News
Georgia confirms arrest of four linked to IS
Levan Izoria. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian intelligence service Tuesday confirmed the arrest of four persons for links to Islamic State. Levan Izoria, Deputy Head of the State Security Service, said at a briefing that the four openly support the ideology of the terrorist organization known as ISIS. […]
Road Department warns: Slippery roads in north of Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Road Department in Georgia warns that there are traffic restrictions in mountainous areas. Due to frost, trailers, semi-trailers and other vehicles with more than 30 seats are asked to use snow chains from the 80km to 136km section […]
TV channel reports four detained in Georgia for links to Islamic State
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian TV channel reported Sunday that special forces had arrested a person in the west of the country for allegedly being affiliated with Islamic State. The TV channel also reported that a further three persons were arrested a day before the special […]
Flood prevention work begins in Tbilisi hills to prevent new disaster
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall has begun clean-up work on the Tskneti-Betania road close to the capital, which was the origin of a landslide that caused a flood wave in Tbilisi in June, 2015. City Hall said on Saturday that experts have finished examining […]
Radicalisation in the South Caucasus
Photo by Onnik James Krikorian Children jump over puddles on the pock-marked street outside the mosque in Duisi, a small village situated in Georgia’s scenic Pankisi Valley. Inhabited by 8,000 ethnic Kists, a minority group related to the Chechens of the North Caucasus, Pankisi is also home to refugees from Chechnya […]
South Ossetia field meeting ends in feast
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives of Georgia and the breakaway region South Ossetia met on Thursday for a regular field meeting, ending it with a feast. The meetings of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms have been held regularly since […]
Eleven detained in Georgia for attempting to jump Turkish border
The Georgia-Turkey border crossing at Sarpi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian border police arrested nine Bangladeshi and two Turkish citizens on Thursday for illegally trying to cross the border with Turkey. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that the group was attempting to cross the border in an area near Akhaltsikhe, […]
Jehovah’s Witnesses house in Tbilisi fired at
Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation house being built in Terjola, one of several places the religious community have met resistance from locals. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A house used by Jehovah’s Witnesses was fired at in Tbilisi on Monday night. Witnesses say they heard sounds of shots at about 23:00. At least 15 bullets were fired at the building. No-one was injured. Representatives of the Kingdom Hall […]
Opposition party calls off hunger strike against election fraud
Irma Inashvili. (Obieqviti.net) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists from a Georgian opposition party which claimed a recent election was falsified called off their 16-day hunger strike on Tuesday after meeting with parliamentarians. Irma Inashvili, the Alliance of Patriots’ candidate for parliament in in October’s by-election […]
479 foreigners barred from entering Georgia since Paris attacks
Sarpi border crossing. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In the ten days that have passed since the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, law enforcers in Georgia have prevented 479 foreigners from entering the country. One Georgian citizen and 31 foreign citizens have been detained for […]
ISIS threatens Georgia in new video
Nino Giorgobiani, spokeswoman for the State Security Service. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The terror group ISIS threatened Georgia in a video appeal on Sunday recorded in the Georgian language with Russian subtitles. The intelligence service is examining the clip but have not yet made detailed comments. Local media have researched […]
Russian border guards detain three on South Ossetia perimeter
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three people were detained by Russian soldiers on Monday in a village near the disputed border with South Ossetia. Locals in the village Adzvi told the television channel Imedi that the three were planning to go to a church which lies near […]
Suspected ISIS fighter arrested in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was arrested in Georgia Saturday suspected of being connected with ISIS. Davit Borchashvili was arrested as he arrived at Tbilisi airport after having been extradited from Turkey. After his arrest, he was sent to hospital where he is currently receiving […]
Traffic restrictions many places in Georgia due to heavy snowfall
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Road Department has established restrictions on road throughout the country due to heavy snowfall that started Saturday morning. From 188km to 198km of Zugdidi-Jvari-Mestia-Lasdili road in Svaneti and 142km to 157km of the […]
Georgian opera singer considers going into politics
Paata Burchuladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A famous Georgian opera singer and philanthropist is considering going into politics as less than a year remains until the parliamentary election. Paata Burchuladze, a world-renowned operatic bass and in Georgia also known […]
Russia considering visa liberalization for Georgian citizens
Zurab Abashidze (left) and Grigory Karasin. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Russia are considering simplifying visa rules. This became clear as diplomats from the two countries met in Prague on Thursday to discuss transport, communication and humanitarian issues. During the regular Prague meeting, […]
Two miners injured in Chiatura, Georgia
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two mine workers were injured Thursday as result of an accident at a manganese mine in Chiatura, a town in western Georgia. According to Tamaz Dolaberidze, head of the mining and metallurgical workers’ trade union, the accident took […]
Georgian PM accuses Saakashvili party of undermining visa liberalization
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister has accused opposition MPs of influencing members of the European Parliament to not accept visa-free travel for Georgian citizens as long as the current government is in power. PM Irakli Garibashvili […]
‘Islam Is Not Terrorism’ rally in Tbilisi attracts few participants
(DF Watch) Tbilisi, DFWatch - A small group of activists protested against equating Islam with terrorism in the wake of Paris terrorist attacks. Ten activists gathered in front of the old parliament building in Tbilisi on 18 November for ‘Islam Is Not Terrorism’ rally. The activists held posters saying ‘Terrorism has no religion’, ‘Pray [...]
Anti-Gazprom rally outside Ivanishvili’s residence
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili’s residence in Tbilisi was Wednesday besieged by protesters opposed to the government’s negotiations with the Russian company Gazprom. In September, the Energy Minister revealed that there have been […]
Stricter border checks for Africans and Asians arriving in Georgia
Vakhtang Gomelauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is introducing stricter border checks for visitors from Africa and Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris. Head of Georgian intelligence Vakhtnag Gomelauri said on Wednesday after a session of the Crisis Management Council that the measures […]
Opposition activists on hunger strike taken to hospital
Emzar Kvitsiani, one of the Alliance of Patriots taken to hospital. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several members of the party Alliance of Patriots were taken to the hospital on Tuesday after going on a hunger strike ten days ago. Emzar Kvitsiani, Manana Abuseridze, Lali Khutsishvili and Ada Marshania were brought to Chapidze clinic, while […]
Dozens suspected ISIS recruits prevented from entering Georgia
Levan Izoria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An intelligence official in Georgia says dozens of foreigners have been prevented from entering Georgia, because they were suspected of preparing to go to Syria to join ISIS. Deputy head of the State Security Service Levan Izoria told Maestro TV that the government […]
Flood severs main highway through Georgia – again
The E60 was closed due to flood a second time near Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A section of the E60, the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze road in western Georgia, was damaged again on Sunday due to flooding. This is the second time flooding has damaged the road. After flooding hit a few days ago, repair work allowed the road […]
Georgian intelligence investigating websites supporting ISIS
Nino Giorgobiani, spokeswoman for the State Security Service. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian intelligence is investigating a Georgian-language blog which publishes propaganda material from the terrorist organization the Islamic State, or ISIS. Georgian users on Facebook Monday shared a link to the website, and called for help […]
First wind farm in Georgia to begin construction in February
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s energy ministry last week announced a tender for building the country’s first wind farm. According to Giorgi Bezhuashvili, the director of Georgian Energy Development Fund, the turbines are already in Georgia and installation of them […]
Tbilisians commemorate victims of Paris attacks
Gathering at Parliament in Tbilisi (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi residents gathered Saturday evening in front of parliament to show solidarity with France following the terrorist attacks in Paris. Up to 200 people gathered in front of the old parliament building in Tbilisi in order to commemorate the […]
Authorities in Georgia increase security measures after Paris terror
Spokeswoman for the State Security Service Nino Giorgobiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Authorities in Georgia are tightening security after the terrorist attacks in Paris. A spokesperson for the State Security Service said on Saturday that there are stricter security measures in force at border crossings and airports. There are also enhanced security measures […]
Georgians express support for France after Paris terror attacks
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian politicians expressed support for and solidarity withh France on Saturday after the terrorist attacks in Paris. Expressions of support came from politicians as well as organizations and ordinary people. Three bomb attacks […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover continues to fall
Poti port. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In first nine months of 2015, Georgia’s foreign trade turnover was 14 percent less than in the same period last year. According to a preliminary monthly report published by the National Statistics Department, the foreign trade turnover in January-October […]
Georgia’s main east-west highway has been blocked for two days
Works at River Chkhara (Road Department photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–E60, the central highway through Georgia, has been blocked for two days due to bad weather. Vehicles are currently rerouted near Kutaisi in the western part of the country. According to the Infrastructure Ministry’s Road Department, […]
Court reverses Rustavi 2 director’s dismissal and reinstates management
Nika Gvaramia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Thursday restored the status of the managers of TV channel Rustavi 2, including its director general, and abolished the status of one of the interim managers. The background is a ruling by the city court earlier this year […]
Rustavi 2: Public Registry denies that new manager was appointed
The staff of Rustavi 2. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The feud over the ownership of Georgia’s most powerful anti-government television channel became even more obscure Wednesday evening, as the Public Registry denied having registered a document appointing a new manager of Rustavi 2. […]
Rustavi 2 takeover: new manager appointed, but rejects offer
Zaal Udumashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The interim owners of Georgia’s largest anti-government TV channel have appointed the anchor Zaal Udumashvili as new manager, but he rejected the job. The failed attempt to appoint a new manager follows several months of legal […]
Day of remembrance for transgender people observed in Tbilisi
A day of rememberance was held one year after the brutal murder of Sabi Beriani in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two dozen activists gathered in Tbilisi Tuesday evening to observe a new national day of remembrance for transgender people, exactly one year after the murder of a transgender woman. The memorial event was held […]
Bill to end the draft approved by judiciary committee
Tina Khidasheli (Interpressnews) TBILISI, DFWatch–A draft bill about ending compulsory military service has survived a debate in the judiciary committee of the Georgian parliament. The bill was approved by the committee on Tuesday. Member of parliament Zurab Japaridze, who co-authored the bill, said […]
Georgian president refuses to move out of Saakashvili’s palace
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government wants the president to move out of the presidential palace and move into the building they have refurbished for him, but the administration of president once again refused to move into the new residence. […]
Georgian Stalin admirer quits as member of parliament
Gogi Topadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An MP from the ruling coalition who was recently criticized for praising Joseph Stalin, announced that he plans to resign as member of parliament after a draft bill he proposed has been discussed. Gogi Topadze from the Industrialists […]
Alliance of Patriots rally against alleged election fraud
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The opposition party Alliance of Patriots on Sunday demonstrated in Tbilisi, demanding the resignation of two ministers because of election fraud. Several hundred people took part in the demonstration, which started at the Rustaveli statue […]
Storm in a teacup: South Ossetian referendum on joining Russia
Note on poster: “2015 – the year of integration with Russia” South Ossetia’s declaration of holding a referendum on joining Russia seems to have more to do with local power dynamics than regional geopolitics. The recent South Ossetian announcement of its intentions to hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation came about suddenly. While announcing his decision, […]
Politicians, civic groups, diplomats about Rustavi 2 events
Davit Usupashvili (Ipn) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The controversy over the ownership of the major opposition-leaning TV channel Rustavi 2 receives diverse assessments from cabinet members, parliamentarians, civil society members, and diplomats. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili issued […]
Interim owners pledge not to break into Rustavi 2
Davit Dvali, former owner of Rustavi 2 (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The interim owners of the largest opposition-aligned TV station in Georgia, Rustavi 2, claim that they are not planning to break into the office of the company with the help of police. But they haven’t specified when they are planning to show up at the premises. […]
Constitutional Court lifts work ban for former Soviet officials
The Freedom Charter bans Soviet symbols, but also bars former Soviet and Communist Party officials from holding public office for the rest of their lives. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Constitutional Court in Georgia has decided that a controversial provision barring former senior Soviet officials and Communist Party members from holding post in state institutions is unconstitutional. The court on Tuesday announced the ruling, […]
Breaking: Court ruling paves way for Rustavi 2’s immediate takeover
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court Thursday evening dismissed Rustavi 2’s CEO and appointed two persons to run Georgia’s largest TV company until the end of a lawsuit that will decide its ownership. The ruling of the judge, Tamaz Urtmelidze, reads […]
Georgian 20, 50 and 100 lari banknotes get facelift
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Bank has presented the design of the new lari banknotes, which will go into circulation in 2016. The denominations that will get a facelift are 20, 50 and 100 lari. They will go into circulation alongside the old banknotes. National Bank […]
Former Georgian official appointed head of national police in Ukraine
Khatia Dekanoidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One more former Georgian official was appointed to a high position in Ukraine on Wednesday. Khatia Dekanoidze, who served as minister of education in Georgia in the final months of Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency in 2012, is now chief of the Ukraine’s […]
International ‘pro-family’ congress to coincide with Day Against Homophobia
A gathering was held on May 17, 2015 in secrecy to avoid possible harasment for radical groups (DFWatch) A major ‘family values’ conference will be held in Tbilisi on the 17 May amidst fears that it might be yet another attempt at silencing LGBT rights activism Georgia was chosen as the site for the tenth World Congress of Families, Christian News Wire reported. […]
Rustavi 2 loses court case, ownership transferred
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court ruled Tuesday to transfer ownership of one of Georgia’s largest TV channels to a businessman whom the opposition believes is acting on orders from the government. The court decided that 100 percent of shares in Rustavi 2, a TV channel sympathetic to the National Movement, […]
Constitutional Court intervenes in Rustavi 2 dispute
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A violent takeover of the embattled Georgian television station Rustavi 2 has apparently been averted, as the Constitutional Court decided to review a case filed in a lower court about the suspension of the government’s power to immediately enforce a court ruling. […]
Saakashvili: Recordings intercepted, doctored by Russian intelligence
New wiretap conversation of Saakashvili with Sopho Nizharadze was published on Monday Tbilisi, DFWatch – In the wake of release of new wiretapped telephone conversations on Monday, Georgia’s former president makes his first comment denouncing the recordings as ‘doctored’ by the Russian intelligence. […]
Support and resistance for Svan language activism
Abandoned village of Guli (Gul) Becho (Bechwi) community (DFWatch) Mestia, DFWatch – Svan language activists explain why it’s necessary to stop the decline of the language amidst reluctance on behalf of the authorities and the Church. ‘A language is a dialect with an army and navy’, […]
Government coalition won in Georgia’s local and by-elections
Tamar Khidasheli seems to have won a narrow victory in Sagarejo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition looks likely to gain one seat in parliament after the by-elections yesterday. The coalition’s candidates were leading in both Sagarejo and Martvili, according to preliminary results (http://results.cec.gov.ge/). […]
By-election and local elections today in Georgia
Tamar Khidasheli is Georgian Dream’s candidate for parliament in Sagarejo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–By-elections for parliament and local elections went ahead in Georgia on Saturday with some minor irregularities. Two seats in parliament are up for election in Martvili and Sagarejo while there are local elections in Dmanisi, Vani, Khobi and Sagarejo. […]
Georgian president calls Saakashvili’s coup plan unacceptable
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president views as it unacceptable to have a senior official in a foreign country interfering in domestic affairs and planning mayhem in Georgia. President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s briefing on Friday was held in response to the controversy […]
TV director and UNM politician to be questioned about coup plan
Nika Gvaramia (right) and Giga Bokeria on their way to State Security Service (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s State Security Service, which has kept on probing into alleged coup attempt since October 24, summoned director general of opposition TV Channel Rustavi 2 and a prominent member of the United National Movement for questioning […]
Saakashvili: Ivanishvili will share Yanukovich’s fate
Mikheil Saakashvili (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former president, who now serves as Odessa regional governor in Ukraine, commented over recently published two audios containing his conversation with his Georgian allies where he mentions possibility […]
Intercepted phone call indicates ex-president planning revolution
“Big brother is watching/listening/etc us,” Nika Gvaramia wrote on his Facebook page. TBILISI, DFWatch–The CEO of Georgia’s main opposition TV channel and a key opposition figure both confirm the authenticity of audio tapes about a ‘revolution scenario’. The recording has sent ripples across the country’s political establishment […]
Final court hearing about Rustavi 2 ownership postponed
Nika Gvaramia called for Rustavi 2 supporters to help defend the TV Channel (Ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–Trial over ownership of Rustavi 2 was postponed for Friday, amid eerie predictions of its director that the riot police has been put on alert in order to forcibly take over Georgia’s main opposition-leaning TV channel. Nika Gvaramia, […]
Georgia ranks 24th in Doing Business country list
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia ranked 24th among 189 countries, and still the first among post-Soviet countries, except Baltic States, in Doing Business 2016, a World Bank annual report that measures the costs to firms of business regulations, published on Wednesday, a way below of its 15th position last year. […]
Georgian parliament member praises Stalin
Gogi Topadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition Monday evening openly praised Joseph Stalin and called him ‘the greatest Georgian’ of the 20th century. Gogi Topadze, leader of the Industrialists Party, met Giorgi Kandelaki, […]
Georgia’s parliament speaker skeptical to coup allegations
Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The speaker of the Georgian parliament views with suspicion material published on a website in Ukraine indicating a coup plan against the government in Georgia. Speaker Davit Usupashvili claimed that if a criminal probe is conducted solely based on information provided by the Ukrainian blog […]
Judge asks Rustavi 2 to estimate losses as lawsuit resumes
TBILISI, DFWatch–The lawsuit about the ownership of an opposition television channel resumed in the city court in Tbilisi on Monday. The judge ordered Rustavi 2’s lawyers to present an estimate of expected losses after the court ordered the seizure of the company’s property. […]
Possession of marijuana decriminalized after Constitutional Court ruling
June 2 has become the rallying day for supporters of legalization. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Possession of up to 70 grams of marijuana is no longer a crime in Georgia, following a ruling in the Constitutional Court. The Court on Saturday struck down as unconstitutional a passage in the law that made it punishable by from 7 to 14 years […]
Saakashvili ally questioned about alleged coup plans
Giga Bokeria outside the “Moduli” building. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office Saturday questioned a former ally of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili on suspicion that he is part a coup plan. A transcript of an alleged conversation between Saakashvili and Giga Bokeria, […]
Contradictory testimony in Rustavi 2 blackmail case, prosecutors say
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor General’s Office in Georgia says the director of the embattled television company Rustavi 2 and another person gave contradictory testimony on Thursday in a blackmail case. Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia […]
Cabinet reshuffle and looming political crisis hint Abkhazia–Russia tension
Sukhumi (DFwatch) The postponement of the full implementation of the treaty on ‘Alliance and Strategic Partnership’, cabinet reshuffles, and demonstrations of opposition parties hint at Abkhazia’s increasingly knotty relation with Russia. […]
All defendants acquitted in 2013 anti-gay rights attack case
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday acquitted four people for organizing a violent anti-gay rights rally in 2013. The four, who also included clergy in the Georgian Orthodox Church, were on trial for urging protesters who disrupted a peaceful rally to mark the […]
Speaker of parliament calls on politicians to defuse tension
Davit Usupashvili (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s speaker of parliament calls on authorities and the opposition to avoid making statements that justify violence, as the tension continues surrounding a lawsuit about the ownership of opposition TV channel Rustavi 2. Following […]
Rustavi 2 director questioned, source of alleged threats named
Nika Gvaramia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office Thursday evening named the person who allegedly passed on messages from the government to the director of a television company. Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia said Wednesday that […]
Georgian president criticizes PM for ‘escalating the political climate’
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Thursday criticized the prime minister for a statement made the same day about the leaking of abuse videos and a lawsuit to determine the ownership of a television company. Instead of defusing the situation PM Garibashvili’s […]
One more rape video posted online as UNM offices attacked
The Saakashvili Presidential Library. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More footage of rape and torture was published on a Ukrainian website Thursday evening, as attacks on the former ruling party’s offices continue throughout Georgia. Members and supporters of the National Movement believe that the footage […]
Rustavi 2 director’s blackmail claim will be investigated
Nika Gvaramia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor General’s Office has launched an investigation prompted by a live TV speech on Wednesday in which the director of Rustavi 2 claimed he was blackmailed. According to the short statement by the Prosecutor General’s […]
Four detained for extortion, again
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained four persons for for extortion. Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said that the four, Giorgi, 24, Giorgi, 25, Vladimer, 31 and Mikheil, 58, had threatened to kill their victim if he didn’t pay them 55,000 laris (USD 23,000). […]
Rustavi 2 staff will resist if police try to enforce takeover
Nika Gvaramia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A day before Tbilisi City Court is to announce a ruling in a lawsuit about Rustavi 2, the director of the TV company went on the air to tell viewers that he was threatened by representatives of the government. Instead of the ordinary news program […]
‘Radicalisation’ obscures core issues faced by Pankisi inhabitants
Duisi, Pankisi (DFWatch) Duisi, DFWatch – Counterextremism efforts in the Pankisi Valley fall short as they fail to address root causes of radicalisation processes in the region. Following the reporting on Georgian citizens leaving the country to join the ranks of foreign fighters in the civil war in Syria and Iraq, the question of religious radicalisation in the Pankisi Valley has become one of the most debated security issues in Georgia. […]
Georgia’s energy minister explains what Gazprom negotiations are about
Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze on Tuesday sought to downplay criticism against his call for increasing the import of Russian natural gas, explaining that the extra supplies from Gazprom […]
UNM regional offices assaulted amid rape video scandal
Public screening of the rape video in Zugdidi (Rustavi 2) Tbilisi, DFWatch – United National Movement’s several regional offices were attacked in Georgia on Monday, in the wake of publication of disgusting video depicting rape of a detainee allegedly during the previous government. Small crowds of 30 to 100 […]
More Georgians turn their backs to the EU
TBILISI, DFWatch– Georgians still prefer European Union over the Russian-led Eurasian Union, but the difference declined significantly over the last year, results of the last NDI polls show. Over the last year, the support of […]
Poll shows Georgian voters increasingly apathetic
TBILISI, DFWatch–In a new poll, 35 percent of Georgians say they don’t know who they would vote for if there were a parliamentary election tomorrow. The poll, which was published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) shows that both the Georgian Dream […]
Remittances in September down 33%
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Remittances to Georgia in September went down 32.9 percent compared to last year, according to the latest monthly report by the National Bank. Remittances, or money that individuals send home to relatives from particularly Russia and Europe, […]
Amendments in jury trial procedures discussed in Tbilisi
Discussion held at Holiday Inn (OSGF) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Legal experts, lawyers, judges, and non-governmental organizations gathered at Holiday Inn in Tbilisi to discuss draft amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedures concerning jury trial worked out by the Ministry of Justice. […]
Journalist detained for putting up poster mocking Ivanishvili
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia on Friday detained an opposition-leaning journalist for putting up a poster mocking billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. Tamar Chergoleishvili, founder of a television company strongly supportive of the National Movement, was detained with two others as they stuck a poster on […]
Chinese investors planning new toll road through Rikoti
Rikoti tunnel. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Chinese investors are considering building a new toll road through Rikoti Pass, connecting the eastern and western parts of Georgia. The regional development minister said Thursday during the Silk Road Forum that passing a road through Rikoti may […]
New Armenian church opens in Javakheti
Opening of the construction (armenianchurch.ge) Javakheti’s Armenian community celebrated the opening of a new church in the village of Didi Aragiali. A ceremony of opening a new church in the village of Didi Aragiali of Ninotsminda municipality inhabited by ethnic Armenian majority was held on 13 October, news portal jnews.ge reports. […]
ICC prosecutor arrives in Georgia to conduct 2008 war probe
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda arrived in Georgia Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrived in Georgia Thursday, to determine if there is basis for a trial for war crimes in the 2008 war. Bensouda earlier this week filed a 160 page long request to authorize an investigation […]
Georgia’s religious minorities file lawsuit with Constitutional Court
Christmas Mass in the Catholic Church in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight religious organizations in Georgia have filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court, demanding to get rid of legislation that provide beneficial tax terms for the Orthodox Church. Georgia’s Tax Code, as well as an agreement between […]
Georgian parliament considers bill to restrict early marriage
8th to 12th graders learning about gender issues at a school in Marneuli. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament is to consider making it mandatory to get a court’s permission for persons of the age 16 to 18 to get married. The bill was put forth by parliament’s judiciary committee and is based on a recommendation […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in Jan-Sept down 13%
A truck on the border with Azerbaijan. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first nine months of 2015 went down by 13 percent compared to last year, according to a preliminary monthly report published by the National Statistics Department. According to the monthly report, […]
South Ossetia plans to open new border crossing
Ergneti border crossing. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The breakaway region South Ossetia plans to open a new border crossing to make it easier for relatives to keep contact. This will be the fourth border crossing between the breakaway area and Georgia proper, and will connect the villages Khelchua […]
Georgia to allow human rights inspectors to take photos in prisons
Prison Minister Kakha Kakhishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government will from next year allow the Public Defender’s Office to take pictures inside prison. This will allow photographic evidence to be obtained in cases where there is suspicion of abuse, or when sanitary conditions […]
Constitutional Court suspends new bank supervision agency
The National Bank will still supervise private banks, for the time being. (National Bank.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court has suspended the work of a newly created agency that was to take over the supervision of private banks; previously the responsibility of the National Bank. The ruling was made during a lawsuit against the parliament […]
Georgian president appoints new political adviser
Giorgi Margvelashvili (right) and his new political adviser Pikria Chikhradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday presented Pikria Chikhradze as his new political adviser. Chikhradze is active in the New Rightists Party and is most known for her work as a youth activist in the National Liberation Movement, […]
ISIS commander from Pankisi reported to have died in Iraqi air raid
Omar al-Shishani, also known as Tarkhan Batirashvili. TBILISI, DFWatch–An Iranian news agency reports that Omar Al-Shishani, an ISIS commander who originally comes from Pankisi, Georgia, has died in an Iraqi air raid. The reports have not yet been confirmed. IRNA reports that Iraqi fighter jets wounded […]
One man dies in landslide in southwestern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One man died in a landslide in southwestern Georgia on Sunday. The victim, 58 year old Otar Davitadze, was on night watch supervising machinery in an open pit mine when a landslide hit in the village Akhalsheni, Khelvachauri. […]
U.S. designates Akhmed Chatayev as a terrorist
Akhmed Chatayev in Tbilisi in 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States has listed a Chechen with Russian citizenship who was released by the Georgian government in 2012 as connected to the Islamic State. The updated list of individuals affiliated with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, states […]
Construction work starts on new children’s hospice in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Construction work began Saturday in the north of Tbilisi on what will become in Georgia’s first palliative care center for children. The initiators of the new hospice marked the start of construction work in the village Dighomi, a Tbilisi suburb. […]
Saakashvili welcomes ICC investigation into 2008 war
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The International Criminal Court said Wednesday that a prosecutor will begin studying the events in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war to investigate possible war crimes. The probe will look at crimes committed by both parties in connection […]
North Caucasus Watch (19 September – 1 October 2015)
Daghestan Bodies of five residents of Suleyman-Stalskiy district were found in local forests by power agents. According to the official information, the men had their hands tied and were killed by the insurgents as a retaliation for cooperating with the police. Authorities also announced that a […]
Strong rain triggered landslides in Adjara, Georgia
A flooded street in Kobuleti. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Strong rain overnight Thursday caused flooding and landslides in the Adjara region, in the southwest of Georgia. In Kobuleti, a Black Sea coastal resort, railway traffic was cut off and landslides triggered in the highlands. No casualties have […]
Prison Ministry welcomes investigation into procurements
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prison Ministry on Tuesday welcomed an objective investigation into its procurements. According to a report by the State Audit Office on Monday, the same company won all 14 food-related tender in 2013 and 2014. The report also […]
Free Democrats against holding snap election
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Free Democrats has rejected a proposal by the National Movement to hold a snap election one year before the next scheduled one. UNM activists demonstrated Monday evening outside the residence of former Prime Minister […]
State Audit Office finds suspicious procurements in Prison Ministry
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Audit Office Tuesday published a report which indicates that there may have been violations in the Prison Ministry’s public procurements. The report covers the years 2013-2014 and shows that in 14 bidding rounds announced by the ministry, […]
Georgia is neglected as victim of Russian aggression: President
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili says there is too little attention being paid to Georgia as a victim of Russian aggression. He told the television channel Rustavi 2 upon returning from the recent United Nations general assembly that […]
UNM demands snap election, a year before scheduled one
Giga Bokeria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former ruling party the National Movement demands a snap election, a year before the next scheduled parliamentary election. At a demonstration by party activists outside the residence of businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili Monday, Giga Bokeria […]
Family suspicious about circumstances of soldier’s death
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The family of a soldier who died from a gunshot wound a few days ago refuse to believe that it was a suicide. The deceased, Tamaz Tamarashvili (33) was a private in the Fifth Brigade of the Georgian armed forces. Monday, his family and relatives […]
Three pro-UNM activists detained after assaulting MP
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three activists were detained Friday for assaulting a member of parliament. The detainees are Nika Narsia, Mirian Deisadze and Kakhaber Gabunia, all members of the youth group Tavisupali Zona (Free Zone), which on many occasions […]
Bad weather caused damage in three parts of Georgia this weekend
A flooded street in Rustavi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia was hit by a spell of bad weather Saturday night, with hailstorm, strong rain and high winds. The hailstorm in Akhaltsikhe, in the south, lasted for almost one hour. In several villages, crops were destroyed and houses damaged. […]
Georgian Football Federation elects new president
Levan Kobiashvili addressing the media after being elected new president of GFF. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lengthy and intense debate in the Georgian Football Federation Saturday ended in the election of Levan Kobiashvili as new president. GFF’s former president Zviad Sichinava resigned after the UEFA Super Cup match in Barcelona-Sevilla in Tbilisi. […]
Court hearing leaves Rustavi 2’s future unsettled
Supporters of Rustavi 2 demonstrated outside parliament in Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court hearing in Tbilisi in a lawsuit about control over Georgian television company Rustavi 2 ended without much progress Friday. The preparatory hearing in Tbilisi City Court concerned a lawsuit by businessman Kibar Khalvashi against Rustavi 2. […]
Gori city assembly votes against re-erecting Stalin statue
(Radio Free Europe.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The city assembly in Joseph Stalin’s hometown Gori on Friday voted against the idea of re-erecting a six-meter high statue of the dictator. The statue was unveiled in 1952 on the central square in Gori. After the end of the Soviet Union […]
13% more visitors to Georgia in September
Lake Sioni outside of Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors to Georgia increased 12.6 percent in September, compared to the year before, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ department for analysis. The total number of visitors in September was 568,663. Out of this, 227,130 […]
Sukhumi and Tbilisi commemorate war-related anniversaries
Commemoration of the 22 year anniversary from the Abkhazian War. Heroes Square, Tbilisi (Defense Ministry) As the question of political status of Abkhazia remains a major challenge to peace and security in the region, the two societies commemorate the events of 1993 in radically different manners. As twenty-two years have passed since the end of the war in Abkhazia, […]
Rustavi 2 director asks for donations after another setback in court
Nika Gvaramia and Rustavi 2 employees outside the studio building. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Thursday ordered the seizure of the shares in the company that owns the television channel Rustavi 2. The court ordered the seizure of all shares in TV Sakartvelo, which holds 51 percent of the shares in Rustavi 2. The latter […]
23 million bottles of wine exported so far in 2015
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–By September 28, Georgia had exported 23.3 million bottles of wine so far in 2015. 3.5 million bottles were exported in September, according to the Agriculture Ministry; the highest monthly rate in 2015. The export of wine has tripled, compared […]
DF Talk: Being transgender in Georgia
Natia Gvianishvili, director of NGO Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group and Nika Ghviniashvili, manager of NGO LGBT Georgia Resource Centre talk about transgenderness and the issues faced by transgender people in Georgia. What is transgenderness? Natia Gvianishvili: […]
Georgian police let friends of govt tops violate traffic rules since 2009
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A TV channel in Georgia has published footage apparently proving that the Georgian police allows friends of government officials to violate traffic rules if they can show a special permit. The licences to drive dangerously were introduced […]
Georgian president rejects politically motivated pardons
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has rejected a call by his predecessor Mikheil Saakashvili that it is a test of ‘decency’ to pardon three former top government officials who are convicted of crimes committed while in office. Saakashvili, who is now […]
Another body found after Tbilisi flood, pushing number of deaths to 20
(1tv.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A dead body has been found in the river Mtkvari, increasing the number of confirmed deaths after the June flood to 20. Two people are still missing. Moambe, the news program on Channel 1, reported that Elizbar Baghashvili, 56, has been found. […]
Council of Europe report criticizes Georgia for misusing pre-trial detention
Pedro Agramunt. (Council of Europe.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A European human rights observer claims Georgia is using excessive pre-trial detention for political reasons against former government officials. The new report is written by Pedro Agramunt from the Spanish People’s Party, and published by […]
Georgia considers scrapping compulsory military service
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Tuesday started reviewing a proposal to abolish compulsory military service and move to a professional military based on contracts. The goal of the bill is to redirect finances spent for compulsory military service […]
Pankisi village appoints its first ever woman gamgebeli
Tamara Margoshvili, newly appointed head of Duisi municipality. (ICK.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A small, male-dominated village in the northeast of Georgia has for the first time appointed a woman as a head of municipality. Monday, Tamar Margoshvili, 55, took the post as gamgebeli in Duisi, a village in Pankisi Gorge, Georgia, […]
Two Nigerians beaten in Tbilisi, two suspects detained
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Sunday detained two Georgian for beating two Nigerians in Tbilisi. The attacked happened on September 19 when one Georgian citizen and his two Nigerian friends were walking on Rustaveli Avenue in the capital. […]
Gori city council to discuss restoring Stalin statue
The statue of Stalin has been stored outdoors in a yard since its dismantling in 2010. (Radio Tavisupleba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A statue of Joseph Stalin may be put back up in his hometown Gori, where positive sentiments towards the late Soviet ruler are still high. The city council is to discuss the issue on Friday, October 2. If the council approves the decision, the statue will be erected in the small park in central Gori, near the Stalin museum. The overall cost of the project is up to 2 million laris, or about USD 840,000. […]
Georgia’s National Bank issues 20 year anniversary coin
(National Bank of Georgia.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Bank of Georgia has issued a new anniversary coin in connection with the national currency’s 20 years of existence. The nominal value of the new collector’s item is 20 laris, and it was manufactured by Mennica Polska in Poland. […]
Minister: Nothing is being built in Abkhazia
Paata Zakareishvili (Official Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – “After all contacts were broken, nothing is being built in Abkhazia,” Paata Zakareishvili, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, stated at the parliament library on Sunday. […]
Georgian clinic discriminating against fathers, ombudsman says
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ombudsman has called attention to discrimination against fathers at the Children’s Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital. Fathers are not allowed to stay at the clinic at night to supervise their kids. The ombudsman Wednesday described […]
Georgia’s parliament may consider mandatory gender quotas
Eka Beselia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The human rights committee in Georgia’s parliament Thursday favored a law that would guarantee that at least 25% of representatives are women. The law concerns those representatives who are elected […]
Leader of parliamentary majority quits to head investment fund
Davit Saganelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A leading member of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition is leaving in order to take the helm of the government’s Partnership Fund. It is not yet known who will replace Davit Saganelidze as member of parliament. According […]
Georgia’s National Bank intervenes for sixth time since start of lari crisis
Giorgi Kadagidze, head of Georgia’s National Bank. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Bank intervened to bolster the flagging currency lari on Tuesday, causing its value to rise four tetris against the US dollar. The Bank put USD 40 million up for auction, out of which USD 27 million has been sold so far. The lari currently […]
One Georgian soldier dies in Afghanistan
The grave of Mikheil Narindoshvili, one of Georgia’s two dozen Afghan war casualties. He died in the June, 2013 attack. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian soldier has died in Afghanistan while taking part in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission. Private Vasil Kuljanishvili was from the 43rd battalion of the IV Mechanized Brigade. Sergeant Paata Rostobaia from the same […]
Georgian PM says lari has bottomed out as it near historic low
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s national currency is four cents away from reaching its lowest point ever against the US dollar. When the lari began to drop rapidly in November, 2014, one USD was about 1.75 laris. Today, the Georgian National Bank’s official exchange […]
Georgian MP wants ‘sexual orientation’ deleted from anti-discrimination law
Soso Jachvliani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A conservative MP from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition wants to make changes to the anti-discrimination law passed by parliament last year which he himself voted for at every hearing. Soso Jachvliani, an armwrestler, actor and film director, […]
North Caucasus Watch (5–18 September 2015)
DFWatch (5–18 September 2015) Daghestan On September 13 local elections took place in the republic. The Party of Russia’s Veterans earned 69% of votes in the city of Buynaksk, while United Russia earned 66% […]
Police officer stabbed in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A police officer is in hospital in a serious condition after being stabbed Sunday night in a Tbilisi suburb. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the policeman was stabbed with a knife. An investigation has been launched for attacking a policeman. […]
Four detained at Georgia-Turkey border with baby in the trunk
The border crossing between Georgia and Turkey at Sarpi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Border police in Georgia Sunday detained four people for illegally trying to cross the border with a infant in the trunk of their car. According to the Interior Ministry, the four were trying to go to Turkey, avoiding the official border crossing. One of the grownups […]
Georgia sends two delegations to UN general assembly
(UN.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will send two separate delegations to the upcoming UN general assembly in New York, one headed by the prime minister and the other by the president. Similar to what happened last year, there was a debate that lasted for several months […]
Activists demand investigation into woman’s tragic death
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Demonstrators Friday called for a proper investigation into an Azerbaijani woman’s suicide last year. The demonstrators outside the Prosecutor’s Office were raising awareness about the case of Khanum Jeiranova (30), an ethnic Azeri […]
Radio Liberty criticized for publishing homophobic letter
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Groups rallied outside the office of Radio Liberty in Tbilisi Friday evening against a homophobic and xenophobic letter written by a sexologist and published on the radio station’s website. The controversial letter was written by Archil Bakradze, […]
Former Tbilisi mayor back in jail, sentenced to four and a half years
Gigi Ugulava was Friday sentenced to four and a half year in prison. He has already served 440 days. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After one day in freedom, Tbilisi’s former mayor was Friday sentenced to four and a half years in jail. Although the city court in Tbilisi sentenced Gigi Ugulava to nine years, the sentence was reduced to four years and six months in compliance […]
TeliaSonera leaves Georgia and five other Eurasian countries
TeliaSonera owns 58.55% of shares in the holding company that controls Geocell. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Swedish telecommunications giant TeliaSonera is pulling out of several countries, including Georgia. All subsidiaries will be put up for sale in Georgia, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan it was announced Thursday. […]
Anti-hail rocket crashes into house in Georgia
(Delta.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An anti-hail shell fell on a house in Kakheti Wednesday night, damaging the roof and wall. Delta, a defense company run by the government, installed the anti-hail system in Kakheti earlier this year to protect the harvest. Hail has long […]
Freed fmr Tbilisi mayor vows to challenge Ivanishvili’s “grip on power”
Gigi Ugulava greeted by Giga Bokeria (back, left) and others. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court released former Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava from detention Thursday night. Upon his release, the most prominent leader of the Georgian opposition vowed to challenge “Ivanishvili’s grip on power”. He said the National […]
Georgia’s Constitutional Court rules ex-mayor’s detention unlawful
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court Wednesday evening announced a ruling that the detention of former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava is unconstitutional. He is awaiting trial for numerous charges including corruption. The ruling sets aside a provision in the […]
Report shows gender imbalance in public administration
(IDFI.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are twice as many men as women running public bodies in Georgia, according to a new report. The report by Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), published on Wednesday, indicates that among 773 employees in higher […]
Miss China semifinal to be held in Georgia
(Georgia’s Tourism Administration.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The semifinal of Miss China will be held in Georgia. According to the National Tourism Administration, a team from Phoenix TV arrived in Tbilisi September 12 along with the girls from China and will be staying until September 22. There are 16 participants […]
Georgia’s Constitutional Court fails to issue ruling in ex-mayor’s case
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday failed to announce a ruling concerning the pre-trial detention of the former Tbilisi mayor, claiming that the judge feels ill and he cannot be present to sign the ruling. Ex-Mayor Gigi Ugulava, an ally of former […]
Remittances to Georgia down 35% in August
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Remittances to Georgia fell by 35.1 percent in August 2015, compared to the same period last year, according to new figures published Tuesday by Georgia’s National Bank. The new monthly report shows that the total amount of remittances […]
New ethics school subject postponed after criticism by conservatives
(Ministry of Education.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s education ministry has postponed the start of a new school subject as conservatives criticize it for eroding traditional values. Some were expecting the subject called ‘society and me’ to be taught in schools from the beginning of the 2015 fall semester. ‘Society and me’ will […]
Grape farmer continue to protest in Georgia’s wine region Kakheti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Farmers continued their protest in the Georgian wine region Kakheti on Monday and clashed with police as they blocked the main highway. Several people were detained by police as they cleared the road. One member of parliament was attacked. […]
Tbilisi Zoo reopens, three months after devastating flood
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Exactly three months after a devastating flood, Tbilisi Zoo reopened on Sunday with surviving animals on display. The zoo’s management held an opening exhibition with pictures of the animals that either drowned or were killed, and presented […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover down 14% Jan-Aug ’15
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first eight months of 2015 was 14 percent less than the year before, according to figures published Monday by the National Statistics Department, Geostat. […]
Most stranded tourists brought back from Antalya, but 130 remain
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–About 130 tourists from Georgia are still stuck in Antalya, Turkey, several days after a tour operator failed to pay the airline for their flights. Initially, about 400 passengers were stranded in Turkey. The Georgian airline Airzena […]
Farmers in eastern Georgia block road in protest against low grape prices
From a farmer’s protest in Sighnaghi in 2011. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti, farmers have been protesting for several days because of low price of grapes, which is their only source of income. Four people were detained during a protest Thursday in Gurjaani, as farmers blocked the […]
400 Georgian tourists stranded in Turkey
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Around 400 Georgian passengers are currently stuck in Antalya, Turkey, as the airline Airzena refuses to carry out a flight because a tour company didn’t pay for the tickets. For more than a day, passengers have been waiting to return to Georgia. The […]
New Chinese thermal power station and train factory planned in Georgia
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili signed the agreements during a visit to Chine. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Chinese company Dongfang Electric plans to construct a 150 MW thermal power station in Tkibuli, a mining town in western Georgia. The announcement came during a China visit by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and is further […]
President signs into law controversial bank supervision bill
Had no choice: Even if I had refused to sign, the speaker would have signed the bill, Margvelashvili explained. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Thursday signed a bill into law that will take away responsibility for supervising private banks from the National Bank and hand it to a new agency controlled by the government. President Giorgi Margvelashvili, the […]
Foreign investment up 81% in Q2 of 2015
A section of the E60 motorway under construction at Agara. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia went up 81 percent in the second quarter, compared to the same period in 2014. The jump in foreign investment became known Wednesday as Georgia’s National Statistics Department presented […]
UK ambassador: due to poor translation speech was partially misrepresented
Ambassador Alexandra Hall Hall )Embassy photo) The UK ambassador attributes the recent criticism over her speech at the international conference to the poor translation, stating that some parts of it were misrepresented. Salome Zourabishvili, a French-Georgian politician and former Minister […]
UK ambassador accused of being ‘neocolonial’
Alexandra Hall Hall is the UK Ambassador to Georgia. (Embassy photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian politician lashed out at a British diplomat on Facebook Tuesday, accusing her of being ‘neocolonial’. UK Ambassador to Georgia Alexandra Hall Hall’s remarks at a conference in Tbilisi, organized by McCain Institute, […]
NGO slams Khulo officials’ Armenophobic document
Local fraction of Georgian Dream alleges Mr Saakashvili’s “Armenian origin” in a fresh display of anti-Armenian sentiment. NGO platform No to Phobia issued a statement condemning the use of Armenophobic […]
RMG Gold suffers partial loss in lawsuit by fired miners
The miners have strong support in their community. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Trade Union has won a lawsuit against RMG Gold, the mining company which destroyed an ancient gold mine at Sakdrisi in December, 2014. Many locals have been employed in the company, and the jobs sustain families in surrounding villages. […]
Ukraine to sign free trade agreement with EU, despite Russia’s concerns
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. (European Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukraine intends to sign a free trade pact with the EU without further postponement, despite warnings from Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said in Brussels on Monday. Ukraine’s foreign minister met with the EU Commissioner […]
Moldova issues entry ban against two Abkhazian politicians
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two politicians from Abkhazia have been banned from entering Moldova for ten years after they celebrated the 25 year anniversary of the breakaway region Transnistria. On the way back from the celebration, Sukhumi’s vice president Vitaly Gabniya […]
National Movement registers for by-election without candidates
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement, former ruling party, does not plan to put up candidates in the by-elections for two vacant seats in the Georgian parliament. Instead, the former ruling party plans to use its legally guaranteed free commercial time on TV. The governing […]
Saakashvili, Kolomoisky exchange bitter remarks
Igor Kolomoisky proposes sending Saakashvili by “cash on delivery” to Georgia TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who now serves as a governor of the Odessa region, says oligarchs are the foremost obstacle for Ukraine’s nascent statehood. “Ukrainian oligarchs, […]
North Caucasus Watch (29 August–4 September 2015)
DFWatch (29 August–4 September 2015) Daghestan Two suspected militants were killed in Magaramkent district of Daghestan on August 29. According to the law enforcement officials, […]
Man arrested in Samegrelo for growing marijuana
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 38 year man was arrested on Saturday for growing marijuana in the northwest of Georgia. The man is charged with illegal purchase and possession of a large amount of drugs. Police searched the man’s house in the village […]
Public Broadcaster talk show faces cancellation in Georgia
Eka Mishveladze at Pirveli Studia (pia.ge) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The fourth weekly political TV programme may be cancelled on Georgia, as the Public Broadcaster (GPB) may suspend Pirveli Studia (“First Studio”), soon after announcement of marriage of its hostess with the Secretary General of opposition political party. […]
Electricity price hike in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Electricity prices have gone up in the Georgian capital. Utility company Telasi explains the decision with a drop in the national currency lari, as well as increased prices for purchasing electricity and increased transmission taxes. There are three […]
Woman shop attendant murdered in western Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man killed a 39 year old woman working in a shop in western Georgia on Thursday for not letting him borrow a beer. The murder took place in Khelvachauri, in the Adjara region. The suspect has been detained, according to the Ministry […]
Georgian PM: Government’s media policies should be properly appreciated
Georgian Prime Minister distances himself from the recent cancelation of two popular political talk-shows on Imedi TV, stating that it is a separate decision of the TV company's management. Irakli Garibashvili: "If a TV company cancels a talk-show, this is a separate decision by its top management, which I'm not going to comment" "If [...]
Comment about the president and knitting pins rattles parliament
Undated photo of Giorgi Margvelashvili knitting socks, published in 2013, before he became president. TBILISI, DFWatch–A statement by a leading parliamentarian about the president and knitting pins has caused puzzlement in Georgia. A spokesman for the president’s administration called it insulting and unethical. “I blame Ivanishvili for taking the knitting pins out of the hands of the NGO and Soros guys (“ენჯეოელი სოროსელი”) […]
One more talk show goes off air in Georgia
Archil Gamzardia said the show was cancelled to silence him. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One more talk show has been taken off air in Georgia. The Sunday evening program ‘Kviris 2030’, which has been a venue for views close to former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, will end in September, producer Vasil Maglapheridze said on Tuesday. […]
Host of cancelled talk-shows: Politics was behind the decision
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Inga Grigolia, a popular TV host, wrote on her Facebook that politicians, presumably from the ruling Georgian Dream, didn’t want her on air before the elections, referring to the parliamentary elections planned in 2016. […]
Cabinet reshuffle in Georgia: Minister of economy appointed as a head of MFA
Giorgi Kvirikashvili (Ipn) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Tamar Beruchashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was replaced by Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who served as Minister of Economy. The government reshuffle was […]
Participatory budgeting gathers momentum in Marneuli
Marneuli (Dominik K. Cagara) Tserakvi, DFWatch – A pilot project on participatory budgeting brings the population of Marneuli district closer to the decision-making process and brings democratic participation to a new level. One Caucasus Festival ended on Saturday, but the organizers took steps to secure its pro-democratic overtone in the long run. […]
Georgian TV company cancels two talk shows
Imedi host Inga Grigolia claims the Sunday show’s cancellation is a result of political interference. (Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian TV company on Sunday announced that it will suspend two popular political talk shows ‘temporarily’ until 2016, promising to change their format and offer viewers ‘a new product.’ Imedi’s decision was met with a negative response from viewers. […]
Animal rights activists storm Batumi Dolphinarium, using tear gas
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Six men broke into a dolphinarium in Batumi on Sunday, and demanded that the dolphins be set free. The six activists were all detained and questioned. According to Batumi Dolphinarium’s management, the group broke […]
North Caucasus Watch (22–28 August 2015)
DFWatch (22–28 August 2015) Daghestan Former mayor of Makhachkala, Said Amirov, was sentenced to life by a court in Rostov-on-Don on 27 August. His relative Yusup Dzhaparov was sentenced to 18 years in penal colony. […]
Former police officer shot and killed in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former police officer was shot and killed outside Tbilisi Friday night. A former deputy interior minister was seriously injured. The deceased is Revaz Kalomletsavi, a cousin of the injured, Levan Gvazava, who is in hospital with bullet-inflicted […]
Russia sees NATO’s new training facility in Georgia as a provocation
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia sees the opening of NATO’s new training facility in Georgia as a ‘continuation of the provocative policy of the alliance aimed at expanding its geopolitical influence.’ NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday opened […]
Former President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko is visiting Batumi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is visiting Batumi, a seaside city on the Black Sea coast. Yushchenko, who became famous as one of the leaders of the Orange Revolution in 2004, is accompanied by his wife and not visiting […]
One Caucasus Festival kicks off near Marneuli
One Caucasus in Tserakvi (Dominik K. Cagara) Tserakvi, DFWatch - Festival brings south Georgia’s multi-ethnic community together with visitors from Armenia and Azerbaijan for music, art, sport, and activism. One Caucasus Festival kicked off yesterday in Tserakvi in Marneuli district, turning the tiny village into a lively melting pot of local and international guests. [...]
Joint NATO-Georgian training facility inaugurated near Tbilisi
Photo: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General; Tina Khidasheli, Minister of Defense of Georgia, and Irakli Garibashvili, PM, unveiling the Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (nato.int) Tbilisi, DFWatch – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Thursday unveiled new Joint Training and Evaluation Centre in Georgia during his first visit to the country. The centre is located inside the functioning military facility at Krtsanisi settlement, […]
Youth of multiple ethnic backgrounds join forces for One Caucasus Festival
One Caucasus Festival Tbilisi, DFWatch – Ethnic Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian activists from Marneuli district take part in preparations for the One Caucasus Festival to be held on 27–29 August in the village of Tserakvi. […]
Two Georgians detained on disputed South Ossetia border
About a hundred Georgians are detained every year for crossing the disputed border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Tuesday detained two Georgian citizens who were out attending cattle in Bershueti, which borders with the breakaway region South Ossetia. The detainees are Muraz Javakhishvili (75) and Ivane Sekhniashvili (41). […]
Batumi’s 7 meter tall ‘Nino and Ali’ sculpture damaged during moving
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A seven meter tall steel statue which is one of the coastal city’s most important tourist attractions was damaged while being moved. The Nino and Ali statue stands on the seafront and portrays a man and a woman. It is lit up by colored […]
PM urges calm as Georgian lari reaches lowest level since 1999
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s currency lari has reached its lowest level since 1999, but the government is optimistic and blames media and analysts of being incompetent and engaging in speculating. The lari is now at 2.416 against the US dollar, near the all-time low […]
Power cut and flooded streets in Batumi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain battered the Black Sea port of Batumi on Tuesday, causing flooding. Several streets including the entrance to the city were blocked by the flood, while rescue workers tried to help with the first floors of buildings that were full of water. […]
Tbilisi’s House of Justice has cracks in one of its “petals”
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi’s futuristic House of Justice has once again run into difficulties, this time because cracks appeared on one of its trademark “petals”. People will be restricted from walking under the damaged area from August 25 because of the danger, […]
Dangerous Listeria bacteria found in “Saojakho” ice cream
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Food Agency on Monday said there has been found Listeria bacteria in ice cream of the brand “Saojakho”. The contaminated products originate from the Mkinvari factory in Samtredia, a town in the western Imereti region of Georgia. […]
Tbilisi super cup heats up an old debate in Abkhazia
People crowding in order to buy tickets for UEFA Super Cup (DFWatch) A group of Abkhaz football fans faced harsh criticism in Abkhazia for travelling to Tbilisi for the UEFA Super Cup. The UEFA Super Cup football match between Spanish teams, […]
Minister: Final decision, PM will head the delegation
Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili (ipn) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Last year, rivalry between Georgia’s top two men over who would represent the country at the UN climate conference led to weeks of uncertainty and squabbling. That time, the president had to back down. […]
Boris Iarochevitch: Georgia’s on track
“For me as a part of the community here for four years, I think, it is very important for Georgia to do more in the field of environment, because I see that the situation in Tbilisi is very bad in terms of air pollution” (DF Watch) “I think that Georgia is almost there when it comes to fulfilling the visa liberalization action plan. Now it is up to the member states of the EU to decide. I think that people in Georgia deserve visa-free regime. I see no reason now to delay it further,” says Boris Iarochevitch, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union since 2011, said. […]
Three parking attendants detained after moving car with sleeping child
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Tbilisi on Sunday detained three employees of CT Park for illegal deprivation of liberty. CT Park is the company responsible for parking in the capital. Earlier that day, the three detainees moved a car parked near Eliava market […]
Tourists evacuated by helicopter from Tusheti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Many tourists were airlifted by helicopter on Sunday after being stuck in Tusheti in the northeast of Georgia due to bad weather. Emergency crews evacuated more than 350 people by helicopter from the disaster zone, and brought […]
North Caucasus Watch (15–21 August 2015)
DFWatch (15–21 August 2015) Dagestan According to National Antiterrorist Committee of Russia, the leader of the Vilayyat Daghestan Mountainous Sector of the Caucasian Emirate, Gadzhi Abdullayev (known as Abu Dujana), was killed in course of the […]
Eleven people injured as minibus full of tourists overturns
(Odishi TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A minibus overturned in western Georgia on Saturday, injuring 11 people, three of whom are in a serious condition. The minibus, a Ford Sprinter, was carrying tourists from Russia, Serbia and Poland when it ran into a utility pole, near the village […]
Georgian professional NBA player signs contract to train youth in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Sports Ministry has handed a property in Tbilisi to a Georgian who is a professional NBA player in the United States, playing for Dallas Mavericks. Zaza Pachulia, who is also captain of Georgia’s national team, plans to establish […]
Tbilisi court gives woman control of frozen embryo after couple split
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Civil Litigation Chamber at Tbilisi City Court ruled in favor of a female claimant and decided to leave a frozen embryo at her disposal. Her husband was against surrogacy. At a press release published on its website, Tbilisi City Court states that the […]