News
Georgia denies reports that German company visited Abkhazia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies reports in Abkhazian media that representatives of a German company visited the region. Media outlets in Sukhumi reported that representatives of an unspecified German company met with the de facto leaders […]
Jobs, high prices and poverty are now Georgians’ top concerns
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgians think jobs, higher prices and poverty are the three most important issues, according to a new opinion poll published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on Monday. Earlier, territorial integrity was the most important issue […]
Georgia’s wine export falls sharply
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s wine export was reduced by 58 percent in the first four months of 2015, compared to the same period last year. The reason is less sales to Russia (-76 percent) and Ukraine (-57 percent). From January through April, Georgia exported wine […]
Three children dead in hotel fire in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is shaken by the death of three boys in a hotel fire Sunday morning. 45 people were rescued from Hotel Armazi in Kobuleti, a town on the Black Sea. Among the hotel’s inhabitants were 31 minors. The three boys who died were were 10 and 11 years […]
Uneasy victory day celebration in Tbilisi
(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–It was 70 years since Nazi-Germany was defeated Saturday, but in Tbilisi, people had difficulty to decide whether or how to celebrate it. In the end of the day, seven people were detained for hooliganism and resisting the police. Like in most […]
Georgian government wins confidence vote in parliament
Primie Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a week of political speculation, the ruling coalition declared confidence in the new government and its plan. The vote took place late at night on Friday, after MPs had been asking questions to cabinet members the whole day. There was some […]
Economy minister admits life has gotten tougher for Georgians
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The economy minister in Georgia has finally admitted that people’s conditions have worsened in recent weeks and months. But Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili follows his predecessor and godfather of this government in blaming the devaluation […]
Georgian leaders call on EU to deliver on visa-free travel
TBILISI, DFWatch–On the background of rumors that Georgia, like other aspirant states Ukraine and Moldova will be disappointed on the upcoming Eastern Partnership Riga Summit the three highest officials of Georgia sent common letter to Donald Tusk […]
Government reform of Prosecutor General’s Office met with skepticism
Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government plans to change the procedure for appointing a chief prosecutor. Instead of letting the prime minister do the selection, parliament will have the power to do this. According to Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani, this will […]
Gay rights activists in Georgia are confined to the Internet
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two years after a violent mob attacked them, gay rights activists in Georgia are confining their protest to the Internet as they observe the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). No-one has been prosecuted for the […]
Georgian National Bank raises interest rates to deal with falling lari
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the second time this year, the National Bank has increased the refinancing rate by half a percentage point. The rate now stands at 5 percent. About 8,000 people will have higher interest rate on their loans because of the change. Economic […]
Georgian government will face vote of confidence on Friday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament will hold a vote of confidence about the new government May 8 at 13:00, by request of the speaker of parliament, who asked the president to schedule a special session at that time. The government has been pretending […]
Unloading of containers halted in Poti port as workers negotiate
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Unloading of containers and some other operations have been halted in the port in Poti due to a strike among workers. Most other types of operations are not affected by the strike, according to the company that runs the port. The strike began […]
UN agency finds Georgian couples prefer to have boys
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–46 percent of Georgian families would like to have a son instead of a daughter. Nine percent have the opposite preference, while women with partners or husbands admit they have had an abortion because of the sex of child. These are some […]
Parliament anxiously awaiting the president’s list for new government
Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Friday is the last day for the president to present parliament with his candidates for a new government. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili Tuesday evening warned President Giorgi Margvelashvili about the terms of the procedure by saying […]
Port workers on strike in Poti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Workers at the port in Poti went on strike Sunday, demanding a 14 percent pay rise. The workers gave their bosses ten days to comply with their demand, otherwise they threatened to completely paralyze the functioning of the port. On Tuesday, the term expired, […]
Court further prolongs detention of former mayor
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi decided Tuesday that the former mayor and Saakashvili confidante Gigi Ugulava must remain in detention. Tuesday’s decision by Tbilisi City Court regarding Ugulava is strongly challenged by the National Movement, the former ruling […]
Eight detained in Georgia for match-fixing
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia detained eight persons on Tuesday for match-fixing. Some of the detainees are football (soccer) players. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the detainees include the president of the football club Stu Tbilisi, […]
Georgia-Armenia row brewing over contacts with separatists
Anatoly Bibilov, speaker of the South Ossetian de facto parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A diplomatic row is brewing between Georgia and Armenia after the speaker of Armenian parliament met with the de facto parliament speaker of South Ossetia. Yesterday, Russian media reported that there had been a meeting between the speaker […]
Georgia’s economy minister says lari will soon recover
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Georgia’s national currency lari is continues to fall in value, the economy minister assures the public that the fall will not continue and calls on journalists not to speculate. Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Monday that there […]
New ministers begin working before approval in parliament
Tina Khidasheli began work as defense minister Monday, without approval from parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three new ministers Monday started working, even though they haven’t been approved by parliament yet. Constitutional experts say it is unlikely that they have a right to function as ministers. The three new appointees arrived at their respective […]
Ivanishvili criticizes president for postponing ministers’ appointments
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (GDS.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili again criticized the president and leading NGOs on Sunday, on the talk show 2030, aired on his son Bera’s TV channel GDS. The program was first broadcast a few weeks ago. Ivanishvili has since used […]
Georgian film director Rezo Chkheidze dies at age 88
Rezo Chkheidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The famous Georgian film director Revaz (Rezo) Chkheidze has died in Tbilisi at age 88. Rezo Chkheidze rose to fame in the Soviet Union for his iconic 1964 World War 2 black-and-white drama Father of a Soldier, with a powerful performance by Sergo […]
Still no answer to Georgia’s request to Azerbaijan regarding Saakashvili
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office told DF Watch that they still haven’t received a response from Azerbaijan to a request to extradite former President Mikheil Saakashvili. Last week, Saakashvili visited Baku to participate in a political […]
Armed bank robber caught in Tbilisi, might have been a customer
A branch of ProCredit Bank was robbed Saturday morning. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An armed man robbed a bank in Tbilisi on Saturday. The crime took place at about 10:45 in the morning at a branch of ProCredit Bank at 54 Chavchavadze Avenue in the Vake district. No-one was injured. According to witnesses, […]
May Day rally in Tbilisi focused on dangerous work conditions
TBILISI, DFWatch–Youth activists marched through the streets of the Georgian capital on Friday to mark the International Workers’ Day and protest against intolerable work conditions. (DF Watch.) There were demonstrations and gatherings several places in Tbilisi on May 1, separately organized […]
Asureti – a German village in Georgia
ASURETI, DFWatch–In the 1940s, there were over 20,000 Germans living in Georgia. Today almost none are left. Stalin deported them in 1941-42, and barely anyone came back. Now, Germans are rediscovering this part of their past. Luiza and Manfred. (DF Watch.) Manfred Tikhonov (67) moved to Asureti […]
Youth activists mark International Workers’ Day in Tbilisi
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Georgian PM appoints more western-oriented new ministers
PM Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili named three new ministers on Friday, two of whom are members of the Republican Party, which is regarded as a more western-oriented coalition member. The nominations are made against the backdrop […]
Georgian government relaunches plan to split the Interior Ministry
The Moduli building, where Georgia’s counterintelligence used to interrogate political opponents of Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government has announced the start of long-awaited reform of the powerful Interior Ministry. It is formally known as the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), and was created during Saakashvili when the counterintelligence […]
Ivanishvili again blames National Bank for Georgia’s currency woes
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Businessman and retired politician Bidzina Ivanishvili has again blamed the National Bank for not helping to prevent a drop in the Georgian lari. “I suspect that the National Bank is still acting inadequately,” he told journalists on Thursday. […]
Placebo and Archive will play at Tbilisi Open Air festival
Deep Purple at Tbilisi Open Air 2013. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The two English bands Placebo and Archive are headliners at this year’s Tbilisi Open Air festival, to be held by a lake near the capital July 3 to 7. Tickets sales have started for the festival, which has been organized every year since 2009 by the AlterVision Group. […]
ERBD to support female entrepreneurs in Georgia
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) has announced a new 45 million euros program to support women entrepreneurs in eastern European countries including Georgia. The program is called ‘Women in Business’ and will involve ERBD […]
Georgian team wins women’s world chess championship
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The World Women’s Team Chess Championship 2015 was won by Georgia, with Russia and China in second and third place, respectively. The Georgian team consisted of Bela Khotenashvili, Meri Arabidze, Nino Batsiashvili, Lela Javakhishvili […]
Azerbaijan hosts Saakashvili, rejects Georgia’s extradition request
Mikheil Saakashvili (left) and Ilham Aliyev. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has asked Azerbaijan to detain ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili during a visit to the neighbor country. Saakashvili has had a meeting with the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. According to local media, Azerbaijan’s […]
Georgian PM: Resignations are part of ‘healthy political process’
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili says the resignations of two ministers, triggering a new vote of confidence, is a ‘healthy political process.’ There will be no more replacements, he added. A third of the ministers have now been changed since […]
Sports minister resigns, new confidence vote imminent
Levan Kipiani (Official photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Seventh minister of Irakli Garibashvili government left on Wednesday that means the PM have to seek approval of the entire cabinet from the parliament. Levan Kipiani, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, announced his resignation at a press […]
Another minister resigns in Georgia
Elguja Khokrishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The environment minister resigned in Georgia on Tuesday. Elguja Khokrishvili explained that he needs to spend time with his family, which is living abroad. Khokrishvili is the second minister to resign this month, after the minister of regional development […]
Georgian government notes falling crime level
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The crime level want down by more than 15 percent in the first three months of 2015 compared to last year, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). The share of crimes that were solved improved to more than 52 percent. According […]
Ivanishvili claims the president has joined the opposition
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili claims the president he handpicked has in fact become part of the opposition to the government coalition. He said this on his own show 2030 on GDS, a TV channel belonging to his rapper son Bera. […]
The lords of the streets and their big black cars
Photo from the young environmentalists’ social campaign against big cars In western Europe, people in cities opt for small, economy class cars. But Tbilisi is clogged with huge SUVs, which are more suitable for off-road travels than for daily home-work-home commute. […]
Locals in Terjola threaten to start protests against Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehova’s Witnesses are building a new Kingdom Hall in Terjola. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Jehovah’s Witnesses in Georgia claim that they are being discriminated against on religious grounds in Terjola, western Georgia. The conflict started about a year ago. Locals Orthodox Christians are against the construction of a new Kingdom Hall […]
Ivanishvili slams NGO’s head and president’s adviser
Bidzina Ivanishvili Tbilisi, DFWatch – During his TV talk show, former prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili, once again slammed the head of a local NGO and the president’s adviser, accusing them of following the political agenda of the United National Movement. […]
Georgian parliament to discuss low lari rate again
Zurab Tkemaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia is calling on the group of economy ministers to explain themselves again about the falling currency rate, but the finance minister claims the drop in the lari’s value is only temporary. The value of the Georgian lari started […]
Greece upholds decision to reject Data Akhalaia extradition
Data Akhalaia (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Greek Supreme Court has upheld a decision by a lower court to reject an extradition request for Data Akhalaia, a former head of Georgia’s domestic intelligence agency. The Supreme Court […]
Group demands criminal investigation of prehistoric site’s destruction
Sakdrisi mining site. (Photo taken by Green Fist.) Tbilisi, DFWatch – An advocacy group in Georgia has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to launch an investigation into an explosion which destroyed an ancient gold mine on December 13. […]
Georgia celebrates Independence Day without military parade
Independence Day, 2014 (DFWatch)independence ininde Tbilisi, DFwatch – The Georgian government continues distancing itself from its predesessors’ military bravade as it announces, third year in a row, that Independence Day celebrations will go on without a military parade. […]
Armenians rallied at Turkish embassy in Tbilisi
Ethnic Armenians demand from Turkey and the government of Georgia to recognize Armenian genocide (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Ethnic Armenians in Georgia on Friday gathered at the embassy of Turkey in Tbilisi demanding to recognize almost all-out extermination of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire in early 20th century as a Genocide. […]
Georgia partners with Gilead Sciences for mass trials of hepatitis C medicine
Georgia signed agreement with Gilead Sciences (Health Ministry Photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has launched a project aimed at assisting people with hepatitis C after signing an agreement with the American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences on April 21. The government claims […]
Belarusian president calls on Georgia to join Russian ‘family’
Alexander Lukashenko (left) and Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Thursday called on Georgia to live in a ‘common family’ with Belarus and Russia. “Europe’s last dictator” said he has never been to Georgia before, except Abkhazia, one of two Georgian regions […]
Lukashenko has arrived in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of Belarus, who is on a first visit to Georgia, arrived in Tbilisi the day before official meetings, which are planned for April 23-24. Even though the flight between Minsk and Tbilisi is over four hours, he arrived a day before with his […]
Top Georgian football team disqualified because it is broke
Zestaponi players on a practice trip to Spain in 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) has banned one of the country’s top teams from taking party in national championships after it stayed away from a match due to financial problems. GFF decided this after Zestaponi FC violated the rules […]
Low-cost airlines queuing up to enter Georgian market
TBILISI, DFWatch–Several low cost airlines are looking to enter the Georgian market, according to the Ministry of Economy. Prospective new carriers include Ryanair, EasyJet, Air Berlin, and the Greek company Ellinair. According to the ministry, Ellinair applied to the […]
Georgian PM blasts media for ‘hysteria’ about recruitment for IS
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili scolded the media on Tuesday for their coverage of Pankisi youth who become radicalized and join Islamic State in Syria. The media have shown an ‘unnatural hysteria’ about this problem, which […]
Georgia’s foreign trade fell 10% Jan-Mar compared to ’14
12 % of Georgia’s export in the first quarter of 2015 was used cars. (Rustavi.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first three months of 2015 was 10 percent less than in the same period last year. The foreign trade turnover in January-March, 2015 was USD 2,279 million, according to the new report of Georgia’s National […]
New showdown over location of presidential palace
Atoneli Palace (Pia.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Refurbishment work in a building intended as a new presidential palace is now finished and this has sparked a new round of bickering between the president and the government. The minister of regional development and infrastructure stated during […]
Regional development minister resigns in Georgia
Davit Shavliashvili (center) has resigned as minister for regional development. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A minister in the Georgian government resigned on Tuesday. Not much is known about why Davit Shavliashvili decided to resign as regional development and infrastructure, but a notice from the ministry said it was for health reasons. […]
Georgian speaker visits Ukraine, but have Kiev-Tbilisi ties weakened?
Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Georgia’s speaker of parliament visits Kiev, political analysts in Tbilisi are watching for signs of how strong the bond is between the two governments. Speaker Davit Usupashvili is accompanied by parliament members Tedo Japaridze and Tinatin […]
Two dead as crane collapses at Norwegian hydropower project
(Adjara TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two persons died and one is in hospital with injuries after an accident at a construction site for a hydropower facility in Khulo, southwest in Georgia Friday night. The two who died are Paata Iakobadze, a Georgian citizen, and Ahmed Chakmak, […]
Georgian volunteer soldier dies in Ukraine
Giorgi Janelidze. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian volunteer soldier was killed in Ukraine on April 18, fighting for the extreme right wing Azov battalion. Giorgi Janelidze died during mine clearance work near the coastal town Shirokine. The other fighters came under fire as they […]
Georgia toughens anti-terror legislation to include recruitment for IS
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is to make it a crime to be a member of a terrorist organization or take part in a paramilitary group in another country. The law was drafted after calls for the government to do more to stop the flow of youth joining the war in Syria. […]
Saakashvili party boycotts parliament after ex-official’s suicide attempt
Zurab Japaridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of Mikheil Saakashvili’s party deliberately disrupted Friday’s parliamentary session because of a former official’s suicide attempt the day before. The former special unit’s representative who attempted to commit suicide is detained […]
Merabishvili promises revenge
Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Interior Minister and ally of Mikheil Saakashvil promises to take revenge for every official involved in the detention of former government officials. “I will personally punish them. I will hold each of them responsible personally.” Vano Merabishvili, […]
Money transfers to Georgia down 24% in March compared to ’14
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The amount of money transfers to Georgia in March fell by 23.5 percent compared to the same period last year, according to a report by the National Bank of Georgia (NBG). The amount of money transfers in March was USD 92.2 million, which is USD […]
Two Austrian climbers found dead in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Austrian climbers were found dead on Thursday in a mountain region in Georgia. The two apparently froze to death. The two tourists, a man and a woman, camped near the hill for several days. They left the camp on Wednesday to head […]
Armenian member of Georgia’s parliament calls for recognition of genocide
Samvel Petrosyan. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An ethnic Armenian parliamentarian in the Georgian parliament calls the assembly to formally recognize the Armenian genocide, which began a century ago in Turkey. Ethnic Azerbaijani MPs are against, arguing that it is not a matter for the Georgian […]
Georgian PM: We can’t stop youth from joining IS
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili says the government is not capable of preventing Pankisi youth from joining the war in Syria. There have been many reports lately that young men from the Pankisi Gorge in the north of Georgia have left […]
Interpol snubbed Georgian prosecutors in Adeishvili case
Zurab Adeishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Interpol did not ask Georgian prosecutors for additional information before deciding to call off the search for a former justice minister. Yesterday, the story broke that Interpol no longer has a so-called red notice on its webpage seeking the arrest […]
Suspected police killer says he was pressured into confessing
Shalva Abuladze in court on Saturday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian man suspected of killing two policemen denies guilt after first having pleaded guilty. Shalva Abuladze was booked for two encounters with police, one in January and the last one on April 4, which left two policemen dead and two wounded. […]
A gay man from Tbilisi: ‘I haven’t told my mother yet’
Illustration photo. (Interpressnews.) A country in which the Church is a powerful presence, which strongly advocates for traditional values, probably would not be the first place of choice for LGBTQ people. But what if it is your homeland? […]
Interpol cancels red notice for Georgia’s former justice minister
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Interpol has revoked a red notice seeking the arrest and extradition of Georgia’s former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili. Last year, the organization announced an international search for Adeishvili, along with former Defense Minister […]
Georgia’s president pardons 78 prisoners for Easter
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Tuesday pardoned 78 prisoners in connection with Easter. Zviad Koridze, Head of the President’s Pardon Commission, said at a press conference that 57 prisoners will be released from jail today. The remaining 21 had their […]
Two Pankisi youth turned IS fighters call home from Syria: ‘We are fine’
(ICK.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian boys who recently went to Syria to join Islamic State have called their parents in Pankisi Gorge and sent home their first picture. Muslim Kushtanashvili (16) and Ramzan Baghakashvili (18) said they are fine and haven’t seen any fighting […]
The Armenians in Tsalka
(DF Watch.) TSALKA, DFWatch–Tsalka is a cluster of villages in the south of Georgia. It is home to ethnic Armenians, Greeks, Azerbaijani and Georgians; most of whom are eco-migrants from the Adjara region. Levon Akopian, an employee of the local government […]
Man dies in traditional Easter ball game
(1tv.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man died during a traditional Easter ball game in a small village in Georgia’s Guria region on Sunday. The victim was Gocha Pirtskhalaishvili, of about 50 years. Doctors believe the cause of death was shortness of breath. He died while participating […]
Gas explosion killed woman, damaged houses in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An explosion allegedly caused by a gas leak killed a 65 year old woman in Tbilisi Sunday morning. The explosion demolished the eighth floor of a building in Gldani, a district in northern part of the capital, and killed Zoia Kalandarishvili, […]
Suspect in murder of two policemen placed in pre-trial detention
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Saturday placed a man suspected of murdering two policemen in pre-trial detention. The defense did not object to the Prosecutor General’s Office request for detention. The suspect Shalva Abuladze and his lawyer said […]
Georgian president visits Pope Francis
Giorgi Margvelashvili and Pope Francis. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Friday met with Pope Francis in Rome. President Giorgi Margvelashvili afterward summed up the meeting as a ‘very important’ one for Georgia. He said he told the pontiff about security issues, the situation in the Caucasus […]
Government declares ‘ruthless’ policy toward crime
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a man suspected of killing two policemen evaded arrest for almost a week, Georgia’s prime minister says that government will be ‘ruthless toward crime’. The announcement came after several law-enforcement ministers have talked about tougher […]
Georgia arrests suspected police killer after nearly week-long manhunt
(police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The suspect in the murder of two policemen, who was subject to a search by not only the police, but also counterintelligence, was apprehended near his hometown in an abandoned house on Friday. The Interior Ministry confirmed this on Friday. […]
Georgia signs deal with UK consultancy firm to reform its health system
A private clinic in Kharagauli. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has signed an agreement with a British consultancy firm to reform the country’s healthcare system. The goal of the agreement with Global Alliance for Health and Social Compact Ltd is to bring Georgia’s health system in line with European […]
Georgia remembers 1989, when people stood up for independence
PM Irakli Garibashvili at the 9 April monument in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia today marks the restoration of independence in 1991. It is also a day of commemoration of an independence rally two years prior which was violently dispersed, resulting in twenty deaths. After becoming independent in 1918, Georgia […]
Four Nigerian students found dead in Tbilisi
(Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four Nigerian students were found dead in a Tbilisi apartment Wednesday night, apparently from gas poisoning due to a faulty water heater. Three of them were students at Tbilisi State Medical University and one at Georgia’s University. Their bodies were found […]
Georgia’s defense minister says new anti-aircraft system is on schedule
Mindia Janelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Defense Minister Mindia Janelidze explained in parliament Wednesday that a defense deal with France has not been put on hold. His predecessor Irakli Alasania accused the government of halting the planned installation of new air […]
Lukashenko visits Georgia April 23
President Lukashenko (Press office) Tbilisi, DFWatch – President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, is visiting Georgia for the first time ever on April 23-24 to meet his Georgian counterpart, Giorgi Margvelashvili, as well as the prime minister and other officials. Mr Lukashenko’s visit to Georgia was planned back in February, when he first […]
Tbilisi naming ten more streets after women
Actress Nato Vachnadze (1904-1953) already has a street named after her in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi is making an effort to correct the gender imbalance in its street names, by changing the names of ten streets, naming them after famous women. There are about 1,200 streets in the capital, 1,120 of which are named after men, according […]
High winds caused power cut in Batumi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–High winds injured two people in Batumi and left 4,000 households in the Adjara region without power on Tuesday. In Batumi, strong wind blew down a tree which fell onto a nearby building with three people inside, two of whom were slightly injured. […]
Village evacuated after liquid oxygen leak
(Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A village was evacuated in Imereti in western Georgia Monday night, after a leak of liquid oxygen from an overturned truck. The truck overturned in a sharp bend, according to the Interior Ministry. It was carrying a large amount of liquid oxygen. […]
Former embassy building on Atoneli Street will not be sold
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s government has decided not to sell a stately building in the center of Tbilisi that was meant to be a presidential residence and once served as the US embassy. The building on Atoneli Street near Freedom Square was on a list […]
Georgia to expand police powers after ex-convict’s shooting rampage
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government is considering expanding police powers after a former convict killed a policeman and evaded capture. It is not known in what way the powers of the police might be increased. The Saakashvili regime started increasing […]
Swiss company Geotest to provide landslide monitoring in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is installing a monitoring system in Dariali Valley in the northern part of Georgia, which will provide a few minutes’ warning in case of landslide. Last summer, the valley was hit by several massive landslides that […]
Murder suspect was released by parole board in November, 2013
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The man suspected of killing two police officers was pardoned in November, 2013, because the parole board thought he had put hid criminal past behind him. Gedevan Popkhadze from the parole board said the members were sure that the suspect […]
Pankisi locals demand the return of youth who went to Syria
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals in Pankisi Gorge in northeast Georgia demand the return of two boys who allegedly went to Syria to join Islamc State. The Council of Elders, an informal mediation body in Pankisi, on Monday met to discuss what to do after Muslim […]
Manhunt on police murderer underway in Georgia
The suspect (Prosecutor’s Office photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Law enforcement bodies in Georgia are engaged in a large-scale hunt for a man suspected of murdering one policeman and wounding several others. On Sunday, the Prosecutor General’s Office released a photo of the suspect asking for the public’s assistance in locating him, […]
Two more Pankisi youth leave Georgia to join IS in Syria
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian boys, one 18 and the other younger, have allegedly left the country to become fighers for Islamic State in Syria, acording to locals. The two were attending tenth and eleventh grade at a school in the village Omalo, in Pankisi Gorge. […]
Georgian PM campaigning for mining in ancient gold mine
Activists for saving Sakdrisi made an exhibition that was on display in parliament in Kutaisi. TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday defended the destruction of an ancient gold mine, arguing that locals need the jobs. Appearing with employees of RMG Gold at the municipal building in Marneuli, a town south of the capital, […]
Georgian minister says defense deal with France not called off
Mindia Janelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s defense minister denies allegations by his predecessor that negotiations with France about a defense deal have ended. But the French ambassador to Georgia claims Georgia has not signed any air defense deal with France. […]
Free Democrats lose its members in Tbilisi City Council
Giorgi Muskhelishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives of former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania’s party have withdrawn as a faction in the city council. The reason, they explain, is ‘incompatibility’ with his party, the Free Democrats. The Free Democrats Party was a member […]
Alasania details how air defense treaty with France was stopped
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania accuses the government of having failed to implement an air defense treaty with France and proposes setting up a parliamentary investigation commission to look into it. Alasania Friday […]
Moldovan detained in Georgia for using ATM skimmer
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Friday detained a Moldovan citizen for using an ATM skimmer to illegally obtain money. The suspect installed a so-called ATM skimmer, a barely noticeable device installed in the card reading slot of the machine which copies information […]
Homophobia in Georgia: tolerance is a myth
From left to right: Levan Berianidze, Tamta Mikeladze, Ana Lobzhanidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgians like to talk about tolerance as a part of the national psyche. But the ability to accept and live alongside people who are different from yourself seems to end when it comes to gays, lesbians and other sexual minorities. According to NDI, […]
Ivanishvili vows justice for murdered businessman in funeral speech
Bidzina Iivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Thursday spoke in the funeral of businessman Besik Khardziani, who was murdered at his house a few days ago. He promised that those responsible will be held to account in accordance […]
Two veterinarians accused of fraud, approved unchecked meat
Deserters market, where the unchecked meat was sold. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s Investigative Service on Thursday detained two veterinarians in Tbilisi for fraud that allowed potentially dangerous meat to get through to consumers. Veterinarians Khvicha Bichiashvili and Mamuka Mzhavanadze are charged with […]
Tsalka – a Greek ghost town in Georgia
TSALKA, DFWatch–Tsalka in southern Georgia used to be home to more than twenty thousand Greeks, but today there are only 1,500 left. ”My parents, grandparents and great grandparents, they all were born in Georgia. This is our home. Sadly, […]
Georgia’s defense minister confirms controversial call to predecessor
Mindia Janelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Mindia Janelidze has confirmed after five months that he talked on the phone with his predecessor Irakli Alasania, who was then visiting France. But he denies what Alasania claims he told him on phone in that conversation. […]
Georgian Dream losing support according to IRI poll
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s governing coalition has lost support, while the former ruling party has gained, according to the latest poll by International Republican Institute (IRI), published Wednesday. If there were held parliamentary elections next Sunday, […]
Georgia has done nothing to protect sexual minorities: Ombudsman
Anti-gay demonstrators in Tbilisi on May 17, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has taken no real steps toward protecting the rights of sexual minorities, according to a new report by the Ombudsman. The report, which was published on April 1, says there is an increase not only in homophobic attitudes but also crimes motivated […]
New figures confirm upward trend of Georgia’s population
The natural growth of Georgia’s population. (GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New figures show that Georgia’s increase in population continued an upward trend in 2014, but the growth rate is still barely above zero. The number of live births minus the number of deaths, which scientists call the natural increase, was 11,548 in 2014. […]
New Georgian plant may produce parts for Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier
Irakli Kovzanadze, director of the Georgian government’s Partnership Fund. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An Israeli company plans to build a new factory in Georgia with the goal of producing parts for Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier passenger planes. The construction of the ‘high tech and modern’ aviation plant will begin in three months, Economy […]
Georgian government absent as president delivers annual speech
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–When the Georgian president held his state of the nation speech in parliament on Tuesday, the government and the prime minister were absent – again. This is the second time the government has snubbed President Giorgi Margvelashvili. The same […]
Georgian president swears in one more ‘rebel judge’
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Monday marked the appointment of one more ‘rebel judge’ to a top level position the country’s court system. Merab Turava was sworn in as a new member of the Constitutional Court at a ceremony in Batumi attended […]
High winds tore off roofs in northwestern Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–High winds damaged several villages in the northwestern part of Georgia on Monday. A reporter for Interpressnews said there are houses without roof in six villages Kveda Chkhorotsku, Lesichine, Akhuti, Nakiani, Kirtskhi and Zumi; totalling […]
Fake priests detained in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained four fake priests who apparently falsified documents in order to get visa for the Schengen area. The young men are accused of forging documents that make them out to be clerics in the influential Georgian Church. […]
Georgian president rejects Putin’s invitation to May 9 celebration
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president has declined an invitation to participate in the traditional May 9 celebration in Moscow of the 70th anniversary of victory in World War 2. The reason is that Russia signed ‘integration agreements’ with South Ossetia […]
Family of Turtle Lake murder victim claims UNM member did it
The victim owned property at Turtle Lake, a popular lake resort right outside Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A businessman who accused the National Movement government of seizing his property at Turtle Lake was shot to death Saturday morning. Besik Khardziani was hit by several gunshots, also to his head, near his house in Tbilisi. He was taken to hospital […]
Givi Targamadze questioned about police leaks
Givi Targamadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–MP Givi Targamadze was Saturday questioned for nine hours in a case related to the leaking of information from the Interior Ministry. More than a week ago, a Georgian Interior Ministry employee was fired for allegedly handing over secret information […]
NATO holds democracy conference in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO organized a two-day international conference in Tbilisi on Thursday and Friday, hosting Georgian, Armenian and Turkish politicians, and U.S. political and economic analysts. The local US embassy and Open Society also helped organize the conference, […]
Women in Georgia do thirteen times more housework than men
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–According to global data from the UN, women spend at least twice as much time as men doing unpaid domestic work. All across the world, women on average work more, but earn less than men, as their domestic chores are not paid for. In 2008, Eka […]
Batumi synagogue back to Jewish community after 86 years
(Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s State Agency on Religious Issues on Thursday decided to transfer ownership of the Batumi synagogue to the Jewish community. The Jewish community has been requesting ownership and usage rights to the oldest synagogue in the city, […]
Wizz Air ending flights between Georgia and Ukraine
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Wizz Air is ending flights between Georgia and Ukraine from April 20 because the company Wizz Air Ukraine is being dissolved. “This decision was made, with regret, due to the ongoing instability in Eastern Ukraine, the devaluation and volatility […]
Dismissed defense minister ‘told not to sign air defense agreement’
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania and his successor Mindia Janelidze on Wednesday accused each other of lying about a treaty Alasania signed in France in 2014 shortly before his dismissal. The treaty […]
Two TV hosts in Georgia accuse govt coalition of pressure
Inga Grigolia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two hosts on the TV channel Imedi accuse the government of trying to put pressure on them, while the company’s management distances themselves from the statements made by their own journalists. […]
Deputy defense minister questioned in the ‘cables case’
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday questioned former Deputy Defense Minister Zaza Broladze for nine hours in connection with the ‘cables case’, for which the Defense Minister Irakli Alasania was sacked last year. As he left the building after […]
Relatives of woman who died in childbirth rally outside clinic
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Relatives of a pregnant woman died in childbirth rallied outside the hospital in Batumi on Wednesday. Another pregnant woman died at the same hospital about a month ago. Relatives of Maia Verdzadze (29) blame the doctor for her death. […]
Preventing child brides in Kvemo Kartli
Samira Bayramova. (DF Watch.) Marneuli, DFWatch–“The man thinks that she is still a child, she doesn’t know anything, and that is a good thing for her,” says Samira Bayramova, a women’s rights activist in Marneuli working to prevent young girls from becoming child brides. “Mothers-in-law […]
Georgia begins treatment of 5,000 hepatitis C patients
Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One month from now, Georgia begins an ambitious government program to treat 5,000 hepatitis C patients. The program starts on April 21, and is focused on those patients who need treatment the most. Health Minister Davit Sergeenko said […]
Adjara government finds solution to overcrowded mosque
Orta Jame (DFWatch) BATUMI, DFWatch–The local government in Batumi, Georgia, is buying two buildings for local Muslims, to try to solve the decades-long problem with an overcrowded mosque. There is only one mosque in Batumi, and it is unable to accommodate all the […]
Dangerous parasite found in meat at Tbilisi kindergarten
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A dangerous parasite of the type sarcoysistis has been found in meat at a kindergarten in Tbilisi. The parasite was found by the National Food Agency, which is doing checks following the recent discovery of dangerous semi-prepared food. Sarcocystis – […]
Georgian PM’s visit to Ukraine delayed without explanation
Irakli Garibashvili is preparing a trip to Kiev. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian PM’s visit to Ukraine is being delayed for unknown reasons. Early this year, government members indicated that such a visit would take place soon. Officials only say that they are preparing for the visit, but offer no information […]
Home-made drug use reduced by 90% in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The use of home-made drugs and import of new psychotropic substances has decreased by over 90 percent since 2013, according to the latest annual report by the US State Department. The International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2015 […]
Georgia wants to be a springboard for Chinese trade with Europe
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia wants to use its free trade access to the EU to become a springboard for Chinese trade with Europe. Last year, Georgia signed an association agreement with the EU. Included was what’s called a deep and comprehensive free […]
Ivanishvili: Georgians don’t forget as easily as UNM thinks
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (GDS.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgians don’t want Saakashvili’s party back, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili predicted Sunday. He appeared as one of the guests in the talk show ‘2030’ on his son’s TV channel GDS. Saturday, the National Movement […]
Activists ‘disinfect’ square after Saakashvili party’s rally
The square at the government office being ‘disinfected’. (Maestro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists Sunday ‘disinfected’ a square in Tbilisi where the National Movement had rallied the day before. “We think they left behind bits of their unhealthy ideological views. Therefore we decided to conduct a disinfection,” Irakli Kipiani told […]
Traffic restrictions eased in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a few days of restrictions, Gudauri-Kobi road in northern Georgia is now open for traffic. But all kinds of vehicles must use snow chains on the Gudauri-Kobi road due to snow and ice, according to the Roads Department. Vehicles […]
Saakashvili supporters rally in Tbilisi against the government
Nika Melia. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tens of thousands of people rallied in Tbilisi on Saturday, demanding the government’s resignation. People came to Tbilisi from faraway Samegrelo, Adjara and other regions. Many arrived by bus. Organizers also […]
Saakashvili’s party preparing anti-government rally today
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement, Georgia’s former ruling party, is preparing an anti-government rally in Tbilisi today. The party, which was voted out of power in 2012, is demonstrating against the government’s economic policy, and calling on the government to step down. […]
Tbilisi NGOs launch petition against GD member’s ‘anti-Western statements’
Gogi Topadze, the target of the NGOs’ criticism. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Some of the most influential non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia on Friday launched a petition against anti-western statements recently made by members of the ruling coalition. A few days ago, a businessman who is leader […]
Court acquits former Saakashvili ally
Roland Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday acquitted a close ally of former president Saakashviili for abuse of powers while serving as a chief prosecutor of a region in the west of Georgia. Parliament member Roland Akhalaia used to be chief prosecutor […]
Georgian parliament approves new chief justice
President Giorgi Margvelashvili next to new Supreme Court chief justice Nino Gvenetadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Friday approved Nino Gvenetadze as new head of the Supreme Court by 88 votes against 0. President Giorgi Margvelashvili selected Gvenetadze from 28 prospective candidates. Gvenetadze was a Supreme Court […]
Ten police employees fired in Georgia for leaking information
One of the policemen sent information to National Movement politician Givi Targamadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An employee of the Georgian Interior Ministry was sacked Thursday because he allegedly had been handing over secret information to parliament member Givi Targamadze from the National Movement. Nine other police employees were also fired […]
27 year old woman killed by ‘jealous’ co-worker
(ICK.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 36 year old man shot and killed a 27 year old woman and afterward took his own life in the village Bodbiskhevi in eastern Georgia, International Center of Kakheti (ICK) reports. The news service does not specify when the murder happened. […]
Convicted murderer may be free one day after president converts sentence
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Margvelashvili on Thursday converted the sentence of a man so he will no longer need to spend the rest of his life behind bars. The head of the president’s pardon commission Zviad Koridze said the most serious crime the prisoner […]
Every third woman in Georgia has experienced domestic abuse
From left to right: Inga Popovaite, Nana Chabukiani and Salome Chagelishvili. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Every third woman in Georgian has been victim of domestic abuse, but it is not socially accepted to discuss it outside the family. We sat down to talk about the problem with Salome Chagelishvili from Anti-Violence Network of Georgia (AVNG), an […]
Georgian and Russian diplomats clash over new South Ossetia treaty
Davit Dondua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian and Georgian diplomats meeting in Geneva for regular talks clashed over a new treaty Russia signed yesterday with the breakaway region South Ossetia. At the latest round of talks, which ended on Wednesday, Georgia brought up the […]
South Ossetia signs treaty on ‘alliance and integration’ with Russia
Leonid Tibilov (left) and Vladimir Putin. (kremlin.ru) TBILISI, DFWatch–The leader of South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia, was in Moscow on Wednesday and signed a new treaty on alliance and integration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgia, EU, NATO and the United States protested against […]
Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan launch geopolitically important pipeline project
Ilham Aliyev, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The presidents of Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan have agreed to start construction of a natural gas pipeline which will bypass Russia and reduce Europe’s energy dependence on Russia. The ceremony was held in Kars, a Turkish city near […]
40,000 have registered for entrance exams to study in Georgia
(National Assessment and Examinations Center.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 40,000 candidates will try to pass the national exams this summer, in order to enter universities in Georgia. According to the National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC), registration for exams in 2015 finished on Tuesday. […]
Warning: Dangerous food products on sale in Georgia
(National Food Agency.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Food Agency warns against buying and eating many semi-processed food products after finding that they are contaminated by listeria and salmonella. The agency warns against semi-processed food products from the following companies: […]
Georgian consul in Turkey accused by newspaper of beating woman
(Facsimile from Hurriyet.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian consul in Istanbul denies a report in a Turkish newspaper that he beat a woman working for him as a stylist. The Turkish daily Hurriyet reported Monday that Consul Irakli Asashvili beat the Moldavian stylist Larisa Berezina at her house, […]
Georgia to hold by-election in Martvili as parliament member passes away
Nauli Janashia. (UNM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There will be this a by-election in one election district in Georgia to elect a replacement for a majoritarian member of parliament who passed away. Nauli Janashia, 68, represented Martvili, a town in the western Samegrelo region, […]
Court acquits pathologist on trial in Georgian PM’s 2005 death
Levan Chachua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Georgia has acquitted a forensic expert who was on trial for negligence in connection with the death of a prime minister in 2005. Levan Chachua sat almost nine months in detention, accused of not noticing marks of violence on the body […]
How community leaders view a child marriage in Pankisi, Georgia
(DF Watch.) PANKISI, DFWatch–About a month ago, a 13 year old girl was married to a 23 year old man in Pankisi Gorge with approval from the girl’s parents. This has caused concern in the Council of Women and the Council of Elders, two mediation bodies which play an important […]
Traffic update: Still restrictions on some mountain roads
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Traffic is prohibited for all kinds of vehicles along the Gudauri-Kobi road section in northern Georgia due to intense snow and wind. The Roads Department also warns that it is not allowed to stop on 134km-135km of the Stepantsminda-Larsi […]
Money transfers to Georgia fell 22% in February
The National Bank of Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The amount of money transfers to Georgia in February fell by 21.7 percent compared to same period last year, according to a new report by the National Bank. The total amount of incoming transfers in February was USD 82.0 million laris; […]
Georgian govt coalition party: ‘Joining NATO now may bring problems’
Gogi Topadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The leader of a party that is member of the ruling coalition says that joining NATO doesn’t have to be a priority for Georgia, because the alliance doesn’t plan to accept Georgia and it may also bring problems for the country to join NATO now. […]
Ivanishvili show goes live on Georgian TV with praise of GD government
(GDS.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Sunday appeared on his new political commentary show ‘2030’ on GDS, a TV channel run by his son Bera. The businessmen quit politics a year ago and started the non-governmental organization […]
Former Tbilisi mayor must stay in detention longer than maximum term
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi ruled Sunday that a former mayor and close ally of Mikheil Saakashvili must stay in prison on aggravated charges recently presented by prosecutors. The ruling in Tbilisi City Court came not long before ex-Mayor Gigi […]
Traditional gender roles cause inequality in labor market
Women from Chiatura (Photo: Mari Nikuradze) Tbilisi, DFWatch – In Georgia, a woman make less than ⅔ of a man’s salary due to segregation in labor market and prevailing traditional gender roles. Gender pay gap Washington-based Institute […]
UNM, GD supporters clashed in Zugdidi
Clashes resulted number of injured (Maestro) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement (UNM) and the ruling Georgian Dream coalition clashed in Zugdidi, western Georgia, resulted in injuries and bitter mutual accusations less than a week before the former plans […]
Restrictions on roads in some mountain areas in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are traffic restrictions on the Ninotsminda road, which leads to the border with Armenia. Restrictions are in effect along the 94km-100km section of the road, where trailers, half-trailers and vehicles with more than 30 seats are […]
Georgia modifies charges against five ex-officials including Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office on Saturday modified the charges against five former high officials, including ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili. In Saakashvili’s and former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili’s cases, the charges […]
Public Defender asks to investigate possible mistreatment by police
Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Defender in Georgia has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate an instance of alleged mistreatment by police. A prisoner at Kutaisi (“No 2”) prison told Public Defender’s staff about the incident, which took place […]
Ian C. Kelly nominated as new U.S. Ambassador to Georgia
Ian C. Kelly. (University of Chicago.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ian C. Kelly has been nominated as new U.S. Ambassador to Georgia. Kelly is the U.S. State Department’s diplomat in residence at the University of Illinois at Chicago. If confirmed, he will replace Richard Norland, the current ambassador. […]
Georgia’s foreign trade in Jan-Feb fell 9%
Trailers at Sarpi customs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first two months of 2015 fell by 9 percent compared to the same period last year. This is indicated by new preliminary data published by the National Statistics Department (Geostat). The total foreign trade […]
Georgian parliament again fails to hold crisis session
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament again failed to hold an extraordinary session about how to tackle a drastic drop in the value of the national currency, the lari. Again, the reason for cancelling the plenary session was that parliament members from the governing […]
New ski resort to open in Svaneti
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new ski resort is to open in the Svaneti region in the northwest of Georgia. The facility in Tetnuldi will open for tourists from December, 2015, according to the government’s press office. It will have the longest ski slope in South Caucasus […]
Activists clash at Interior Ministry building
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The leader of a small Georgian opposition party was detained by police for hooliganism on Thursday. The incident took place at an Interior Ministry building in the capital Tbilisi. Kakha Kukava, leader of Free Georgia, was there for some business, when […]
Six detained in clashes outside parliament in Tbilisi
Lado Sadghobelashvili from Free Generation. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Six people were detained during clashes at a rally against the government’s economic policy outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi on Thursday. Free Zone, an activists group which supports the National Movement, demonstrated […]
Georgia to supply Abkhazia with power as Inguri Dam closes for maintenance
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Abkhaz and Georgian representatives met Thursday to discuss the closing of Europe’s largest hydroelectric dam, Inguri, for several months to carry out maintenance work. The power station is located partly on Georgia-controlled territory […]
Foreign investments up 39% in 2014
The new Tbilisi-Rustavi road is a Chinese investment. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia in 2014 was 39 percent more in 2014 than it was in 2013, according to a new preliminary report of the National Statistics Department (Geostat). The amount of the investments in 2014 was USD […]
University tower in Batumi sold for USD 25 million
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A disputed tower building in Batumi, Georgia, was sold on auction on Wednesday. The tower was meant to be a technical university, an initiative of ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, but the idea stranded. The building was criticized […]
Sexuality conference goes ahead without incident
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A conference about sexuality went ahead without interruption in Tbilisi on Wednesday, despite an announced protest by conservatives. The conference was organized by Identoba, a group which works against discrimination on the basis of sexual […]
Meskhetians are denied residency permit in Georgia
The House of Justice in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Meskhetians who are being repatriated to Georgia are facing obstacles when trying to obtain a residency permit. Now human rights groups are defending their cases in the courts. Iunis Arifov has been living in Akhaltsikhe for the last eight years. […]
Georgia denies that financial dispute delayed Czech parliament’s ratification
Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia denies the veracity of a report that the Czech parliament has postponed the ratification of Georgia’s association agreement with the EU because of a dispute about a fine to a large Czech energy company in Georgia. A few days ago, […]
Parliament meets Friday for crisis session
President Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Tuesday called a special parliamentary session dedicated to the monetary crisis in the country on March 13 at 12:00. The president’s administration published a decree signed by Giorgi Margvelashvili, which specifies […]
Georgia and China sign new economic agreement
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Minister of Economy Giorgi Kvirikashvili signed a new economic agreement with China on Monday, during a visit to the country. From the Chinese side, the agreement was signed by Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng. The agreement […]
Georgian battalion leaves for Afghanistan
(Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A farewell ceremony was held at Vaziani military base Monday for one hundred Georgian soldiers who are departing for Afghanistan. The soldiers, who come from the 31th infantry battalion, are to take part in the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission, […]
Crisis session in parliament this week
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Monday decided to call a special session of parliament to let the government face its critics after the national currency dropped thirty percent. Free Democrats MP Irakli Chikovani announced the decision after a meeting […]
Saakashvili’s party again demands answers from government
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement party warns of an economic crisis in Georgia and demands measures from the government. The government claims the situation is under control and the ruling coalition sees no need for scheduling the special session. […]
Georgia detains man for distributing counterfeit US dollars
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was detained in Georgia on Monday, accused of distributing counterfeit money. According to the Finance Ministry’s investigative service, the accused imported a large amount of counterfeit US dollars and sold it among Georgian citizens. The amount […]
No signs that Mokhe commission has done anything yet
Disputed building in Mokhe (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–The conflict between Christians and Muslims continues in a village in southern Georgia. A commission created in December to solve the dispute appears to have done nothing so far. Muslims in Mokhe demonstrated in February against the appointment […]
Activists rally in Tbilisi to demand women’s quotas in politics
“More women in parliament!” (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Women comprise 53 percent of the Georgian population but are heavily underrepresented in politics, say activists from Georgian Women’s Movement (GWM), a non-governmental organization working to promote women’s rights. On March 8, […]
Man accused of attacking journalist released on bail
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Saturday released on bail a man suspected of beating a photojournalist and damaging his camera on March 4. The suspect, who is around 21 years old, was released on a 3,000 laris (about USD 1,500) bail pending the first […]
Women’s representation in Georgia unchanged for over a decade
Eka Beselia, head of the human rights committee in parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The percentage of women in local government has remained unchanged for the last fourteen years, according to campaigners. There are currently 11 percent women in city and municipal assemblies. In the previous period, there were 10 percent […]
Names of two Georgians killed in New Jersey car crash released
Soso Makaridze Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Ministry of Defense released names of the two Georgian students at the US military academy in New Jersey killed during a car crash. The two died soon after Saturday midnight, after 9 am Tbilisi time. […]
Two Georgian military students in the US died in car crash
Identities of the dead students will be released by the Ministry of Defense after notification of their families in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian students at military academy in New Jersey died in a car accident soon after Saturday midnight, at about 9 am Tbilisi time. The identity of the two, both in their early 20s, will be released by the Ministry of Defense after notification of their families in Georgia. […]
Three life prisoners get sentence converted to 20 years
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three female prisoners who were in for life on Friday had their sentences converted to fixed term. The decision was announced by Zviad Koridze, head of the president’s pardon commission; one of two such bodies in Georgia. Instead of life, […]
Margvelashvili considering parliament session about currency crisis
Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Margvelashvili is reconsidering the idea of having a special parliament session to discuss the crisis sparked by an over 30% drop in the value of the national currency, the lari. At the height of panic a few weeks ago, the president […]
Russia sends forces for exercises inside Georgian breakaway regions
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia is massing military forces inside the breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and announcing that it is starting military exercises. Official Tbilisi calls on the international community to react to this violation of Georgia’s […]
Govt coalition sabotaged vote over inquest into destruction of ancient site
Sakdrisi after the destruction. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia again failed to create a commission to study the destruction of an ancient gold mine in December. Scientists have found more than 5,400 years old human artefacts in the Sakdrisi cave near Bolnisi, but the archaeologically […]
Georgia’s govt fails to present crisis plan by March 5 deadline
Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia says it has not yet prepared an action plan for tackling the currency crisis after a drastic drop in the value of the national currency lari over the last few months. An action plan was expected on March 5, after […]
Tbilisi slips three places in quality of living ranking
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi ranks 194th among 230 cities in the newest survey of quality of living published by Mercer’s. While last year’s report noted the Georgian capital as the lowest-ranked city in Europe at 191, residents may this year find some comfort […]
Saakashvili urges US senators to supply arms to Ukraine
(Youtube.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is wanted in Georgia in four criminal cases, on Wednesday spoke at a session of the foreign relations committee in the US Senate. Saakashvili was recently appointed head of Ukrainian President Petro […]
Georgian opposition party’s board member helped beat journalist
(Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained a suspect after Wednesday evening’s attack on a photo reporter during an anti-government demonstration. Photographer Irakli Gedenidze from Interpressnews was beaten and had his camera damaged while […]
Journalist beaten in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A photo journalist was beaten at a political demonstration in Tbilisi on Wedneday. Irakli Gedenidze, who works for new agency Interpressnews, came to Roses Square to cover a rally against the falling lari rate organized by the Reformers, Free Georgia […]
Georgia’s oldest member of parliament (88) retires
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The oldest member of the Georgian parliament, 88 year old Giorgi (Gogi) Ochiauri, has asked to be relieved for health reasons. Ochiauri is a professor at the Academy of Arts. He was elected from the National Movement party list in October, 2012. […]
Georgia pardons eight female prisoners to mark Mother’s Day
The women’s prison in Rustavi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president pardoned eight women on Monday in connection with Mother’s Day, which in Georgia is marked on March 3. Zviad Koridze, head of the president’s pardon commission, said at a press conference on Monday that four among […]
Prisoners with life sentence call off hunger strike
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–47 prisoners with life-long sentences have ended their hunger strike after more than a month without getting what they demanded. Almost 60 prisoners were part of the protest when it began in late January. Their demand was to be included […]
Court rules Sakdrisi should have remained protected heritage site
This is what Sakdrisi looked like before RMG Gold began mining there. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government lost its appeal in the case about lifting the protected status of an ancient gold mine in order to open for commercial exploitation. Tbilisi City Court decided last summer that the ministry was wrong […]
Georgia’s governing coalition received most donations in 2014
Georgian Dream received four fifths of all donations in 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream received almost 82 percent of all political donations in Georgia in 2014. In total, 7.4 million laris (USD 3.7 million) was donated to political parties and subjects last year. The State Audit Office, a government body tasked […]