Brief news reports, wires.
Hydro power tunnel searched for survivors after landslide
A hydro power tunnel that was flooded after a landslide on May 17 was searched for the first time Thursday. This is how the site looked in 2013. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the first time after the catastrophic landslide in Dariali on May 17, rescue crew made their way into a tunnel in search of survivors, Georgian TV channel Rustavi 2 reported Thursday. The tunnel, which is part of a hydro power plant under construction, […]
Georgian government meets EU commissioners May 21
President of the EU Commission José Manuel Barroso. (Europe Diplomatic Magazine.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government will meet with EU commissioners in Brussels on May 21. First Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani says this is the first time such a meeting is being held. “This is an unprecedented format in EU-Georgia relations, which […]
One more Georgian detained on disputed SO border
One of the signs warning about the disputed border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers on Sunday detained Otar Kokoshvili, 54, from the village Tamarasheni, near Kareli. He was taken to a detention facility in Tskhinvali, a central town in the breakaway region South Ossetia. According to his relatives, Kokoshvili […]
Seven more Georgians detained on disputed SO border
Four Georgians were released by South Ossetia, but seven more detained. This leaves nearly twenty people in detention in Tskhinvali. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards Monday detained seven more Georgians in villages bordering South Ossetia. The same day, four Georgians were released. This leaves nearly 20 Georgians who still remain in detention in Tskhinvali. The seven Georgians were detained […]
François Hollande arrives in Tbilisi on Tuesday
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) and French President François Hollande. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–French President François Hollande arrives in Georgia on Tuesday as part of his tour of the South Caucasus. Hollande’s trip takes place amid a crisis in Ukraine and is aimed at boosting the EU’s ties with the region, the French news agency AFP […]
Georgian president signs anti-discrimination law
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president has signed a new anti-discrimination law, and it has therefore come into force. The Georgian Orthodox Church was against the law because it in their opinion ‘legalizes homosexuality’, and wanted to remove ‘sexual […]
Suspect in brutal revenge attack placed in pre-trial detention
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man suspected of beating the brother of a former government official was Monday placed in pre-trial detention by Tbilisi City Court. Businessman Davit Kodia, brother of former police official Erekle Todua, was beaten a few days ago in Tbilisi while […]
Presidents of Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan meet in Tbilisi Tuesday
The National Library in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The presidents of Turkey and two South Caucasus countries will meet at the National Library in Tbilisi on Tuesday, to attend the 2014 Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey Summit. Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili is host for Turkey’s Abdullah Gül […]
Number of visitors to Georgia continues to grow
Also the number of tourists to Georgia is increasing. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New figures published by the Georgian Interior Ministry show that 390,685 people visited the country in April. This is 7.4 percent more than in the same period last year. In the first four months of the current year, 1,396,952 people visited […]
NATO’s Caucasus envoy visits Tbilisi tomorrow
James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO envoy James Appathurai will visit Georgia on Thursday. Appathurai, whose full title is NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, will meet with government members and the parliament, the Ministry […]
Youth groups in Georgia plan several rallies on May 1
Green Fist, one of the youth groups organizing rallies May 1. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Young people in Georgia plan to mark the International Worker’s Day, May 1, with rallies different places in the country. A rally will be held at Tbilisi State University at 14:00 by Young Social-Democrats, Georgia’s Young Greens, Georgia’s […]
Books brought to Georgia in WW2 to be returned to Germany
Germany offers to restore books kept at Tbilisi State University. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has decided to return books currently at Tbilisi State University that were brought here from Germany during World War II. Shalva Tadumadze, the government’s parliamentary secretary, explained […]
Work halted again at prehistoric mine in Georgia
Sakdrisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Work has been halted at the ancient Sakdrisi gold mine in southern Georgia, Interpressnews reports. The news agency quotes Irakli Lomidze, spokesperson for the Sakdrisi Survival Committee, who said the heavy machinery stopped Sunday night and did not […]
One more Georgian detained at disputed border
Ditsi, another village where people have been detained on the disputed border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One Georgian was detained Saturday by Russian soldiers near the border with South Ossetia. This is the fourth Georgian this happens to this week. Merab Kapanadze, 70, from the village Tseronisi, was detained while tending to his cattle […]
Georgian and South Ossetian youth kick off Balkan tour
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A bus with Georgian and South Ossetian youth was to start a tour of Turkey and the Balkans Saturday morning, Interpressnews reports. The trip, called Georgian – South Ossetian Youth Peace Express, will last 17 days and bring the youth by bus through […]
Three Georgians detained on South Ossetia border
The detainees are believed to be held in a Tskhinvali prison. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained three Georgian citizens in the village Khurvaleti for violating the border with South Ossetia. All three detainees – Rusudan Khuroshvili, Zeinab Kharkheli and Lali Khuroshvili – were taken to South Ossetia. […]
Steinmeier and Fabius visiting Georgia April 23-24
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The foreign ministers of Germany and France will visit Georgia on April 23-24. Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany and France’s Laurent Fabius were originally to have visited Georgia on March 3, but they both postponed due to events in Ukraine. […]
Georgian president: No preparations made for Putin meeting
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili says the proposal by Russia’s Vladimir Putin for a meeting has had no actual follow-up or preparations. At the opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics, the Russian president said that there is a possibility […]
69 prisoners released for Easter
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–69 prisoners were released from jail on Saturday, following a decision by local prison boards and the Prison Ministry’s pardon commission. Altogether, the bodies have reviewed the cases of about 770 prisoners in three days, according to the Prison […]
No news about release of Georgian TV crew held in South Ossetia
Vakho Lekiashvili (left) and Bela Zakaidze, two of the TV3 employees who are in detention in South Ossetia. (Interepressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–It is still unknown whether three Georgian journalists detained by South Ossetia will be released today. Neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor EUs Monitoring Mission have been informed about when they will be released. The Foreign Ministry […]
Germany’s Steinmeier to visit Georgia in late April
Germany Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. (Photo by SPD.) TBILISI, DFWatch–German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Georgia in about ten days. Steinmeier announced the trip after a meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze who visited him in Germany on Thursday. One of the topics they […]
Georgian FM Panjikidze is visiting Germany
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze today begins a working visit to Germany. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Panjikidze’s delegation will hold meetings with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Chancellor […]
New tuberculosis center to be opened in Tbilisi
Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is opening a new treatment center for tuberculosis in Tbilisi. The government is discussing the new clinic today. Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs , David Sergeenko, told reporters Thursday that the clinic, which will be located […]
Georgian parliament prepares to check safety of large facilities
Gia Tsagareishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is preparing to conduct impact assessments for many large factories and other facilities, built during the Soviet Union. Gia Tsagareishvili, head of parliament’s environmental committee, says many big installations have Soviet-era standards […]
Georgia marks 25 years since deadly clashes with Soviet troops
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani took part in planting of saplings in remembrance of the 21 who died during a demonstration for Georgian independence April 9, 1989. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of the Georgian government today planted saplings in the Ninth of April Garden in Tbilisi, comemmorating the deadly dispersal of protesters by Soviet troops 25 years ago today. In remembrance of the tragedy, cabinet members planted […]
Georgia appoints ambassadors to India, Slovenia, Kuwait
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has appointed new ambassadors to India, Slovenia, Vatican and Kuwait. From May 1, Georgia’s ambassador to Slovenia will be Zurab Bekaia, Tamar Grdzelidze will be ambassador to Vatican from June 1, 2014, Roland Beridze will be ambassador […]
Angela Merkel invites Georgia’s PM
Angela Merkel. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Germany’s Angela Merkel has invited Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili to Germany. Gharibashvili will visit Germany in the beginning of June. According to Davit Maghradze, advisor at the international relations department at the government […]
Georgian President Margvelashvili visiting Poland
Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili Wednesday began a two day visit to Poland. On the first day of his visit, Margvelashvili was to meet his Polish colleague, after which they were slated to hold a joint press conference. He will also meet with […]
76 prisoners released by parole board
Gldani prison in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–76 prisoners were released before the end of their sentence term today; two minors and one woman. The Prison Ministry’s local board of parole discussed the cases of about 900 prisoners who have served more than half of their sentence in cases […]
Two detainees in Zhvania case placed in pre-trial detention
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two men detained for negligence in connection with the death of former Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania were Sunday placed in pre-trial detention by Tbilisi City Court. Levan Chachua, who participated in the autopsy on Zhvania’s body in 2005, and Mikheil […]
NATO parliamentarians coming to Georgia next week
TBILISI, DFWatch–A delegation from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is coming to Georgia March 24-26. The NATO parliamentarians will be attending a round table discussion at the NATO office here. Another part of the visit is a meeting with their Georgian counterparts […]
France’s Hollande visiting Georgia May 13
President of France François Hollande. (Photo by Remi Jouan.) TBILISI, DFWatch–French President François Hollande will visit Georgia on May 13, the foreign minister of the host country said on Wednesday. Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said the schedule and other details of the visit are still being put together. […]
Former head of Georgia’s special police charged with fraud
Erekle Kodua, former head of the Special Operations Department. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has charged former Interior Ministry official Erekle Kodua with abuse of power and fraud. Erekle Kodua is former head of the Interior Ministry’s Special Operative Department (SOD). Investigators found that on August […]
Tbilisi does not recognize Crimea referendum
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi does not recognize the referendum in Crimea, according to a statement released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry Sunday evening. The statement says the referendum was conducted as a result of Russian pressure of armed forces and in violation […]
Former counterintelligence chief convicted in absentia
Data Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former Georgian counterintelligence chief who is currently wanted was today convicted in absentia for abuse of power. Data Akhalaia, whose whereabouts are unknown, was head of the Constitutional Security Department (CSD). He was on trial for […]
Abashidze-Karasin meeting postponed again
Zurab Abashidze (left), the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, and Gregory Karasin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The direct talks between Georgia and Russia have been postponed again. Zurab Abashidze, the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, and Gregory Karasin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia should have met on March 4-5, […]
French, German FMs postpone visits due to Ukraine crisis
Laurent Fabius (left) and Frank-Walter Steinmeier when they announced the trip in January. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The foreign ministers of France and Germany and an EU commissioner have postponed their visits to Georgia due to the latest developments in Ukraine. EU Commissioner Stefan Fule should have visited Georgia on Monday while Laurent Fabius and Frank […]
Tbilisi City Council March 7 makes last attempt to pass budget
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Council will hold a special session on March 7 to once more put the city’s 2014 budget bill to a vote. City Hall has sent a draft budget to the council for the fourth time, but the council failed to approve it. The capital has remained […]
Stefan Fule to visit Georgia March 3-4
EU Commissioner Stefan Fule (right) during a previous meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili in Brussels February 3, 2014. (Government photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU Commissioner Stefan Fule is planning a visit to Georgia next Monday and Tuesday. According to his press office, the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy will meet with President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister […]
Abashidze-Karasin meeting postponed until March 14
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian and Russian negotiators Zurab Abashidze and Gregory Karasin have postponed their planned meeting until March 14. Abashidze, the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations and Karasin, Russia’s […]
Bacho Akhalaia’s lawyer released on bail
Giorgi Oniani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has released the lawyer of a former defense minister against a 20 000 lari (USD 12 000) bail. Goga Oniani, a former high police official during Saakashvili who now is a lawyer representing the ex-minister Bacho Akhalaia, is charged […]
Bus drivers on strike in Batumi
Municipal bus drivers in Batumi have been on strike for five days. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Bus drivers in Batumi have been on strike for five days, demanding higher salary and the dismissal of the director of Batumi Autotransport Ltd. Two of the protesting drivers, Nugzar Gvianidze and Nika Sikharulidze, are on hunger strike and live […]
Georgia increases punishment for illegal surveillance
Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia wants to increase the punishment for engaging in illegal surveillance to seven years in jail. Presenting the draft bill on Thursday, Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze said that in past years, human rights were violated […]
Georgian gov’t gives new homes to refugees
Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–543 refugee families have been given apartments for one lari a piece from the government. Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze said on Thursday that the apartments are in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Mtskheta, Borjomi, Chiatura, Kutaisi, Tskaltubo and Batumi. […]
Azerbaijan and Georgia to cooperate about territories
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili (left), and President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. (Photo published by the Georgian president’s administration.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says Georgia and Azerbaijan support each other in territorial integrity issues. Both countries have lost control over parts of their territory to small de facto governments with little or no international […]
Georgian president to visit Azerbaijan
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili will visit Azerbaijan for the first time on February 12. Margvelashvili will meet with President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday. He will also meet with Azerbaijan’s prime minister and speaker of parliament. […]
NATO Military Committee visits Georgia Feb 11-12
TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Military Committee will visit Georgia on February 11-12. General Knud Bartels, Chairman of the Military Committee will chair the visit and it will be hosted by Vakhtang Kapanadze, Head of Georgia’s Joint Staff. February 11, the head of the […]
14% more visitors to Georgia in Jan ’14 than Jan ’13
Bazaleti Lake, one of the tourist destinations near Tbilisi. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 14.1 percent more visitors to Georgia in January 2014 than in the same month last year, according to the Interior Ministry. The ministry publishes monthly reports with statistics over the number of visitors, in categories defined by the purpose of the […]
Georgian president’s annual address postponed
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president’s annual address will be held either on February 19 or February 21, the speaker of parliament says. According to the Constitution of Georgia, the president must once a year visit parliament to present a report about important […]
Georgian PM meets EU’s enlargement commissioner
Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule. (Government photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s Brussels trip continued Monday with a meeting with EU Commissioner Stefan Fule. The two spoke about the ongoing reforms in Georgia and the country’s closer integration with Europe. Gharibashvili said […]
Gharibashvili visits Brussels February 3-5
Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili will visit Brussels February 3-5. He will meet with Commissioner for European Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. The Georgian prime […]
Fog caused delays and cancelations at Tbilisi airport
An Istanbul-Tbilisi flight was cancelled, and a plane already in the air returned to Istanbul. Several other flights were delayed today. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four flights were delayed at Tbilisi airport on Wednesday due to fog. A flight to Istanbul was delayed several hours. A plane arriving from Warsaw was unable to land at Tbilisi airport and instead landed in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city. […]
Circus worker dies after lion attack in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–The lion tamer who was attacked by a lion last Thursday has died in the hospital. The circus worker remained in intensive care, but doctors could not save him. The 23-year-old lion tamer was from a Ukrainian circus troupe and entered the cage to do […]
One man dies in coal mine in Georgia
A coal mine in Tkibuli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man has died in an apparent accident in a coal mine in Tkibuli, a town in Georgia’s mid-western Imereti region. Tariel Kasrashvili, a shift leader, died at 16:00 on Tuesday. He was transporting coal inside the Mindeli mine when he fell and died on […]
Iraqi medical student attacked in Kutaisi
The victim, a medical student from Iraq, was taken to a hospital in Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A student from Iraq was beaten in the Georgian city Kutaisi on Saturday. Local media writes that he was attack because of his origins. The student was brought to the hospital and will have to remain there for several more days. Unknown assailants […]
Georgian president pardons 54 prisoners
Prison No 8 in Gldani, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Sunday pardoned 54 prisoners. Two of them are minors, and one is a woman. The pardoning took palce in connection with Epiphany, a holiday usually celebrated on January 19. It is regular practice for the […]
US Congress approves USD 62 million aid to Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States will give more than USD 62 million in aid to Georgia in 2014. Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry says the extent of U.S. aid was decided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year of 2014, which was passed by the House […]
Venice Commission visiting Georgia Thursday
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president and the secretary of the Venice Commission will visit Georgia on January 16. Gianni Buquicchio and Thomas Markert will meet with Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili on Thursday and members of the constitution commission, which is […]
Georgia to launch Facebook page in Abkhazian language
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is preparing to start a Facebook page that will offer information about its activities in the Abkhazian language. Abkhazia is one of two Georgian breakaway regions under Russian control. The previous government also took steps […]
Russia-Georgia border crossing will be open 24 hours
Verkhniy Lars – Kazbegi is the only officially approved border crossing between Georgia and Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Checkpoint Lars, the only Russian border crossing with Georgia, will be open 24 hours from January 15. Kavkaz Uzel writes that a person working at the checkpoint says the checkpoint on the Georgian side, which is called Kazbegi, will also be open 24 […]
Georgian parliamentarians to visit Estonia Jan 13-15
Speaker of Parliament Davit Bakrardze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of Georgian parliamentarians will visit Estonia January 13-15. The delegation will be headed by the speaker of parliament and hold meetings with the Estonian president, speaker of parliament, prime minister and foreign minister, according to […]
One person a day detained at de facto border in 2014
TBILISI, DFWatch–14 persons have been detained by South Ossetia from December 31 to January 10 for violating the de facto border. Nine of the detainees were locals from South Ossetia, one was a Russian citizen and four were Georgian citizens. They were detained […]
Georgian president to visit Turkey January 20
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili will visit Turkey on January 20. According to the president’s administration, he has planned meetings with President Abdullah Gül in Ankara and also the prime minister and speaker of parliament. […]
Georgia says crime level dropped in 2013
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia says the overall crime level dropped by one fourth in 2013 compared to the preceding year, although the number of new criminal investigations grew by 40 percent. The Ministry of Internal Affairs’s latest crime statistics […]
Georgia sends delegation to Munich Security Conference
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will send a delegation to attend the 50th Munich Security Conference. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, it is decided that a delegation from Georgia will attend the conference, but it is still unknown who the members […]
Georgia’s new chief prosecutor to be announced soon
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Gharibashvili says he will name the new chief prosecutor in a few days. The former chief prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze resigned December 30 after the National Movement claimed an alleged robbery sentence from Germany in 2001 […]
Families get compensation for soldiers who died in war
TBILISI, DFWatch–From January 1, the closest family of soldiers who have died on duty will receive a monthly compensation of 500 lari (USD 300). An amendment was made in June last year to the law about state compensation and state academic scholarship and is now […]
Georgian ministry renamed from ‘reintegration’ to ‘reconciliation’
Paata Zakareishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Office of the State Minister for Reintegration from January 1 is called the Office of the State Minister of Reconciliation and Civil Equality Issues. According to the minister, Paata Zakareishvili, the name implies two areas: conflicts and […]
Tbilisi mayor plans to mortgage house to pay USD 30 000 bail
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava plans to mortgage his house in order to pay the bail money in a corruption case. Ugulava was last week suspended by Tbilisi City Court. The mayor is charged with embezzlement of Tbilisi City Hall money and using it to […]
Tbilisi mayor loses appeal
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A decision by the city court to suspend Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava pending a corruption trial has been upheld in the Appeals Court. Both the Prosecutor’s Office and Ugulava’s defense lawyers appealed the city court’s decision. The Prosecutor’s […]
Georgian PM to visit US in first half of 2014
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prime minister Irakli Gharibashvili plans to visit the US in the first half of 2014, according to the country’s foreign affairs minister. Maia Panjikidze announced the visit while summing up events the last year on Monday, but did not […]
Georgia becomes member of UNESCO committee
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has been elected as member of the Hague Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the election was held on December 17 at UNESCO headquarters during the 5th […]
Poll: 66% of Georgian want athletes to participate in Sochi
Downhill skier Nino Tsiklauri and three other Georgian athletes will take part in the Olympics. (ambebi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–66 percent of Georgians approve of the decision by the government that Georgian athletes will participate in the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, while 17 percent disapprove of this decision. 16 percent didn’t answer. In September 2013, 76 percent supported this […]
Georgian president pardons 75 prisoners
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili signed his first decree to pardon 75 prisoners on Wednesday. According to the head of the president’s administration Lasha Abashidze, 54 of the prisoners were released, 14 got their sentence reduced to half, while […]
Georgian PM on visit to Azerbaijan
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Monday began an official visit to neighboring Azerbaijan. Gharibashvili will meet President Ilham Aliyev, and December 17 participate in a conference about the financing of the second phase of Shah […]
Former Defense Ministry official detained
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Saturday detained a former official in the Defense Ministry and charged him with illegally owning and keeping a weapon. Alexandre Ninua, former head of the purchasing department at the ministry, was placed in pre-trial detention the same day. […]
Direct flights between Tbilisi and Sochi during Olympics
Tbilisi Airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Airways will offer direct flights between Tbilisi and the Olympic village Sochi from February 4, 2014, in connection with the upcoming Winter Games. There will be flights between Tbilisi and Sochi every Tuesday and Thursday until May. The […]
Former deputy prosecutor placed in pre-trial detention
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has placed a former deputy chief prosecutor in pre-trial detention. Davit Chkhatarashvili, the former deputy of former Chief Prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava, was December 7 detained and charged with organizing staged torture videos […]
23 % more visitors to Georgia in Jan-Nov
(Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–4 973 632 people visited Georgia in January-November, 2013 according to the Interior Ministry. This is 22.6 percent more than the same period last year, and 12.3 period more than the total number of visitors in 2012. The highest number of visitors […]
Ukrainian MP breaks off Georgia trip due to political crisis
TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukrainian opposition MP, Ruslan Koshulinski, who is deputy speaker of parliament, broke off his visit to Georgia due to the protests in Kyiv. Koshulinski visited Georgia in order to attend the sixth session of the parliamentary assembly of GUAM; […]
Georgian premier blasts former ruling party on RT
Irakli Gharibashvili, Georgia’s Prime Minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has strongly criticized the former ruling party, the National Movement, in an interview on Russia Today, the state-owned Russian television station. It’s a bit difficult to understand the opposition, they […]
Putin visiting Armenia
Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Yerevan today for the first time in five years. Russian media report that during his visit, Putin will meet with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan. There will also be held a Russia-Armenia regional […]
GUAM to meet in Tbilisi on Monday
Zurab Abashidze, Chairman of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives from the GUAM countries will meet in Tbilisi on Monday. The occasion is the sixth session of the Parliamentary Assembly of GUAM, a cooperation between Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova. Zurab Abashidze, chairman of the […]
One released from South Ossetian detention
A roadblock at the de facto border at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian man has been released from a holding facility in South Ossetia after first being detained two days ago for trespassing. Malkhaz Vanishvili, 24, from the village Khurvaleti near the de facto border, was detained together with Gocha Makishvili. […]
Georgia-Switzerland visa treaty comes into effect from Jan 1
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new agreement between Georgia and Switzerland about simplified visa rules will come into force on January 1, 2014. According to the Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the two countries have completed all the procedures related to the agreement […]
Georgian wine to be served at EU summit in Vilnius
Georgian wine will be served to guests at the EU summit in Vilnius this weekend. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian wine will be served during the summit of the EU’s Eastern Partnership in Vilnius November 28-29, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirms. The event will be held at the exhibition hall Litexpo in Vilnius and will be attended by representatives […]
Ivanishvili awarded the Supreme Order of Justice
Ex Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (right) received the Supreme Order of Justice. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili has been awarded the Supreme Order of Justice. The award is given once a year by the World Jurist Association (WJA) to a person and one cleric for their work for peace and justice. WJA President […]
UNESCO marks anniversary of Georgian poet Tsereteli
Akaki Tsereteli. TBILISI, DFWatch–UNESCO has placed the 100 year anniversary of the death of Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli on a list of important events in 2014-2015. Tsereteli was born in 1840 and died in 1915 and is considered the best Georgian poet in this period. He also was […]
40 000 households without electricity in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–40 000 households in Georgia are without electricity due to bad weather. According to Energo-Pro Georgia, which distributes electricity to consumers, 50 000 households have been without electricity since morning, but power supply to 10 000 of them has now been restored. […]
Railway strike called off in Georgia
The railway workers achieved a signed deal with Georgian Railway and have called off the strike. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two thousand railway workers in Georgia ended their strike yesterday, after successful negotiations with the company. Talks between workers and the Georgian Railway management board lasted for six hours and all three demands the workers brought with […]
Suspected police attacker let out on bail
TBILISI, DFWatch–A man suspected of injuring a policeman in Zugdidi, a town in western Georgia, was released on Thursday on a 2 000 lari (USD 1200) bail. Zugdidi City Court satisfied the appeal by the Prosecutor’s Office to release the suspect on bail. The suspect will have […]
Relatives rally in support of man who cut off policeman’s ear
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A protest was held Wednesday in Zugdidi, in western Georgia, by relatives of a man detained for injuring a policeman a few days ago. Their demand was to have him released. But the suspect surrendered to the police and admitted having injured […]
Policeman found naked in a pool of blood after rape attempt
TBILISI, DFWatch–A policeman was brutally attacked in western Georgia Tuesday, after locals accused him of having raped a woman. Local media reported that the policeman was found naked, with a broken leg, and in a pool of blood near the presidential residence in […]
Georgia’s leaders to meet aboard U.S. Navy ship
USS Mount Whitney. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five days before the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president, he and other members of the current government will join outgoing president Mikheil Saakashvili for an event aboard a U.S. naval ship docked in Batumi. Also outgoing Prime […]
Guests from thirty countries to attend Georgian inauguration
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is expecting representatives of 30 countries to attend the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president on November 17. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said Monday that among the guests will be two or three presidents, speakers […]
85 refugee families to receive apartments in Tbilisi
Refugees demonstrating in 2012. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Refugees will provide 85 refugee families with apartments on Monday. The apartments, which are located on Kvareli Street in Tbilisi, were distributed to families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by use of secret ballot, […]
Georgian and French defense ministers discussed cooperation
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (left) and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Irakli Alasania Friday met with his French colleague Jean-Yves Le Drian at the French Defense Ministry. They discussed military-industrial cooperation between Georgia and France and future plans. Alasania said they discussed […]
Campaigner beaten in the head with brick on Election Day
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police are investigating an attack on the head of the campaign office for Georgian Dream candidate Giorgi Margvelashvili in Sagarejo, in eastern Georgia, in the evening of Election Day. Ivane Kvrivishvili was attacked by members of the Georgian Dream […]
Saakashvili pardons one more former official
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has pardoned one more person convicted in the so-called prison riot case and awarded him with Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali of the first class. Revaz Charbadze, a former chairman of the purchasing department of the Defense […]
Georgia wants to hold presentation of wine at Vilnius summit
Georgian wine. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia wants to hold a presentation of wine during the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius later this month. Representatives of the Foreign Affairs Ministry explain that Georgia is in negotiations with the organizers about holding a […]
Ship sinks in Aegean Sea – five Georgians rescued
Coastal freighter Stella. (MaritimeTraffic.com.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A ship with Georgian crew Saturday went down in the Aegean Sea. Five of the crew members were rescued, but the captain is missing and a search is underway. According to Maritime Bulletin, the small freighter Stella had a crew of six when it sank for […]
Georgia elected member of ECOSOC
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has been accepted as member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the country is elected as member for a period from 2014 to 2016. The election for new ECOSOC members was held […]
United States congratulates Georgia on election
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States has congratulated the Georgian people on holding a peaceful presidential election. A statement published on the State Department website says the presidential election on October 27 was an important step for Georgia’s democratic […]
Margvelashvili won among Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan
Giorgi Margvelashvili from Georgian Dream won a majority of votes also among Georgian ISAF-soldiers in Afghanistan. (CEC.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream candidate Giorgi Margvelashvili received most votes among Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan. Margvelashvili won over Davit Bakradze, from the National Movement, at two election precincts for Georgian soldiers serving in the NATO-led […]
Exit polls show Georgian Dream winning in first round
Two exit polls show that Georgian Dream candidate Giorgi Margvelashvili has won the presidential election. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate Giorgi Margvelashvili is predicted to win Georgia’s presidential election in the first round. Two exit polls show Margvelashvili winning clearly. According to an exit poll by the German company GFK on the order of […]
Low voter turnout, but election’s legitimacy not in question
At 3 pm Sunday voter turnout was 32%, 13 less than last year. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite low turnout, the legitimacy of today’s election is not in question, says Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC). By 15:00, 32 percent had voted. In 2012’s parliamentary election, the turnout at 15:00 was 45 percent. A spokesperson for […]
Voter turnout at noon highest in Racha and Guria
Frontrunner Giorgi Margvelashvili from Georgian Dream. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At noon, voter turnout in Georgia’s presidential election was highest in the Racha region (29%) in the mid north part of the country and in Guria (24%) in the south west. Overall turnout at noon was 17 %, as just over 600 000 out of 3.5 million who are […]
Over a thousand foreign observers for Georgia’s election
Voters waiting in line in last year’s parliamentary election. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–60 local and 65 international organizations will observe Sunday’s presidential election. The Central Election Commission published information about the observers on Saturday, after finishing the process of registration of organizations and media. […]
NATO envoy compliments Georgian defense minister
James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO envoy James Appathurai compliments Georgia’s defense minister in a Facebook update after meeting him on Thursday. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania participated in NATO’s ISAF meeting on Thursday at NATO headquarters. After the meeting, he met […]
Poll shows Georgia’s election heading for a second round
TBILISI, DFWatch–According to a new survey conducted by the American company Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research, 43 percent would vote for the Georgian Dream candidate Giorgi Marvelashvili, while 23 percent would vote for the National Movement party’s Davit […]
Georgian Dream gets 58% in new poll
Giorgi Margvelashvili, Georgian Dream candidate for president. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–According to a survey conducted by Research and Consult Center Psiqo Proeqti, 57.6 percent support the Georgian Dream coalition candidate for president, Giorgi Margvelashvili, while 11.8 percent support Davit Bakradze, the National Movement candidate. […]
Council of Europe elections observers arrive in Georgia Friday
TBILISI, DFWatch–A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will arrive in Georgia October 25 for a three day visit to observe the presidential election. Until Election Day, October 27, the 26 delegation members will meet with the […]
A sixth depot of undistributed refugee supplies discovered
(Refugee Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Refugee Ministry says there has been discovered a sixth depot where equipment, home appliances and various supplies for refugees has been kept since 2008. The humanitarian goods were this time discovered in Bolnisi. The goods should have been […]
Number of charged and convicted fell 59% in Q3
TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of people charged with or convicted of a crime has been reduced by 59.3 percent in the third quarter of 2013, compared to the same period last year, according to the Prison Ministry. The number of people charged or placed in jail […]
Georgian soldiers cast their vote in Afghanistan
(Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian soldiers serving in the NATO-led ISAF mission have voted at two precincts in Afghanistan. Usually, elections are held in Afghanistan a few days before Election Day, which this year is October 27 for Georgia and for all the other voting […]
Georgia’s foreign trade was stable Jan-Sept 2013
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January to September fell by 0.1 percent, compared to the same period last year. The total amount of turnover in the first ten months this year was USD 7 585 million. USD 2 019 million out of this was export, which […]
NATO envoy met Georgian Euro-integration minister
James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Alexi Petriashvili, Minister for Euro and Euro-Atlantic integration, yesterday met with NATO envoy James Appathurai, who recounted the meeting on his official Facebook page. “He made a clear, realistic and convincing case for why, if/when the upcoming […]
Strasbourg to announce ruling in Georgia vs Russia next year
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg next year will announce its ruling in a case Georgia has lodged against Russia concerning the deportation of Georgian citizens from Russia seven years ago. This was conveyed in a message from the […]
Georgia preparing Interpol search for jihad video suspect
TBILISI, DFWatch–Interior Minister informs that very soon Interpol will issue a red alert for the search for the man suspected of uploading two videos to Youtube threatening jihad against Georgia. The ministry is preparing the necessary documentation to send […]
Tbilisi City Hall to buy apples from conflict zone
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall plans to purchase apples from villages close to the Russian-controlled territories. The plan is the initiative of the Mayor of Tbilisi, and the goal is to help people living in the conflict zone who otherwise would be left without an income […]
Georgian fruit and vegetables to be exported to Russia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia will allow export of Georgian fruit and vegetables to its market. Shalva Pipia, Minister of Agriculture, said Thursday that a document has been signed by the parties which lifts all restrictions on Georgian export of nuts, grapes, apple, pea, […]
Farmers demand payment for wine grapes
TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 100 farmers demand to be paid for grapes they delivered to the wine maker Shildi. Two days ago, the farmers rallied outside the plant demanding their payment immediately. They told journalists that many of them should be paid thousands […]
Two tourists found after rescue operation
Two Israeli tourists who got lost in the mountains have been rescued. (police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rescue workers have recovered two tourists from Israel who were lost for two days in a mountainous part of Georgia. According to the Interior Ministry, the tourists were discovered in Mestia, Svaneti. They left from the village Janbeshi toward the village […]
Poti port closed due to storm
Poti. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four a fourth day, the port in Poti on the Black Sea has been closed for ships due to a storm. According to local media, the unloading of ships has been in progress for the last few days, but fifteen ships which should have arrived have been turned […]
15% more visitors to Georgia in September
TBILISI, DFWatch–15.1 percent more visitors came to Georgia in September 2013 compared to same period last year. According to Interior Ministry, 507 082 persons visited the country in September, while 4 075 600 visitors came to Georgia in the first nine months of the […]
Saakashvili pardons 18 000 probationers
People queued outside the president’s palace to apply for a pardon. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Saakashvili has pardoned about 18 000 people on probation or already finished serving their sentence. The president signed a decree which has been sent to the appropriate bodies in order to be enforced. Andro Barnovi, head of the […]
Plan to bar Georgians from leaving country put on hold
TBILISI, DFWatch–Lawmakers in Georgia have retracted a bill to make it possible for authorities to bar Georgians from leaving the country without specifying the reason. MPs Irine Imerlishvili and Zurab Abashidze said they were revoking the bill in order to improve it, […]
Georgia’s economy grew 1.1 percent in August – estimate
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s estimated real GDP growth rate amounted to 1.1 percent in August 2013. For the first eight months of 2013, the same figure was 1.6 percent, according to Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat. GeoStat’s monthly rapid estimates […]
53 election precincts abroad for Georgian election
TBILISI, DFWatch–53 election precincts will be open at locations abroad for Georgians there who want to vote in the presidential election on October 27. According to the Central Election Commission, the highest number of precincts will be in Greece […]
Protesters set up wire block outside Ivanishvili’s house
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The organization Droa protested outside Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s business center Monday evening, installing barbed wires at the entrance. Police prohibited them from blocking the road with wires, so they placed them on the side walk. […]
76 prisoners released early
TBILISI, DFWatch–67 prisoners were released on Saturday on recommendation of the commission for early release, according to the Prison Ministry. 14 of the released prisoners are women. The ministry says the commission has reviewed about 300 cases and […]
Russian helicopter spotted over border village
TBILISI, DFWatch–A military helicopter was seen Friday flying over the village Dvani, where Russian soldiers are reinforcing the de facto border with barbed wire blocks and fences. The allegedly Russian military helicopter was filmed on video. The Ministry of Interior […]
Saakashvili met Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Anders Fogh Rasmussen and President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili met with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in New York, within the frames of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the president’s press office, Saakashvili spoke with Rasmussen […]
70% increase in administrative fines
TBILISI, DFWatch–Fines issued by the police for administrative violations have increased by 70 percent in the first six months of 2013 compared to last year. According to the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), which obtained official data […]
Two attempts to bring drugs into prison
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prison Ministry employees in Georgia have disrupted two attempts to bring drugs into a prison in Tbilisi. According to the ministry, the father of a prison came to Prison No 8 with a parcel. When the prison employees opened the parcel, there was […]
Georgia extends maternity leave
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is extending maternity leave and increasing the amount of paid leave. Parliament Wednesday began a fast-track review of the new bill, which will amend the labor code; an initiative of the healthcare committee. With the new […]
Obama had brief meeting with Saakashvili
US President Barack Obama and President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. (Photo from Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) (Comments from Saakashvili added.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili Monday met with President Barack Obama in New York. The brief conversation too place at a civil society event in connection with the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. […]
Saakashvili visits the US
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has left for the US to go on a working visit and deliver a speech at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The president will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of different countries, […]
Suspect in Batumi shooting wanted for diplomat’s murder in Abkhazia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian citizen who was detained for shooting a cop in Batumi is suspected of murdering a Russian diplomat in Abkhazia on September 9. According to Russian channel NTV, Yusuf Lakayev is suspected of murdering the Russian envoy to the breakaway […]
Bomb hoax update: two schools and a bank evacuated
TBILISI, DFWatch–Wednesday there were two more false bomb reports in Georgia. The target of one of the hoax calls was the central office of Bank of Georgia. No bomb was discovered. An adult was apprehended and may be risking up to three years in jail. The other […]
Olympic Committee lists Abkhazia and South Ossetia as countries
TBILISI, DFWatch–The public broadcaster in Georgia on Tuesday reported that the Russian Olympic Committee has listed Abkhazia and South Ossetia as separate countries to take part in the winter Olympics in Sochi in February. “This is very unpleasant precedent and we […]
OSCE’s Krivokapic visiting Georgia
Ranko Krivokapic. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE, Ranko Krivokapic, is visiting Georgia for three days, starting Monday. Krivokapic, who is also the Speaker of Parliament in Montenegro, will hold meetings with government officials and members of […]
Switzerland signs visa agreement with Georgia
Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter. (Panjikidze’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Switzerland has signed an agreement about simplifying procedures for the issuing of visas between the two countries. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze signed the agreement during a visit to her Swiss colleague Didier Burkhalter, according […]
Georgia’s CEC selects new chair
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission in Georgia Wednesday chose Tamar Zhvania as new chair. Zhvania previously worked on election issues at UNDP. She received the votes of all six of the commission members. President Mikheil Saakashvili on Monday […]
Zourabichvili loses appeal
Salome Zourabichvili (right). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia Tuesday upheld a decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to not allow Salome Zourabichvili to register as a presidential candidate. Zourabichvili earlier lost an appeal in Tbilisi City Court. The CEC’s decision, […]
54 through first hurdle ahead of presidential election in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–54 persons are through the first hurdle in the upcoming presidential election in Georgia as the deadline to register as a candidate expired on Friday. Among applicants are Giorgi Margvelashvili, the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate, and Davit Bakradze, […]
Parliament evacuated after another bomb threat
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament building in Kutaisi was evacuated Friday due to a bomb threat. Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili appealed to lawmakers to leave the building, despite the fact that a bomb threat earlier this year turned out to […]
Georgia’s Ivanishvili visiting Latvia
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is visiting Latvia for two days, starting Friday. The visit begins with a meeting with Andris Bērziņš, President of Latvia, and Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis. Ivanishvili will also meet with the speaker of […]
Georgia and Russia to meet in Prague in mid September
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Russia plan another round of direct talks in Prague in the middle of September. The Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, Zurab Abashidze, told journalists on Tuesday that the details of the meeting are […]
Georgia to brief its diplomatic corps about foreign policy
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Ministry is holding a conference for its diplomats. Maia Panjikidze, Foreign Affairs Minister, opened the conference in Tbililsi Monday. Prime Minister Ivanishvili and other government representatives will also attend the meeting, […]
Georgia lacks ambassador to 7 countries, Saakashvili hasn’t signed
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is without ambassador in seven countries, because the president has failed to sign their confirmation. Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze said on Saturday that President Mikheil Saakashvili still hasn’t signed the document to confirm […]
Compromise about minaret will create new inter-religious council
“Give us freedom of faith” says this poster. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Agreement was reached by Muslim and Christian leaders in Georgia on Thursday about what to do with a minaret which was removed from a mosque earlier in the week. The Georgian Orthodox Church — the Patriarchate — and the organizations Muslims of […]
Three Georgians released from Tskhinvali detention
Tsitelubani. (tv1.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgians were released on Wednesday by Russian soldiers in South Ossetia, a Georgian breakaway region. Irakli Merebashvili, and the couple Nana Vanishvili, Alexandre Tsertsvadze and their teenage child were detained on August 22 in the village […]
Georgia releases 429 prisoners who were pardoned
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–429 prisoners were released on Wednesday in connection with the Georgian religious holiday Mariamoba. August 28, Georgia celebrates the assumption of Mary, known as Mariamoba. In connection with the holiday, the president customarily pardons […]
EU concerned about Putin’s Abkhazia visit
De facto president Alexandre Ankvab (left) and Russian president Vladimer Putin. (Kremlin photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union Delegation to Georgia expresses concern about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia. The EU delegation on Tuesday issued a statement saying that it recalls that the EU doesn’t […]
Olympic Committee chairman released on bail
TBILISI, DFWatch–The former head of Georgia’s National Olympic Committee and the founder of Artesi Ltd were released on 200 000 lari (USD 120 000) bail each and will have 30 days to pay the bail. The Prosecutor’s Office asked for 300 000 bail for each of them. 16 […]
217 prisoners in Georgia recommended for pardoning
Elene Tevdoradze, head of the pardon commission. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The pardon commission on Friday reviewed the cases of 500 prisoners. 217 were given a positive recommendation. The commission received recommendations from the president, who has the right to pardon prisoners independently or based on the […]
New mosque planned in Kakheti, eastern Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A mosque is going to be built in a village in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region. Badrudin Ibragimov, Chairman of National-Cultural Autonomy of Avar in South Caucasus, told Intepressnews that at the moment, the project is acquiring all the necessary […]
Georgian soldier dies in apparent suicide
Giorgi Mebonia. TBILISI, DFWatch–A recruit has died at a Georgian military air base near the capital Tbilisi. According to the ministry, the incident happened on Wednesday at a checkpoint while he was on duty. The body of the deceased, Giorgi Mebonia, has been taken to the National […]
Armed robbery in Bank of Georgia branch in downtown Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Bank of Georgia was subject to an armed robbery in downtown Tbilisi late on Wednesday. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was tight-lipped about the details, beyond noting that an investigation has been launched and criminal experts are studying the […]
Georgia improves listing on failed states index
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is in 55th place of 178 countries on the Failed States Index for 2013. This is a slight improvement position compared to previous years. On top of the list are Somalia, Congo, Sudan and South Sudan. The least failed countries are Finland, […]
Okruashvili detained at Nice airport after scuffle
Irakli Okruashvili in Tbilisi, January 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili was Saturday briefly detained by French police after a scuffle with another Georgian politician, former MP Merab Samadashvili. The scuffle took place at Nice airport. Okruashvili was later released by airport police. […]
Three prisoners on hunger strike in Ksani prison
TBILISI, DFWatch–Three prisoners are on a hunger strike at Ksani prison. The Prison Ministry said Monday that August 1 one of its prisoners, a man called Kakha, had sewed his eyelids shut as a sign of protest, as he perceives himself as innocent and demands to […]
Six Georgians remain in detention in Tskhinvali
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Russian soldiers have detained one more Georgian citizen in a village close to the breakaway region South Ossetia. Locals say Mikheil Khurievi, 63, was in the village Tsitelubani on Georgian-controlled territory when Russian soldiers approached him. […]
Polish climbers rescued after being trapped for three days
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Emergency workers in Georgia have saved four Polish climbers who have been trapped for three days atop one of the highest mountains in the Caucasus. The four became trapped on top of the mountain Shkara after one of them fell down when […]
Iran’s consul offers Georgia assistance in murder case
TBILISI, DFWatch–Iran’s consul in Georgia Ahmad-Reza Arzjani says the suspect in murder of a 16-year-old girl in Batumi Juy 22 has been in Turkey for the last two years. Mariam Kochalidze, 16, was murdered near the beach in Batumi, a Black Sea holiday resort and one […]
Four Polish climbers trapped in the Caucasus mountains
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of Polish climbers are requesting help after four of them got stuck in the Caucasus mountains. One of the trapped climbers fell after a rope broke. He did not break any bones, but is having problems moving. Giorgi Dzagnide, head of the Interior […]
One man detained for parliament bomb scare
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police detained Omar, 71, on suspicion of being behind a false bomb threat at the parliament building in Kutaisi. Thursday parliament building was evacuated to allow law enforcers to conduct a bomb search. It later turned out that the report […]
One Georgian released by South Ossetia
(Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia has released Guram Gigineishvili, a Georgian who was detained five days ago in a village bordering on Russian-controlled territory. Russian soldiers detained Guram Gigineishvili in the village Bershueti while he was working in […]
Margvelashvili picks replacement ahead of presidential run
Minister of Education Giorgi Margvelashvili (left), and his deputy Tamar Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of Education Giorgi Margvelashvili has picked his own replacement, as he prepares for the race to be Georgia’s next president. The Georgian Dream coalition chose Margvelashvili as its candidate in the upcoming election, and although Georgian […]
Ivanishvili will visit Lithuania and Poland July 18-19
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will visit Lithuania and Poland July 18-19. Davit Zalkaliani, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, said on Monday’s briefing that Georgia sees visit to Lithuania to be important as it has recently taken […]
Second detention this week near de facto border
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained one more Georgian citizen and taken him to Tskhinvali, the capital of the de facto breakaway region South Ossetia. Witnesses claim that the detainee, Guram Gigineishvili, 49, was working in the cornfield in the village […]
Another Georgian detained at de facto border
The village Sakorintlo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border soldiers a few days ago detained another Georgian citizen and brought him to Tskhinvali where he was placed in preliminary detention. The detainee Zurab Salamashvili, 52, from the village Sakorintlo has been in a detention for three […]
Štefan Füle to visit Georgia July 11-12
Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, will visit Georgia July 11-12. Davit Jalaghania, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, said at a briefing Monday that the visit is planned to be held in Batumi, a city […]
Hunger strike over in Georgian women’s prison
Eka Beselia, chair of the parliamentary committee on human rights. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The hunger strike at Rustavi women’s prison is over. Prisoners of No 5 prison facility in Rustavi, a town 20 km south of the capital, had been on hunger strike for two days demanding to get their sentences reduced. Wednesday, Eka Beselia, chair […]
Hunger strike breaks out in Georgian women’s prison
TBILISI, DFWatch–About 80 prisoners at the women’s prison in Rustavi have gone on hunger strike demanding to get their sentences reduced. According to the administration of prison No 5 in Rustavi, 20 km away from the capital, the prisoners have no complaints against […]
Heavy rain flooding the streets of Tbilisi
The rain flooded streets and first floors in Tbilisi. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain hit the Georgian capital Thursday evening with hail in some of districts. Rain flooded the first floors of houses and underground pedestrian tunnels. In some districts of Tbilisi there was a short hailstorm. Interpressnews reports that […]
Israel and Georgia considering visa free travel
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili (left), and Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo published on Ivanishvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says Israel and Georgia may enter an agreement about visa free travel. Ivanishvili said this after meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. He said that they also discussed establishing […]
NATO tops visit Georgia
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and other NATO tops arrive in Georgia Wednesday for high level talks. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO’s highest political body, the North Atlantic Council, will visit Georgia June 26-27. The delegation, which is headed by Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, have planned meetings with President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Bidzina […]
Georgia’s GDP in Q1 was USD 3.5 billion
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s GDP in the first quarter of 2013 was 5 782.8 million GEL (USD 3 500 million), which is 2.4 percent more than same period last year. According to Georgia’s National Statistics Department, industry has the largest share for GDP figures […]
Council of Europe will discuss the ‘deteriorating situation’ in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–PACE will discuss the ‘deteriorating situation in Georgia’ during a session which opens Monday, June 24 and lasts until June 28. Georgia is on today’s agenda under the headline ‘changes in the membership of committees’. The name of the topic […]
Russian border guards detain Georgian near South Ossetia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards have detained two more locals on the de facto border with South Ossetia while several people detained during the last few weeks still remain in detention. According to locals, armed Russian border guards took Zaza Khidasheli […]
Russia detains a man on border with Abkhazia
The bridge across the river Enguri with border post. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards Sunday detained a Georgian citizen near the administrative border around Abkhazia. A reporter for Interpressnews said Russian border guards took Tengiz Kurua from the village Orsantia, Zugdidi. Kurua was walking along the […]
Two Georgians released by South Ossetia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian father and son who were detained by Russian soldiers close to the so-called administrative border with South Ossetia a few days ago were were released on Monday. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, Avtandil and Kakhi Khaduri, […]
Georgian’s foreign minister visits the US
TBILISI, DFWatch–Maya Pankikidze, Foreign Affairs Minister of Georgia, is on a visit to the United States and will today attend a reception in Washington organized by the Georgian embassy to mark Independence Day of Georgia. She will also meet with Miriam Sapiro, […]
NATO week in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will mark NATO week from 3 to 10th June. It will be opened by NATO envoy James Appathurai and the minister for Euro Atlantic integration. Elene Gotsadze, director of the information center for NATO and EU, said Friday that James Appathurai, […]
Zestaponi strike over, most demands accepted
TBILISI, DFWatch–1 600 workers at the Ferro plant in Zestaponi called off their strike Friday. The strike lasted more than a week, and paralyzed the plant which accounts for 12% of Georgia’s national export. Management agreed to enter into negotiations and finally […]
Georgian metal workers still on strike
The metal works plant in Zestaponi accounts for 12 percent of Georgia’s export. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the largest factories in Georgia is still paralyzed by a now week-long strike by hundreds of workers who demand higher salaries, better social conditions, collective contracts and compensation for night shifts. A group of students have joined […]
PACE’s Mignon visits Georgia on Tuesday
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of PACE will arrive in Georgia May 28 for a two-day visit. Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, is on a regional tour and comes to Georgia after finishing his visit to Azerbaijan. He […]
Two more charged with May 17 violence
Police line on May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two more persons have been charged with violence on May 17, when a rally against homophobia was disrupted by a crowd of thousands of people encouraged by Orthodox clerics. The clashes led to almost 30 people being injured. The Interior Ministry […]
Georgia charges two Orthodox clerics after anti-gay violence
A scene from May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia says it is charging two high-ranking clerics who work for the country’s Orthodox church. (Article has been corrected.) The police is pressing charges against the archimandrite of Sameba cathedral, Father […]
Strike continues at Georgian metalworks plant
Steel workers in Zestaponi are still on strike. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds workers of Georgia’s large ferroalloy plant in Zestaponi are continuing their strike and do not plan to give up until their demands are met. Three workers have decided to end their hunger strike after consultations with the head […]
Metalworks plant in Georgia paralyzed by strike
The ferroalloy plant in Zestaponi produces 12 percent of Georgia’s national export. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Metal workers in Zestaponi in western Georgia are on strike and have paralyzed the functioning of a plant which is responsible for 12 percent of Georgia’s export. The operation of the Zestaponi ferroalloy plant was suspended almost all of Monday. […]
Hammarberg: Hard to explain how May 17 could happen
Thomas Hammarberg. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Thomas Hammarberg says it will be difficult to explain to Europe how the May 17 violence could occur in a democratic country such as Georgia. Christian Orthodox activists last Friday used violence to disrupt a planned peaceful event to mark […]
Calls for a truth and justice commission
Victims and activists ask parliament to create a commission to study the crimes of the Saakashvili regime. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former political prisoners on Sunday held people’s congress at Sport’s Palace in Tbilisi in order to demand the restoration of justice and put the Saakashvili regime on trial. The congress decided to set up a people’s movement with the same […]
Suspect in sex tape leak out on bail and fired
Deputy Interior Minister Gela Khvedelidze is free on bail. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Gela Khvedelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister accused of leaking a sex tape, is free on USD 3 000 bail and has been removed from his position. Khvedelidze was detained a few days ago for publishing a video with intimate scenes between three people. Wednesday Tbilisi […]
Georgia preparing second investigation into the 2008 war
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of eight persons will study crimes commited during and after the Russia-Georgia war in August, 2008. Following a decision by Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili, representatives of three bodies will sit in the investigative group and study […]
21 percent more visitors to Georgia in April
Tbilisi international airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–21 percent more foreigners visited Georgia in April 2013 than in the same month the year before. In the first five months of the year as a whole, 32 percent more foreigners visited the country, compared to the preceding year. These figures […]
OSCE delegation held closed door meetings
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentarians from the coalition of Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and the National Movement (UNM) party of President Saakashvili on Tuesday met with a delegation from the OSCE to discuss current events in Georgia, foreign policy and other […]
Saakashvili and Aliyev discussed Kars-Akhalkalaki railway
Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili (center left) and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili discussed the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan. The heads of state of the two neighboring countries underlined that the construction of […]