News
Envoy says prosecuting ex-officials slows down NATO integration
James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A visiting NATO envoy warns Georgia that if the prosecution of former officials is seen as being politically motivated, this will slow down the country’s integration with the alliance. James Appathurai said it is important not only to avoid […]
Georgia may replace ambassador to Ukraine
“The fact is that we faced certain problems regarding Ukraine,” majority leader Davit Saganelidze says. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia may replace its ambassador to Ukraine after a Saakashvili era official was appointed as Ukrainian health minister. Wednesday there were reports that the government plans to replace its ambassador to Ukraine with Zviad Jankarashvili, […]
Georgia ranked 50th on corruption index
The Corruption Perception Index is published annually by Transparency International. TBILISI, DFWatch–Transparency International (TI) ranked Georgia 50th among 175 countries in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report. Georgia got 52 points out of the maximum 100. In the past, it scored 52 in 2012 (51st place) and 49 in 2013 (55th place). […]
Ukraine appointment of Georgian ex-official angers Tbilisi
Aleksandre Kvitashvili, Ukraine’s new health minister, had the same position in Georgia during Saakashvili. (Photo by Tbilisi State University.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi takes it as a slap in the face that Ukraine has appointed a former member of government from Georgia as health minister. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, agreed to appoint Alxandre Kvitashvili, a former Georgian health minister, […]
Tbilisi NGOs vow to defend president’s veto
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of NGOs based in Tbilisi warn that they are going on the offensive against the country’s parliament, which recently overturned a veto by President Margvelashvili against giving the Interior Ministry control over the means to conduct secret surveillance. […]
New report sheds light on border shooting in 2012
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The ombudsman in Georgia on Monday published a report which criticizes the authorities for holding back information and not properly investigating a border shooting in 2012. When the several days long standoff ended on the border with Russia in late […]
Parliament overturns president’s veto, approves surveillance bill
The Ministry of Internal Affairs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Sunday overturned the president’s veto and approved the a surveillance bill which gives the Interior Ministry direct access to communication operators’ networks and to eavesdrop on citizens. 82 MPs voted in favor […]
Georgian parliament rejects sanctions against Russia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A proposal in the Georgian parliament to introduce sanctions against Russia has failed to achieve enough votes. Only 36 MPs backed the proposal on Thursday, which was put forth by deputies from the National Movement, the party of former […]
Launch of Ivanishvili’s new talk show postponed till February
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (1TV.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s talk show will not go on air until February at the earliest. the businessman who dedicated himself to strengthening civil society after retiring from politics announced his plans for a talk show […]
Georgia to regulate quality of traditional yogurt
A study earlier in 2014 found that many milk products contain vegetable fat. Now the contents of matsoni will be regulated by law. (for.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new law will regulate the quality of the Georgian milk product matsoni, a kind of a fermented milk similar to yogurt. The purpose is to protect matsoni as cultural heritage and ensure the best quality of the traditional product. In a new draft […]
Georgian president vetoes surveillance bill, again
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president has vetoed a surveillance bill which would have given the Interior Ministry control over access keys to eavesdropping on the communication of citizens. President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s veto on Saturday is the second time […]
Georgia’s surveillance bill passed, now up to president
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Friday finally passed a law about secret surveillance that grants the Interior Ministry direct access to secret surveillance material with 73 votes in favor and 30 against. The ‘keys issue’, as it has come to be known […]
Georgian parliament lets Interior Ministry have access to surveillance
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s national assembly on Thursday decided to leave access keys to secretly obtained surveillance material in the hands of the Interior Ministry. After days of confrontation with a diversity of opinions about the draft bill, 75 MPs voted […]
Saakashvili claims Georgian govt blocked Ukraine appointment
Nika Gilauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former President Mikheil Saakashvili says the new government has blocked the appointment of one of his former associates as business ombudsman in Ukraine. However, statements made by Nika Gilauri in early November contradict what […]
Georgian talk show host makes fun of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Nanuka Zhorzholiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A well-known TV host in the republic of Georgia was Wednesday evening criticized for making discriminating statements about Jehovah’s Witnesses while on air. One of the guests on Nanuka’s Show, which is aired on Rustavi 2, a TV channel in the former […]
Saakashvili charged in case he considered ‘black stain’ on his reputation
Mikheil Saakashvili considered the Girgvliani case a ‘black stain’ on the history of his time in power. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New charges were brought against former Georgian President Mikheil Saakasvhili on Thursday, related to the murder of a bank employee in 2006. The investigation into the Sandro Girgvilani murder, which Saakashvili has called the ‘a black stain’ […]
Hungary ratifies Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova’s EU treaties
(parliament.hu) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Hungary on Tuesday ratified agreements signed with the EU by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The press service of Georgia’s Foreign Ministry erroneously said that 127 deputies voted for ratification. But in fact, 122 MPs supported […]
Georgian rail workers go on strike
Georgian rail workers are on strike. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Employees of the Georgian railway went on strike this week demanding overtime compensation, new salary rules and a so-called 13th salary payment. A new trade union for railway workers has been set up, headed by Vitaly Giorgadze and deputy […]
Tbilisi considers Russia’s new Abkhazia treaty a form of annexation
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said the new treaty makes Abkhazia a part of Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The signing of a new treaty between Abkhazia and Russia has caused outrage in Tbilisi. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said he considers what has happened annexation. Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili went as far as saying that […]
New figures confirm upward trend of Georgia’s foreign trade
Trucks at the border with Turkey at Sarpi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first ten months of 2014 was USD 9.4 billion; 10 percent more than the same period in 2013. According to the latest monthly report by Georgia’s National Statistics Department, published on Monday, export […]
Pankisi’s Council of Elders and what they do
Khaso Khangoshvili, Zaur Gumashvili, Apolon Gaurgashvili and Soltsa Kavtarashvili. (DF Watch.) DUISI, DFWatch–Despite its reputation, Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge is now a quite peaceful place, according to the Council of Elders, an informal body which arbitrates conflicts in the area. The council has a long history here. Its role is to mediate and decide […]
Georgian parliament makes new attempt to agree on surveillance reform
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has still not decided who should have access to secret surveillance material, a problem that has remained unresolved for more than half a year. But this week, parliament is to review several legislative proposals. A previous vote that […]
Georgia goes dark after accident at thermal power plant
TBILISI, DFWatch–An accident at a thermal power plant in eastern Georgia caused a country-wide blackout early Monday morning. Almost the entire country was without electricity at 02:10 in the middle of the night, as the thermal power plant in Gardabani near […]
Georgian president pardons 121 prisoners
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili pardoned 121 prisoners in connection with the celebration of Giorgoba, an important Christian holiday in Georgia. 93 of those who were pardoned left prison the same day Friday, while 28 prisoners had their […]
Activists throw eggs and tomatoes at UNM office on anniversary
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people were detained during a demonstration against the National Movement in Tbilisi on Sunday. The demonstration took place outside the party’s office and was held in connection with the 11 years anniversary of the Rose Revolution, which […]
Kakha Bendukidze buried in Tbilisi on Saturday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former economy minister, the businessman Kakha Bendukidze was buried in Tbilisi on Saturday. Bendukidze died in London recently. A public funeral service was held earlier on Saturday at one of the universities which he founded. […]
Prosecutor’s Office investigating possible prisoner mistreatment
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a possible mistreatment case at Gldani prison (“No 8”) in Tbilisi. The investigation will involve questioning prison staff and prisoners and conducting a forensic examination of bodily injuries which were recently […]
Demonstrations in support of Kodori rebel leader
Emzar Kvitsiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Supreme Court says it has become the target of harassment by certain politicians, particularly following the recent conviction of man for leading the 2006 Kodori mutiny. Emzar Kvitsiani, who in 2006 declared disobedience toward […]
Pankisi youth choose radical Islam over grim reality
(DF Watch.) DUISI, DFWatch–The people in Pankisi Gorge have been under increasing scrutiny for the last few months, as fighters from this region have become high-ranking commanders in the forces of the Islamic State. Pankisi is merely a 34 square kilometers cut into the Greater […]
Killed transgender woman remembered with a minute’s silence in Tbilisi
A transgender woman recently killed in Tbilisi was remembered with a minute’s silence. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–LGBT activists on Thursday marked Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) in Tbilisi. The demonstration took place at the House of Justice to protest against the fact that transgender people aren’t allowed to register their true gender in ID cards. […]
Who is building most roads is the new debate in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Road construction has become the new subject of dispute between the former and current government in Georgia. What sparked the debate was when the prime minister opened a new section of highway in western Georgia by scathingly saying that the […]
Bendukidze brought home to Georgia Thursday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The body of the former Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze, who recently died of heart failure according to preliminary information, will be brought home to Georgia on Thursday. The body will be on a direct flight from London and brought to his […]
Ombudsman asks to investigate possible beating in Gldani prison
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ombudsman claims they have reason to believe prisoners were tortured last week at a prison in Gldani, Tbilisi; the very same prison where humiliating abuse of prisoners was filmed and shown on TV two years ago. The public defender […]
Georgia’s dismissed defense minister gives ‘final warning’
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s dismissed defense minister has given a ‘final warning’ to the country’s prosecutors, after which he plans to get the international community involved in the process. Irakli Alasania was dismissed shortly after making strong statements […]
Parliament fails to reach agreement on hat-removal during anthem
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentarians in Georgia failed to reach agreement Tuesday about whether men should be legally obligated to take off their hats when the national anthem is played in the assembly. Giorgi Kakhiani has authored a draft bill that will remove […]
Court releases pathologist on trial in connection with PM’s death
Levan Chachua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The pathologist on trial in the case about the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2005 has been given bail. Levan Chachua has been in detention since March 20, but on Tuesday the court ruled that he may be released against paying a 10,000 […]
50th meeting of the post-2008 incident prevention talks
Practical problems for people affected by the conflict is the main focus of the IPRM meetings. (EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Monday another meeting was held of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) between the conflicting parties of the 2008 war. This was the 50th such meeting, and as usual it took place at Ergneti, a village close to the de facto border. […]
Georgian PM claims Russia plans annexation of territories
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister claims Russia is preparing to annex two Georgian breakaway regions. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said this while meeting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday. One of the topics discussed was the […]
Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office checking the finances of several ministries
Lasha Tordia, head of the State Audit Office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has begun examining the finances of the biggest government ministries. This follows findings by the Audit Office of violations in several ministries expenditures. Head of the Audit Office, Lasha Tordia, said […]
Leader of 2006 Kodori mutiny gets 12 years in jail
Emzar Kvitsiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The leader of the Kodori Gorge mutiny in 2006 was Monday sentenced to 12 years in jail. Emzar Kvitsiani was convicted of mutiny and forming an illegal paramilitary group. His lawyer said they will appeal the verdict to the Appeals […]
Georgia’s wine production grew 13% in 2013
71% of the wine was produced by households in 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia produced 12.6 percent more wine in 2013 than in 2012, according to the government’s international monitoring center. 71.2 percent of the 183,381 tons of wine produced in 2013 came from households, and 28.8 percent from companies. In 2012, […]
Georgian PM appoints new minister for integration with Europe
Davit Bakradze is Georgia’s new Euro-integration minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister on Saturday approved a new minister of Euro and Euro Atlantic integration. The new Euro-integration minister Davit Bakradze replaces Alexi Petriashvili, who resigned in protest against the dismissal […]
Saakashvili appears via video link at anti-Russia rally in Tbilisi
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili addressed a crowd in Tbilisi Saturday, via video link. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former ruling party mobilized several thousand people on Saturday for an anti-Russia themed rally and blamed the government for inaction in the face of what it claimed is impending Russian annexation of two breakaway regions. […]
Three Georgian soldiers injured in suicide attack in Afghanistan
(Photo: Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgian soldiers were injured at a military base in Bagram, Afghanistan, as a suicide bomber blew himself up while the Georgians were patrolling the area. The Ministry of Defense said the health of soldiers is in no danger. They were taken […]
National Movement preparing ‘large-scale’ demonstration in Tbilisi
Rustaveli Avenue was blocked for traffic from 12 today, in preparation for the rally. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former government representatives from the years following the rose revolution in 2003 are holding a rally in central Tbilisi today to protest against Russia’s annexation of two breakaway regions. National Movement members claim this is […]
Georgia’s problem lack of trust in institutions, president says
Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in an address to parliament on Friday that he has warned that there would be problems if people continued to distrust the country’s institutions. “During the recent year, I have repeatedly underlined […]
Rose revolution ideologue dies of heart failure in London
Friends wrote on Facebook that Kakha Bendukidze died in a hotel room in London. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian economy minister Kakha Bendukidze died Thursday in London, aged 58. Bendukidze was an important strategist for the economic liberalization which started during President Saakashvili from 2004. Friends and acquaintances wrote […]
New investigation against Georgia’s Ministry of Defense
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has opened another investigation against the Defense Ministry, which is already subject to two investigations which prompted the minister’s dismissal last week. This time the investigation is based on material […]
Court sets no bail conditions for six on trial for food poisoning
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court did not set bail conditions for six Defense Ministry officials who are on trial for being involved in a food poisoning case in 2013. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, ten cases of poisoning of military employees took place. The six officials […]
Expert in PM Zhvania’s autopsy found dead
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the experts who was involved in the autopsy following the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2005 was found dead in his apartment on Thursday. Meanwhile, Tbilisi City Court finished the hearing for another expert and listened […]
National Movement offensive against govt’s ‘loyal attitude to Russia’
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Movement delegates left the suit and tie at home Wednesday and instead showed up in parliament wearing white t-shirts with the slogan ‘no to annexation’ to protest the government’s ‘loyal attitude to Russia’. The party has accused the new […]
Ex-official makes plea agreement to testify against Saakashvili ally
Oleg Melnikov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former officer in Georgia’s Interior Minister has made another plea agreement in return for testifying against one of the allies of Mikheil Saakashvili. Oleg Melnikov used to be an officer in the previous government’s possibly most […]
Suspect detained in murder of trans woman
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Wednesday detained a suspect in the murder of a transgender woman in Tbilisi the day before. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the 26 year old, who lives in Tbilisi, killed the transgender woman because […]
Students demand decision about Kobuleti madrasa
The house in Kobuleti where a Muslim boarding school is planned. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at a Muslim school demonstrated outside the government house in Batumi a few days ago, demanding that the the Kobuleti Boarding School issue be solved soon. Also university students joined the rally. They claim that the local government […]
Face slapping in Tbilisi City Council over dog shelter
Elizbarashvili Dog Shelter in Tbilisi holds more than four hundred dogs. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Fighting broke out Tuesday at Tbilisi City Council over a proposal to shut down a large private dog shelter in the capital. Neighbors of the shelter showed up at the council session to demand that it be shut down because they consider it a nuisance. […]
Georgia’s new foreign minister is an experienced insider
New Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday appointed Tamar Beruchashvili as new foreign minister. Beruchashvili was a deputy to Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze, who resigned in protest against the dismissal of Defense Minister Irakli Alasania […]
Transwoman killed and flat set on fire in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A young transgender person was killed in her apartment last night on Pekini street, Tbilisi. The victim’s apartment was set on fire, apparently in order to destroy the evidence. Local media report that the victim was a 23 year old transwoman, who has appeared […]
Pankisi women challenge traditional law
Duisi. (DF Watch.) DUISI. DFWatch–Centuries-old mountain traditions and customs still regulate daily life in Pankisi, a valley in the northeast of Georgia populated by Kists and Chechens. Now the old ways are challenged by a new women’s council. Traditionally, the highest decision […]
Students demonstrated against ‘nepotism’ at Tbilisi State University
Students say Tbilisi State University is run by clans. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at Tbilisi State University on Monday demonstrated against what they say is a clan-run education system which doesn’t encourage scientific activities. The march started from the central branch of the university and ended outside the […]
Ethnic clash in Akhmeta, eastern Georgia
Jokola Achishvili. (Photo posted on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A street fight with ethnic overtones in eastern Georgia on Sunday led to people being hospitalized and several people were detained. The scuffle took place in the town Akhmeta, between local Georgians and Kist, who are a subgroup of Chechens […]
Margvelashvili will address parliament on Friday
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will address parliament on November 14 at noon. The address will be held at the beginning at a plenary session and be followed by an address of the speaker of parliament. November 5, right after the prime minister […]
New forensic report prompts tougher charges against Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is now also charged with organizing deliberate severe damage to someone’s health. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new forensic report concluding that the victim of a beating in 2005 had life-threatening injuries has led to tougher charges being introduced against Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili. The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office announced […]
Government bloc in parliament grows to 87
TBILISI, DFWatch–The governing Georgian Dream coalition on Monday increased the number of seats it controls in parliament to 87, as twelve majoritarians agreed to support the bloc. The same day as the twelve decided to join the majority, the Free Democrats officially […]
Roki tunnel reopened
Roki tunnel before the repair work. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has reopened a strategically important tunnel through the Caucasus mountain range after a full-scale overhaul that has taken two and a half years and cost USD 400 million. According to Russian officials, equipment had been moved from the […]
Justice minister leaves Free Democrats Party
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani decided to finally leave the Free Democrats, the party led by the dismissed defense minister Irakli Alasania. Tsulukiani recently withdrew from the Georgian Dream coalition due to political crisis following the sacking […]
Ivanishvili’s new talk show will fill information vacuum
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (TV1.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The father of Georgia’s government coalition, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, presented his plans for a new talk show Saturday. Ivanishvili, who was prime minister the first year of the Georgian Dream coalition’s government, will appear on the […]
Georgia’s ex-foreign minister: ‘Let them arrest us’
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s recently resigned foreign minister believes herself and the recently dismissed defense minister might be arrested soon. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania was dismissed last week because he according to the prime minister was trying to turn […]
TI Georgia says Georgia’s new visa rules are harming the economy
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Transparency International said on Friday that Georgia’s new visa rules have created serious problems for investments and tourism. TI Georgia’s new report, which was presented at Holiday Inn Hotel in Tbilisi, contains recommendations which […]
Ivanishvili criticizes dismissed defense minister in lengthy TV interview
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Channel 1.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The billionaire behind the government coalition in Georgia on Saturday made his first public comments about the political crisis. Bidzina Ivanishvili had critical things to say about several of the people who have been at center stage these last days, […]
Ex-defense minister’s party aims for victory in 2016 election
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s dismissed defense minister, Irakli Alasania, feels optimistic that his party which recently left the governing coalition will win in the parliamentary election of 2016. The Free Democrats on Saturday held a party conference, which with […]
Georgia’s ruling coalition loses one more parliament member
Shalva Shavgulidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream coalition received another unexpected blow Friday when one of its active members switched sides and joined the dismissed defense minister’s political party. Nevertheless, GD says the loss of Shalva Shavgulidze […]
Dismissed defense minister met Ivanishvili
Bidzina Ivanishvili (left) and Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, who was dismissed a few days ago, Thursday evening met Bidzina Ivanishvili, the businessman who brought together the Georgian Dream coalition. Ivanishvili has avoided public statements since he left […]
PM: Coalition’s split will strengthen Georgia’s democracy
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After sacking and reprimanding his once ally, Prime Minister Garibashvili says if Alasania’s party goes into opposition, this will make the country’s democracy even stronger. Alasania on his part says he thinks the PM has lost face. Garibashvili […]
Georgia’s ruling coalition struggling to maintain majority in parliament
Davit Saganelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the party of the recently dismissed defense minister is rushing to try to deprive Georgian Dream of its majority, while the coalition is trying to retain it. If all ten members of the Free Democrats faction leave the coalition, this will […]
Foreign minister’s deputies return to work, after resigning yesterday
“The PM instructed me that the system must function,’ said Davit Japahjania, one of the deputies to the foreign minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At least two of the deputies of the Georgian foreign minister will remain on their posts despite saying yesterday that they would resign in the wake of the dismissal of the defense minister. Tamar Beruchashvili and Davit Jalaghania told journalists […]
Georgian PM castigates dismissed defense minister
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili castigated former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania on Thursday, calling him ‘a traitor’ and ‘an opportunist’. “What Alasania did, is a betrayal of the victory of 2012 and an attempt to deceive the Georgian […]
President: Georgia’s European course is unchangeable
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili rules out the possibility of a change in Georgia’s foreign policy orientation. The government coalition is split with both sides accusing the other of endangering the policy of seeking integration with NATO […]
Georgia’s ruling coalition may keep majority in parliament
TBILISI, DFWatch–According to the latest available information, the ruling Georgian Dream coalition may keep its majority of seats in the parliament. Three MPs from the ten strong Free Democrats – Georgian Dream faction might choose to side with Georgian […]
One party leaves Georgia’s govt coalition in midst of political crisis
Irakli Alasania announced Wednesday evening that the Free Democrats Party is leaving the government coalition. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government coalition in Georgia is in its worst crisis till now, as one party leaves and questions are raised about its western oriented course. Two ministers resigned in protest against the dismissal of the defense minister the day before, but the crisis […]
Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister resigns, saying European choice under threat
TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of Alasania’s political team are stepping down one by one as Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze and four of her deputies resigned on Wednesday in the wake of the political turmoil that has brought Georgia’s ruling coalition on the verge of collapse. […]
Georgian PM fires defense minister over corruption case
Irakli Alasania said he believes his dismissal was political. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili dismissed his defense minister Tuesday evening, hours after the Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against six more Defense Ministry officials. The sacked minister, Irakli Alasania, was one of the most […]
Deputy defense minister protests against unfair questioning
Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandre Batiashvili. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A deputy defense minister in Georgia protested against ‘a number of violations’ on Monday after spending about ten hours in questioning about a corruption case involving defense officials. Alexi Batiashvili has status as witness in the case […]
Six more defense officials charged in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–While Georgia’s western backed defense minister struggles to prove the innocence of his ‘brothers-in-arms’, the Prosecutor’s Office dealt the beleaguered minister another blow. The Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday brought a new case about food […]
Prosecutors and MoD quarrel: who is keeping corruption case secret?
Prosecutor’s Office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As five defense officials remain in pre-trial detention on corruption charges, the Defense Ministry and Prosecutor’s Office are quarreling over whose fault it is that the case documents remain classified. The five, who were detained October 28, […]
Snow blocks roads in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Traffic is currently rerouted from Chakvi-Makhinjauri highway in western Georgia after a landslide on Sunday blocked the road. According to the Regional Development and Infrastructure Ministry, about 20-30 thousand cubic meters of land collapsed […]
Two Chechen travelers deported from Georgia
Kutaisi airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia on Sunday deported two Russian citizens who were planning to go to Chechnya. The two were held at Kutaisi airport and eventually sent to Moscow. The Interior Ministry claims the reason they were deported was that they couldn’t answer […]
60% of Tbilisi City Hall employees fail tests
TBILISI, DFWatch–290 out of 486 employees of Tbilisi City Hall have failed a test on Saturday. The former ruling party claims it is political, as many of the workers are from the previous government. 563 employees were expected to show up for Saturday’s test. […]
Alasania vouches for the innocence of his ‘brothers-in-arms’
Irakli Alasania says there are signs of bias against the five detainees.(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The detention of Defense Ministry officials is a severe blow to the country’s security, says Irakli Alasania, head of the MoD, who vouches for his fellow colleagues’ innocence, calling them ‘my brothers-in-arms and team-mates’. Meanwhile a corruption […]
Georgian parliament accepts president’s veto
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament grudgingly abandoned its plan to overturn the president’s veto against a decision to postpone legislation that would quickly curb the Interior Ministry’s ability to carry out secret surveillance. Georgia has introduced […]
Georgian president vetoes postponement of surveillance reform
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili Friday vetoed a decision by the Georgian parliament to postpone a decision about reining in the use secret surveillance by the state. The veto is a highly confrontational move that could be a precursor of a major rift […]
Five defense officials placed in pre-trial detention
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Thursday placed five Defense Ministry officials in pre-trial detention. The five are charged with embezzling more than four million lari in connection with a tender for building high speed Internet. The hearing was […]
Changes in Georgia’s immigration law expected in December
Georgia’s new immigration law will be amended. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The criticism of the new immigration law in Georgia seems to have yielded some results: lawmakers are contemplating amendments to existing legislation concerning visa and residency permit. The parliament of Georgia has already received […]
Georgian ombudsman against use of video in children’s psychology sessions
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s public defender recommends that the Ministry of Education reconsiders a decision to allow the use of photo and video recordings of children during psychologist consultations. A psychology center for school children was opened in spring […]
NATO chief Stoltenberg to meet Georgian PM November 17
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. (NATO.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will meet Georgia’s prime minister on November 17. Secretary General Stoltenberg said this in a speech at the German Marshall Fund in Brussels on Wednesday. The stated purpose of the meeting with Georgian PM Irakli […]
Abkhazia rejects offer of status as autonomous region
TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto government of Abkhazia considers inadequate a proposal by the Georgian prime minister to make Abkhazia an autonomous republic inside Georgia. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili made the proposal […]
Parliament speaker says corruption case has harmed Georgia’s defense ability
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s parliament speaker says the detention of five defense ministry officials accused of corruption has seriously harmed the country’s defense ability, even if the charges turn out to be false. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili […]
Saakashvili supporters plan rally on November 15
National Movement spokesperson Irma Nadirashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister claims the party associated with former President Mikheil Saakashvili is planning to destabilize the country in connection with a demonstration planned on November 15. The National Movement announced the rally a few days […]
Georgian parliament postpones decision on secret surveillance
Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze destroying the ‘dirty archive’ in February, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The question of who should hold the access keys to the ‘black boxes’ containing secret surveillance material in Georgia has been postponed six more months. As other former Soviet countries, Georgia has experienced widespread use of phone tapping […]
Smiling faces, little substance after security council session
President Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili shaking hands Tuesday. (Photo published on Facebook by the president’s office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president and prime minister laid their differences to rest on Tuesday and put on big smiles for a session of the National Security Council. The session was called by President Giorgi Margvelashvili to come up with ideas for how to respond […]
One man dead in building collapse in Zugdidi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One man died as a result of a building collapse in western Georgia Monday night. A water reservior burst in the office of the State Security Agency in the town Zugdidi, near the Abkhazian region. The victim is head of department Zviad Lagvilava. […]
Five Defense Ministry officials detained, accused of embezzlement
The Defense Ministry issued a statement after one former and four current officials were detained. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia on Tuesday detained five officials at the Defense Ministry and accused them of embezzlement of about USD 2.3 million of the state’s money. The office accuses them of granting advantages to the communication […]
Georgian PM to attend security council meeting
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister unexpectedly announced that he will attend a meeting today of the National Security Council, which was called by the president to respond to a proposed new pact between Russia and breakaway Abkhazia. Despite […]
Georgia’s security council will meet, though many members absent
Irina Imerlishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president has called a meeting of the National Security Council tomorrow to discuss an issue that may influence the country’s territorial integrity, but several central figures in the government are unlikely to show up. President Giorgi […]
Former Georgian economy minister becomes Tymoshenko adviser
Yulia Tynoshenko (left) presented Giorgi Arveladze (right) as one of her new advisers on Ukrainian channel Inter TV. TBILISI, DFWatch–Right before Ukrainians went to the polls in Sunday’s parliamentary election, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko named a former Georgian economy minister as one of her advisers. Tymoshenko is leader of Batkivshchyna (Fatherland), a small […]
Georgia may make ‘civic equality’ part of university entrance exam
Maia Miminoshvili, head of the National Exam Center. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The exam authority in Georgia has suggested introducing a new test in ‘civic equality’ as part of the entrance exams for university studies. The new test has been proposed by the National Exam Center against the background of a recent discussion […]
Georgian bishop says the Mokhe building was never a mosque
14 people were detained in the clashes in Mokhe. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An archbishop in Georgia claims the disputed building in Mokhe was formerly a church, and that allowing it to be used by Muslims is unacceptable. The conflict in the village Mokhe near Adigeni started last week when workers came to start dismantling […]
Suspect detained in journalist’s beating
Journalist Zaza Davitaia had a broken rib and a concussion after being beaten on October 1. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police two days ago detained a man who is suspected of beating a journalist working for a conservative newspaper. According to the Interior Ministry, the suspect insulted and beat Zaza Davitaia on October 22 in the center of Tbilisi. Davitaia […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover up 10% Jan-Sept ’14
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first nine months of 2014 was ten percent more than the year before, according to figures published Friday by the National Statistics Department, Geostat. The total turnover was USD 8,376 million, out […]
Foreign experts say evidence against Saakashvili is sound
Former President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three foreign prosecutors visiting Georgia have concluded that there is enough evidence to continue the criminal prosecution of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and three of his associates. Georgia’s chief prosecutor’s office announced this on Thursday. […]
School children stay home in Mokhe as politicians explain conflict
Shura Mikeladze. (Photo published by Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Politicians Thursday began making sense of the conflict in Mokhe the day before, while local Muslims spent the whole night at the police station where people are being held who were detained. The scuffle began as Muslims tried to stop the […]
Mosque conflict continues in southern Georgian town
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Conflict continued Wednesday in the small Georgian village Mokhe, as an old mosque was dismantled from morning. Muslims tried to protest, but the Orthodox Christians opposed them and there came to a scuffle, during which 14 people were detained. […]
Ukraine support rallies in three Georgian cities
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukraine support rallies were held in three different Georgian cities on Wednesday. They were organized by the National Platform, which is an umbrella organization uniting more than a hundred non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Rallies were held […]
Bacho Akhalaia sentenced to seven years in jail
Bacho Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the strongmen in Saakashvili’s government was Wednesday sentenced to seven years and six months in jail in a case concerning beating of prisoners and a fatal shooting in 2006. As the judge announced the verdict there was noise […]
Activists detained – want Saakashvili’s party banned
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of people from the organization Free Generation Tuesday evening demonstrated outside the office of the National Movement, Georgia’s former ruling party, demanding that it is declared illegal. In the ensuing scuffle, six person were detained […]
Russian drones threaten stability, Georgia says
Tuesday’s meeting was facilitated by EUMM’s head, Toivo Klaar, and Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger from the OSCE. (Photo published by EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian drones are endangering the security and stability in the region, Georgia’s representatives said at a meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) Tuesday. As DF Watch reported earlier, a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle […]
Violence against women highlighted at demonstration in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Demonstrators gathered outside the government office on Tuesday to demand better protection of women after what they claim is 23 killings of women this year in incidents of domestic violence. It is not known who organized the demonstration, but it […]
Muslims in south of Georgia plan petition to dismiss mufti
People in Mokhe are unhappy about the mufti’s performance in a conflict about a mosque. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Muslims in south Georgia are planning to start a petition to dismiss the country’s mufti, who they claim is illegitimate and gave them false promises. A few days ago, there was a conflict in the village Mokhe, where an old mosque is going […]
Tbilisi students demonstrate against gas station on university area
(Photo: Irakli Kupradze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students demonstrated Monday against the construction of a new petrol station on an area that is part of Tbilisi State University. The company claims it owns all rights to the land and is not violating any law by building the gas station. Led by […]
Supporters of controversial ex-official rally outside PM’s residence
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of Georgia’s former regime demonstrated outside the house of the prime minister on Sunday. Outraged passers-by confronted them, and several people were detained in the scuffle. The protesters demanded that the courts are freed from […]
Merabishvili gets three years in jail for Girgvliani murder
Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian interior minister Vano Merabishvili was Monday sentenced to three years in jail for involvement in the cover-up of the murder of a bank employee in 2006. Tbilisi City Court found the former minister guilty and also prohibited him from […]
Locals demonstrate for and against turning mosque into culture center
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Muslims in Mokhe, a village in the south of Georgia, protested on Saturday, because they don’t want to give up an old mosque and turn it into a culture center. The Orthodox population rallied against them demanding to construct a new culture center […]
Bad weather causes flooding in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Bad weather continued to cause problems in many parts of Georgia on Sunday. A storm was raging on the Black Sea coast while rivers were flooded, damaging roads and houses in villages. The river Khobistskali spilled over its banks, paralyzing the road […]
String of violent incidents fuels crime debate in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a lecturer was murdered in the corridor of a Tbilisi university on Friday, there have been more reports of domestic violence across Georgia, leaving one woman dead and one man in a critical condition in a separate incident. In Tbilisi, a patrol police […]
Man shoots ex-wife, then kills himself at Tbilisi university
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lecturer was shot dead by her former husband at Ilia State University (ISU) in Tbilisi on Friday. The murderer committed suicide on the spot. Maka Tsivtsivadze was holding an English lecture, when she was visited by her former husband. He called […]
Greece refuses to extradite Data Akhalaia to Georgia
Data Akhalaia now plans to apply for political asylum in Greece. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Greece has refused to extradite a former Georgian official who is charged with involvement in the murder of a bank employee and several other crimes, including abuse of power. Data Akhalaia is seen as a close ally of ex-President Mikheil […]
Georgia’s parliament speaker defends Ivanishvili in newspaper ad
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili admires Ivanishvili’s philanthropism. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The speaker of the Georgian parliament went on the offensive Thursday against former President Mikheil Saakashvili and in defense of the billionaire who brought together the current government coalition, Bidzina Ivanishvili. Speaker of Parliament […]
Update: Two teens captured for vandalizing a church in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The police on Thursday arrested two youngsters for suspicion of vandalizing a church just during a religious holiday. The detainees are two teens of 17 and 15 years old. The latter has a prior conviction. While searching the homes of the suspects, […]
Georgia’s Russia-envoy does not plan to cancel Prague meeting
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s envoy for talks with Russia says he will meet his Russian counterpart in Prague on Thursday, despite criticism from his coalition fellow party members. But Zurab Abashidze says he will inevitably touch a very contentious issue during […]
Georgia’s new immigration law criticized for flaws
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s new immigration law has created a lot of problems for foreigners who already live, study or work in the country. People DF Watch spoke to say their applications are being rejected for unclear reasons. They also question why it is required to file […]
Georgia investigating coup plans by the former ruling party
Deputy Interior Minister Levan Izoria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian law enforcers are investigating alleged plans by the former ruling party, the National Movement, to destabilize the country and overthrow its government, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Levan Izoria told opposition-leaning TV channel Rustavi 2. […]
Georgian diplomats clash over proposed Russia-Abkhazia pact
Tedo Japaridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A proposed new comprehensive agreement between Russia and Abkhazia has triggered a quarrel between two veterans of the Georgian diplomacy who both belong to the ruling Georgian Dream coalition. The text of the draft proposes ‘a common space […]
Former members of Georgian elite forces accused of kidnapping
Photo published on the kidnap victim Ioseb Giorkhelidze’s Facebook page. TBILISI, DFWatch–The police on Monday arrested four persons for alleged kidnapping, two of whom are former members of special forces units in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). MIA states that the four kidnapped a 19 year old man, Ioseb Giorkhelidze. Two members […]
Georgia eyes with suspicion Russian plans for new road through Caucasus
The Roki tunnel, one of the roads through Caucasus that is virtually not operational due to the political situation. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia views with caution the construction by Russia of yet another trans-Caucasus road, while the opposition sees a direct threat for a country whose territory’s 18 percent is occupied by its northern neighbor. In North Caucasus, authorities […]
Seventh jihadi from Pankisi Gorge, Georgia, dies in Syrian war
The mosque in Duisi, Pankisi Gorge. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One more Georgian jihadist from Pankisi Gorge has been killed in Syria fighting alongside the Islamic State. 22 year old Guram Gumashvili is the seventh rebel fighter from Pankisi to be killed in the Syrian war, according to the Kakheti […]
Human rights court faults Georgia for its treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses
The house where Jehovah’s Witnesses meet in Ozurgeti was attacked January 1, 2014. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Court of Human Rights last week found that Georgia has violated the human rights of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community in the country. The violations the court looked at date 14 years back in time, but the group is still being attacked […]
Brother of deceased PM Zurab Zhvania expects results soon
A new investigation of Zhvania’s death was one of the promises made by the Georgian Dream coalition in the 2012 election campaign. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The investigation into the death of the Georgian prime minister Zurab Zhvania in 2005 will soon enter its final stage, according to the brother of the deceased. Goga Zhvania said Friday that it’s still unclear whether the investigators […]
Georgia’s president pardons 88 prisoners
President Giorgi Margvelashvili has pardoned 463 prisoners so far this year. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Wednesday was probably the happiest day in the lives of 88 prisoners in Georgia, as they were allowed to walk free following a presidential pardon. Another 27 got their sentences reduced by half or one third. The decree by President Giorgi […]
3.7 magnitude earthquake rattles southern Caucasus
The earthquake caused debris to fall down in the Mindeli coal mine in Tkibuli, injuring one miner. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 3.7 magnitude earthquake rattled the south central slopes of the Caucasus mountains Wednesday. The earthquake occurred at 4:36 pm Tbilisi time and had its epicenter near the mining town Tkibuli, in western Georgia. According to Tamaz Dolaberidze, […]
Deadly ‘bridenapping’ in Kakheti
Few girls finish secondary school in Sagarejo, because they get married at a young age. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–When a young man was murdered last weekend in Kazlar, an Azeri village 40km east of Tbilisi, it could have been one among many stories of violence and homicides in rural Georgia, but the circumstances of this case makes it stand out. 21 year […]
Two Georgians detained by Russian border guards
Locals say there isn’t any physical barrier marking the disputed border near Kvemo Ikorta. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Tuesday detained a husband and wife in a village bordering breakaway South Ossetia. The two, Kakha Kazishvili and Zina Natriashvili, were detained in the village Kvemo Ikorta as they were trying to cross the ‘border’ to visit relatives. […]
PM’s relative appointed party secretary
Zviad Jankarashvili. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A relative of the Georgian prime minister has been appointed as executive secretary of the Georgian Dream Party, the largest member of the government coalition by the same name. It was a unanimous decision by the political council of the Georgian […]
Ivanishvili plans to host TV show
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he wants to host a weekly talk show. This comes after Ivanishvili many times has criticized Georgian media for bias and lack of professionalism. The new talk show is one of two projects presented […]
Murder charges against police officer who fatally shot 21 year old
The police officer suspected of fatally shooting a young man in Kutaisi on Friday has been charged with murder. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The police officer who shot to death a young man in Kutaisi has been charged with purposeful murder and exceeding his power using a firearm and faces up to 15 years in jail. The police officer pleaded not guilty. His lawyer told journalists […]
Georgia’s controversial new immigration law may be changed
Irakli Garibashvili made the comment while inspecting the grape harvesting in Kakheti. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government may change a new controversial law on immigration that has caused a wave of confusion and irritation in the country’s expat community. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said this during a visit to the eastern Kakheti region […]
Policeman arrested after fatally shooting 21 year old
21 year old Mirza Gochuadze died after being shot by police during a car chase in Kutaisi Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A police officer who shot to death a 21 year old man in Kutaisi on Friday has been arrested. The Ministry on Internal Affairs has not released the name of the officer, who is suspected of exceeding his power. Details about the shooting are sketchy, […]
Kobuleti, where Muslims are not welcome
Locals in Kobuleti have set up barricades and keep guard 24/7 to prevent Muslims from entering a planned madrasa. (DF Watch.) KOBULETI, DFWatch–In the past couple of years, Muslims in Georgia have experienced more and more animosity directed toward them. In 2012, Muslims were opposed when they tried to open a mosque in Nigvziani; in 2013 villagers in Samtatskharo were not allowed to perform […]
21-year old dies after being shot by police
21-year old Mirza Gochuadze died after being shot by police in a car chase. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 21 year old man was shot by police during a car chase Friday in Kutaisi. The man later died from his injuries. The police shooting sent shockwaves through the local community in this Georgia’s second largest city, where people remember how police […]
More Georgian students to get scholarships for UK
Six Georgian students will be able to go to the UK to complete their Master’s degrees this year with Chevening scholarships. (Photo published by the UK embassy on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In 2014-2014, six Georgian students will continue their Masters degrees at British universities with support from the Chevening program. The scholarships are mainly given for studies within economy and politics. The UK government […]
Abkhaz leader plans to close all but one checkpoint
Only the main checkpoint on the Enguri river will be operational. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The newly elected de facto president of the breakaway region Abkhazia wants to close five out of a total of six ’official’ checkpoints that divide Abkhazia from Georgia proper. According to Russian news agency Ria Novosti, Abkhazia’s new president, […]
Saakashvili supporters and opponents clash again
Youth activists who want Saakashvili back in power clashed with his opponents Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Opponents and supporters of former President Saakashvili clashed again in Tbilisi on Thursday, two days after their first showdown. The two rival political youth groups stood against each other on Pekini Street, cursing opponents and throwing bottles, […]
Investigators find no proof Kitsmarishvili was murdered
Zurab Kitsmarishvili believes that his brother was murdered. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Investigators haven’t found any evidence that Georgia’s former ambassador to Russia and founder of Rustavi 2 TV company was murdered. “On the basis of testimonies by hundreds of witnesses, appropriate documents, videotapes, evidence […]
Religious minorities in Georgia shortchanged due to prejudice
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been subject to a wave of violent attacks in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In the last few years, Georgia has had a surge in discrimination against religious minorities. A new report reveals that also a silent, invisible day-to-day form of discrimination is prevalent within government institutions and among public servants. […]
Georgian man stabs sister for not wearing hijab
The mosque in Duisi, Pankisi Gorge. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man from Pankisi Gorge stabbed his sister in the chest with a knife for refusing to wear a hijab. The brother, 35, inflicted 7 wounds on his 33 year old sister, a former police officer. Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge is located in the northeast […]
Georgian president presents candidates for head of Supreme Court
Outgoing head of Georgia’s Supreme Court, Kote Kublashvili was a key player in the controversial justice reforms. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Tuesday presented parliament with his two candidates to take over as head of Supreme Court. This was the second time President Giorgi Margvelashvili presented Nino Bakakuri and Zurab Dzlierishvili as candidates to take over […]
Two activist groups clash in Tbilisi
Journalist Zaza Davitaia threatened retaliation after being injured in the clash. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two groups of politically motivated youth clashed on Tuesday, inflicting injuries on each other. The conflict started after activists from the pro-National Movement youth group Tavisupali Zona (Free Zone) severely beat a journalist from a conservative […]
Remains of dead Georgian PM may be exhumed
The death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania (pictured) in February 2005 is still troubling Georgians. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The body of a former Georgian prime minister may be exhumed in order to determine the cause of death. Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, one of the architects of the rose revolution, died in 2005, officially of gas poisoning due to a faulty heater. […]
Margvelashvili calls for peaceful resolution of frozen conflicts
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (TRT.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili appeared on the Turkish TV Monday, explaining his country’s policy toward two breakaway regions that have been controlled by Russia since the war in 2008. Georgian territorial integrity will be restored, […]
Georgia to help Kyrgyzstan get access to the EU market
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev in Istanbul on Monday. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili says the free trade treaty Georgia signed with the EU earlier this year opens opportunities also for other countries to reach the EU market. He said this while discussing bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan […]
Georgian authorities issue warning about new storm in southwest
A magnitude four storm battered the Batumi beach Monday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain hit Georgia’s southwestern parts on Monday, but so far without causing the amount of damage which was feared after meteorologists issued a dire forecast the day before. Last night, there was strong wind and a constant downpour […]
Pathologist in Zhvania’s death must remain in detention
Levan Chachua is on trial for negligence while performing the autopsy on Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2006. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The pathologist who conducted the autopsy on the body of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania denies that he harassed a witness. The trial about the prime minister’s death in 2006 continued Thursday with questioning of the pathologist Levan Chachua. […]
Schools in Turkey to start teaching Georgian language
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Turkish Ministry of Education has adopted a plan to teach Georgian in the schools, according to a Facebook post by the Georgian embassy in Turkey. In its post, the embassy writes that if there are 10 or more students at a given school who want […]
Sixth Georgian from Pankisi Gorge dies in Syrian war
Muslim Shishani, from Pankisi Gorge in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–An 18 year old Georgian has died in the Syrian civil war. He is the sixth fighter to die in the war who is a native of Pankisi Gorge. Pankisi Gorge in the northeast of Georgia was used as a jihadist base during both Chechen wars, and this was where […]
Georgia to join arms trade treaty
Georgia joins the UN Arms Trade Treaty. (police.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–On Friday, Georgia will join a new treaty which restricts the international trade in small arms. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on April 2, 2013, and is a first of its kind. It will regulate the sale […]
Western Georgia flooded by heavy rain
Unusually high water levels caused damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the southwest of Georgia Wednesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm of strength five hit western Georgia early in the morning on September 24 and caused damage to infrastructure, floods and landslides in the Adjara and Guria regions. In Guria, a river flooded a school in Shemokmedi, students and staff were evacuated by the […]
Tbilisi denies that it offered US to host training camp for Syrian rebels
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (left) and Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government denies that it has offered the US to host a training facility for Syrian rebels fighting both the Assad government and the ISIS, against whom the US and some of its allies wage a military operation. Foreign Policy […]
Decision in Girgvliani trial expected in two weeks
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili is one of the defendants in the trial. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A verdict in one Georgia’s most controversial murder cases is expected two weeks from now, with a former interior minister as one of the defendants. The defense made its closing remarks in Tbilisi City Court Wednesday in the trial about the murder […]
Georgian MP: three out of five pregnant women opt for an abortion
Dimitri Khundadze, head of the healthcare committee in the Georgian parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of the healthcare committee in the Georgian parliament wants tougher punishment for illegal abortions. In 2012, there were about forty thousand registered legal abortions in Georgia. But committee head Dimitri Khundadze stressed that […]
Saakashvili’s former head of security also subject to asset freeze
Temur Janashia (left) and his lawyer Beka Basilaia. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After slapping an asset freeze on former President Mikheil Saakashvili, the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office got court approval to do the same with the property of his almost inseparable head of security, Temur Janashia. Sitting next to his attorney […]
Court hearing into 2005 death of Georgian PM focuses on autopsy
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania died in 2005, apparently from gas poisoning. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The trial into the circumstances surrounding the death of Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2005 continued in Tbilisi on Monday. The investigation into Zhvania’s death was reopened after the change of government in 2012. During today’s hearing […]
Storm causes landslides and power cuts in western Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm Sunday night left about 7,000 households without electricity in Batumi, a city on the Black Sea coast. According to local media, a further 1,800 families are without electricity in Khelvachauri municipality. There has been heavy rain in Batumi […]
Saakashvili’s Georgian bank accounts also seized, lawyer claims
Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has seized the bank accounts of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, his attorney wrote in a Facebook update on Sunday. This comes only days after the a ruling in the Appeals Court which confirmed the seizure […]
Georgian president says he may resign
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has said he may dissolve parliament or step down if this is needed to avert a political crisis. After months of simmering conflict between him and the government, both part of the same coalition, there was […]
Slight increase in money transfers to Georgia
(Graphic published by the National Bank of Georgia.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Bank noted a one percent increase in money transfers into the country in August 2014, compared to the same period last year. The amount of money transferred from abroad in August was 225.1 million lari (130.1 million USD); 0.9 percent […]
New US-trained judge candidates taking exams in Georgia
The High Council of Justice is the highest authority in Georgia’s legal system, not the Supreme Court. TBILISI, DFWatch–A new cohort of judge candidates are taking qualification exams September 20 and 27, under the auspices of the High Council of Justice. The exams are held at the Technical University’s first building and for the first time conducted electronically. […]
Groups sound final alarm for threatened landscape in Georgia
Locals in Svaneti blocked a road earlier this year in protest against the plans. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Opponents of the Khudoni hydropower project met in Mestia on Thursday to sound the final alarm before a massive dam floods parts of the unique Svaneti region, threatening an age-old cultural landscape. The Svaneti region is a rare landscape […]
Court in Georgia orders seizure of ex-President Saakashvili’s property
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia Friday upheld a decision to seize the property of former president Mikheil Saakashvili, along with the property of his spouse, sons, parents and grandmother. To most Georgians, it has been unknown until today that there even was […]
Georgian president denies that he plans to split from coalition
President Giorgi Margvelashvili during the swearing-in ceremony in November 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president has rejected suggestions that he is planning to set up his own political party, despite an apparent widening split between him and the government coalition. Speculations of a possible new opposition party seeing the light of day […]
Council member in Adjara accuses local official of corruption
Medea Vasadze, member of the Adjara regional council. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was further infighting in Georgia’s government coalition on Thursday as a member of the council in the Adjara region accused a local finance official of corruption. The accusation was put forth as the official, Davit Baladze, September 18 briefed […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover Jan-Aug up 12%
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first eight months of 2014 was 12 percent more than in the same period last year. Preliminary data from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat, published on Tuesday show that the total amount […]
Students at TSU protest against ‘low level of education’
Art students protested two weeks ago. (Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students protested on Tuesday against the level of education at Tbilisi State University. Some of the students left the hall whistling after meeting the rector and the administration of the department for social and political studies. They say that every time such […]
Split widened between Georgia’s president and government
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The conflict between the Georgian president and the government soured even more on Wednesday after the TV company Rustavi 2 exposed private correspondence between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the president’s administration. […]
Tbilisi’s ‘gypsy market’ destroyed by fire
TBILISI, DFWatch–A fire destroyed the ‘gypsy market’ in Tbilisi on Tuesday. Vendors claim the fire was started deliberately. About 2500 square meters was burned. Vendors say they think the fire was started in order to get rid of them and build […]
Georgian lawmakers plan to introduce language tests in public sector
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament has begun discussing a draft bill which will require all public employees to pass a language test to prove that they know either the Georgian or Abkhazian language. The latter is also an official language in Georgia, […]
German tourist hospitalized after roadside robbery in Georgia
Mestia is one of the most important tourist destinations in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of German tourists were robbed in Mestia Monday night, several Georgian news outlets reported. The reports differ on important details, but most say three German tourists were robbed along the road from Zugdidi to Mestia, one of […]
Tbilisi mayor says former government squandered city’s money
Mayor of Tbilisi Davit Narmania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Tbilisi mayor says the city must tighten its belt, because the National Movement, which ruled the city for a decade, left ‘the worst budget ever’. Newly elected Mayor Davit Narmania from the Georgian Dream Coalition said on Tuesday that […]
Fired Georgian tourism official says he was pressured by the Church
Giorgi Sigua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former head of Georgia’s National Tourism Administration has said that the Georgian Orthodox Church demanded that he cancel a music festival shortly before he was sacked. Giorgi Sigua was one of those who helped organize the festival, but was […]
Discussion: Reasons for instances of religious intolerance
From left to right: Zaur Khalilov, executive director of Civic Integration Fund, theologian Beka Mindiashvili, and lawyer Giorgi Gotsiridze. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A few days ago, in a town on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, local Orthodox Christians hung a pig’s head on the entrance to a Muslim madrasa school which was to be opened in few days, insulting the religious feelings of Muslims. What are the reasons […]
Vatican official is visiting Georgia
Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, is visiting Georgia September 13-16. The Vatican’s Section for Relations with States corresponds to the foreign ministry of civil governments. […]
Turkish religious official visiting Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Turkish public official who is visiting Georgia says he hopes there will be built new mosques in Batumi and Akhaltsikhe. Mehmet Görmez,President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, arrived on Friday on his first visit to Georgia […]
U.S. to strengthen its military cooperation with Georgia
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuch Hagel. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States is strengthening its military cooperation with Georgia and several non NATO-member states on the background of events in Ukraine. US is a strategic partner of Georgia and supports its North-Atlantic integration, US Secretary […]
Georgian Orthodox Church issues statement on madrasa incident
(TV-25.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Patriarchate of Georgia claims that a boarding school for Muslim kids was built against the will of a majority of the local population in Kobuleti, a small town on Black Sea coast. For the last few days, locals have tried to oppose the opening of the […]
Music festival KaZantip to be held in Georgia in 2015
KaZantip is planned held in Georgia also in 2015. TBILISI, DFWatch–Organizers of KaZantip are determined to hold the electronic music festival in Georgia next year too, despite low visitor numbers last month. But the condition is that the government allows the festival site in Anaklia to be used. KaZantip was held […]
Georgian president cancels New York trip due to resistance
President Giorgi Margvelashvili says there was ‘very serious organized work’ against his planned visit to the US. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili has canceled a planned trip to New York to attend the UN climate change summit, after weeks of squabbling with the government about who should represent the country. The decision comes after the businessman […]
Georgian PM visiting Azerbaijan
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili met Thursday with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to discuss strategic cooperation and bilateral relations. The meeting took place at the president’s palace, and Gharibashvili was accompanied by members […]
Georgian businessman Ivanishvili criticizes president
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Palitra TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a rare interview, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has criticized President Giorgi Margvelashvili for harming the country’s image. Ivanishvili left politics after the presidential election in October, 2013. He said in an interview […]
Investigation into protest against Muslim school
(TV-25) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into an incident in a small town about a pig head being placed on the door of a Muslim religious school called a madrasa. The incident happened in Kobuleti as locals were protesting against […]
Locals slaughtered pig outside planned madrasa in Georgia
Locals in Kobuleti demonstrated against a planned madrasa on Monday. (TV-25.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals in the small Georgian town Kobuleti on the Black Sea coast are protesting against the construction of a madrasa, a religious educational facility for Muslims. As a sign of protest people killed a pig and placed its head at the entrance […]
Georgia sees sharp drop in foreign investments
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The amount of direct foreign investments in Georgia in the second quarter of 2014 was USD 151 million; significantly lower than in the same period last year. This is down 27% compared to in the second quarter of 2013, when there was USD 208 million […]
Yazidi refugees in Georgia awaiting decision
Irakli Lomidze (left), head of Asylum Department at the Refugee Ministry. Dimitry Pirbar, head of the Religious Council of Yazidis in Georgia. (Click to activate video.) (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 50 Yazidis have fled from Iraq to Georgia and applied for political asylum here. DF Watch September 3 organized a discussion about the situation. Dimitry Pirbar, head of the Religious Council of Yazidis in Georgia, said he had been to Iraq […]
Building of gigantic hydro power dam may be postponed
There has been strong resistance to Trans-Elektrica’s plans for a hydro power dam in Khudoni. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The building of a controversial hydropower dam in a mountainous region of Georgia may be further postponed, if the company behind it fails to submit the required documents in time. The planned Khudoni hydropower project is located […]