News
Hailstorm devastates 2,000 hectares of Kakheti vineyards
Hailstorm devastated vineyards in Kakheti (Kvareli Municipality) TBILISI, DFWatch–Over a dozen wine-producing villages in Kvareli, in the Kakheti region, were hit by a strong hailstorm overnight on Thursday that almost totally devastated the harvest, damaged houses and vehicles and tore down trees. According to Kvareli […]
Europe’s largest dam granted cultural heritage status by Georgia
Enguri Dam (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Culture Ministry on Thursday granted cultural heritage status to the Enguri hydro power dam, one of the world’s tallest concrete arch dams. The dam is 271 meters tall and is located partially on the territory of breakaway Abkhazia. […]
Search for second suspect in Yuri Vazagashvili murder case
Yuri Vazagashvili was murdered on January 20, 2015. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prosecutors in Georgia are searching for another suspect in the investigation into the murder of a human rights activists seven months ago. As the trial of a man suspected of murdering Iuri Vazagashvili continued Thursday, a lawyer representing […]
Prominent Georgian ballet dancer drowns in Pankisi
Giorgi Mshvenieradze on stage (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A principal dancer at Tbilisi ballet company drowned Wednesday in a lake in Pankisi Gorge, Eastern Georgia. According to the Emergency Management Agency at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, accident occurred when Giorgi Mshvenieradze, 25, a prominent ballet […]
Russian helicopter flies over Georgian-controlled territory
The helicopter was of the type MI-8. (Photo by U.S. Department of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Ministry calls on Russia to respect international law after a Russian helicopter overflew Georgian-controlled territory. According to the ministry, the incident took place at 10:57am on August 19. A Russian military helicopter […]
Georgia’s PM blames private business for causing lari’s instability
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister blames business leaders for causing the instability of the national currency lari by keeping their money in US dollars. Irakli Garibashvili explained Wednesday during a visit to Batumi, a city on Black Sea coast, […]
Large cocaine bust indicates new drugs transit route: Interior Ministry
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police Wednesday seized more than 5kg of cocaine at Tbilisi airport and detained four people. The large drugs bust indicates a new transit route, the Ministry of Internal Affairs says. The detainees are two citizens of Brazil born in 1979 […]
Four detained after alleged ethnic street fight in Kobuleti
TBILISI, DFWatch–Four were detained Wednesday, after a street fight a few days ago in Kobuleti, a town on the Black Sea coast. A video posted in social media indicates that the fight was between ethnic Georgians and Dagestanis. The video, which is about […]
Tbilisi City Hall meets developer of controversial hotel in old district
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall on Wednesday met with the company that won the tender to construct a hotel complex on Mirza Shafi Street in the old part of the capital. Apart from Vice Mayor Dimitri Kumsishvili and members of the commission […]
Rustavi 2 owners say seizure may cause bankruptcy
TBILISI, DFWatch–The owners of Rustavi 2 fear that the seizure of the TV company’s property may cause it to go bankrupt. The court ordered the seizure of Rustavi 2’s property more than a week ago on the grounds of a lawsuit by its former owner Kibar Khalvashi. […]
Man arrested for murder after tree-felling accident
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man has been charged with murder after one person died during tree-felling. The incident happened a few days ago in Ananuri, in the Dusheti region. Three people were out cutting trees when a tree fell on a passer-by, killing him on the spot. […]
Flood-hit Tbilisi Zoo will reopen in September
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Zoo will reopen in September, after being closed for several months following a flood that partly destroyed it on June 14. It’s a much reduced compound visitors are welcomed back to, with less than half of the animals and […]
Traffic restrictions in Dariali Valley
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are traffic restrictions on the road through Dariali Valley, in the the north of Georgia, an area which was last year hit by several devastating landslides. The Road Department says the restrictions will be in force until August 30. The decision was made on recommendation from Georgia’s […]
Foreign investments in Georgia increased 87% in 2014
A new road under construction in Kobuleti. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia increased 87 percent in 2014, compared to the year before, according to precise data published by the National Statistics Department. The report, which was published on Monday, says investments […]
23 year old dies as car hits motorcycle
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A traffic accident in Khobi in the western part of Georgia claimed the life of a 23 year old man Sunday evening. The accident happened in the village Khamiskuri when an Opel car crashed into a motorcycle with two persons on it. One of […]
Georgia’s two top leaders both want to attend UN meeting, again
Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) and Irakli Garibashvili shake hands during a meeting of the National Security Council in October, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republic of Georgia is faced with a dilemma: which of the country’s two top people shall attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in six weeks? Both the president and prime minister are invited and want to attend. […]
Combating transphobia through grassroots activism
Poster from ‘Anonymous’ exhibition organised by Eteri Chkadua in collaboration with Identoba and Europe House as displayed in Identoba’s office. (DF Watch) TBILISI, DFWatch–While transphobia remains a societal and legal issue in Georgia, NGO activists try to raise awareness of the problem and exercise pressure on the authorities. As some in Georgia are still […]
North Caucasus Watch (8–14 August 2015)
DFWatch (8–14 August 2015) Daghestan According to the Russian Investigative Committee, leader of the Caucasian Emirate, Magomed Suleymanov (A.K.A. Abu Usman Gimrinskiy), […]
Russia expands sanctions list, but Georgia not included
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has expanded the list of countries subject to trade embargo, but Georgia is not on the list. The move comes as a response to new sanctions by Western countries against Russia and includes Albania, Montenegro, Iceland […]
Petition calls for tougher punishment in transgender murder case
(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Groups in Georgia on Friday launched a petition demanding to punish the person who was recently acquitted of murdering a transgender woman in Tbilisi on the grounds that he was acting in self-defense. The organization Women’s […]
Two former guards found guilty of negligence in Zurab Zhvania’s death
Tbilisi City Court (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The jury on Friday found two members of the personal security detail of Zurab Zhvania guilty of negligence leading to the PM’s death in 2005. Ten members of the jury agreed with the charges laid out by the prosecutors, while two were against. […]
Controversial new hotel complex approved by Tbilisi City Council
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Council on Wednesday approved a controversial construction project in the old part of the capital. The decision is bound to further enrage activists, who have been campaigning against the project. The plans for Mirza […]
Georgia saw 32% drop in remittances in July
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Remittances to Georgia in July went down by 31.8 percent compared to last year, according to the latest monthly report by National Bank of Georgia (NBG). In total, USD 93.4 million was sent to Georgia in July, 2015. Money transfers […]
Georgia’s National Bank adjusts refinancing rate up to 6%
(National Bank.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Bank of Georgia further increased the refinancing rate to 6.0 percent on Wednesday. The Bank’s president, Giorgi Kadagidze, said at a briefing that increasing the refinancing rate by half a percent is a response to an increased […]
Georgia not in a hurry to cancel Saakashvili’s citizenship
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is not rushing to suspend the citizenship of its ex-president, Mikheil Saakashvili. The justice ministry is awaiting an official notice from Ukraine. The former president, who is now governor of Odessa, received Ukrainian citizenship a few months […]
One Georgian detained on South Ossetia border
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers a few days ago detained another Georgian for violating the border with breakaway South Ossetia. Mamuka Samkharadze (36) was out collecting firewood near the village Kirbala, which borders on the breakaway region. […]
Foreign trade down 14%, exports 24%
(DF Watch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first half of 2015 was 14 percent less than last year, according to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat. According to the short monthly report, Georgia’s foreign […]
Two defense officials accused of corruption given their jobs back
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Defense Ministry employees who are awaiting trial for embezzlement of state money have been given their jobs back. Giorgi Lobzanidze and Archil Alavidze were released in June along with three colleagues after spending about […]
Russian soldiers praying at Georgian monastery
Lomisi monastery. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian priest at a mountain monastery on the border with South Ossetia says Russian soldiers often come there to pray. Abbot Mate Julakidze says he was compelled to provide an explanation after some people wrote on the Internet […]
UEFA Super Cup: Barcelona-Sevilla ends 5-4
Lionel Messi was declared best player of the match. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Barcelona won last night’s UEFA Super Cup 5-4 against Sevilla, which was played at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. It was the team’s fifth Super Cup win in a row. Sevilla scored the first goal, but Barcelona scored three goals, ending the first half 3-1. […]
Two policemen wounded in shooting in Tbilisi
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two policemen were wounded during a special operation in Tbilisi on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, two employees of the central criminal police were wounded in Ponichala, a suburb in the eastern part of the capital […]
Embattled president of Georgian Football Federation resigns
Photo: “I am the person who ruined Georgian football,” Zviad Sichinava said sarcastically of his resignation (Pia.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of the Georgian Football Federation resigns after an epic UEFA Super Cup in which Barcelona beat Sevilla during extra time with a final score 5-4. “As it is in Big Football, a person should leave on his peak,” Zviad Sichinava, Georgian […]
Policeman shot during house call in eastern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A policeman was shot on duty in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region on Monday, during a house call about domestic violence. Police received a call about family violence in the village Zemo Alvani, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When police […]
Tbilisi gearing up for UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla
Barcelona players preparing for today’s match. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Everything is set for this year’s UEFA Super Cup final between Barcelona and Sevilla. It begins at 22:45pm at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. Before the match there will be a display of Georgian folk dances and a rendition of the UEFA Super Cup anthem. […]
National Movement MP claims he was kidnapped by police
(Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the National Movement claims he had was illegally detained by the police last night. The Interior Ministry denies this and has published a video of the detention. Giorgi Karbelashvili Monday said he was stopped […]
Tbilisi court allows lawsuit against Rustavi 2
Kibar Khalvashi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Monday allowed a lawsuit against the TV company Rustavi 2 to proceed. Rustavi 2’s lawyer claims that the lawsuit has no legal basis. The case was filed by the businessman Kibar Khalvashi, who was once […]
One more Georgian volunteer fighter dies in Ukraine war
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian TV channels reported Monday that one more of the country’s volunteer fighters had died in the war in southeastern Ukraine. 24 year old Giorgi Barateli’s death was reported by the Ukrainian website Tsenzor, which quoted Georgian […]
Original owners claim Rustavi 2 still controlled by Saakashvili party
(Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The original owners of a Georgian TV company whose property was seized a few days ago by a court, claimed on Sunday that it is controlled by the opposition party National Movement and that it ‘has nothing to do with independent media.’ […]
Abkhazia’s Georgians still a hostage of regional tensions
Gali, Abkhazia (Dominik K. Cagara) Gali, DFWatch – As the Abkhazian de facto government fails to adopt constructive integration policies, many ethnic Georgians living in the eastern districts of Abkhazia complain about prejudice as well as political, economic, and cultural discrimination. […]
North Caucasus Watch 1–7 August 2015
DFWatch – (1–7 August 2015) Daghestan Two men were killed by security forces in Suleyman Stalskiy region in the south of Daghestan on 6 August. […]
Georgia’s two main Internet providers plan merger
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s two main internet providers have decided to merge, but need permission from the National Communication’s Commission (GNCC). Currently Silknet and Caucasus Online are the only two companies offering internet connection […]
Court rules murderer of transgender woman acted in self-defense
Sabi was remembered with a minute’s silence at the House of Justice on Nov. 21, 2014. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday unexpectedly acquitted a man of premeditated murder and sentenced him instead to four years in prison for beating another victim the same evening. Levan Kochlashvili was on trial for having physically […]
Tbilisi court orders seizure of all Rustavi 2’s property
TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi on Friday ordered the seizure of all property owned by Georgia’s biggest independent TV company, Rustavi 2 reported on its website. According to the statement, the decision was passed on Wednesday, August 5, […]
Vehicles of Georgian opposition TV company seized
“This will be a full-scale legal war,” Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia warned. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Bureau of Enforcement late Thursday evening seized vehicles belonging to the Georgian opposition-leaning TV company Rustavi 2. The seizure came as result of a court plea submitted by Kibar Khalvashi, a Georgian businessman […]
Georgia not planning to join new sanctions on Russia
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is not planning to join another round of sanctions against Russia, Prime Minister Garibashvili said on Thursday. The sanctions were imposed by European countries as punishment for Russia’s annexation of Crimea last year. Garibashvili […]
Two dead in car crash in eastern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people died and one was seriously injured in a car crash in eastern Georgian Wednesday. Local media report that a Toyota SUV and a BMW crashed on a road near the village Shroma in Lagodekhi region. Five people were injured […]
Tbilisi minibus drivers on strike
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Part of Tbilisi’s minibus drivers went on strike Wednesday morning, demanding a reduction in the daily fee they pay to the company. The company, Tbilisi Minibus, demands 55 laris (USD 24) a day from each driver, which they have to pay at the end […]
Fire at Tbilisi bazaar claimed two lives
(Palitra TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A massive fire at a Tbilisi bazaar on Tuesday claimed the lives of two people. The bodies were found at night at Eliava, in the center of the capital. The bodies could not be immediately identified, as they had been burned almost to ashes, […]
Russia weighing new ban on import of Georgian wine
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian wine producers may be hit by another Russian embargo as the Kremlin draws up plans to retaliate against the extension of European sanctions. The Russian consumer safety bureau Rospotrebnadzor apparently is preparing […]
Georgian Dream ramping up for the parliamentary election
Eka Beselia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Bidzina Ivanishvili’s party is ramping up for the 2016 parliamentary election, it is still unknown whether Georgian Dream will run as a coalition, as in previous elections. The political council of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia […]
Over a dozen firetrucks scrambled to combat blaze at Tbilisi market
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A huge plume of smoke seen over Tbilisi Tuesday afternoon turned out to be a fire in a warehouse selling paint at a bazaar in the city center. Rescue workers evacuated people from the warehouse at Eliava bazaar on the left bank of the Mtkvari river and […]
Explosion hits South Caucasus gas pipeline
TBILISI, DFWatch–An explosion in eastern Turkey on Monday damaged part of the Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum pipeline, which carries gas from the Shah Deniz field in Azerbaijan and runs through Georgia. The cause of the explosion, which happened in Kars province, […]
Georgia’s Yazidis honour the victims of the Sinjar Massacre
Yezidis of Georgia fathered in a temple in Tbilisi (Facebook) Georgia’s Yazidi community marked the first anniversary of the Sinjar massacre and prayed for peace in the Yazidi temple in Tbilisi. Georgia’s Yazidi community gathered on 3 August in the Yazidi temple in the Varketili […]
Drop in Georgian wine export explained by problems in Russia and Ukraine
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s wine export in the first seven months fell by 46 percent, compared to last year, according to the National Wine Agency. The agency explains the drop as a result of ‘unstable political economic situation’ in two of the most important […]
Three dead after pickup truck plunged off mountain road
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A car accident claimed the lives of one man and two children in the mountainous Adjara region in the southwestern part of Georgia on Tuesday. A pickup truck was driving along a mountain road in Keda as it veered off the road and plunged down. […]
Search continues for three still missing after Tbilisi flood
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The search is still ongoing for three persons who went missing in a massive flood in Tbilisi in the night of June 13-14. 19 persons have been confirmed dead. Employees of the Interior Ministry’s emergency service have been looking […]
Eka Beselia calls for more leniency for Georgia’s women inmates
Eka Beselia is head of parliament’s human rights committee. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A leading parliamentarian from Georgia’s ruling coalition asks the president to consider pardoning or easing the sentences of more women. Eka Beselia, head of the human rights committee in parliament, said in a speech […]
Nino Burjanadze declared ‘persona non grata’ by Ukraine
Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Nino Burjanadze, former speaker of the Georgian parliament who twice served as acting president, has been declared ‘persona non grata’ by Ukraine, according to a Tbilisi-based radio station. The reason is Burjanadze’s statements about Crimea […]
Number of visitors to Georgia in July up 9.5% from 2014
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors to Georgia in the month of July was 9.5 percent higher than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). According to the MIA’s monthly report, 737,696 people visited Georgia in July. […]
Gali women still suffer from conflict-related gender inequality
A child’s drawing on the wall inside a school in a village in Tqvarcheli region (Dominik K. Cagara) Maia Kvarachelia from Gali-based NGO Avangard tells DF Watch about the gender-related issues the region has been facing since the end of the war in Abkhazia. The conflict in Abkhazia has left its mark on the population of the […]
Georgian PM names Giorgi Mgebrishvili as new interior minister
Giorgi Mgebrishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili wants Prison Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili to become new interior minister. The position is vacant after a reform that splits the interior ministry, creating a new Security Service. Mgebrishvili […]
Alleged Moscow mobster murdered in Akhalkalaki
Akhalkalaki (Ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Akhalkalaki-based news agency Jnews reports new details about a murder of an alleged mobster one week ago. Sargis Hakobyan was found dead in his car near the village Aragva on 26 July. It is believed that his car was ambushed […]
Two road accidents kill seven in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two car crashes caused the death of seven people late on Saturday, including two minors. Four people were hospitalized. First, a Mercedes car and a minibus crashed in Grigoleti, a small town on the Black Sea. The Mercedes caught fire and exploded, […]
Host country Georgia takes ten medals in Jr Olympics
(Tbilisi 2015.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia won ten medals in the European junior Olympics, which ended in Tbilisi on Saturday. Four gold and six bronze went to the home nation in this year’s European Youth Olympic Festival. Nine of the Georgian medals were in judo, while one […]
North Caucasus Watch 25–31 July 2015
DFWatch – 25-31 July, 2015 Daghestan The head of the Daghestani branch of the Russian Pension Fund Sagid Murtazaliyev is suspected of involvement in assassinations and financing terrorism. […]
Czech climber falls and dies in Caucasus Mountains
Mount Kazbegi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Czech climber died on Mount Kazbegi, one of the major peaks of the Caucasus Mountain Range, in the northern part of Georgia on July 30. According to the Emergency Service, the girl fell down and suffered severe head trauma. […]
Georgian president vetoes National Bank bill
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Friday vetoed a controversial National Bank bill which would mean that the government takes charge of the supervision of private banks. The president made his reasons for blocking the bill, […]
Georgian released from South Ossetian prison after talks
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian citizen who was arrested for spying in the breakaway region South Ossetia has been set free after a meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRM) held on July 30 in Ergneti. IPRM is a series of meetings […]
Interpol calls off search for former Georgian defense minister
Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Interpol has called off its search for former Georgian Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili, because the case is believed to be politically motivated. Also an application by Georgia to declare former President Mikheil Saakashvili wanted has been rejected […]
Tbilisi 2015: Georgia takes two more gold medals in Jr Olympics
Mzia Beboshvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch-Georgia took two more gold on Thursday in the European junior Olympics which are currently being held in Tbilisi. Mzia Beboshvili won in 52kg women’s judo category, defeating her opponent Ilse Buren from the Netherlands. “Everyone […]
Defense minister tries out life of a solder and discovers food is bad
Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s woman defense minister decided to live the life of a soldier and discovered that the food they are being served is not good enough. The last few days, Tina Khidasheli has been living as a soldier. At a presentation of a new diner […]
GEM Fest kicks off in Anaklia, Georgia
(GEM Fest.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Gem Fest starts Thursday in Anaklia, a beach resort on the Black Sea coast close to the border with Abkhazia. Georgian Electronic Music Festival will last from July 30 to August 7 and is carried out with the support of the Georgian […]
Youth Olympics: Georgia takes five medals in judo
Irakli Garibashvili congratulated Robinzon Beglarashvili on his gold medal. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has won five medals so far in the European Youth Olympic Festival, which is being held in Tbilisi. All medals, one gold and four bronze, were won in judo. Robinzon Beglasrishvili Wednesday won gold in men’s 60kg category, […]
Ivanishvili donates one million dollars to treat wounded soldiers
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili is donating one million dollars to support wounded soldiers, according to Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli. She told journalists on Wednesday that Ivanishivli had to finance the treatment […]
Public Defender criticizes TV exposé about virginity
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Defender has criticized a TV report concerning a family conflict which for openly reporting about the personal life of a young couple. The report was aired Sunday on Imedi TV and describes a newlywed couple living in the northwest […]
Georgian released by South Ossetia after paying USD 33 fine
TBILISI, DFWatch–A man who was detained by Russian border guards Saturday was freed on Tuesday, after paying a fine. Davit Khuroshvili, from the village Khurvaleti, bordering breakaway South Ossetia, was detained for violating the border. […]
Daily life in the shadow of South Ossetia
A banner installed in Koda at the administrative border (Dominik K. Cagara) An inhabitant of Chvrinisi, a Georgian village located right at the administrative boundary line with South Ossetia, tells about his daily life in the conflict zone. ‘There is no fence at the border in our village’, Vakhtang, an inhabitant of Chvrinisi tells DF Watch. […]
Exposé about young bride’s virginity causes outrage in Georgia
(Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The question of whether a bride must be a virgin has become a hotly debated topic in Georgia after a man beat his new young wife after the wedding. The report shown on Imedi TV on Sunday also revived a discussion of how journalist go about […]
British band Placebo donates USD 40,000 to Tbilisi flood victims
The flood took the lives of at least 19 people and many animals in a zoo. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Placebo, a British band which recently played at Tbilisi Open Air festival, has donated about USD 40,000 to the victims of the flood on June 13-14. The website Indiegogo, which raises funds for charity, said it had received USD 39,974 from Placebo […]
U.S. State Dep: Georgia shows progress in fight against human trafficking
(police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a new report, the U.S. Department of State says Georgia has had progress in fighting human trafficking. The 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report report, which was published Tuesday, says the Georgian government does not fully comply with the minimum […]
EU representative’s car hits and kills 15 year old in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A car belonging to the European Union Delegation to Georgia ran into a 15 year old boy on Sunday causing his death. The accident happened 30km away from the capital Tbilisi. An EU delegation spokesperson confirmed to DF Watch […]
Tbilisi Olympic festival not prepared for people with special needs
(Tbilisi 2015.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Youth Olympic Festival does not have proper infrastructure for people with special needs, according to Georgia’s ombudsman. Rustavi 2 reported Sunday that wheelchair users and others with special needs who wanted […]
Georgian murder suspect detained in Bulgaria
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian murder suspect who was wanted by Interpol was Monday detained in Bulgaria. According to Georgia’s Interior Ministry, the 43 year old was detained in Silistra. He has been wanted by Georgian law enforcement since 2009 […]
Tbilisi flood was preceded by more than 100mm of rainfall
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new study shows that there was more than 100 mm of precipitation the night of June 13-14, when a disastrous flood killed at least 19 people in Tbilisi. Three are still missing after the flood, which destroyed many houses and cars […]
European Youth Olympic Festival opened in Tbilisi
Zurab Zviadauri lit the Olympic the torch. (Tbilisi 2015.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Youth Olympic Festival opened in Tbilisi Sunday evening. About 1,500 people attending the opening ceremony at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. The ceremony lasted about two hours and included Georgian national dances […]
Georgian man detained at South Ossetia border
The new fences run through farm land. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards Saturday detained a man in a village bordering with Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia. Davit Khuroshvili, 48, from Khurvaleti was detained for violating the border. Locals claim he was detained in his own garden. […]
Georgian defense minister asks Ukraine to explain Saakashvili’s statements
Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli has asked Ukraine’s government to explain whether they take responsibility for statements made by former Georgian President Mikheil Saaksahvili, who is now governor of Odessa. […]
North Caucasus Watch 18–24 July 2015
DFWatch (18–24 July 2015) Daghestan A policeman and a suspected militant were killed in a shootout in the Tabasaran district on 19 July. A group of unidentified people opened fire to a group of policemen in the forest near the village of Akka. […]
PM accuses president of promoting Saakashvili’s party
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili practiced sarcasm on Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday accused President Giorgi Margvelashvili of being pro-National Movement, after the latter pardoned the brother of a member of that party, which is opposed to the government. Among 98 prisoners […]
Akhalkalaki media: Tbilisi should not fear Armenian separatism
Meeting with journalists in Javakheti (jnews.ge) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia should not fear separatism in Samtskhe-Javakheti, writes jnews, an Akhalkalaki-based news website. In a meeting, organized by the Go Group Media back in June, journalists […]
Jachvliani: EBRD should award me for publicity
“EBRD should award my for publicity” – Soso Jachvliani about his recent statement (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A member of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, whose apparent confusion of the abbreviation for European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with a brothel has become an instant hit in social media, came forward of Thursday in his attempt to explain his awkward speech a day earlier. […]
Hail hits Kakheti wine heartland
Heavy rain flooded houses in Kakheti (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Hailstorm once again hit Telavi and Kvareli municipalities, heartland of Georgia’s grape growing and wine producing Kakheti region in Eastern Georgia, badly damaging famous vineyards, as well as watermelon and corn fields. […]
Georgian MP confused EBRD with a brothel
Soso Jachvliani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the governing coalition on Wednesday defended himself against what he thought was innuendo implying that he had visited a brothel. The speech by Soso Jachvliani, an armwrestler, actor and film director who is also […]
57 kg of amphetamine found in car
(police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia seized more than 57 kg of amphetamine on Tuesday. The drugs were found in the car of a man who attempted to cross the border with Armenia at Sadakhlo. As the police checked the Toyota Land Cruiser, […]
Gomelauri confirmed as head of Georgia’s new counterintelligence
Vakhtang Gomelauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri was approved as new head of the State Security Service on Wednesday, as the ministry he has headed until now is split in two. Facing questions from parliamentarians, Gomelauri said that one […]
Donald Tusk sees off Georgian soldiers bound for Central African Republic
(EU Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At the end of his two-day visit to Georgia, President of the European Council Donald Tusk on Tuesday attended a meeting with Georgian soldiers preparing to leave for the Central African Republic. He wished the soldiers good luck and thanked […]
Ombudsman calls for investigation of banker’s 2011 detention and fine
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Defender has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate a possible crime which took place in March, 2011. A person with the initials L.L. was detained by strangers and brought to the Prosecutor General’s Office, […]
Georgia police seize 7 kilos of cocaine at Sarpi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine. According to the ministry, a 25 year old Lebanese man attempted to leave Georgia with the cocaine but was arrested at the checkpoint in Sarpi, at the border […]
Donald Tusk visits Georgia’s disputed border zone
(Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of the European Council Donald Tusk on Tuesday visited an area near the disputed border with South Ossetia where Russian border guards recently installed new signs. Tusk went to the area near Khurvaleti and Tsitelubani, […]
Donald Tusk visits Georgia, takes sides in border dispute
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of the European Council Donald Tusk on Monday sided with Georgia in a conflict over the installation of border signs with South Ossetia, calling the signs a provocation. The signs are placed along the old ‘administrative border’ […]
Both sides speak of provocations at South Ossetia field meeting
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian and South Ossetian negotiators met Monday for field talks called following a series of border incidents. The Georgian view is that newly installed signs are illegal and the border has been moved, while South Ossetia’s view is that the […]
Saakashvili gives up his Georgian citizenship
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili is giving up his native citizenship, according to Ukrainian media. According to Ukrainian Pravda, Saakashvili is ‘in the process’ of rejecting his Georgian citizenship. He was given Ukrainian […]
Georgia’s interior minister will head new security service
Vakhtang Gomelauri (left) and Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has named current Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri as new head of the State Security Service, a body that is created as the MIA is split in two. If confirmed by parliament, Gomelauri will leave his […]
Husband of Georgian singer arrested for possession of drugs
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia on Sunday arrested the husband of a well-known singer at Tbilisi airport after he was found carrying drugs. Kakha Mamulashvili is a producer, but better known as the husband of the Georgian singer Lela Tsurtsumia. […]
Anti-occupation protest with anti-governmental undertones
“Stop Russia” (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Representatives of the civil society, science, and media lead the protest triggered by the latest developments at the border with South Ossetia and blame the government for inaction. Around thousand people gathered in front of the State Chancellery in Tbilisi on 18 […]
Who wants to use Tbilisi’s Atoneli residence?
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Security Council (NSC) has turned down an offer to use the residence on Atoneli Street as office. The residence used to house the U.S. embassy, but was refurbished to be used for the president’s office. This, however, […]
South Ossetia investigating border sign removal
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia has initiated a criminal investigation of the journalists who recently pulled down a border sign demarcating the breakaway region and replaced it with a Georgian flag. According to South Ossetia’s official news agency RES, […]
LGBT rights activist assaulted allegedly for his appearance
Levan Berianidze (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Interior Ministry launched criminal investigation into physical attack on employee of the NGO working in the field of protecting rights of sexual minorities in Georgia. Levan Berianidze, of NGO Identoba, […]
Russia to ease visa rules for Georgians
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia promises to ease visa rules for Georgian citizens. The news of this came after talks in Prague between a Georgian and a Russian diplomat. The Abashidze-Karasin talks were launched after Georgian Dream came to power in 2012. […]
Donald Tusk to visit Georgia July 20
Donald Tusk. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of the European Council Donald Tusk will arrive in Tbilisi on July 20 for a two day visit. Tusk was invited by President Giorgi Margvelashvili. The two will have a bilateral meeting, and afterward answer questions at a joint press conference. […]
Locals unhappy about South Ossetia border protests
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals gathered near the border with Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia on Friday to protest against the actions of a group of journalists who staged a protest a few days ago against Russia’s ‘creeping occupation.’ People say they have […]
Another border incident: Georgian flag removed by armed Ossetian servicemen
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers on Wednesday removed a Georgian flag at the border with the breakaway region South Ossetia. On June 10, Russian troops guarding the perimeter of the breakaway republic placed two news border signs near the villages […]
Head of Georgia’s National Bank makes new call to cut expenses
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of Georgia’s National Bank on Wednesday again asked the government to cut the budget, but the government has no plans to follow the recommendation. Giorgi Kadagidze said the adjustments in the 2015 budget […]
Fire in Tbilisi department store injures eleven
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eleven people were injured in a fire Thursday morning at a department store in Tbilisi. The fire started at about 9am on the second floor of the store, where there was furniture. Giorgi Bakhutashvili, communication manager of Hypermarket Gorgia, […]
Bill to reform Prosecutor General’s Office seen as ineffective
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three influential European organizations criticize Georgia for carrying out a reform that doesn’t do enough to depoliticize the Prosecutor General’s Office. One of the most important remarks by the Venice Commission, OSCE and the Consultative Council […]
Georgian president signs law that will split Interior Ministry
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Ministry of Interior will be split in two on August 1, and a new body called the State Security Service will come into existence. President Giorgi Margvelashvili has signed the law about splitting the ministry, which means that it is in force. […]
Remittances to Georgia plummet by a fifth
Remittances dropped by more than 20 percent in June (NBG) TBILISI, DFWatch–Money transfers from abroad to Georgia in June dropped by 20.8% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest monthly report by the National Bank. The total amount of money transfer flow in June was $100.4 million […]
Gas explosion in Tbilisi kills five
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A gas explosion in a suburb of Tbilisi on Tuesday killed at least five, and injured eight. Two girls are in hospital in a serious condition. The accident happened in the evening, in building 2 in the sixth micro district of Gldani, a suburb in the western […]
Georgian journalists trampled, removed Russian-installed border sign
Journalists removed the banner reading ‘Republic of South Ossetia’ (Pia.ge) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Journalists from several Tbilisi-based outlets arrived at the conflict line with breakaway South Ossetia, removed a border sign installed by Russian troops last week and defiantly trampled it on Tuesday. […]
ECHR ruling is vital for all minority movements in Georgia
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The European Court of Human Rights ruling in the case Identoba and others vs Georgia can be considered a landmark decision, as it stated that hate crimes, committed against individuals based on their sexual orientation is a violation of the European Convention on Human rights. […]
Khidasheli: No link between arms deals and Russian troops’ activities
Tina Khidasheli (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – There are no direct links between signing of arms deals with western manufacturers and recent activities of the Russian troops in South Ossetia, Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli says. “Any activity undertaken by the Georgian […]
President awards Kaladze with Order of Honor
Kakha Kaladze during cleaning works after flood (press-office) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Minister of Energy and the first vice Prime Minister of Georgia was awarded by the president with Order of Honor for his active efforts in the rescue operation after deadly flood in Tbilisi in June 13. Along with Kakha Kaladze […]
Russian troops pushed “border” over BP-operated pipeline, few hundred meters off main road
Georgian farmer behind a razor wire near Khurvaleti village. July 13 (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Recent push of the Russian border troops inside mainland Georgia left behind parts of Georgian settlements and agricultural lands, as well as an underground portion of significant pipeline that is used to export crude oil from Azerbaijan via Supsa terminal on Black Sea coast bypassing Russia, and caused massive outrage in Tbilisi. […]
Georgia’s foreign trade down 13% in first half of 2015
Rustavi used car market. (rustavi.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first half of 2015 was 13 percent less than last year, according to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat. According to the short monthly report, Georgia’s foreign trade […]
Ticket sale for UEFA Super Cup ends
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ticket sales for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Sevilla and Barcelona ended at 5:15am Sunday, leaving thousands of fans disappointed. 22,089 tickets were sold at booths. When ticket sales opened at 9am on Sunday, […]
Thousands waited for UEFA Super Cup tickets
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several thousand people showed up in Vake Park near Meskhi stadium on Saturday to buy tickets for the UEFA Super Cup match between Sevilla and Barcelona in Tbilisi on August 11. The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) […]
Georgians lining up to buy tickets for UEFA Super Cup
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds of Georgia fans rushed to line up in Tbilisi’s Vake Park to secure seats for the UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla a day before ticket sales starts. Tickets for the match should have been sold online weeks in advance, […]
Plans for new spacious Tbilisi zoo presented
Mayor Davit Narmania inspecting the location of the city’s new zoo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After being partly destroyed by a flood a month ago, Tbilisi Zoo will move into a new facility to be built on the shores of Tbilisi Reservoir, the largest lake in the capital. Reflecting on the future of the zoo, director Zurab Gurielidze and spokesperson […]
Georgia splits its Interior Ministry in two
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three years after coming to power, the Georgian Dream government has delivered on an election promise to split the intelligence service the from the Interior Ministry. It will be a separate body from August 1. According to an amendment approved […]
Burjanadze: Ukraine will never get Crimea back
“Crimea is Russia” – Nino Burjanadze (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–“Crimea is a part of Russia, and will never come back to Ukraine” – Nino Burjanadze, former speaker of the parliament and former acting President of Georgia, said during her visit to Moscow. “Crimea is part of Russia. I can say that […]
Azerbaijani football supporters take revenge on Georgians with map
“Borchali is the land of our ancestors” – posters of Azerbaijani fans during the match (Facebook) TBILISI, DFWatch–Azerbaijani football supporters took revenge against their Georgian counterparts on Wednesday by holding a poster with a subtle political message during a match in Gabala. A few days ago, Georgian supporters trampled on an Azerbaijanian […]
Prosecutors in Georgia investigating alleged beating of woman by police
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia are accused of beating a young woman during a brawl at a youth club in Tbilisi. A video where the young woman describes her treatment by police has gone viral on social media in Georgia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs […]
Small landslide in village near Tbilisi, origin of catastrophic flood
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was a small landslide this morning in a village near Tbilisi, the same place where a landslide caused a catastrophic flood wave in a river valley June 13. Thursday’s landslide damaged a road and utility pipe which supplies households […]
Next Abashidze-Karasin meeting to be held July 15 in Prague
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian and a Georgian diplomat will meet on July 15 in Prague. The Abashidze-Karasin talks are an informal channel for discussing trade and other cooperation between the two countries, which don’t have diplomatic relations. […]
Abkhazia–Russia relations under strain following pressure
Raul Khajimba, leader of breakaway Abkhazia (Pia.ge) The latest developments in Abkhazia–Russia relations turn increasingly sour as Russia attempts to strengthen its presence in the region. As continued Russian funding is dependent on the implementation of the provisions of the Abkhazian–Russian treaty, many Abkhazians grow disenchanted with their key ally. […]
Tbilisi almost ready to host UEFA Super Cup
Davit Narmania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Dinamo Stadium is now ready for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla, the mayor of Tbilisi said after a session of the organizing committee on Tuesday. Mayor Davit Narmania said his city is ready to host the Super Cup […]
KaZantip manager calls Georgians ‘ridiculous’ for removing sculpture
From an anti-KaZantip demonstration in Tbilisi in 2014. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The manager of KaZantip has called Georgians ‘ridiculous, poor and wild’ people after learning that someone demolished a sculpture built by the music festival’s organizers in Anaklia last summer. KaZantip is an electronic music […]
Tickets for UEFA Super Cup to be sold from booths starting Sunday
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tickets for the UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla will be sold from booths in Tbilisi, starting July 12 at 9am. Tickets will be available only in booths at Mikheil Meskhi stadium in Tbilisi after the website biletebi.ge […]
Ukraine detains two high officials for corruption
Davit Sakvarelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new government in Ukraine has detained the deputy chief prosecutor and deputy head of the investigation service on suspicion of corruption. Ukrainian media report that the General Prosecutor’s Office and Ukraine’s security service […]
National Bank recommends reducing expenses
National Bank recommends to reduce expenses (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Bank of Georgia advises the government to cut expenses and revise its tax policy in order to avoid currency fluctuation. The NBG sent parliament its recommendations letter over the adjusted state draft budget 2015, concluding […]
Turkish captain fined $20,000
(Marine Traffic) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Coast Guard has fined a captain of a cargo ship under the flag of the Comoros, a tiny state located in Comoro Archipelago, off the East African coast, 50,000 laris (USD 22,200). According to a statement by the Ministry of Interior, the crew […]
Trade Unions: 14 construction workers killed in 2014 accidents
TBILISI, DFWatch–14 people died, and 11 were severely injured during construction work in Georgia in 2014, according to a report published by the country’s United Trade Unions and the Union of Construction Workers and Forestry. A deadly collapse of a building […]
Update: Building collapse in Tbilisi causes four deaths
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four people died when a building collapsed in central Tbilisi on Monday. Three of them died on the spot, while the fourth, believed to be 17 or 18 years old, died of his injuries at the hospital. The three dead were laborers working to demolish […]
Economy minister sees no threat to flow of remittances from Greece
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Sunday that a week of halted money transfers will not hamper the flow of money sent home by Georgian migrants in Greece. Banks in Greece shut down last week after the Tsipras government’s […]
Houses burned by bush fire in southern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was a fire in Gardabani in the south of Georgia on Sunday. Several abandoned houses burned down, and a woman was slightly injured. Hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers managed to put out the fire in Kumisi settlement […]
LGBT* community in Georgia has bigger concerns than same sex marriages
Invisible Protest for May 17, 2014, Tbilisi, Georgia (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Same sex marriage legislation in the U.S. is a landmark decision, but LGBT* people in Georgia have bigger problems than not being allowed to get married. On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriages country wide […]
Escaped zoo tiger found dead in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A tiger which escaped from Tbilisi Zoo during a flood three weeks ago has been found dead at a leisure park a few hundred meters from the zoo. The discovery of the dead Siberian tiger “Salima” at Laguna Vere concludes the search for dangerous […]
Suspected Georgian mafia boss and 35 others arrested in Spain
Zviad Darsadze (Facebook) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 42 year old Georgian mob boss and 35 others, mostly Georgian nationals, have been arrested in Madrid, Basque Country, Valencia and other places in Spain on Friday, in a raid classified by the EUROPOL as ‘the most important development […]
Georgian football fans accused of trampling on Azerbaijanian flag
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian football fans are accused of having insulted supporters of the visiting team by trampling on an Azerbaijanian flag after a match between Dinamo and Gabala in Tbilisi on Thursday. The UEFA Europa League qualifier ended 2-1 to the […]
North Caucasus Review 23–30 June 2015
DFWatch (23–30 June 2015) Daghestan President Ramazan Abdulatipov expressed his ‘complete loss of confidence’ in the acting mayor of Makhachkala Magomed Suleymanov. According to Abdulatipov, 148 houses are being built in the capital without proper […]
Saudi crown prince donates money to Tbilisi flood victims
Abdulaziz al Saud with PM Garibashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The crown prince of Saudi Arabia is donating USD 300,000 to assist the victims of the June 14 flood in Tbilisi. Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who visited Georgia a few weeks ago, wrote in a letter to the prime minister that they carefully […]
Former defense minister charged with appropriation of property
Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office on Thursday charged a former defense minister with appropriation of property from private persons during his time in office. The Prosecutor General’s Office said Davit Kezerashvili in August, 2010, […]
Suspicious meat seized in Tbilisi
(National Food Agency.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Food Agency in Georgia on Thursday seized 200kg of suspicious meat at the Dezertirebi market in Tbilisi. According to the short statement, Beka 2015 Ltd had prepared for selling the meat, however some of it didn’t have a seal […]
Georgian volunteer soldier reported dead in Ukraine
Konstantine (Kote) Lashkhia. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian, who was fighting for Ukraine in Mariupol, has been reported dead. The death of Konstantine (Kote) Lashkhia has not yet been officially confirmed. Rustavi 2 reported it based on information from Davit Makashvili, who is also […]
Georgia’s National Bank raises refinancing rate to 5.5%
(National Bank.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Bank of Georgia is increasing the refinancing rate because of an expected increase in inflation, which means that loans for a certain category of clients will get more expensive. The explanation given for the National […]
Ukraine’s ‘Georgian’ minister resigns
“We’ve been hindered by the (sinister) system that had been cemented for 25 years and now it is trying to knock out reforms as an alien body,” Alexandre Kvitashvili snaps back at his critics. Tbilisi, DFWatch – Embattled Ukrainian Health Minister, Alexandre Kvitashvili, resigned Thursday after harsh criticism by the parliament, Verkhovna Rada and even by his former boss and current informal leader, Mikheil Saakashvili. “The old system breaks […]
9% more visitors to Georgia in June
(adjara.gov.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 9.3 percent more visitors to Georgia in June, 2015, compared to same month last year, according to the latest monthly report from the Interior Ministry. The new figures show that 496,758 people visited the country in June […]
20 year old detained for raping 11 year old boy
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained a 20 year old man who is accused of raping and bringing an 11 year old boy to the point of suicide. The boy who was raped is dead. Investigators think he committed suicide, but the relatives are sure he didn’t kill […]
Dead zoo animals pulled out of river in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rescue workers on Tuesday pulled a number of dead animals out of the river Mtkvari in Tbilisi, while looking for victims of the June 14 flood. 19 people died in the flood, while three are still missing. Apart from the human victims, also many […]
Online ticket sale of UEFA Super Cup tickets opens, and closes
TBILISI, DFWatch–Online ticket sale for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla began Tuesday morning, but was stopped in the evening due to technical problems. The site biletebi.ge began selling tickets at 9am, but at 9pm […]
Rustavi smelter plant fires hundreds of employees due to lawsuit
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rustavi Poladi, a smelter plant in a town 20km away from the capital, has fired hundreds of employees because of a lawsuit. Nugzar Kachukhashvili, Director of Rustavi Poladi Ltd, said at a press conference on Monday that the […]
Thousands of Georgians despair as Greece halts money transfers
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The crisis in Greece has also hit hard for as many as 200,000 Georgians who are living and working in the country, and their families back home in Georgia. Money transfers are currently halted, as well as trailer transport. The crisis in Greece […]
On the road. A story of one Iraqi refugee in Georgia
Mustafa Shalan Tbilisi, DFWatch – According to the estimates from the UNCHR, as of December 2014 there were over 1200 asylum seekers and over 800 refugees in Georgia. 26 year old Mustafa Shalan is one of them. His story, which he told me one spring afternoon in a sunny balcony in the center of Tbilisi, is a tale of a young man seeking a place to settle, as he is no longer welcome at home. […]
PM Garibashvili: We’ll decide same-sex marriage issue by ourselves
Irakli Garibashvili Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s PM will do his best to fix definition of a marriage as ‘union of a man and a woman.’ In a lengthy interview published on Monday by a popular Georgian ultra-conservative newspaper Asaval-Dasavali, Irakli Garibashvili, PM, says that the state firmly stands […]
Members of U.S. congress to visit Georgia
U.S. Representative Peter Roskam. (house.gov.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A delegation from the U.S. congress is to visit Georgia from July 2 to 5. Among the delegation are members of congress from the Republican and the Democratic parties, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Davit Kereselidze. Peter Roskam […]
Georgian parliament approves controversial bank bill
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia approved a bill on Sunday which will relieve the National Bank of responsibility for supervising private banks and instead transfer such authority to a new agency. The vote was preliminary, as the bill must go through […]
Thirteenth Georgian dies fighting in Syria
Information Center of Kakheti published this photo of Turpal Borchashvili. TBILISI, DFWatch–A 23 year old was reported by locals in his hometown in Pankisi Gorge Sunday to have died in the Syria war. Turpal Borchashvili is at least the thirteenth Georgian citizen who has died in Syria fighting for Islamists. Borchashvili was from […]
Anaklia hosts GEM Fest, instead of KaZantip, in July
Armin Van Buuren (Gem Fest) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A western Georgian Black Sea resort Anaklia is going to host one of the largest electronic music festivals this summer. GEM Fest features popular electronic music stars, such as world renowned Dutch DJ and trance guru Armin van Buuren, […]
Georgian parliamentarian criticizes U.S. Supreme Court same-sex ruling
Manana Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The deputy speaker of the Georgian parliament, Manana Kobakhidze, is criticized for recent remarks about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage. “Even if we are left all alone on earth, if every one of our friends or partners abandons us, I will not […]
U.S. State Dep criticizes Georgia for failure to protect gays
May 17, 2015 (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch -The U.S. State Department criticizes Georgia in a new report about human rights published on Friday. Among a whole a number of problems highlighted in the report, it pays particular attention to the violation of the rights of gays and other sexual minorities. […]
Judicial committee joins president in resisting National Bank bill
Committee head Vakhtang Khmaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament’s judiciary committee agree with the president about a proposed bill to strip away the bank supervisory function from the National Bank, claiming that it violates the constitution. Committee chair Vakhtang Khmaladze said on Friday […]
Georgia extradites man suspected of beating wife to the U.S.
(police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has extradited a man holding dual Iranian-U.S. citizenship to the United States. The man has been subject to an Interpol red alert notice since 2011. The man, who is born in 1979, was detained on January 23, 2015 by Georgian police. Interpol has determined […]
NATO’s Secretary General to visit Georgia in August
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg i May. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit Georgia this August, according to the Defense Ministry. The visit was agreed during a meeting Wednesday between Georgia’s Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli and Deputy Secretary General of the alliance […]
80% of UEFA Super Cup tickets will be reserved for Georgians
TBILISI, DFWatch–80% of tickets for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevillia in Tbilisi will be sold exclusively to Georgians. Only 6,000 tickets will be earmarked for visiting football fans from abroad. Eka Eloshvili, spokesperson for Georgian […]
Georgian president to veto National Bank bill
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For at least the second time, the situation between the Georgian parliament and the president has become tense. Now the president plans to veto an initiative concerning the president of the National Bank. Since the president and non-governmental […]
Ditsi incident and irrigation canal discussed during South Ossetia talks
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The sides in the 2008 Georgia war met for a field meeting on Wednesday at Ergneti, a village on the border with the Georgian breakaway region South Ossetia. Also this time, border issues were on the agenda at the so-called Incident […]
Georgian minister: Armenia’s EEU membership not an obstacle for ‘centuries-old friendship’
Photo: Tea Tsulukiani (from the left), Hovannes Manukyan and Giorgi Mghebrishvili (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Armenia’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union is not an obstacle but rather an opportunity of ‘mutual enrichment and opening of new opportunities’, Minister of Justice of Georgia said in an interview with Mediamax, Armenian e-newspaper. […]
Missing hyena found dead at Tbilisi Zoo
(Tbilservice Group.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A missing hyena was found dead on Wednesday during clean-up work inside the partially destroyed Tbilisi Zoo. The hyena was found by employees of Tbilservice Group, close to the cages of tigers and lions near the administration building. A tiger […]
A small crowd in Tbilisi rallied to support Yerevan protesters
A rally of solidarity at Armenian Embassy in Tbilisi (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch — A crowd of a few dozen gathered in front of the Armenian embassy in Tbilisi on Wednesday afternoon to show their solidarity with protesters in Yerevan. One of the rally organizers Rezo Karanadze […]
Consultations begin to find new National Bank head
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president is starting consultations to find a new head of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG). Current NBG head Giorgi Kadagidze was appointed during Saakashvili’s presidency for a seven years term which expires in February, 2016. According […]
Georgian journalists receive death threats after publishing cartoon
The offensive cartoon. TBILISI, DFWatch–Several journalists in Georgia have been threatened by a radical Islamist that he will ‘spill their blood’ if they don’t remove a cartoon from a website. The journalists launched the site to help ethnic minorities get an education and rid themselves of the chains […]
Biletebi.ge given 48 hours to solve UEFA Super Cup ticket mess
TBILISI, DFWatch–The website responsible for selling tickets to the August 11 UEFA Super Cup between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC has been given 48 hours to solve its technical problems. Zviad Sichinava, President of the Georgian Football Federation, told journalists that the tickets won’t […]
Georgian government proposes USD 60 million budget cuts
Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia plans 140 million of budget cuts, about USD 60 million with today’s currency rate. The finance minister on Monday presented an adjusted budget to the cabinet of ministers. He said that the state budget, […]
Penguin found alive as Tbilisi Zoo publishes complete list of animals
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As a penguin was discovered alive Tuesday, Tbilisi Zoo for the first time published the complete list of animals they had before the flood on the night of June 13-14. The penguin was found by soldiers as they were cleaning the lower section […]
The Sayat Nova Project: Music Defying Borders in the Caucasus
Bela Mutoshvili and Benjamin Wheeler. Joqolo, Pankisi (Dominik K. Cagara) A group of ethnomusicologists known as the Sayat Nova Project has been documenting the musical heritage of the South Caucasus, trying to de-emphasise national divisions, explore the shared heritage, and pay attention to the underrepresented forms of musical expression. […]
Three people still missing after Tbilisi flood
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The search is still on for three people who are missing after a devastating flood in Tbilisi early morning on June 14 which killed at least 19 people. Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri said on Tuesday that a large part of the gravel […]
Court allows prosecution’s evidence in Saakashvili trial
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has accepted evidence presented by the Prosecutor General’s Office in a criminal case against ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. The former leader was charged last November in a case that concerns the murder of a bank employee […]
Website selling UEFA Super Cup tickets goes down
TBILISI, DFWatch–The website biletebi.ge, which is responsible for selling tickets for UEFA Super Cup 2015, went down Monday morning. Administrators claim they have been the target of a cyber attack and that enormous amounts of users have tried to enter the site at the same time. […]
Georgia to allow visa-free visits for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile
Tamar Beruchashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia plans to allow short visa-free visits for citizens of Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchasvili announced as she began her first visit to South America. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Davit Kereselidze said the aim of Beruchashvili’s […]
Storm toppled trees in several villages in southern Georgia
(Photo by Marneuli municipality.) TBILISI, DFWatch–High winds toppled trees which crashed into several houses in Marneuli in southern Georgia on Saturday. According to the head of Marneuli municipality, the fallen trees also blocked several of the roads in the surrounding villages. Heavy rainfall and hail also […]
Animal rights activist demand to shut down Tbilisi Zoo
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of animal rights activists demonstrated Sunday outside City Hall in Tbilisi, demanding to shut down the zoo, after a flood killed more than 50 percent of the animals held there, and others escaped. The demonstration was organized by Vegan Georgia […]
Flooded areas of Tbilisi are being disinfected
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Health Ministry in Georgia has sent teams to disinfect five areas that were hit by a disastrous flood in Tbilisi on June 14 to prevent the spread of disease. Health Minister Davit Sergeenko named the targeted areas as Mziuri Park, Zoo, Svanidze Street, […]
Justice Ministry proposes bill for stronger protection of women
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Justice Ministry in Georgia has introduced a package of legislative amendments to prevent violence against women. The amendments apply to about 20 different sections of laws and will target illegal spying, communication by phone or by […]
Five Defense Ministry officials released
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five Defense Ministry officials who were detained last fall on embezzlement charges were released Friday on the basis of personal guarantees from several MPs. The Prosecutor General’s Office wanted to set a bail bond, but backed down. The so-called […]
Ivanishvili comments on flood – criticized for being late
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s first comments about the flood disaster, which killed at least 19, destroyed forty homes and a zoo, were criticized for being too late. It took six days until he commented publicly, but his organization […]
Hunt underway for escaped tiger on Tbilisi’s outskirts
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Law enforcement bodies are still searching for escaped predators from Tbilisi Zoo after the flood disaster on June 14. Hunters involved in the search yesterday installed video traps fitted with meat as bait at possible locations of the predators. This is an area […]
Trafficking scheme uncovered in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service has uncovered a case of trafficking in babies and arrested nine people at two maternity clinics. The arrested are the director of Rustavi Maternity House and his deputy, and one of the owners of New Maternity […]
Yazidi temple, third in the world, opened in Tbilisi
Guests in the opening of the temple (Teimuraz Shamoian ) Tbilisi, DFWatch – on Tuesday, Yazidis celebrated the opening of their first temple and a cultural center in Tbilisi. More than 2000 guests attended the opening ceremony of the temple in uptown Varketili district, built on the donation by the state. […]
PM apologizes for misinforming the public, still blames zoo director
Survived animals of the zoo (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgian authorities apologized for releasing the wrong information regarding escaped zoo animals, but they still blame the director of the Tbilisi zoo, Zurab Gurielidze. “The report was based on the information provided by the zoo administration, […]
Batsbi: A Silent Death of a Minority Language
A village in Tusheti (Facebook) The Batsbi language, a minority language related to Chechen, has been driven to the brink of extinction. Traditionally spoken in Zemo Alvani, Akhmeta Region, Kakheti, it has already lost its role as a community language and without institutional support it continues to decline at a rapid pace. […]