols
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is making it mandatory for all schools and kindergartens to fly the national flag and display the country’s official coat of arms on their buildings. These institutions will also be required to exhibit the text of the Georgian national anthem in a prominent place. The Parliament approved in the first reading the amendments to [...]
Ex-President Saakashvili says Russia is also planning to attack Georgia, along with Ukraine
Imprisoned former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili says that if Russia launches a direct military aggression on Ukraine, it will inevitably invade Georgia and occupy Black Sea ports that are of strategic importance to it. "According to my information, if Russia starts implementing a large-scale plan in Ukraine, it is going to capture Anaklia in the [...]
“We won convincingly”: Georgian Dream chairman sums up last year
Chairman of Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze. TBILISI, DFWatch--The artificial crisis is over, we won the election convincingly, and the 'radical' opposition, whose leader is 'deservedly' serving a sentence in jail, is 'extremely weakened’, Georgian Dream chairman Irakli Kobakhidze stated as he summed up the political events of the last year. Writing on Facebook on Monday, Kobakhidze [...]
US reaffirms support for Georgia as tensions between West and Russia grow
TBILISI, DFWatch--While the crisis in relations between Russia and the West over NATO enlargement continues to escalate, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Karen Donfried reaffirmed the US’ support for Georgia in a phone call with Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaliani. According to the Georgian MFA, the sides exchanged views [...]
PACE co-rapporteurs to make monitoring visit to Georgia
(coe.int) Co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will make a fact-finding visit to Tbilisi Wednesday for the monitoring of obligations and commitments by Georgia. Titus Corlatean (Romania, SOC) and Claude Kern (France, ALDE) will mainly focus on the recent political developments, the October 2021 local elections, the reform of the judiciary, [...]
Missing Australian woman, 31, found dead in Tbilisi
Shanae Brooke (Facebook). TBILISI, DFWatch--The body of an Australian expat was found at the Mtatsminda Recreational Park near the center of Tbilisi. It is reported that she was allegedly murdered. Shanae Brooke, 31, went missing Friday when she went to Mtatsminda Park for jogging, which she did routinely. She was last heard from placing a disturbing [...]
Georgia ponders reopening its land borders
Paata Imnadze (1tv.ge). TBILISI, DFWatch--With the tourist season approaching, Georgia is thinking about opening its land borders. "Discussions are already underway and the border will probably be opened," said Paata Imnadze, Scientific Director at National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, which is the main body handling the pandemic in the country. Everything has been [...]
Russia sends first batch of Sputnik V vaccines to Abkhazia
(Sputnik-Abkhazia.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Russia has sent its first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine to Abkhazia, where people will start receiving the jab after the May 9 Victory Day celebrations. The Russian vaccine against the coronavirus will only be administered in one location, Sokhumi Republican Hospital. Initially, only medical staff, teachers, government employees and law enforcement officials [...]
Georgia considers return to tougher coronavirus measures after another increase in cases
TBILISI, DFWatch--In light of rising concerns about the Covid-19 situation in the country, Georgia may tighten its existing restrictions or bring in tougher measures. The government will hold a meeting with specialists on Wednesday, where a final decision will be made, the health minister said. The epidemic is getting worse, and with more than 10,000 active [...]
South Ossetia incident: Two Russian soldiers advance 500m into Georgian-controlled territory, fire warning shots, in failed attempt to detain resident
TBILISI, DFWatch--The two armed Russian service members advanced 500 meters into territory controlled by Georgia and fired warning shots in an attempt to seize a local resident in the village Khurvaleti, about 50km northwest of Tbilisi, an eyewitness told Radio Tavisupleba. Khurvaleti is located at the southern tip of the breakaway region South Ossetia, whose de [...]
Georgia lifts restrictions from exhibitions, trainings and conferences
Activities such as exhibitions, trainings and conferences are expected to be allowed from July 6 on, but this does not apply to swimming pools and fitness centers, said Economy Minister Natia Turnava Tuesday after Interagency Coordinating Council meeting. "Of course, this will be done in accordance with certain rules. In fact, the Ministry of Health has [...]
Abkhazia temporarily reopens Enguri crossing for “humanitarian reasons”
Sokhumi regime re-opens the sole crossing point on the river Enguri for three days for “humanitarian reasons” for the return of “citizens and residents of the republic temporarily being in Georgia”, the breakaway republic’s security service states on its website. Between June 22 and June 24, the passage through the checkpoint will be carried out daily [...]
Libertarian group rallies in Tbilisi, demands swift re-opening of gyms
(Girchi.com) A couple dozen people, mostly gym employees and libertarian opposition party Girchi members, rallied in front of Georgian government in Tbilisi Tuesday demanding re-opening gyms. Protesters say they don’t understand why they are forbidden to exercise and expect explanation from government. "This ban damages people’s health more than the virus could have done," [...]
Wizzair drops 19 destinations from Kutaisi base: source
Wizzair planes at Kutaisi Int. Airport (1tv.ge) A Hungarian lowcoster WizzAir has removed 19 routes from Kutaisi, its base in Georgia, and decreased number of based aircraft to two, from previous three, Belgian aviation news platform aviation24.be reports relying on a Twitter user @SeanM1997 as a source. In July 2019, WizzAir announced that its [...]
Georgian March turns political party, pledges to hold convention in a week
Sandro Bregadze (1tv.ge). Georgian far-right group Georgian March plans to set up a political party and settle deeper in Georgian politics, its leader Sandro Bregadze says. "We were forced to go into politics in order to create a strong, nationalist political center on the basis of the Georgian March,” Sandro Bregadze said in an [...]
Covid-19 bill sparks controversy in Georgia
(Parliament.ge) A bill drafted by Georgian Dream MPs sparked a heated debate in the parliament Tuesday, with the opposition accusing the government of curtailing certain freedoms, including freedom of movement and freedom of assembly, i.e. holding protest rallies. The opposition suspects delivering additional rights to government may be abused in order to suppress critical [...]
Georgia plans to establish special safe zones for tourists, reopens for international visitors by July 1
Giorgi Gakharia (Imedinews photo). Georgia gradually scales down restrictions imposed due to Covid 19 outbreak in order to reopen its embattled tourism industry and pledges to establish special Covid-free zones in several mountainous resorts across the country. "Georgia can allocate Covid-free tourist zones. These could be Tskaltubo, Gudauri, Sairme, Abastumani, Borjomi and many more,” [...]
Former chief of Georgian patrol police detained, sentenced for domestic violence
Davit Tsinaridze (Facebook.) Tbilisi court sentenced Georgian patrol police former chief Davit Tsinaridze to two months of pretrial detention for domestic violence on Thursday. Tsinaridze was detained Tuesday after he reportedly physically assaulted his wife and shot a pistol. “The investigation established that on the night of April 27, 2020, drunk [Davit Tsinaridze] verbally [...]
Campaigners deliver 1,500 flowers to medics fighting covid19 in Georgia
(Facebook/Ketevan.Lortkipanidze.) Volunteers have delivered 1,500 home-grown tulips to medics fighting covid19 after a campaign in social media to raise money to support a stranded farmer. Kako Jeiranashvili is a 63 y/o resident of one of Kakheti village. He’s been growing tulips for years and usually sell them to Tbilisi markets. However, the coronavirus pandemic [...]
Georgia sets up 600 million dollar stimulus package
Giorgi Gakharia (Imedinews photo). Georgian government puts forward two billion GEL (USD 605 million) stimulus package to respond coronavirus and diminish damage, PM Giorgi Gakharia said on Wednesday. “According to the government decision, GEL 2 billion has been allocated for direct assistance to the economy. This is the assistance that will be directed to [...]
Georgia declares nationwide quarantine
Giorgi Gakharia (Imedinews photo). PM Giorgi Gakharia declared full quarantine throughout the entire territory of Georgia on Monday evening. The quarantine will be enforced from 8 am Tuesday on and it prohibits free movement by any public transportation by 9 pm. From 9 pm till 8 am morning a curfew is being imposed. Any type [...]
Five measures introduced by Georgia to tackle coronavirus spread
(Facebook.) Georgia introduces special measures to tackle coronavirus spread in the country by virtually closing borders and proposing shutdown of cafes and restaurants. On Monday, the government declared blanket ban on aliens to enter the country, and decided to close down ski resorts. Additionally, on Tuesday it ordered banning marshutkas as public transport across [...]
Russian journalist asks Georgia for asylum
Yuri Izotov. (Svoboda.org) TBILISI, DFWatch--Russian dissident and investigative journalist Yuri Izotov has applied to Georgian authorities for asylum. According to the Ukrainian news website, ua.krynr.com, he said that fears persecution by Russia for his journalistic activities. “[Russian authorities] carried out investigative check for my posts on social networks where I revealed the data of [...]
Three killed as masked men riddle restaurant in Sokhumi
(Apsny.Today) A mass police operation is underway in the breakaway Abkhazia in the wake of mass shooting in Sokhumi where three people were murdered and at least three others were wounded on Friday. The shootout occurred at the restaurant San-Remo in Sokhumi center on afternoon. Reportedly a group of masked men opened fire in [...]
Peace program yields positive results, Georgia’s state minister says
Ketevan Tsikhelashvili. (Facebook) TBILISI, DFWatch--The Georgian government's peace program toward the breakaway republics Abkhazia and South Ossetia has yielded its first positive results, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said Monday. “We have a very complex peace program, which was supported by the parliament. There is a lot of [...]
Sokhumi regime lifts restrictions on Enguri bridge
Restrictions on Enguri bridge imposed on June 27 were abolished on Wednesday, the Security Service of the breakaway Abkhazia states. The restrictions were imposed in the wake of anti-Russian protests in Tbilisi due to “security reasons”. Later the Sokhumi regime partially eased the ban to cross the sole passage to the breakaway republic from Georgia proper, [...]
Kelly Degnan nominated as next US Ambassador to Georgia
Kelly Degnan. (it.usembassy.gov) President Donald Trump nominates Kelly C. Degnan of California to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia, who currently serves as the Political Advisor to the Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe – United States Naval Forces Africa Ms. Degnan, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of [...]
Breakaway Abkhazia election heads to second round as incumbent fails to pass 50% threshold
(IPN.) TBILISI, DFWatch--There will be a runoff election for de facto president of breakaway Abkhazia on September 8, since none of the candidates received over 50% of votes in the first round on Sunday. Incumbent de facto president Raul Khajimba is in the lead, trailed by Oleg Arshba and Alhaz Kvitsinia, according to preliminary [...]
Fundamental human rights continue to be violated: EU statement on August War anniversary
EU monitor in Georgia. (eeas.europa.eu) On the eve of 11th anniversary of Russo-Georgian War of 2008, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia issues the statement saying that fundamental human rights of the conflict-affected population continue to be violated and Russia keeps on violating the ceasefire agreement by maintaining and even increasing its [...]
Tbilisi authorities ponder renaming Moscow Avenue
(PrimeTime.) On the eve of 11th anniversary of the 2008 August War between Russia and Georgia, Tbilisi city authorities are considering changing the name of Moscow Avenue. "I confirm that this issue is on the table and included in our agenda," Giorgi Tkemaladze, Chairman of Tbilisi City Council, said on Wednesday. "When the decision [...]
Tskhinvali closes “border” on the 11th anniversary of the August War
On the anniversary of the August war, the Tskhinvali regime temporarily closes the de facto border. The checkpoint, located near the village of Mosaburni (the so-called "Razdzhani" checkpoint), will close at 8 pm on Tuesday and open at 6 am on Friday, August 9. According to the de facto State Security Committee, which is in charge [...]
Georgia’s former PM joins EBRD as consultant
Giorgi Kvirikashvili, former Georgian prime minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s former prime minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has embarked on a new job as a consultant at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The contract which was signed ‘a few weeks’ ago one of the former PM’s responsibilities will be offering advice to Uzbekistan’s government [...]
Five injured as helicopter crash lands in eastern Georgia
A helicopter of Georgia’s Border Police. (RFE/RL.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five people were injured as a helicopter crash landed in eastern Georgia on Thursday. Three pilots, a border guard and a police officer were injured as the helicopter belonging to the Border Police had a hard touchdown near the village of Artana in Kakheti. […]
US to sell Stinger missiles to Russia’s neighbor Georgia
Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria. (mod.gov.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will probably receive American-made Stinger MANPADs, the defense minister has revealed. Defense Minister Levan Izoria mentioned the new weapons acquisition during a confirmation hearing in parliament on Tuesday. “Georgia will get, along with the Javelins, […]
New flights connect Kutaisi to Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Athens and Prague
TBILISI, DFWatcch–Kutaisi in central Georgia will be connected by direct flights to some of Europe’s biggest cities this week for as little as 25 euros. Hungarian budget airline Wizzair is launching new flights out of Kutaisi International Airport. Already from Thursday, there are new connections […]
Georgia’s ruling party allegedly preparing to pick justice minister as candidate for president
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling party is going to pick Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani as a candidate for president, an opposition TV station claims. Rustavi 2 TV claimed Tsulukiani’s candidacy has been approved by former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili. […]
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, […]
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, […]
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. […]
Iran’s FM Zarif visiting Georgia
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif began a two day visit to Georgia on Monday. Zarif will meet with his Georgian counterpart as well as the president, the prime minister and the minister of economy and sustainable development. […]
Rustavi 2 owners offer to hand shares over to staff
TBILISI, DFWatch–The owners of Georgia’s biggest opposition TV station have offered to hand over a controlling stake in the company to its staff. The brothers Giorgi and Levan Karamanishvili published an open letter to the staff of Rustavi 2 staff on Friday, offering them shares in the embattled TV company. […]
Houses damaged, trees overturned by overnight storm in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Strong wind hit Tbilisi Monday evening, uprooting tens of trees and damaging houses and street signs. Monday night at 10pm, the wind reached a speed of up to 32 meters per second in the capital. This qualifies as a hurricane, […]
Sen. McCain encourages Georgia to preserve pluralistic media
Georgian court's decision regarding Rustavi 2 looks like 'an attempt to silence opposition voices', US Senator John McCain said to Voice of America's Georgian service. "I am deeply concerned that the Georgian Supreme Court’s decision regarding Rustavi 2 appears to be an attempt to silence opposition voices in the press and curtail the country’s vibrant, pluralistic, [...]
ECHR suspends Rustavi 2 takeover ‘until further notice’
A letter by ICHR to Rustavi 2 lawyer published on Facebook by Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday confirmed a decision by one of its judges to suspend a ruling by Georgia’s Supreme Court about changing the ownership of the opposition-leaning TV company Rustavi 2. “A Chamber constituted from the Section […]
Georgia Supreme Court judges silent about who pressured them
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Supreme Court judges in the former Soviet republic of Georgia have still not revealed who tried to put pressure on them in a case about the ownership of a large TV station critical to the government. Judges Besarion Arveladze and Paata Katamadze, […]
Man dies in avalanche in Svaneti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man died in an avalanche in Svaneti, in northwestern Georgia on Wednesday. The accident happened in Khaishi on the road between Jvari and Mestia. Rustavi 2 reported that the victim was a local minibus driver who had stopped his vehicle to look at the pileup […]
Policeman in Borjomi road rage incident suspended
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has suspended a police officer who allegedly beat a journalist from Iberia TV a few days ago. Journalist Giorgi Gasviani two days ago told of how he was beaten by a policeman and two others after his car slipped on the icy road. […]
Snow and ice causing flight delays at Kutaisi airport
(Photo published by Kutaisi International Airport.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several flights were delayed at Kutaisi International Airport on Saturday due to ice. The airport informed that the flight to Thessaloniki, Greece was cancelled, while also flights to Warsaw, Poland and Budapest, Hungary were delayed for one day. […]
Georgian PM appoints veteran diplomat as foreign affairs adviser
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has appointed veteran diplomat and former chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in Georgia’s Parliament Tedo Japaridze as foreign affairs advisor. Japaridze served as foreign minister in 2003 to 2004, […]
19.3 percent more tourists so far in 2016
(Georgian Tourism Administration photo.) Almost 5.9 million international visitors arrived in Georgia during 2016, which is 7.9 percent more than in the same period last year, the head of Georgian National Tourism Administration said on Friday. Out of these tourists (who stayed in the country during 24 hours and longer) […]
Video: Brawl erupts between Georgian politicians’ debating live on TV
Tbilisi, DFWatch – A fistfight broke out between two guests during live political talk show between supporter of the United National Movement and a retired colonel, turned a conservative political analyst. […]
Two flights cancelled at Tbilisi airport due to pilot strike in Lufthansa
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi international airport reported two flights are postponed on Wednesday because of the pilot strike in Lufthansa. The two affected flights were to have been carried out early Thursday morning, Tbilisi-Munich at 4.05am and Munich-Tbilisi at 5.00am. […]
Georia’s trade turnover grew 22% Jan-Oct 2016
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover increased by 22 percent in the first ten months of 2016, but against a background of increased import and reduced export. The trade turnover amounted to USD 9,950 million, according to preliminary figures published […]
Head of Georgian Church to attend patriarch Kirill’s 70th Jubilee in Moscow
Ilia II meets Kirill in Moscow Jan, 2013 (Pariarchate.ge) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The head of Georgian Church is expected to pay a visit to Moscow in November to attend a 70-year jubilee of his Russian counterpart. According to the Patriarchate of Georgia, Catholikos-Patriarch Ilia II was invited by the Patriarch Kirill of Moscow […]
Two die as car plunges into river in southwest Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two men died in a car accident in a mountainous area in the southwest of Georgia on Monday. One woman survived and was taken to hospital. The accident happened in Keda, a municipality in the Adjara region. The local gamgebeli […]
Car crash in Rustavi claims two lives
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people died in a car accident in the Georgian town Rustavi on Wednesday. Interpressnews reports that a Mercedes travelling at high speed crashed into lighting pole on Mshenebeli Street near Public School No 2. Two men died on the spot. […]
Construction worker falls to his death in Tbilisi
(Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A worker fell from a building at a construction site in Tbilisi on Wednesday. He was brought to the Republican Hospital with multiple head injuries and placed in intensive care, but died later the same day. The Ministry of Internal Affairs […]
Confusion over election math: Will Georgia’s third party get into parliament?
TBILISI, DFWatch–There is confusion over how to interpret the results of Saturday’s election in Georgia. A CEC spokesperson said Monday that the third party Alliance of Patriots is still below the threshold, but even so, the commission will discuss if it may still be qualified with 4.998%. […]
Radicals object to Pope’s visit to Georgia
Rally against pope’s visit (liberali Photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–A radical Orthodox Christian group Friday protested against Pope Francis’s visit to Georgia with a small gathering of about 30 persons shouting ‘devil’, ‘cursed’ and holding posters with messages like ‘Antichrist, get out of Georgia.’ […]
Government embarks on examining beauty salons
(Interpressnews) Tbilisi, DFwatch – Beauty salons have to formally register at the Public Registry from October 1, in order to be properly examined by the Ministry of Health in the frames of the government program aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C. […]
UNM pledges not to prosecute Ivanishvili after elections
Giga Bokeria, Secretary of the Security Council (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement will not prosecute Bidzina Ivanishvili and his supporters , Giga Bokeria, the party’s foreign affairs secretary said at a briefing on Wednesday. Bokeria predicts ‘inevitable’ loss by the Georgian Dream, […]
Man electrocuted trying to save 3-year-old girl who fell into swimming pool
TBILISI, DFWatch–A young man was electrocuted in Batumi on Wednesday after he jumped into a swimming pool to save a three-year-old girl. The incident happened at about 11:00 in the morning in a guesthouse at a place called Benze. A girl fell into the pool in the garden […]
Dniproavia launches direct Odessa-Tbilisi flights from October 6
TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukrainian airline Dniproavia is beginning weekly flights to Tbilisi, Georgia, starting October 6. Flights will have a duration of 2 hours and 25 minutes each way. The airline has decided to use the Brazilian twin-engine jet Embraer 145, which is capable […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover Jan-Aug up 16% in 2016
(Interperssnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first eight months of 2016 was 16 percent more than in the same period last year, new figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Office show. The figures, presented in the latest preliminary monthly report by GeoStat, […]
Storm blew roofs off houses in a dozen villages in Georgia
(ICK.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Strong wind blew the roof off buildings in a dozen villages in the east of Georgia on Wednesday, Information Center of Kakheti (ICK) reported. The wind lifted the roof off houses in about ten villages in villages in Lagodekhi municipality, in the Kakheti region, […]
60-year-old Georgian cattle herder detained by Russian border patrol
TBILISI, DFWatch–A 60-year-old Georgian man was detained on Sunday near the border with Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia for violating the border. Valiko Khizanishvili, who is from the village Koshka, was detained when he was out in a field looking after cattle. […]
Georgia appoints new ambassador to the United States
Davit Bakradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Krivikashvili on Friday appointed a new ambassador to Washington. Replacing Archil Gegeshidze is Davit Bakradze, the minister of Euro-integration who has been in charge of Georgia’s approaches to the European Union […]
Construction worker dies after fall in Kutaisi
(Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A worker died at a construction site in western Georgia on Thursday, after falling from a building. The incident happened on Aghmashenebeli Street in Kutaisi. The victim was a middle-age man. An investigation has been launched […]
These streets in Old Tbilisi will become pedestrian zones
TBILISI, DFWatch–Six streets in the old part of the Georgian capital will become pedestrian zones, Tbilisi City Hall has decided. City Hall explained that there is a demand from people to have more pedestrian areas in Old Tbilisi and that there is need for more tourism […]
17 percent more tourists so far in 2016
TBILISI, DFWatch–The economy minister on Friday summed up the summer tourism season in Georgia together with the head of the National Tourism Administration. According to Minister of Economy Dimitry Kumsishvili, 4,247,729 foreigners visited Georgia in the […]
One dead, one injured in assassination in central Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–One man died and one was injured in an execution style shooting in central Tbilisi on Friday. The Ministry of Internal Affairs arrested a man born in 1981 who is charged with premeditated murder and illegally carrying a weapon. The accused fired multiple […]
Three prison guards arrested after prisoner’s escape from court
TBILISI, DFWatch–Three prison guards were arrested on Wednesday in the case of the prisoner who escaped from the court building in Rustavi. According to the Prison Ministry, one of the detainees is head of shift of the guard service at the second department, […]
Georgia’s Sukhishvili dance company boycotts Crimea
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s most famous folk dance ensemble Sukhishvili has turned down an invitation to perform in Sevastopol and Simferopol, two cities in Crimea. The Georgian National Ballet, as it is formally called, posted a short note on Facebook about their decision. […]
Georgia halts military exercises at sea following fatal diving accident
Defense Minister Levan Izoria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is halting exercises at sea as there are no certified instructors, Defense Minister Levan Izoria said Wednesday. A search for two military divers who went missing during an exercise was called off yesterday. The soldiers went missing […]
Number of hospitalized after wedding poisoning scandal rises to 40
PM Kvirikashvili visiting some of the poison victims at Marneuli hospital on Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–About 40 people – 22 of them children – are still in hospital after being poisoned during a wedding in Georgia. Nearly 200 people were poisoned on Monday at a wedding in Sadakhlo, a village in the south of Georgia near the border with Armenia. […]
Court issues detention order for policeman charged in suicide case
The court building in Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Georgia on Tuesday issued an order to detain a policeman who is accused of having caused the suicide of a 22-year-old man. The wanted police officer Goderdzi Tevzadze has gone into hiding, and Kutaisi City Court therefore issued the ruling ‘in absentia’. […]
Three die in car crash in Gori
TBILISI, DFWatch–Three people died in a serious car accident on Sunday in Gori, a town 80km west of the capital. A small Mercedes car and a truck crashed. The driver of the truck survived and was taken to hospital. But all the occupants of the small car […]
Flooded river brings Tbilisi Zoo a new baby lynx
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Zoo has a new baby lynx, which was recently discovered in Lagodekhi in eastern Georgia. The animal was discovered by ranger Gogita Khunashvili in Lagodekhi nature preserve in July, after the river Shroma was flooded, carrying […]
Two Georgians detained by Russians while fishing
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgians were detained by a Russian border patrol on Saturday while out fishing along a river close to the breakaway region Abkhazia. Levan Morgoshia and Pridon Matkava were apprehended while standing on the left bank of the river Inguri. […]
16 rescued from sea during the storm: MIA
(Facebook) TBILISI, DFWatch–16 people, among them several foreign tourists, have been rescued in Adjara after a strong storm hit the Black Sea coast of Georgia on Sunday, according to a statement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The rain lasted several hours, flooding […]
PM promises better mountain roads, starting with Tusheti
PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili on the election trail. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government is planning to build a new road to the mountainous Tusheti region in the northeast of the country. The current road to Tusheti is bumpy and becomes non-traversable in winter, during which time the only access is by helicopter. […]
National Forum office robbed in Tbilisi
(ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–The office of National Forum, a right wing political party, which recently split with Georgian Dream, was broken into overnight in Tbilisi. Members of the party say that the investigation is in progress and yet it is hard […]
John Kerry’s statement on August War 8th anniversary
(official photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned occupation of Georgian territories by Russia by issuing a short statement on 8th anniversary of Russo-Georgian war. […]
Political clash outside UNM office in Batumi, one detained
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One person was detained in western Georgia on Thursday, after a fight broke out in front of the local branch office of the National Movement (UNM). Protesters from the organization Our Homeland burned an effigy of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, […]
One Georgian detained by South Ossetia for violating border
(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The incident took place this morning in the village Kveshi, according to Gori municipality. Locals say 36-year-old Aleko Sheverdashvili was in his garden when armed men came and took him away. They say Sheverdashvili didn’t cross the administrative […]
Security official appointed as a new Minister of Defense, Khidasheli sees “unhealthy trend”
Levan Izoria (MIA) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Levan Izoria, a deputy head of State Security Service (SUS), and Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, deputy minister, were appointed as replacements of the ongoing ministers of defense and reconciliation respectively. […]
Update: A Pankisi man detained for a threatening Facebook post
The threatening post (On.ge) Tbilisi, DFWatch – State Security Service of Georgia launched a probe into a possible terror threat distributed by Facebook on Thursday evening. […]
Four dead as truck overturns in western Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Four people died when a truck crashed in western Georgia on Thursday. The accident happened in Lugela Valley near the village Nukhuri. According to Interpressnews, the truck of the brand Kamaz crashed and overturned after the driver lost control […]
Russian woman missing in Kazbegi after climbers struck by lightning
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A woman is missing after a group of three climbers were struck by lightning at 5,000 m altitude yesterday in the Kazbegi mountains. Two of the group were injured, and later rescued, but the third – a woman from Moscow – went missing. […]
Two hospitalized after shooting incident in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two persons are injured after a shooting incident at noon Monday in front of the National Enforcement Bureau in Tbilisi. The enforcement bureau said the shooting was not related to them but a confrontation between private individuals. Witness […]
Batumi will accumulate trillions of dollars: PM
TBILISI, DFWatch–During the opening ceremony of the international conference ‘Georgia’s European Way’ in Batumi, prime minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili declared that ‘trillions of dollars’ will be accumulated in the city as a result of trade between Europe and China. […]
PM Kvirikashvili makes a case for Georgian EU membership
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Kvirikashvili on Thursday expressed hope that Georgia will become a member of the European Union in the near future. He said this during the opening ceremony of the annual conference ‘Georgia’s European Way’ […]
Johannes Hahn to visit Georgia tomorrow
Johannes Hahn will visit Georgia on July 14. (ec.europa.eu) TBILISI, DFWatch–On 14 July, the EU commissioner for enlargement Johannes Hahn will visit Georgia. Mr Hahn will hold meetings with Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, President Giorgi Margvelashvili, minister of foreign affairs Giorgi Janelidze, […]
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattles Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 caused slight shaking in the Georgian capital Tbilisi Tuesday afternoon. The quake occurred at 2:14pm local time and had its epicenter 10-15 km away from Dmanisi, a town in southern […]
Abkhazian referendum on early presidential elections declared invalid
TBILISI, DFWatch–The referendum on early presidential elections in Abkhazia was declared invalid by de facto electoral commission due to low turnout. According to Abkhazia’s de facto Electoral Commission, slightly over one percent of eligible voters […]
Cancelled trains in western Georgia
The trains are cancelled due to infrastructure work between Ureki and Supsa. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several trains will be cancelled in western Georgia the next few days due to ongoing work between Supsa and Ureki. All tracks in Supsa and tracks connecting Ureki and Supsa will be closed from 06:00 on July 5 to 06:00 on July 6, according […]
Angela Merkel to visit Georgia ‘in the near future’
Reiner Haseloff. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–German Chancellor Angela Merkel might visit Georgia this summer, Interpressnews reports. The news agency is quoting Reiner Haseloff, the minister president of the German federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, as he met Georgian media […]
Still no decision on EU visa waiver
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union once again failed to reach an agreement on abolishing visas for Georgian citizens who want to enter the Schengen area. […]
Chair of EU parliament supports visa liberalization for Georgia
Schulz wrote the Georgia has fulfilled all criteria for visa liberalization. (Twitter.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, on Wednesday used his Twitter account to voice support for Georgia getting visa-free travel with the Schengen area without delay. Mr Schulz’s statement comes shortly after EU states decided to delay […]
Suspect in femicide case detained by police
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Tbilisi arrested a man on Tuesday who is accused of murdering his wife the day before. The 36 year old man is charged with premeditated murder. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, […]
Woman hotel worker murdered in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–A woman was shot outside a hotel in Isani on the outskirts of Tbilisi on Monday. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later died at the hospital. The woman was working in the kitchen […]
Hundreds gather in Tbilisi against ‘inhumane drug policy’ of the state
Tbilisi, DFWatch - Hundreds of people, mostly youth, gathered at the government building in Tbilisi Thursday evening to protest ‘inhumane drug policy’ and demand decriminalization of the light drugs and to soften the drug legislation in general. The annual protest bringing together youth, politicians, journalists, NGO activists is held every June 2, since 2013. The main [...]
Parliament won’t override president’s veto
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Ruling Georgian Dream coalition will not initiate motion to overturn presidential veto on the recently adopted law that significantly restricts power of Constitutional Court, Zviad Dzidziguri, Vice Speaker of the parliament, said on Wednesday. […]
Operatic bass holds a party rally, vows to come to power
Paata Burchuladze during Independence Day celebrations, May 26. (Facebook.) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The newly former political party led by Paata Burchuladze, famous operatic bass, held a rally at Tbilisi central sports arena on Saturday […]
18 yo arrested for possible homophobic assault, stabbing
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Police arrested an 18-year-old man, who allegedly stabbed two men, one minor, on possibly homophobic grounds. […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-April up 8%
(DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first four months of 2016 was USD 3,287 million. This is 8 percent more than in the same period last year. […]
9 Georgian jonjoli-pickers detained by Russian troops
Jonjoli, or bladdernut, is a shrub used for cooking in Georgia Tbilisi, DFWatch – Jonjoli picking season began in Georgia, which means more Georgians will face detentions for crossing the “border” with breakaway South Ossetia, as on Friday Russian caught 9 inhabitants of Sachkhere district. […]
One man arrested for bribing official and stealing manganese slag
(State Security Service/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Security Service on Thursday arrested a Georgian citizen for bribery and stealing silicon manganese slag. The Anti-Corruption Agency and the State Security Department of the State Security Service conducted a joint […]
Georgia’s wine exports up 15% in January-April
(Wine Agency) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia exported 45 percent more bottles (0.75 L) of wine in the first four months of 2016, compared to the same period last year. Increase in revenues in the same period is 15 percent. […]
Avalanche kills a shepherd in northeast of Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A 27 year old man was killed by an avalanche on Tuesday in Tusheti, in the northeast of Georgia. A 44 year old man was also injured and taken to the hospital in Telavi, in the Kakheti province. The victim was from the village Kistauri, near Akhmeta. […]
20 sheep killed in Dedoplistskaro as police car plows into flock
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–20 sheep were killed when a police car plowed into their flock near Dedoplistskaro in eastern Georgia a few days ago. Information Center of Kakheti reported that the incident happened on Sunday on the central highway in the village Gamarjveba, […]
Georgian president pardons 95 prisoners in connection with Easter
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Wednesday pardoned 95 prisoners in connection with Orthodox Easter. The pardon decree was issued on April 27, and 69 of the pardoned prisoners have already left jail, according to Zviad Koridze, […]
Eight flights postponed at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight flights were postponed yesterday at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind. All the affected flights were by Turkish Airlines. Interpressnews quoted an airport spokesperson saying that the decision was made by the airline. The delayed flights […]
UN chief to visit South Caucasus this month
Ban Ki-Moon will hold meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches (EPA) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon will pay an official visit to Georgia on 23–24 April on the invitation of Georgia’s Prime Minister. The Secretary General will hold meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches. […]
Gold bars worth USD 445,000 seized at Georgia-Azerbaijan border
(Finance Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service arrested two Azerbaijani citizens on the so-called Red Bridge border crossing for attempting to illegally import 12 kg of gold to Georgia. The value of the gold bars is more than one million laris (USD 445,000). […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover January-March down 7%
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first three months of 2016 was USD 2.136 million. This is 7 percent less than in the same period last year. According to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat, […]
One person detained at South Ossetian boundary line
TBILISI, DFWatch–43-year-old Erosi Takadze was detained by Russian border police at South Ossetian administrative boundary line (ABL) on Saturday, 9 April. According to Mr Takadze’s relatives in the village of Kirbali, which is located in Gori region right next […]
Forest fire nearby Russian military base in South Ossetia
Location of Russian military facility (OpenStreetMap) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has declared readiness in helping to extinguish a forest fire in the vicinity of a Russian military facility in South Ossetia, Novosti-Gruziya reported. […]
17% more visitors to Georgia in March 2016 compared to last year
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors entering Georgia in March grew by 16.7 percent, compared to same period last year, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the new monthly report of MIA the number of visitors in March was 450,875. […]
‘No tragedy’ if GD coalition falls apart: Kaladze
Vice PM sees no tragedy if the coalition falls apart (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream — Democratic Georgia, a key political party within the Georgian Dream coalition, may opt for running independently in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Kakha Kaladze, Minister of Energy stated Saturday, thus adding fuel to the fire in the widespread […]
Georgian PM takes part in Armenian Easter celebrations
(Prime Minister’s press office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited the newly renovated Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi’s Old Town, in order to join Armenian Easter celebrations. Adherents of the Armenian Apostolic Church are almost exclusively ethnic […]
Tbilisi City Hall will pay for Sameba Cathedral restoration
(Ministry of Finance) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall announced its plans to sponsor restoration works at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, known colloquially as Sameba (‘Trinity’), which was damaged by fire earlier this month. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili asked the Minister […]
Georgia postpones ban on registration of right-hand cars till 2017
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia postpones banning on registration of cars with right-hand drive until January 1, 2017, to allow enough time to car importers to reshuffle their business and carry out commitments under the existing contracts, Deputy Minister of Interior said during […]
Ivanishvili won’t return to politics: Kaladze
Kakha Kaladze (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili will keep promise not to return to politics, Minister of Energy and the first vice Prime Minister, Kakha Kaladaze stated on Thursday, diffusing speculations in the media that the oligarch would be included […]
Prayer service suspended at Sameba Cathedral after fire
(Prime Minister’s press office/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prayer service has been temporarily halted at Sameba Cathedral after a fire burned about 1,200 square meters on the ground floor of the building on Sunday. However, prayer will offer in four little churches on the territory of Sameba that are […]
Fire burns 1,200 square meters at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An area of more than 1,200 square meters was burnt at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi on Sunday after a fire started on the ground floor of the cathedral. More than a hundred firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, which started at about 14:00 and lasted […]
Inequality lowers Georgia’s happiness score: Report
worldhappiness.report TBILISI, DFwatch–According to the World Happiness Report 2016, published today, Georgia is in 126th place out of 157 countries included in the study. The result places Georgia as the ‘least happy’ country of the former Soviet Union, while Uzbekistan […]
Georgian leaders send condolences to Russia after Rostov-on-Don plane crash
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili (Official Photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President and Prime Minister expressed their condolences to the families of victims of a deadly plane crash in Rostov, Russia. “I express my deepest sympathy to the victims of Flydubai passenger plane crash in Rostov, where dozens […]
US confirms Shishani’s death
Undated photo of Tarkhan Batirashvili, Abu Omar Shishani TBILISI, DFWatch–Pentagon officials confirm the death of the Islamic State’s prominent field commander Tarkhan Batirashvili (Omar al-Shishani), CNN reported. On 9 March, major Western news outlets reported that Mr Batirashvili, 30, was ‘likely killed’ in […]
Georgian man charged with faking power of attorney to steal land plot
(Finance Ministry, Investigative Service.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was detained on Saturday, charged with appropriating a plot of land in Tbilisi which belongs to an Egyptian citizen. The investigation service of the Finance Ministry informed that a Georgian citizen called Giorgi fabricated documents in order […]
155 prisoners pardoned in Georgia
Zviad Koridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president pardoned 155 prisoners on Wednesday. 105 of them will leave jail today. The commission met on February 21-22, and considered 1,178 cases. 105 were completely pardoned, while the rest had their sentences […]
Two Georgians who avoided hanging in Malaysia returned home
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian citizens who barely avoided being hanged in Malaysia for drug-related crimes returned to Georgia on Sunday. Babutsa Gordadze, who was arrested in Malaysia along with Darejan Kokhtashvili, was convicted of illegally […]
One person detained at South Ossetian boundary line
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border police detained a 31-years-old inhabitant of Tbilisi in the vicinity of the South Ossetian boundary line, Sputnik Ossetia reported. The man was detained on 24 February near the village of Akhmaji (Akhmadz in Ossetian) in Akhalgori (Leningor) […]
One more arrest made in Tbilisi ‘bridenapping’ case
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more person was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the suspected ‘bridenapping’ in Tbilisi’s southern Ponichala district. Earlier on Tuesday, police in the capital arrested a Russian teenager, who is suspected of abducting […]
Man stabbed to death near Telavi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man of about 50 years was murdered on Wednesday in the village Vardisubani near Telavi. A suspect was apprehended the same day. The victim, Vepkhia Glurjidze, had a disagreement with the suspect, who then stabbed him. Glurjidze took […]
Prison minister supports merging ministries to save money
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The prison minister in Georgia supports a proposal by the head of the National Bank to merge the Prison Ministry with the Justice Ministry to save money. “The more we reduce government offices, the more effective the system will be,” […]
Wizzair announces seven new destinations from Kutaisi airport
Kutaisi Airport (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – As of September, Kutaisi will be connected with cities in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, and Italy. Wizzair, a Hungarian cheap airline, announced seven new flight destinations operating from the David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport to Berlin, […]
Three men detained in Georgia for selling counterfeit salt
(Investigative Service, Ministry of Finance.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service Tuesday detained three people for selling counterfeit salt. The three made profit by systematically selling salt, according to a short statement put out by the service. The statement said they packed […]
Georgian man ‘citizen arrested’ in South Ossetia
Abandoned South Ossetian checkpoint at the village of Ergneti from Georgian-controlled side (DFWatch, May, 2014) South Ossetian KGB detained a 42-years-old Georgian following citizen's arrest by a local man near Tskhinvali. An uneditified Georgian man was detained in South Ossetia for crossing ‘the border’ (administrative borderline), South Ossetian news agency Res reported. The agency [...]
Man arrested for triple murder in western Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was arrested Friday in the west of Georgia accused of triple murder. Three men who had been missing for several days were found dead in a river in Zugdidi with gun shot wounds to their head and chest region. The killing took place […]
Swine flu claims its tenth victim in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 36 year old man died in Georgia on Saturday after having contracted the H1N1 virus. He became the tenth victim of the swine flu outbreak. The deceased was from Gali in Abkhazia, and had come to Zugdidi to receive medical treatment. […]
Tbilisi airport to close runway during daytime for four months
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi international will be closed during daytime for four months, starting from March 1, 2016, due to maintenance work on the runway. During dayttime, scheduled flights will either be cancelled or delayed. According to preliminary […]
Director of construction company accused of embezzling 600,000 USD
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The director of a construction company was detained on Thursday accused of embezzlement of more than 1.5 million laris. According to the Finance Ministry’s investigation service, the company Construction-Commercial Corporation […]
Swine flu claims its ninth victim in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Swine flu has claimed its ninth death in Georgia, according to National Center for Disease Control (NCDC). A young woman died two days ago in the Adjara region in the southwest of Georgia, and laboratory tests confirmed that she […]
Remittances to Georgia down 12% in December
(National Bank of Georgia.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The amount of money sent home by Georgian emigres in December, 2015, was 12.2 percent lower than in the same period the year before. The total amount of so-called remittances was USD 101.9 million, according to the National Bank. […]
Road to Armenian border at Ninotsminda closed
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Road restrictions on four roads in Georgia remained unchanged Thursday and Friday. In the south of Georgia, the S-11 is closed between Ninotsminda and the border with Armenia due to strong wind and poor visibility. Nearby, […]
Georgian released by South Ossetia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto government of the breakaway republic South Ossetia Tuesday evening released Lasha Glurjidze, 21, after nine days in detention. Glurjidze was released after paying a 2,000 Ruble (USD 26) fine for ‘crossing the border’ […]
Wizz Air flights rerouted from Kutaisi to Tbilisi
(Kutaisi international airport.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Bad weather in western Georgia has led to Wizz Air’s flights to and from Kutaisi airport being redirected to Tbilisi on Tuesday. According to United Airports of Georgia, the following flights have been scheduled on January 5: A flight from Tbilisi to Warsaw […]
Wizz Air plane unable to land at Kutaisi airport due to bad weather
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several flights were cancelled due to bad weather on Monday at Kutaisi airport in the west of Georgia. Interpressnews reports that heavy snowfall resulted in the cancelling of the flight from Warsaw to Kutaisi and the return flight from Kutaisi to Warsaw due […]
Three persons missing in eastern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A search is on for three men who went missing in Lagodekhi, in the eastern part of Georgia, three days ago. Rustavi 2 reports that four men went hiking in the village Mskhalgori four days ago, but they were separated in the strong wind and snowfall. […]
Traffic restrictions on mountain roads in Georgia due to snow and ice
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Snow and ice has made several roads unsafe for large vehicles. Here is the list of traffic restrictions published by the Road Department. On a section of the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze road stretching from the 138 km mark to the 157 km mark, […]
19 year old shoots, kills police officer
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A policeman was shot and killed on Wednesday outside the police station in Telavi, a town in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region. The officer, Gela Lamazoshvili, died on the spot. A female police officer was also injured in the shooting […]
Man who had surgery says police hit him in the face
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor General’s Office has launched an investigation into an incident where a man was allegedly beaten by police officers. The Public Defender wrote on Thursday that a person had surgery at the central hospital in Tbilisi on November 10, […]
Georgia’s association agreement with EU comes into force
Irakli Garibashvili asked Belgium to speed up the ratification process. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Belgium became the last member country to add its consent to Georgia’s association agreement with the European Union on Thursday. The agreement has now been ratified by all 28 member states as well as EU’s own institutions […]
New Georgian government expected before New Year
Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The deadline for parliament to approve a new government is 14 or 15 January, 2016, but the procedure may finish before New Year, Georgia’s speaker of parliament said Thursday. Irakli Garibashvili announced his resignation last night […]
Police looking for taxi driver who assaulted women passengers
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have identified a taxi driver in Tbilisi who allegedly beat a woman who rejected his attempts at physical contact. The suspect has not yet been apprehended, but an investigation has been launched based on article 125 […]
Tbilisi woman allegedly killed husband and son
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A woman was arrested in Tbilisi on Sunday suspected of murdering her husband and five-year-old son. According to investigators, the woman, who is about 26 years old, injured her two year older husband by hitting him in the head with […]
Man arrested for robbing churches in Kakheti
Police arrested the suspect in this monastery in Kvareli. (police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have arrested a man accused of robbing four churches in Kakheti, a province in the eastern part of Georgia, a few days ago. Investigators say the man, who is about 21 years old, was arrested at night while attempting to rob […]
Storm rips off roof in Tbilisi, leaving three families homeless
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–High winds destroyed the roof of a house in Tbilisi on Wednesday, leaving three families homeless. The wind also tore down a tree on Dadiani Street, which damaged electricity transmission lines, as a result of which households living on the street were left […]
Georgia’s foreign trade down 14% Jan-Nov
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first eleven months of 2015 was 14 percent less than in the same period last year, according to preliminary figures published by the National Statistics Department. The total turnover amounted to USD 8,892 million, […]
Georgian volunteer killed in Ukraine’s Donbass
Photo: Irakli Kutelia (mariupolnews.com.ua) Two Ukrainian militiamen, including Irakli Kutelia, an ethnic Georgian volunteer, were killed on Wednesday afternoon and seven others were injured as their infantry fighting vehicle ran over a mine near Donetsk, Ukrainian and Georgian media report. […]
Construction worker dies at Sinohydro’s Kobuleti bypass road
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A construction worker died on Tuesday during work on a bypass road near Kobuleti in western Georgia. The 40-year-old man is said to have fallen from a 20-meter tall bridge and died from multiple injuries. An investigation has been launched […]
995 have applied for asylum in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–By October, 995 persons had applied for asylum in Georgia, while 1,192 people were living here under protection of international law, according to a new report by the Public Defender. The report, which was published on Monday, shows that […]
Strike ends at BP South Caucasus pipeline expansion
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A strike among workers on the BP South Caucasus pipeline expansion has ended without drama as management fulfilled the main demand, but workers who were fired have not been given their jobs back. Three days ago, nearly 200 workers […]
Man arrested in Tbilisi for stealing computer from mosque
The theft took place in this Tbilisi mosque. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police Friday detained a suspect who allegedly robbed a mosque in Tbilisi. The suspect, a 22 year old man, secretly snuck into a mosque in the old part of Tbilisi and stole a computer from a room used by Mullahs, and then went into hiding, according to the Interior Ministry. […]
Road Department warns: Slippery roads in north of Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Road Department in Georgia warns that there are traffic restrictions in mountainous areas. Due to frost, trailers, semi-trailers and other vehicles with more than 30 seats are asked to use snow chains from the 80km to 136km section […]
Eleven detained in Georgia for attempting to jump Turkish border
The Georgia-Turkey border crossing at Sarpi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian border police arrested nine Bangladeshi and two Turkish citizens on Thursday for illegally trying to cross the border with Turkey. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that the group was attempting to cross the border in an area near Akhaltsikhe, […]
Traffic restrictions many places in Georgia due to heavy snowfall
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Road Department has established restrictions on road throughout the country due to heavy snowfall that started Saturday morning. From 188km to 198km of Zugdidi-Jvari-Mestia-Lasdili road in Svaneti and 142km to 157km of the […]
First wind farm in Georgia to begin construction in February
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s energy ministry last week announced a tender for building the country’s first wind farm. According to Giorgi Bezhuashvili, the director of Georgian Energy Development Fund, the turbines are already in Georgia and installation of them […]
Authorities in Georgia increase security measures after Paris terror
Spokeswoman for the State Security Service Nino Giorgobiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Authorities in Georgia are tightening security after the terrorist attacks in Paris. A spokesperson for the State Security Service said on Saturday that there are stricter security measures in force at border crossings and airports. There are also enhanced security measures […]
Georgia’s main east-west highway has been blocked for two days
Works at River Chkhara (Road Department photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–E60, the central highway through Georgia, has been blocked for two days due to bad weather. Vehicles are currently rerouted near Kutaisi in the western part of the country. According to the Infrastructure Ministry’s Road Department, […]
Four detained for extortion, again
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained four persons for for extortion. Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said that the four, Giorgi, 24, Giorgi, 25, Vladimer, 31 and Mikheil, 58, had threatened to kill their victim if he didn’t pay them 55,000 laris (USD 23,000). […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in Jan-Sept down 13%
A truck on the border with Azerbaijan. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first nine months of 2015 went down by 13 percent compared to last year, according to a preliminary monthly report published by the National Statistics Department. According to the monthly report, […]
Georgian president appoints new political adviser
Giorgi Margvelashvili (right) and his new political adviser Pikria Chikhradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday presented Pikria Chikhradze as his new political adviser. Chikhradze is active in the New Rightists Party and is most known for her work as a youth activist in the National Liberation Movement, […]
Saakashvili welcomes ICC investigation into 2008 war
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The International Criminal Court said Wednesday that a prosecutor will begin studying the events in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war to investigate possible war crimes. The probe will look at crimes committed by both parties in connection […]
Three pro-UNM activists detained after assaulting MP
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three activists were detained Friday for assaulting a member of parliament. The detainees are Nika Narsia, Mirian Deisadze and Kakhaber Gabunia, all members of the youth group Tavisupali Zona (Free Zone), which on many occasions […]
13% more visitors to Georgia in September
Lake Sioni outside of Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors to Georgia increased 12.6 percent in September, compared to the year before, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ department for analysis. The total number of visitors in September was 568,663. Out of this, 227,130 […]
Police officer stabbed in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A police officer is in hospital in a serious condition after being stabbed Sunday night in a Tbilisi suburb. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the policeman was stabbed with a knife. An investigation has been launched for attacking a policeman. […]
Four detained at Georgia-Turkey border with baby in the trunk
The border crossing between Georgia and Turkey at Sarpi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Border police in Georgia Sunday detained four people for illegally trying to cross the border with a infant in the trunk of their car. According to the Interior Ministry, the four were trying to go to Turkey, avoiding the official border crossing. One of the grownups […]
Remittances to Georgia down 35% in August
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Remittances to Georgia fell by 35.1 percent in August 2015, compared to the same period last year, according to new figures published Tuesday by Georgia’s National Bank. The new monthly report shows that the total amount of remittances […]
Electricity price hike in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Electricity prices have gone up in the Georgian capital. Utility company Telasi explains the decision with a drop in the national currency lari, as well as increased prices for purchasing electricity and increased transmission taxes. There are three […]
Woman shop attendant murdered in western Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man killed a 39 year old woman working in a shop in western Georgia on Thursday for not letting him borrow a beer. The murder took place in Khelvachauri, in the Adjara region. The suspect has been detained, according to the Ministry […]
Three parking attendants detained after moving car with sleeping child
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Tbilisi on Sunday detained three employees of CT Park for illegal deprivation of liberty. CT Park is the company responsible for parking in the capital. Earlier that day, the three detainees moved a car parked near Eliava market […]
Four detained after alleged ethnic street fight in Kobuleti
TBILISI, DFWatch–Four were detained Wednesday, after a street fight a few days ago in Kobuleti, a town on the Black Sea coast. A video posted in social media indicates that the fight was between ethnic Georgians and Dagestanis. The video, which is about […]
Traffic restrictions in Dariali Valley
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are traffic restrictions on the road through Dariali Valley, in the the north of Georgia, an area which was last year hit by several devastating landslides. The Road Department says the restrictions will be in force until August 30. The decision was made on recommendation from Georgia’s […]
23 year old dies as car hits motorcycle
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A traffic accident in Khobi in the western part of Georgia claimed the life of a 23 year old man Sunday evening. The accident happened in the village Khamiskuri when an Opel car crashed into a motorcycle with two persons on it. One of […]
Georgia saw 32% drop in remittances in July
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Remittances to Georgia in July went down by 31.8 percent compared to last year, according to the latest monthly report by National Bank of Georgia (NBG). In total, USD 93.4 million was sent to Georgia in July, 2015. Money transfers […]
One Georgian detained on South Ossetia border
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers a few days ago detained another Georgian for violating the border with breakaway South Ossetia. Mamuka Samkharadze (36) was out collecting firewood near the village Kirbala, which borders on the breakaway region. […]
Policeman shot during house call in eastern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A policeman was shot on duty in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region on Monday, during a house call about domestic violence. Police received a call about family violence in the village Zemo Alvani, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When police […]
Two dead in car crash in eastern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people died and one was seriously injured in a car crash in eastern Georgian Wednesday. Local media report that a Toyota SUV and a BMW crashed on a road near the village Shroma in Lagodekhi region. Five people were injured […]
Number of visitors to Georgia in July up 9.5% from 2014
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors to Georgia in the month of July was 9.5 percent higher than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). According to the MIA’s monthly report, 737,696 people visited Georgia in July. […]
Alleged Moscow mobster murdered in Akhalkalaki
Akhalkalaki (Ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Akhalkalaki-based news agency Jnews reports new details about a murder of an alleged mobster one week ago. Sargis Hakobyan was found dead in his car near the village Aragva on 26 July. It is believed that his car was ambushed […]
Czech climber falls and dies in Caucasus Mountains
Mount Kazbegi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Czech climber died on Mount Kazbegi, one of the major peaks of the Caucasus Mountain Range, in the northern part of Georgia on July 30. According to the Emergency Service, the girl fell down and suffered severe head trauma. […]
Georgian released by South Ossetia after paying USD 33 fine
TBILISI, DFWatch–A man who was detained by Russian border guards Saturday was freed on Tuesday, after paying a fine. Davit Khuroshvili, from the village Khurvaleti, bordering breakaway South Ossetia, was detained for violating the border. […]
Georgian murder suspect detained in Bulgaria
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian murder suspect who was wanted by Interpol was Monday detained in Bulgaria. According to Georgia’s Interior Ministry, the 43 year old was detained in Silistra. He has been wanted by Georgian law enforcement since 2009 […]
57 kg of amphetamine found in car
(police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia seized more than 57 kg of amphetamine on Tuesday. The drugs were found in the car of a man who attempted to cross the border with Armenia at Sadakhlo. As the police checked the Toyota Land Cruiser, […]
Georgia police seize 7 kilos of cocaine at Sarpi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine. According to the ministry, a 25 year old Lebanese man attempted to leave Georgia with the cocaine but was arrested at the checkpoint in Sarpi, at the border […]