TBILISI, October 8 – The Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday held a hearing for four people detained during the unrest that followed the October 4 rally in the Georgian capital. The defendants, Tornike Mchedlishvili, Abo Naveriani, Eva Shashviashvili, and Davit Sturua, appeared before Judge Lela Maridashvili, who will decide whether to keep them in pre-trial … Read more
TBILISI, October 6 – Five opposition figures accused of orchestrating Saturday’s failed “peaceful revolution” in Georgia were formally charged Monday, as their defense lawyers pushed back against what they called politically motivated accusations. The opera singer and activist Paata Burchuladze, former prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava, National Movement politician Irakli Nadiradze, Strategy Aghmashenebeli leader Paata Manjgaladze, and … Read more
TBILISI, October 5 – Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has secured a decisive victory in Georgia’s local elections, winning 71.6% of the vote according to preliminary results released by the Central Election Commission (CEC). With 581 out of 584 polling stations counted, covering 99.5% of the city’s precincts, Kaladze, the candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream … Read more
TBILISI, October 5 – Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze warned harsh consequences after last night’s violent protest, branding it as an “attempted coup,” and said it could give grounds for banning the largest opposition party. The night saw chaos and confrontation after precincts had closed in an election that gave the ruling Georgian Dream party … Read more
TBILISI, October 4 – A large opposition rally in Tbilisi called for the arrest of the prime minister and other government members in the evening of local elections, as protesters tore down barriers and tried to enter the presidential residence. The protest was organized by the movement Rustaveli Avenue, led by opera star Paata Burchuladze … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – Police in Georgia have provided new details about a violent clash that took place near Tbilisi’s Metekhi Bridge late Wednesday evening, leaving the youth opposition leader Igor Narmania injured. The incident occurred less than 24 hours before the country’s local elections, which are taking place on the background of a tense … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – Tensions flared in Georgia’s capital on the eve of crucial local elections after violence broke out near Metekhi Bridge, leaving two people injured, including a youth leader from the opposition United National Movement (UNM). Igor Narmania, head of UNM’s youth wing, was preparing to make a public statement with fellow activists … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – On the eve of Georgia’s local elections, parts of the opposition are promising what they call a “peaceful revolution.” The dramatic language has raised tensions in Tbilisi, where analysts warn that the country may be heading for a confrontation with echoes from its turbulent past. According to Rezonansi, opposition organizers initially … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – With just two days to go before Georgia’s local elections, mayoral candidates in Tbilisi went head-to-head in a fiery televised debate Thursday night that showcased the country’s deep political divides. The debate, broadcast on the public broadcaster’s Channel 1, brought together nine registered candidates, including incumbent mayor and ruling Georgian Dream … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – Georgia is set to hold nationwide local elections on October 4, with authorities pledging transparency, security, and swift results through the broadest use yet of electronic voting technology. According to Central Election Commission (CEC) chair Giorgi Kalandarishvili, 3,061 polling stations will open across the country, including 2,284 equipped with electronic ballot … Read more