Brief news reports, wires.
Husband of Georgian singer arrested for possession of drugs
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia on Sunday arrested the husband of a well-known singer at Tbilisi airport after he was found carrying drugs. Kakha Mamulashvili is a producer, but better known as the husband of the Georgian singer Lela Tsurtsumia. […]
Donald Tusk to visit Georgia July 20
Donald Tusk. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of the European Council Donald Tusk will arrive in Tbilisi on July 20 for a two day visit. Tusk was invited by President Giorgi Margvelashvili. The two will have a bilateral meeting, and afterward answer questions at a joint press conference. […]
Fire in Tbilisi department store injures eleven
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eleven people were injured in a fire Thursday morning at a department store in Tbilisi. The fire started at about 9am on the second floor of the store, where there was furniture. Giorgi Bakhutashvili, communication manager of Hypermarket Gorgia, […]
Turkish captain fined $20,000
(Marine Traffic) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Coast Guard has fined a captain of a cargo ship under the flag of the Comoros, a tiny state located in Comoro Archipelago, off the East African coast, 50,000 laris (USD 22,200). According to a statement by the Ministry of Interior, the crew […]
Houses burned by bush fire in southern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was a fire in Gardabani in the south of Georgia on Sunday. Several abandoned houses burned down, and a woman was slightly injured. Hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers managed to put out the fire in Kumisi settlement […]
Saudi crown prince donates money to Tbilisi flood victims
Abdulaziz al Saud with PM Garibashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The crown prince of Saudi Arabia is donating USD 300,000 to assist the victims of the June 14 flood in Tbilisi. Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who visited Georgia a few weeks ago, wrote in a letter to the prime minister that they carefully […]
Suspicious meat seized in Tbilisi
(National Food Agency.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Food Agency in Georgia on Thursday seized 200kg of suspicious meat at the Dezertirebi market in Tbilisi. According to the short statement, Beka 2015 Ltd had prepared for selling the meat, however some of it didn’t have a seal […]
9% more visitors to Georgia in June
(adjara.gov.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 9.3 percent more visitors to Georgia in June, 2015, compared to same month last year, according to the latest monthly report from the Interior Ministry. The new figures show that 496,758 people visited the country in June […]
Members of U.S. congress to visit Georgia
U.S. Representative Peter Roskam. (house.gov.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A delegation from the U.S. congress is to visit Georgia from July 2 to 5. Among the delegation are members of congress from the Republican and the Democratic parties, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Davit Kereselidze. Peter Roskam […]
NATO’s Secretary General to visit Georgia in August
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg i May. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit Georgia this August, according to the Defense Ministry. The visit was agreed during a meeting Wednesday between Georgia’s Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli and Deputy Secretary General of the alliance […]
Georgian minister: Armenia’s EEU membership not an obstacle for ‘centuries-old friendship’
Photo: Tea Tsulukiani (from the left), Hovannes Manukyan and Giorgi Mghebrishvili (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Armenia’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union is not an obstacle but rather an opportunity of ‘mutual enrichment and opening of new opportunities’, Minister of Justice of Georgia said in an interview with Mediamax, Armenian e-newspaper. […]
Missing hyena found dead at Tbilisi Zoo
(Tbilservice Group.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A missing hyena was found dead on Wednesday during clean-up work inside the partially destroyed Tbilisi Zoo. The hyena was found by employees of Tbilservice Group, close to the cages of tigers and lions near the administration building. A tiger […]
Georgia to allow visa-free visits for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile
Tamar Beruchashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia plans to allow short visa-free visits for citizens of Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchasvili announced as she began her first visit to South America. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Davit Kereselidze said the aim of Beruchashvili’s […]
Storm toppled trees in several villages in southern Georgia
(Photo by Marneuli municipality.) TBILISI, DFWatch–High winds toppled trees which crashed into several houses in Marneuli in southern Georgia on Saturday. According to the head of Marneuli municipality, the fallen trees also blocked several of the roads in the surrounding villages. Heavy rainfall and hail also […]
Trafficking scheme uncovered in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service has uncovered a case of trafficking in babies and arrested nine people at two maternity clinics. The arrested are the director of Rustavi Maternity House and his deputy, and one of the owners of New Maternity […]
Update: Death toll rises to nine in Tbilisi flood
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The death toll after last night's flood had risen to nine people by 14:00. Four of the victims are rescue workers. According to the most recent data, the damages caused by the flood exceeds 10 million laris, but this includes only part of the damaged areas.
Speaker scolds MPs who have been most absent
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Speaker of Parliament on Friday scolded ten MPs who have been absent up to a hundred times during sessions in parliament. Davit Usupashvili said that according to the rules of parliament, an MP can have a honorary absence for family reasons. […]
Life threatening fish sold in large quantities
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The investigative service of the Finance Ministry has found that a company produced and sold smoked fish in violation of all hygienic and sanitary standards. Criminal charges have been brought against Tengiz Tsikaridze, who owns Donato Ltd, a company […]
Relatives blame doctor for baby’s death at Batumi hospital
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Relatives of a baby who died at Batumi Maternity Hospital have accused the doctor of malpractice. The mother of the baby, a 32 year old woman, was brought to the hospital four days ago. Her family says the doctor refused to perform a caesarean section […]
15% more visitors to Georgia in May ’15 than last year
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors to Georgia in May, 2015, was 14.7 percent more than in the same month last year. According to the Interior Ministry, the number of people crossing the border in May was 454,545. In the first five months of 2015, the total number of people […]
Dog shelter flooded in Tbilisi
Tamaz Elizbarashvili Dog Shelter (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – At least 13 dogs drowned in flood on Wednesday night in Tbilisi at Tamaz Elizbarashvili’s dog shelter. A heavy rain flooded river Vere and the water flushed the shelter’s ground floor. Patrol police crew and several employees came at the shelter at night to help the pets, but some of the dogs had already been swept away. […]
One man, 500 sheep and 40 cows dead in mudslide in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–One man and about 500 sheep and 40 cows were caught up in a landslide in the village Khone, in Khevsureti on Tuesday. According to Information Center of Mtskheta, shepherd Giorgi Shetekauri is missing after the glacial mudslide. Rescue workers […]
Three Polish tourists rescued by helicopter near Russian border
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Polish tourists have been airlifted by helicopter from Mount Tetnuldi near the Russian border, after being trapped by heavy snowfall at 4,200 meter’s height. News of the rescue operation appeared on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Monday evening, […]
Pharmacies fined for secretly recording customers
TBILISI, DFWatch–Three chains of pharmacies in Georgia have been fined 500 laris each for recording conversations at their 24 hours outlets without notifying customers. According to the Personal Data Protection, 365 pharmacies of the chains Aversi-Geopharmi, PSP […]
Putin meets with leader of Georgian breakaway region
Leonid Tibilov. TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian President Vladimir Putin was set to meet the de facto president of South Ossetia on Monday in Moscow. According to the press office of the South Ossetian leader Leonid Tibilov, the two plan to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation […]
Georgian wins silver in Women’s Chess Championship
Nino Batsiashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian chess player Nino Batsiashvili took silver at the European Women’s Individual Chess Championship 2015, which was held in Chakvi, Georgia from May 18 until May 30. Batsiashvili, who is from Batumi, came second after Ukrainian Natalya Zhukova. […]
Two brothels busted in Tbilisi, five detained
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five people were detained in Tbilisi on Saturday, accused of providing premises for prostitution. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the detainees – one man and four women – are managers of the hotels Sabudara and Viza in Tbilisi. The investigation […]
Ten Georgians released from detention by breakaway region
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten Georgian citizens were released by authorities in the breakaway region South Ossetia Tuesday evening. They had been detained for ‘violating the border’. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the released are: Nugzar Gelashvili, from the village […]
Privacy declaration open for signing today on Rustaveli Avenue
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Everyone who wishes so may today sign the declaration of protection of personal information and respect toward others. This is an initiative by the Personal Data Protection Inspectorate, which was created nearly two years ago and are out on the street […]
Farmers threaten to block highway after sheep returned sick from Jordan
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals in Uplistsikhe, in Georgia’s Kartli region, threaten that they will block the central highway near Gori because sheep that was returned from Jordan is dying from an unknown disease. Teo Tlashadze, member of the local council in Gori, […]
Socially disadvantaged groups demonstrated in Batumi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Socially disadvantaged groups protested in Batumi on Monday, some demanding government help to handle their bank loans, others to get back land property taken from them. Some of them demanded to get back land property that they were given […]
Georgian detained with 194,000 in counterfeit dollar bills
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Monday detained a man for attempting to distribute more than USD 194,000 in fake dollar bills. The suspect, who was born in 1994, was detained at the Red Bridge border crossing with Azerbaijan. The fake money, which was […]
Russian border guards detain Georgian man (42) during funeral
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 42 year old man was detained by Russian border guards at the funeral of his mother-in-law, which was held on a cemetery close to the border with South Ossetia. The detainee, Gia Solashvili, comes from the village Karkusaani. Since the cemetery […]
One Georgian detained by Russian border guards near disputed region
The 67 year old was out looking after cattle near Adzvi when Russian border guards approached. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Monday detained one more person near the village Adzvi, which borders with South Ossetia. The detainee is Grisha Balamtsarashvili (67), who was out in the field looking after cattle at the edge of the village, together with […]
Heavy rain cuts electricity for 6,000 in eastern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain caused problems for villagers and farmers in eastern Georgia, destroying their harvest and killing livestock. More than 6,000 people are without electricity. Among the affected areas are Pankisi, Akhmeta and Lagodekhi. The river Alazani […]
Port workers end strike in Poti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A ten-day strike among port workers has ended in Poti, in western Georgia. More than 600 workers demanded a 14 percent pay rise. In addition, they demanded an annual award, called a ‘13th paycheck,’ and to review the content of their collective […]
Unloading of containers halted in Poti port as workers negotiate
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Unloading of containers and some other operations have been halted in the port in Poti due to a strike among workers. Most other types of operations are not affected by the strike, according to the company that runs the port. The strike began […]
Port workers on strike in Poti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Workers at the port in Poti went on strike Sunday, demanding a 14 percent pay rise. The workers gave their bosses ten days to comply with their demand, otherwise they threatened to completely paralyze the functioning of the port. On Tuesday, the term expired, […]
Georgia’s economy minister says lari will soon recover
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Georgia’s national currency lari is continues to fall in value, the economy minister assures the public that the fall will not continue and calls on journalists not to speculate. Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Monday that there […]
Armed bank robber caught in Tbilisi, might have been a customer
A branch of ProCredit Bank was robbed Saturday morning. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An armed man robbed a bank in Tbilisi on Saturday. The crime took place at about 10:45 in the morning at a branch of ProCredit Bank at 54 Chavchavadze Avenue in the Vake district. No-one was injured. According to witnesses, […]
Regional development minister resigns in Georgia
Davit Shavliashvili (center) has resigned as minister for regional development. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A minister in the Georgian government resigned on Tuesday. Not much is known about why Davit Shavliashvili decided to resign as regional development and infrastructure, but a notice from the ministry said it was for health reasons. […]
Georgia’s president pardons 78 prisoners for Easter
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Tuesday pardoned 78 prisoners in connection with Easter. Zviad Koridze, Head of the President’s Pardon Commission, said at a press conference that 57 prisoners will be released from jail today. The remaining 21 had their […]
Suspect in murder of two policemen placed in pre-trial detention
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Saturday placed a man suspected of murdering two policemen in pre-trial detention. The defense did not object to the Prosecutor General’s Office request for detention. The suspect Shalva Abuladze and his lawyer said […]
Georgian president visits Pope Francis
Giorgi Margvelashvili and Pope Francis. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Friday met with Pope Francis in Rome. President Giorgi Margvelashvili afterward summed up the meeting as a ‘very important’ one for Georgia. He said he told the pontiff about security issues, the situation in the Caucasus […]
High winds caused power cut in Batumi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–High winds injured two people in Batumi and left 4,000 households in the Adjara region without power on Tuesday. In Batumi, strong wind blew down a tree which fell onto a nearby building with three people inside, two of whom were slightly injured. […]
Village evacuated after liquid oxygen leak
(Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A village was evacuated in Imereti in western Georgia Monday night, after a leak of liquid oxygen from an overturned truck. The truck overturned in a sharp bend, according to the Interior Ministry. It was carrying a large amount of liquid oxygen. […]
Two more Pankisi youth leave Georgia to join IS in Syria
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian boys, one 18 and the other younger, have allegedly left the country to become fighers for Islamic State in Syria, acording to locals. The two were attending tenth and eleventh grade at a school in the village Omalo, in Pankisi Gorge. […]
Moldovan detained in Georgia for using ATM skimmer
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Friday detained a Moldovan citizen for using an ATM skimmer to illegally obtain money. The suspect installed a so-called ATM skimmer, a barely noticeable device installed in the card reading slot of the machine which copies information […]
Two veterinarians accused of fraud, approved unchecked meat
Deserters market, where the unchecked meat was sold. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s Investigative Service on Thursday detained two veterinarians in Tbilisi for fraud that allowed potentially dangerous meat to get through to consumers. Veterinarians Khvicha Bichiashvili and Mamuka Mzhavanadze are charged with […]
New figures confirm upward trend of Georgia’s population
The natural growth of Georgia’s population. (GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New figures show that Georgia’s increase in population continued an upward trend in 2014, but the growth rate is still barely above zero. The number of live births minus the number of deaths, which scientists call the natural increase, was 11,548 in 2014. […]
Fake priests detained in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained four fake priests who apparently falsified documents in order to get visa for the Schengen area. The young men are accused of forging documents that make them out to be clerics in the influential Georgian Church. […]
Traffic restrictions eased in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a few days of restrictions, Gudauri-Kobi road in northern Georgia is now open for traffic. But all kinds of vehicles must use snow chains on the Gudauri-Kobi road due to snow and ice, according to the Roads Department. Vehicles […]
Convicted murderer may be free one day after president converts sentence
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Margvelashvili on Thursday converted the sentence of a man so he will no longer need to spend the rest of his life behind bars. The head of the president’s pardon commission Zviad Koridze said the most serious crime the prisoner […]
Traffic update: Still restrictions on some mountain roads
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Traffic is prohibited for all kinds of vehicles along the Gudauri-Kobi road section in northern Georgia due to intense snow and wind. The Roads Department also warns that it is not allowed to stop on 134km-135km of the Stepantsminda-Larsi […]
Restrictions on roads in some mountain areas in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are traffic restrictions on the Ninotsminda road, which leads to the border with Armenia. Restrictions are in effect along the 94km-100km section of the road, where trailers, half-trailers and vehicles with more than 30 seats are […]
Activists clash at Interior Ministry building
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The leader of a small Georgian opposition party was detained by police for hooliganism on Thursday. The incident took place at an Interior Ministry building in the capital Tbilisi. Kakha Kukava, leader of Free Georgia, was there for some business, when […]
Georgia detains man for distributing counterfeit US dollars
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was detained in Georgia on Monday, accused of distributing counterfeit money. According to the Finance Ministry’s investigative service, the accused imported a large amount of counterfeit US dollars and sold it among Georgian citizens. The amount […]
Names of two Georgians killed in New Jersey car crash released
Soso Makaridze Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Ministry of Defense released names of the two Georgian students at the US military academy in New Jersey killed during a car crash. The two died soon after Saturday midnight, after 9 am Tbilisi time. […]
Two Georgian military students in the US died in car crash
Identities of the dead students will be released by the Ministry of Defense after notification of their families in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian students at military academy in New Jersey died in a car accident soon after Saturday midnight, at about 9 am Tbilisi time. The identity of the two, both in their early 20s, will be released by the Ministry of Defense after notification of their families in Georgia. […]
Tbilisi slips three places in quality of living ranking
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi ranks 194th among 230 cities in the newest survey of quality of living published by Mercer’s. While last year’s report noted the Georgian capital as the lowest-ranked city in Europe at 191, residents may this year find some comfort […]
Georgia pardons eight female prisoners to mark Mother’s Day
The women’s prison in Rustavi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president pardoned eight women on Monday in connection with Mother’s Day, which in Georgia is marked on March 3. Zviad Koridze, head of the president’s pardon commission, said at a press conference on Monday that four among […]
Number of Tourists declined in Jan-Feb, 2015: MIA
Border with Azerbaijan (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – In the wake of tightening visa regulations by the Geoorgian government and crisis in Ukraine, the latest data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia showed decline in numbers of tourists and overall visitors in Georgia. However, according to the same data, number of the transit visitors increased. […]
Georgian president speaks out against discrimination
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Sunday highlighted the most pressing problems Georgia faces in terms of discrimination, as he observed United Nation’s Zero Discrimination Day. He drew particular attention to violence against women and […]
Georgian leaders shocked by Nemtsov assassination
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president and prime minister are shocked by the assassination of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow. “I’m shocked by the assassination of Boris Nemtsov. He was a politician who fought tirelessly for the […]
Seven people detained in Georgia for making counterfeit money
The detainees are accused of making fake 20, 50 and 100 lari bills. (police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia detained seven people on Thursday for manufacturing and distributing a large amount of counterfeit money. The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that a group of criminals were in possession of special equipment for producing […]
Opposition groups blame government for lari’s fall
Free Georgia, Reformers and Christian Democrats activists demonstrating outside the Finance Ministry building on Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were several anti-government demonstrations in Tbilisi on Thursday in reaction to the thirty percent drop in the value of the national currency, the lari. Smaller groups that are not represented in parliament made up the brunt […]
Georgian parliament to meet on Saturday to discuss crisis
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As the Georgian government is waiting to hear what ideas experts from the IMF have to deal with the weakened national currency, the lari, the former ruling party will be demanding answers at a special session of parliament on Saturday. […]
Gudauri-Kobi road closed
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The road between Gudauri and Kobi in northern Georgia was Sunday closed for all traffic due to strong wind and limited visibility. Machinery has been deployed to the place by the Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry. Vehicles are […]
Rally to save old naval station building in Poti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals rallied Saturday in the Georgian port city Poti. They are opposed to a decision by the local government to demolish the naval station building. Demonstrators say the building is a symbol of the city, which lies on the Black Sea coast and […]
Road restrictions in north and west Georgia
On the road between Gudauri and Kobi vehicles are not allowed to drive without snow chains. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Snow has made Georgian authorities enforce restrictions on several roads in mountainous regions in the west and north. On the road between Kutaisi and Ambrolauri, via Tkibuli, traffic is restricted on the 36km to 72km section. No trailers, […]
Parliament replaces Free Democrats’ vice speaker
Gubaz Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament on Wednesday approved a new vice speaker, following the departure of one party from the government coalition. The Free Democrats left the Georgian Dream coalition November 5, and now the party’s highest […]
Victoria Nuland visiting Tbilisi Tuesday
Victoria Nuland. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland is visiting Georgia on Tuesday as part of a Caucasus tour. In Tbilisi, Nuland plans to meet with representatives of the government and opposition, as well as non-governmental organizations, so-called […]
Families rally in support of prisoners on life sentences
Families demand life sentences converted so the prisoners may have hope of being free some day. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Families and relatives of prisoners with life sentences and incurable diseases rallied in front of the government house in Adjara on Thursday. They demand that the prisoners are offered a new chance to have their cases reviewed and their sentences […]
Prisoners with life sentence continue hunger strike
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–60 prisoners with life sentence are continuing their hunger strike to demand a new assessment of their cases. The prisoners on lifelong term want to be included in a mass amnesty introduced by the new Georgian Dream coalition […]
President’s annual address will be on March 18
President Giorgi Margvelashivli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president’s annual state of the nation address in parliament will be held on March 18. It is still an open question whether there will be a debate after President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s address. His parliamentary secretary Giorgi […]
Road closed in Gudauri due to heavy snow
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Traffic is prohibited along the Gudauri-Kobi section of the old military highway in northern Georgia due to snow and danger of avalanche. According to the Infrastructure Ministry’s road department, no vehicles are allowed through in that stretch […]
Poland ratifies Georgia’s EU agreement
(opis.sejm.gov.pl.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Poland ratified the association agreement between Georgia and the EU on Friday; the 13th EU member state to do so. The vote in the Sejm was 439 for ratification, none against and one abstaining. The agreement gives Georgia free trade access […]
Escaped prisoner caught in Batumi
Gurjaani Regional Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A prisoner who escaped from a court building two days ago has been apprehended in Batumi on the Black Sea coast. The prisoner escaped from the court cell in Gurjaani Regional Court on February 2 after hearing that he was being placed in […]
Two detained in Georgia for forging US visas
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people were detained in Georgia on Friday for making fake US visas. Police working together with staff of the US embassy’s security department found that two people – a man about 40 and a woman about 50 – were making forged documents […]
Six detained in Tbilisi at rally against National Movement
Demonstrators blame the National Movement for encouraging Georgian youth to join the war in Ukraine. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Six people were detained for petty hooliganism in Tbilisi on Tuesday, during a rally outside the office of the National Movement. The rally was organized by the youth movement Free Generation, which demands to convict former officials and ‘restore justice.’ […]
Prisoner on the run in Kakheti, eastern Georgia
Gurjaani Regional Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia are searching for a prisoner who escaped from a court building on Monday. The man, a resident of the a village Velistsikhe, is charged with injuring a person with a weapon. The regional court in Gurjaani, in the Kakheti region […]
Seat in Georgian parliament empty as MP dies of illness
Tamaz Avdaliani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the Georgian Dream coalition has died as result of serious illness, parliament’s press office said on Friday. Tamaz Avdaliani, who was born September 16, 1964. In October, 2012, was elected through the party list […]
Ivanishvili plans tv series about Saakashvili’s nine year rule
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili plans a TV series about the nine years of National Movement rule. In an interview with Imedi TV on Wednesday, Ivanishvili said the name of the series will be ‘9+1’, which indicates the nine […]
Gulf under investigation for tax avoidance in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigation service is going through the accounting documents of Gulf, one of the largest oil retail companies in Georgia. According to the vice president of the company’s marketing department, the service entered […]
Consultations continue to find new head of Georgia’s Supreme Court
The brothers Kublashvili: Pavle (inset) was head of parliament’s judiciary committee and Kote head of Supreme Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Consultations are continuing in Tbilisi’s political circles to find a new head of Supreme Court. Current head Kote Kublashvili’s term expires in the end of February. During Kublashvili’s ten year tenure, the court system in Georgia became […]
Georgian PM appoints new interior minister
Vakhtang Gomelauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday appointed Vakhtang Gomelarui as new interior minister after the previous minister resigned in connection with the bombing of a human rights activist. Until now, Gomelauri served as first deputy […]
Yuri Vazagashvili buried Sunday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch—Yuri Vazagashvili was Sunday buried in the village Karapila, near Kaspi, 50 km west of the capital. He was buried next to his son Zurab, who died in a police operation in 2006 during the Saakashvili regime and became a symbol of the heavy-handed […]
Lithuanian PM starts two day visit to Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Lithuanian prime minister on Monday starts a two day visit to Georgia. On the first day of his visit, Algirdas Butkevičius will meet his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashivli after an official welcoming ceremony at the government office […]
Police official in Georgia resigns following bombing of activist
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A high-ranking police official in Georgia resigned Friday evening. His resignation follows that of the interior minister, and is related to the bombing of a rights activist last Wednesday. The activist, Yuri Vazagasvili, was blown up while standing […]
Coffin of Georgian who fought in Ukraine greeted at Tbilisi airport
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The body of a Georgian volunteer fighter who died in Ukraine on January 17 arrived in Georgia on Wednesday and will be brought to his hometown Khashuri today. Earlier, there was a public funeral for Tamaz Sukhiashvili, 36, in Kiev, which was attended […]
Body of Georgian priest from Norman Atlantic arrives in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Monday posthumously honored priest Ilia Kartozia, 27, for his bravery rescuing people in the Norman Atlantic ferry disaster. The fire on Norman Atlantic started on December 28. There were eight Georgians aboard, all of whom […]
Chinese citizen detained for facilitating prostitution
Photo shows an earlier police razzia of a brothel in Adjara, November 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Chinese citizen was on Sunday detained in Georgia’s second largest city Kutaisi for providing premises used for prostitution. According to the Interior Ministry, the suspect rented a house on Chavchavadze Avenue 33 and opened a parlour offering […]
23 Georgian sailors stranded on five ships in Benin
TBILISI, DFWatch–23 Georgian sailors have been stuck on five ships under Greek management close to Benin in western Africa. The sailors are asking for help because their supplies of food and water are running low and they haven’t received their salaries for about six months. […]
Missing 77 year old found dead near South Ossetia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 77 year old man who went missing a few days ago in the village Ergneti next to South Ossetia was found dead on Thursday. Valiko Kasradze disappeared late at night on January 12. His family thought he might have lost his way and been detained […]
Snowfall causing interruptions several places in Georgia
Two Latvian tourists are stranded in the Jvari pass due to the snow. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Latvian tourists are stranded in Jvari pass in the north of Georgia. Snowfall is also causing other problems in parts of Georgia. Some areas in the north are without electricity and food supplies. A rescue operation is underway in Jvari pass […]
Missing 19-year old boy found dead in Akhalgori
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 19-year-old boy who has been missing for six month has been found dead in South Ossetia. Davit Basharuli was declared missed last summer. On Monday, locals discovered his body hanging from a tree between Akhalgori and the village Ikoti, […]
Nearly a hundred prisoners pardoned in Georgia
Geguti prison camp. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Nearly a hundred prisoners have been pardoned in Georgia, partly in relation to the New Year celebration. Most of the prisoners who are being freed or have their sentences reduced were pardoned by the president’s pardon commission; one of two […]
Ombudsman asks Prosecutor’s Office to investigate police brutality
The incident took place at the police station in Gldani, north Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian ombudsman has asked the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate an incident of possible mistreatment by police. On Monday, the Ombudsman’s Office reported that a citizen, whose name is mentioned by initials, was detained […]
Eight Georgians among passangers of ferry that caught fire in Adriatic Sea
(Photo by Italian Navy.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A ferry which caught fire on December 28 in the Adriatic Sea, was carrying eight Georgian citizens. According to Italian media there were 478 people on the ferry, including the crew. At least eight people have been killed in the fire aboard MS Norman Atlantic […]
Eco refugees demonstrated in Batumi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Refugees living on an abandoned military base near Batumi broke into the yeard of the Adjara Supreme Council on Monday, demanding to meet with its head. Protesters blocked the road of Chakvi Batumi for ten minutes as sign of protest because […]
New EUMM head appointed
EUMM in action. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Monitoring Mission to Georgia (EUMM), which was recently prolonged for two more years, has a new head. Kęstutis Jankauskas replaces Toivo Klaar, who was appointed in October 2013. According to an announcement sent out by EUMM, […]
44 mosques in Georgia taken over by the state
A mosque in Chela, Georgia. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–44 mosques were taken over by Georgia’s Muslim Department two days ago by decision of the State Commission on Religious Issues. According to Zaza Vashakmadze, who is head of the commission, 21 mosques are in the Kakheti region, while 32 […]
EU parliament to pass resolution on Georgia and ratify agreement
TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Parliament is voting today over whether to ratify an treaty with Georgia signed in June and already partly in force. The so-called association agreement offers free trade to EU’s vast market in return for incorporating hundreds of EU regulations […]
EU’s observer mission to Georgia extended for two years
TBILISI, DFWatch–EU’s military observers in Georgia have had their mandate extended for another two years, until December 2016. EU Monitoring Mission to Georgia (EUMM) was established shortly after the Russia-Georgia war in 2008 to support stabilization […]
Georgian president rides horse during Turkmenistan visit
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili visited Turkmenistan on Monday and signed four agreements dealing with as diverse issues as economy, culture, trade and tourism. People travelling with him say the business leaders in Turkmenistan […]
Oleg Melnikov released
Oleg Melnikov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former officer in Georgia’s domestic intelligence who was involved in the 2006 murder of Sandro Girgvliani has beenreleased from prison. Oleg Melnikov, formerly an officer of the Constitutional Security Department or ‘Kudi’, was released […]
Georgian lari and Armenian dram recover after slump
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The currencies of Georgia and Armenia are recovering after a slump of more than 10% in the last few weeks. The sight of money exchanges trading US dollars for more than two Georgian lari (GEL) set off a fervent debate in Tbilisi. Many blamed […]
Large amount of undeclared gold seized by Georgian customs
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Large quantities of undeclared gold has been seized by Georgian customs at the Sarpi border crossing with Turkey. The gold jewelry which had a total weight of 466.05 grams was found in the belongings of a Georgian citizen who was coming […]
Georgia sends more soldiers to Central African Republic
(Defense Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Margvelashvili has asked parliament for approval to again send soldiers to the Central African Republic, after the EU extended its mission there for another four months. The president’s order was signed on December 2, and has been received […]
Man injured in Batumi fire dies
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man who was injured in a fire at a market in Batumi died in hospital Sunday night. Police have detained one person in connection with the fire. Davit Putkaradze, 51, was owner of one of the shops at the market. According to local media, he had lung […]
Two die in fire in Batumi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people died in a fire at a market in Batumi on Sunday. One person is in hospital in a critical condition. The victims are a married couple in their fifties, Temur and Nani Rizhvadze, while the third injured person is Davit Putkaradze, 51. […]
Tbilisi NGOs vow to defend president’s veto
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of NGOs based in Tbilisi warn that they are going on the offensive against the country’s parliament, which recently overturned a veto by President Margvelashvili against giving the Interior Ministry control over the means to conduct secret surveillance. […]
Parliament overturns president’s veto, approves surveillance bill
The Ministry of Internal Affairs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Sunday overturned the president’s veto and approved the a surveillance bill which gives the Interior Ministry direct access to communication operators’ networks and to eavesdrop on citizens. 82 MPs voted in favor […]
Hungary ratifies Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova’s EU treaties
(parliament.hu) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Hungary on Tuesday ratified agreements signed with the EU by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The press service of Georgia’s Foreign Ministry erroneously said that 127 deputies voted for ratification. But in fact, 122 MPs supported […]
Activists throw eggs and tomatoes at UNM office on anniversary
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people were detained during a demonstration against the National Movement in Tbilisi on Sunday. The demonstration took place outside the party’s office and was held in connection with the 11 years anniversary of the Rose Revolution, which […]
Bendukidze brought home to Georgia Thursday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The body of the former Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze, who recently died of heart failure according to preliminary information, will be brought home to Georgia on Thursday. The body will be on a direct flight from London and brought to his […]
Court releases pathologist on trial in connection with PM’s death
Levan Chachua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The pathologist on trial in the case about the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2005 has been given bail. Levan Chachua has been in detention since March 20, but on Tuesday the court ruled that he may be released against paying a 10,000 […]
50th meeting of the post-2008 incident prevention talks
Practical problems for people affected by the conflict is the main focus of the IPRM meetings. (EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Monday another meeting was held of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) between the conflicting parties of the 2008 war. This was the 50th such meeting, and as usual it took place at Ergneti, a village close to the de facto border. […]
Georgian PM appoints new minister for integration with Europe
Davit Bakradze is Georgia’s new Euro-integration minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister on Saturday approved a new minister of Euro and Euro Atlantic integration. The new Euro-integration minister Davit Bakradze replaces Alexi Petriashvili, who resigned in protest against the dismissal […]
Court sets no bail conditions for six on trial for food poisoning
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court did not set bail conditions for six Defense Ministry officials who are on trial for being involved in a food poisoning case in 2013. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, ten cases of poisoning of military employees took place. The six officials […]
Suspect detained in murder of trans woman
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Wednesday detained a suspect in the murder of a transgender woman in Tbilisi the day before. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the 26 year old, who lives in Tbilisi, killed the transgender woman because […]
Margvelashvili will address parliament on Friday
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will address parliament on November 14 at noon. The address will be held at the beginning at a plenary session and be followed by an address of the speaker of parliament. November 5, right after the prime minister […]
Roki tunnel reopened
Roki tunnel before the repair work. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has reopened a strategically important tunnel through the Caucasus mountain range after a full-scale overhaul that has taken two and a half years and cost USD 400 million. According to Russian officials, equipment had been moved from the […]
Justice minister leaves Free Democrats Party
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani decided to finally leave the Free Democrats, the party led by the dismissed defense minister Irakli Alasania. Tsulukiani recently withdrew from the Georgian Dream coalition due to political crisis following the sacking […]
President: Georgia’s European course is unchangeable
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili rules out the possibility of a change in Georgia’s foreign policy orientation. The government coalition is split with both sides accusing the other of endangering the policy of seeking integration with NATO […]
Georgia’s ruling coalition may keep majority in parliament
TBILISI, DFWatch–According to the latest available information, the ruling Georgian Dream coalition may keep its majority of seats in the parliament. Three MPs from the ten strong Free Democrats – Georgian Dream faction might choose to side with Georgian […]
Deputy defense minister protests against unfair questioning
Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandre Batiashvili. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A deputy defense minister in Georgia protested against ‘a number of violations’ on Monday after spending about ten hours in questioning about a corruption case involving defense officials. Alexi Batiashvili has status as witness in the case […]
60% of Tbilisi City Hall employees fail tests
TBILISI, DFWatch–290 out of 486 employees of Tbilisi City Hall have failed a test on Saturday. The former ruling party claims it is political, as many of the workers are from the previous government. 563 employees were expected to show up for Saturday’s test. […]
Georgian parliament accepts president’s veto
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament grudgingly abandoned its plan to overturn the president’s veto against a decision to postpone legislation that would quickly curb the Interior Ministry’s ability to carry out secret surveillance. Georgia has introduced […]
Five defense officials placed in pre-trial detention
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Thursday placed five Defense Ministry officials in pre-trial detention. The five are charged with embezzling more than four million lari in connection with a tender for building high speed Internet. The hearing was […]
NATO chief Stoltenberg to meet Georgian PM November 17
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. (NATO.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will meet Georgia’s prime minister on November 17. Secretary General Stoltenberg said this in a speech at the German Marshall Fund in Brussels on Wednesday. The stated purpose of the meeting with Georgian PM Irakli […]
Parliament speaker says corruption case has harmed Georgia’s defense ability
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s parliament speaker says the detention of five defense ministry officials accused of corruption has seriously harmed the country’s defense ability, even if the charges turn out to be false. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili […]
One man dead in building collapse in Zugdidi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One man died as a result of a building collapse in western Georgia Monday night. A water reservior burst in the office of the State Security Agency in the town Zugdidi, near the Abkhazian region. The victim is head of department Zviad Lagvilava. […]
Activists detained – want Saakashvili’s party banned
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of people from the organization Free Generation Tuesday evening demonstrated outside the office of the National Movement, Georgia’s former ruling party, demanding that it is declared illegal. In the ensuing scuffle, six person were detained […]
Supporters of controversial ex-official rally outside PM’s residence
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of Georgia’s former regime demonstrated outside the house of the prime minister on Sunday. Outraged passers-by confronted them, and several people were detained in the scuffle. The protesters demanded that the courts are freed from […]
Georgia’s parliament speaker defends Ivanishvili in newspaper ad
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili admires Ivanishvili’s philanthropism. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The speaker of the Georgian parliament went on the offensive Thursday against former President Mikheil Saakashvili and in defense of the billionaire who brought together the current government coalition, Bidzina Ivanishvili. Speaker of Parliament […]
Update: Two teens captured for vandalizing a church in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The police on Thursday arrested two youngsters for suspicion of vandalizing a church just during a religious holiday. The detainees are two teens of 17 and 15 years old. The latter has a prior conviction. While searching the homes of the suspects, […]
Two Georgians detained by Russian border guards
Locals say there isn’t any physical barrier marking the disputed border near Kvemo Ikorta. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Tuesday detained a husband and wife in a village bordering breakaway South Ossetia. The two, Kakha Kazishvili and Zina Natriashvili, were detained in the village Kvemo Ikorta as they were trying to cross the ‘border’ to visit relatives. […]
Georgian president presents candidates for head of Supreme Court
Outgoing head of Georgia’s Supreme Court, Kote Kublashvili was a key player in the controversial justice reforms. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Tuesday presented parliament with his two candidates to take over as head of Supreme Court. This was the second time President Giorgi Margvelashvili presented Nino Bakakuri and Zurab Dzlierishvili as candidates to take over […]
Margvelashvili calls for peaceful resolution of frozen conflicts
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (TRT.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili appeared on the Turkish TV Monday, explaining his country’s policy toward two breakaway regions that have been controlled by Russia since the war in 2008. Georgian territorial integrity will be restored, […]
Georgia to help Kyrgyzstan get access to the EU market
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev in Istanbul on Monday. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili says the free trade treaty Georgia signed with the EU earlier this year opens opportunities also for other countries to reach the EU market. He said this while discussing bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan […]
Pathologist in Zhvania’s death must remain in detention
Levan Chachua is on trial for negligence while performing the autopsy on Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2006. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The pathologist who conducted the autopsy on the body of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania denies that he harassed a witness. The trial about the prime minister’s death in 2006 continued Thursday with questioning of the pathologist Levan Chachua. […]
Georgia to join arms trade treaty
Georgia joins the UN Arms Trade Treaty. (police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–On Friday, Georgia will join a new treaty which restricts the international trade in small arms. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on April 2, 2013, and is a first of its kind. It will regulate the sale […]
New US-trained judge candidates taking exams in Georgia
The High Council of Justice is the highest authority in Georgia’s legal system, not the Supreme Court. TBILISI, DFWatch–A new cohort of judge candidates are taking qualification exams September 20 and 27, under the auspices of the High Council of Justice. The exams are held at the Technical University’s first building and for the first time conducted electronically. […]
German tourist hospitalized after roadside robbery in Georgia
Mestia is one of the most important tourist destinations in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of German tourists were robbed in Mestia Monday night, several Georgian news outlets reported. The reports differ on important details, but most say three German tourists were robbed along the road from Zugdidi to Mestia, one of […]
Georgian PM visiting Azerbaijan
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili met Thursday with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to discuss strategic cooperation and bilateral relations. The meeting took place at the president’s palace, and Gharibashvili was accompanied by members […]
Less visitors to Georgia in August than last year
Georgia had less visitors this August. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–772,216 people visited Georgia in August, which is 0.5 percent less than in August 2013. The new statistics published by the Interior Ministry shows that 3,685,834 people visited Georgia in the first eight months of 2014. This is a 3 percent drop […]
53,067 were granted Georgian citizenship during Saakashvili
Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–53,067 foreigners were granted Georgian citizenship from 2005 to 2013, and in 2013 the president granted citizenship to most of them – 9,626 people. According to the report of Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), the […]
Georgia to ask Interpol help detain Saakashvili
Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia is preparing to ask Interpol to issue a red alert for ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and declare him internationally wanted. In mid-August, Georgia announced a domestic search for Saakashvili, which means that […]
Azerbaijan fires four customs guards after record heroin seizure
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four employees of Azerbaijan’s customs service have been fired following the seizure in Georgia of 2.8 tons of liquid heroin in July. According to the Azerbaijani newspaper Eni Musavat, the four fired employees were working at the custom’s check-point […]
Three men shot dead in Georgian village
(Photo published by sknews.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three men were killed Thursday night near Adigeni in southern Georgia. The suspect is a local public registry official. A brother of one of the three murder victims was also injured. The killing took place in the village Karatubani, where there was […]
Georgian health minister in Ukraine developing aid plan
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Health Minister Davit Sergeenko started his visit to Ukraine by making several agreements about offering assistance to Ukraine as result of the crisis there. A bilateral working group is being created to coordinate the assistance. Sergeenko Wednesday […]
Second body found after Dariali landslide
(Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A second person has been found dead on Wednesday, after the massive landslide in Dariali Valley on August 21. Two people died in the disaster, one was a citizen of Turkey and one a Georgian citizen. Both were working in a tunnel when a landslide hit […]
Armenia’s gas supply restored, pipeline repaired after landslide
The pipeline supplies Armenia with Russian natural gas and runs through Georgia. (Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Gas began flowing again Saturday in a pipeline that runs through a Georgian mountain valley which was hit by a landslide on August 21. The pipeline through Dariali Valley brings Russian natural gas to Armenia. According to Georgia’s Gas Transport […]
One person found dead after landslide in Georgia
(Photo published by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One person has been found dead after the landslide catastrophe in Georgia on Thursday. The body was found on the bank of the river Tergi near the village Larsi on the Russian side of the border. According to head of Kazbegi municipality Givi […]
Georgian PM visits Armenia August 21-22
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili will visit Armenia on August 21-22. After meeting his Armenian colleague, Gharibashvili and the rest of the Georgian delegation will meet with Armenian government representatives. Prime Minister Hovik […]
Search order issued for ex-President Saakashvili
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has issued a domestic search order for ex-President Mikheil Saakahsvili. Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office prepared the order and has forwarded it to the Interior Ministry. This means that if Saakashvili enters the country, […]
38 died in fires in Georgia Jan-Jun ’14
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 1,703 fires in Georgia in the first half of 2014. 38 people died and 61 were injured, according to the Interior Ministry. In 1,005 of the cases, the reason for the fire could not be determined. In 333 cases, the cause was negligence, […]
180 died in traffic in Georgia Jan-Jun ’14
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–180 people died in traffic accidents in Georgia in the first half of 2014, according to new figures from the Interior Ministry. The figures published Tuesday show that an upward turn in road accidents has stopped, but numbers remain high compared […]
Georgia to take part in humanitarian effort in Ukraine
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is to join an international humanitarian effort in Luhansk, Ukraine. This became known on Tuesday. Last week, Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said Georgia is not planning to join the international sanctions EU and the United […]
Scuffle outside Tbilisi City Hall as people queue to meet mayor
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was a quarrel outside Tbilisi City Hall on Monday between people who wanted to meet the mayor and tell him about their problems. Newly elected Mayor Davit Narmania decided to set aside one day to meet with citizens. Hundreds of people turned […]
Police officer detained in Georgia for receiving bribe
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A police employee was Sunday detained in Batumi, a city on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, accused of receiving a bribe two days prior. According to the Interior Ministry’s press department, the general inspection detained an employee of the patrol […]
Georgians injured in bus accident in Turkey
TBILISI, DFWatch–There was an accident on Wednesday in Rize, Turkey, which left ten passengers injured, including citizens of Georgia. Representatives of the Health Ministry of Adjara left for Turkey to see citizens of Georgia. According to Deputy Health […]
Saakashvili’s appeal turned down
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia left in force a decision by Tbilisi City Court to place ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and former officials in pre-trial detention in a case concerning the violent dispersal of an anti-government demonstration on November 7, 2007. […]
Georgia preparing for visit by Angela Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government has begun preparing for a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, even though the exact date of her visit is still unknown. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze on Sunday met with the German ambassador […]
Saakashvili given pre-trial detention in absentia
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili speaking in Kiev in March, 2014. (Maestro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday evening decided to issue a pre-trial detention order for ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, although he is not in Georgia at the moment. After leaving office in November 2013, the former president has not been in Georgia. […]
Two Georgians detained by Russian soldiers
A sign warning about the de facto border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two Georgian citizens outside the village Kveshi, near Gori, which borders on the South Ossetian breakaway region. According to Interpressnews, the detainees are Zakro Butkhuzi, from Kveshi, and his guest Buta […]
280 prisoners pardoned by president’s commission
Prison No 8 in Gldani, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of Georgia on Thursday pardoned 280 prisoners. According to the new head of the president’s pardon commission Zviad Koridze, eight of those pardoned are women and 10 minors. The commission has reviewed 2,744 cases. […]
Pro-Israel demonstration in Tbilisi
About 50 demonstrated in Tbilisi on Tuesday in support of Israel. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of Georgians demonstrated in front of the old parliament in Tbilisi on Tuesday in support of Israel. The rally was planned through Facebook and was joined by about 50 people. Representatives of the Jewish community in Georgia were present […]
Georgia on imported electricity while power lines being repaired
Two of the transmission lines that failed are now working, but until all three are fixed, Georgia is on imported electricity. (Photo published by Georgian State Electrosystems.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is now being supplied with electricity that is imported from neighboring countries, after three high-voltage power lines failed yesterday. Director of the electricity system, Sulkhan Zumburidze, said Monday that the import from two […]
Two missing after flood in Vani, Georgia
Two women are missing in Vani after a flood Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two women are missing after several villages were flooded Sunday in Vani, a town in the west of Georgia, after heavy rain. Zaza Khurtsidze, head of Vani municipality, told Interpressnews that two women are missing. Three others went missing but […]
Electricity back online in Georgia after massive outage
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Trains stopped and all but one national TV station went off air in Georgia Sunday evening as much of the country was in the dark for several hours. Late in the night, power was restored in Tbilisi and all other regions, according to the Energy […]
90% of cars in Georgia are more than 10 years old
The used car market in Rustavi near Tbilisi. (Rustavi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 90 percent of the cars people drive in Georgia are from before 2004, according to a new report by the Interior Ministry. The report, which was published on Friday, deals with cars registered in Georgia, but also imported and re-exported […]
Three detained in Georgia for tax fraud with Iranian tar sand
The investigative service is a body under the Finance Ministry tasked with exposing financial crimes. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service on Thursday detained three persons for organized financial crime that caused the state a loss of 345,774 lari (USD 197,551). In a statement, the investigative service says the three aimed at not paying […]
New Georgian government to be confirmed by parliament on Saturday
Vice Speaker of Parliament, Manana Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new Georgian government will be put to parliament for a vote of confidence on Saturday. Vice Speaker of Parliament Manana Kobakhidze told journalists on Wednesday that parliament now waits for the president to present the new government, and then […]
Georgian parliament speaker visiting Israel
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian speaker of parliament is Tuesday visiting Israel. Davit Usupashvili will meet with Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Speaker of the Knesset, as well as with the head of the Israel-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Avraham Michaeli. Usupashvili […]
16 year old boy dies in rockslide in Borjomi, Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 16-year-old boy died on late Thursday as a result of a rockslide in Borjomi, a tourist resort in the south of Georgia. Nika Korghanashvili, who was spending his holiday in Borjomi with some friends, was walking home from the sulphur baths […]
Tbilisi bus drivers on strike following death of colleague
Drivers of line 19 are protesting after one of them died following an argument with a passenger. (Photo published by Tbilisi Transport Company.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Drivers of bus line number 19 in Tbilisi on Thursday laid down work as a sign of protest, after one of their colleagues died on the job. A passenger got into a physical scuffle with a bus driver at noon on the number 19 line in the suburb Ponichala, […]
Georgia signs agreement with Orthodox Church about cultural heritage
David Gareja monastery complex. (Photo: Paata Vardanashvili.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Culture Ministry and Georgian Church will Thursday sign a memorandum about protection of cultural heritage. The memorandum is about taking care of cultural heritage that is in the ownership of the Georgian Church. According to the […]
Court adds to Bacho Akhalaia’s pre-trial detention
Bacho Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Saturday added further pretrial detention for former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia for the murder of Sergo Tetradze. Akhalaia’s defense lawyers wanted the court to set a 30,000 lari bail, but the court decided on two months […]
14 year old girl dead in traffic accident in Rikoti
The accident happened when a minibus struck a truck in Rikoti pass. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A minibus crushed into a truck on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old girl and ten others being injured. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the accident happened at Rikoti Pass, which connects western and eastern Georgia. […]
Court rejects prosecutor’s motion in case of suspended mayor
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Monday rejected a motion by the Prosecutor’s Office to change the USD 30,000 bail set for former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava into pre-trial detention. The judge said that the arguments in the motion were not strong enough […]
Lower voter turnout in Georgia run-off elections
Voter turnout at 17:00 was 28%, compared to 35% on June 15. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The second round of Georgia’s local elections are proceeding without any major violations. Voter turnout at 17:00 was 28% – significantly less than in the first round, when the turnout was 35% at 17:00, according to the Central Election Commission […]
EU ambassador: Georgian business will not be served breakfast in bed
EU Ambassador to Georgia Philip Dimitrov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU Ambassador to Georgia Philip Dimitrov says business in Georgia will have to do a lot and is not going to be served breakfast in bed after the signing of the association agreement. Speaking at a conference in Batumi, Dimitrov told […]
Businesses offer discount for Georgians who vote
Gas station companies are among the backers of a new TV ad offering discount for people who vote. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several large companies in Georgia are offering discounts for customers who go and vote in the second round of local elections on Saturday. A commercial appeared on television Thursday, placed by ‘businesses united for a common goal’. It calls […]
Lithuania ratifies Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova agreements with EU
The Lithuanian parliament, Seimas. (Photo: Marcin Białek.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday ratified the association agreements between Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova with the EU. The vote was almost unanimous, according to the webpage of the national assembly, called Seimas. Lithuania is often […]
Georgia appoints new ambassador to the UK
Revaz Gachechiladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday appointed professor Revaz Gachechiladze as new ambassador to the UK, Northern Ireland and the International Maritime Organization. The appointment marks the end of more than a year without a UK ambassador. […]
Drop in summer visitors to Georgia
Until now, more people have come to Georgia every summer since the war in 2008. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors to Georgia in June dropped eight percent compared to the same period last year, according to new figures published on Monday by the Interior Ministry. Around 450,000 people visited Georgia in June. The summer drop breaks […]
NATO envoy to Tbilisi to discuss ‘substantive package’
James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO envoy James Appathurai will visit Georgia on Wednesday to discuss the ‘substantive package’ which the alliance is to offer the former Soviet state at the upcoming summit in Wales in September, the minister in charge of European integration said Monday. […]
Seven fined after Friday’s scuffle about ex-mayor’s detention
The court building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Seven people were Saturday fined 100 lari (USD 60) each for hooliganism after being detained the day before in a violent disturbance outside Tbilisi City Court. The violence happened after the court had decided to place former Mayor […]
Former defense minister must remain in detention, court rules
Bacho Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court Saturday placed former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia in pretrial detention on new charges concerning the murder of Sergo Tetradze. Akhalaia’s lawyers wanted the court to set 30,000 lari bail, but the court decided to place […]
Court did not set bail for former Tbilisi mayor
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday decided not to set bail conditions for former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava, who is charged with embezzlement of more than one million lari from parking fees. The court did not agree with a request […]
National Movement activist beaten in Batumi
Levan Tetemadze was taken to the hospital and treated for head injuries and broken facial bones. (Photo published on Facebook by the National Movement in Batumi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of the National Movement was Saturday attacked in Batumi, a city on the Black Sea coast. Party activist Levan Tetemadze was beaten outside his house on Vazha-Pshavela street, according to Giorgi Kirtadze, head of the UNM in Adjara. […]
One more dead body found in Dariali
Cleanup work continues in Dariali Valley. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Another body was found in Dariali Valley on Monday, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced. This is the fourth victim of a massive landslide on May 17. The ministry said the body has been sent to Tbilisi to carry out an […]
Barroso visits Georgia to underline EU’s support
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. (Photo published by the EU.) TBILISI, DFWatch–José Manuel Barroso will visit Georgia Thursday and Friday. The two day stopover will be the EU Commission president’s first official visit to Georgia. Barroso is arriving from Moldova, and will leave for Azerbaijan on June 14. During […]
Merkel to visit Georgia
Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Georgia before spring 2015, by invitation of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. The PM on Monday met Merkel in Berlin and invited her to Georgia. She accepted the invitation and expressed her desire […]
Swiss President Burkhalter visiting Georgia
Didier Burkhalter arriving at Tbilisi airport Monday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Swiss President Didier Burkhalter arrived in Georgia Monday evening as part of a round trip in the South Caucasus. Lasha Abashidze, head of Georgia’s Presidential Administration, and Davit Zalkaliani, First Deputy Foreign Minister, met him […]
Georgian foreign minister visiting U.S.
Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze is visiting the U.S. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze on Tuesday began an official visit to the United States which will last until May 30. According to the Foreign Ministry’s press office, Panjikidze will hold meetings with representatives of different […]
Davit Kezerashvili acquitted of cognac fraud
Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Tuesday acquitted former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili of cognac fraud. Kezerashvili, who is under house arrest and electronic surveillance in France after being detained at Nice airport last year and then released in February, was charged by Georgian authorities in February, 2013, with assisting […]