News
Georgia plans digital switchover on June 17, 2015
Deputy Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will make the switchover from analog to digital television on June 17, 2015. Deputy Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili on Friday presented the concept for how to make the switchover. He said the process will have positive results for both […]
Georgia increases punishment for illegal surveillance
Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia wants to increase the punishment for engaging in illegal surveillance to seven years in jail. Presenting the draft bill on Thursday, Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze said that in past years, human rights were violated […]
Georgian gov’t gives new homes to refugees
Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–543 refugee families have been given apartments for one lari a piece from the government. Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze said on Thursday that the apartments are in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Mtskheta, Borjomi, Chiatura, Kutaisi, Tskaltubo and Batumi. […]
US to fund Georgia’s participation in NATO Rapid Reaction Force
NATO’s Knud Bartels (left) and Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States will finance Georgia’s participation in NATO Rapid Reaction Force, Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says. The NATO Military Committee visited Georgia on February 11 and 12. The delegation was chaired by Committee head Knud Bartels. […]
Georgia and Russia to discuss top level meeting
Grigory Karasin, Russian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Negotiators for Georgia and Russia are to discuss the possibility of holding a top level meeting between the presidents of the two countries. Gregory Karasin, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia, said on Wednesday that his next meeting with […]
Tbilisi’s 2014 budget rejected a second time
Sevdia Ugrekhelidze, Acting Mayor of Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The city of Tbilisi’s elected representatives have again failed to approve a new budget for 2014. 17 assembly members supported the new draft prepared by City Hall, 22 voted against. 24 votes were required for the budget to pass. December 29, the […]
Azerbaijan and Georgia to cooperate about territories
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili (left), and President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. (Photo published by the Georgian president’s administration.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says Georgia and Azerbaijan support each other in territorial integrity issues. Both countries have lost control over parts of their territory to small de facto governments with little or no international […]
Head of NATO Military Committee visits Georgia
Head of NATO Military Committee, Knud Bartels (left) and President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Photo by Georgia’s Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Wednesday hosted Knud Bartels, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, which is currently visiting Georgia. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, Chief of Joint Staff, Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze, and […]
Georgian PM ready for direct talks with Russian leaders
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili says he is ready to have direct dialogue with Russian leaders. Gharibashvili’s statement was a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said on Monday that he is willing to meet with President […]
Culture Ministry deputy’s dismissal approved by Georgian PM
Marine Mizandari. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Tuesday approved the dismissal of First Deputy Culture Minister Marine Mizandari. Culture Minister Guram Odisharia asked for his deputy’s dismissal on February 5. Gharibashvili yesterday signed the […]
Georgian president to visit Azerbaijan
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili will visit Azerbaijan for the first time on February 12. Margvelashvili will meet with President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday. He will also meet with Azerbaijan’s prime minister and speaker of parliament. […]
Georgian president to carefully study Putin’s offer to meet
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president says he will ‘carefully and seriously analyze’ a statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin about a possible meeting between the two of them. When Georgian journalists attending the Sochi Winter Olympics asked Putin about […]
Culture Minister fires deputy amid dispute over ancient mine
Marine Mizandari (left) and Guram Odisharia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Culture Minister Guram Odisharia has dismissed his deputy, Marine Mizandari, claiming that she wasn’t able to work in a team and that they had different views. Mizandari herself claims the reason for her dismissal was a disagreement over […]
Constitutional Court in Georgia lifts ban on homosexuals giving blood
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The constitutional court in Georgia has struck down a thirteen year old ban on homosexual men becoming blood donors. The court agreed with a complaint from five Georgian citizens and recognized several articles of an order issued by the labor, health […]
Romania supports Georgia’s EU and NATO aspirations
President of the Romanian Senate, Crin Antonescu (left), and Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, David Usupashvili. (Photo published by senat.ro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Romanian Senate Monday passed a resolution supporting Georgia’s efforts toward integration with Europe and NATO. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili, who is visiting Romania with other Georgian politicians, was attending the senate as […]
Several prisoners hospitalized in Geguti, Georgia
Geguti prison camp. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several prisoners at Geguti prison in Georgia have been taken to hospital with self-inflicted injuries. Doctors say their health is in no danger. For several days, about 800 prisoners have been on hunger strike at the prison, which is in the west of the country. Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili, who visited the prison camp on Monday, said 46 prisoners have self-inflicted injuries, but some of the prisoners who were taken to hospital in Kutaisi were feeling bad because of hunger. […]
Georgian gov’t updating legislation ahead of local election
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a week the government in Georgia will decide whether to follow recommendations and proposals made by the non-parliamentary opposition and non-governmental organizations about amendments to the Election Code. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili […]
Georgian wins judo gold at Grand Slam Paris
Avtandil Chrikashvili. (Photo by Georgia’s Sports Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Avtandil Chrikashvili won a gold medal at the Judo Grand Slam Paris 2014 tournament. Two other Georgians, Amiran Papinashvili and Varlam Liparteliani, won silver medals. Chrikashvili defeated competitors from Netherlands, France, Japan […]
Athlete from Georgian breakaway region ‘born in Russia’
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Olympic Committee has complained to the International Olympic Committee about a Russian athlete’s biographical details. The website of this year’s winter games incorrectly indicated that Marika Pertakhiya, who represents Russia […]
Georgian parliament speaker visits Romania and Hungary
Georgian Speaker of Parliament, Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On Monday, Georgia’s speaker of parliament begins on a five day tour of Romania and Hungary. Speaker Davit Usupashvili will arrive in Romania on February 10 and hold meetings with the speaker of Romania’s senate and parliament, as well as with […]
Olympic graphic shows Georgia with foggy breakaway regions
The controversial map with Abhkazia and South Ossetia covered by fog. TBILISI, DFWatch–When Georgia was presented during the opening of the Winter Olympics in Sochi yesterday, the two breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia appeared covered by fog on a map used in the on-screen graphics. Georgians were concerned about the […]
800 prisoners on hunger strike in Geguti, Georgia
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–About 800 prisoners are on hunger strike in a prison in Geguti in western Georgia, Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili says. Nanuashvili said after meeting with prisoners on Friday that about 800 are on hunger strike demanding that the Prosecutor’s Office […]
Energy minister attacks ombudsman over hydro power dam
Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Energy Minister Friday lashed out against the public defender and accused him of lying about not wanting to meet the population in a mountain valley poised to be flooded by a giantic hydro power dam. The Khudoni hydro power project will […]
Georgia adds guitar to consumer basket
Georgia’s National Statistics Department has updated the list of items used to measure consumer prices. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–11 new products including a guitar have been added to Georgia’s consumer basket, and four products were removed from the list. The consumer basket is a theoretical collection of items used to define the consumer price index or inflation rate […]
City Council to review the capital’s budget on Feb 12
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Council will review the 2014 budget bill on February 12. The council failed to approve the budget on December 29, and for more than a month, Tbilisi has had no budget. City Hall has warned that it will cause extensive problems for […]
Burjanadze claims Saakashvili planned to attack Abkhazia in 2008
Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former speaker of parliament in Georgia claims that the government of then President Mikheil Saakashvili planned to attack the breakaway region Abkhazia in 2008. Nino Burjanadze, who was one of the leaders of the Rose Revolution in 2003 and now […]
NATO Military Committee visits Georgia Feb 11-12
TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Military Committee will visit Georgia on February 11-12. General Knud Bartels, Chairman of the Military Committee will chair the visit and it will be hosted by Vakhtang Kapanadze, Head of Georgia’s Joint Staff. February 11, the head of the […]
South Ossetia restricts medical trips to Georgia during Olympics
TBILISI, DFWatch–In and around the Georgian breakaway region South Ossetia, disagreement over a de facto border may place further burdens on ordinary people around the time of the Winter Olympics. The reason is that the region’s border guards are tightening security […]
NATO ambassadors encourage new Georgian government
Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili (left), NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen and State Minister for Euro-Integration Alexi Petriashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili says NATO ambassadors gave him positive signals at Wednesday’s meeting of the NATO-Georgia commission in Brussels. Gharibashvili said the ambassadors told him the new government has strengthened […]
Former PM hopes Georgia will become ‘another Dubai’
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishivli says he thinks there is a 25 percent chance that Georgia will become ‘another Dubai’. Ivanishvili said this at a press conference on Tuedsay, where he presented his new non-governmental […]
Ivanishvili’s new NGO ‘Citizen’ will help develop Georgian media
Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili launched his new non-governmental organization ‘Citizen’ on Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishivli on Tuesday presented his new organization which he says will help develop civil society. The new non-governmental organization (NGO) is called ‘Citizen’ and was registered 12 days ago, Ivanishvili explained […]
14% more visitors to Georgia in Jan ’14 than Jan ’13
Bazaleti Lake, one of the tourist destinations near Tbilisi. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 14.1 percent more visitors to Georgia in January 2014 than in the same month last year, according to the Interior Ministry. The ministry publishes monthly reports with statistics over the number of visitors, in categories defined by the purpose of the […]
Georgian president’s annual address postponed
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president’s annual address will be held either on February 19 or February 21, the speaker of parliament says. According to the Constitution of Georgia, the president must once a year visit parliament to present a report about important […]
Georgia held its own Olympic oath ceremony in Tbilisi
Georgia’s Olympic team took the oath before leaving for Sochi. (Photo published by Georgia’s Olympic Committee.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Georgian athletes are making their way to the Russian city Sochi to take part in the Winter Olympics, they have just held their own oath ceremony in Tbilisi. On Monday, alpine skier Nino Tsiklauri held one corner of the Olympic flag as she read out the athlete’s oath in a ceremony held at the office of the Georgian National Olympic Committee in Tbilisi. She will be flag bearer for the Georgian team. […]
Georgia halts surveying work for mega-dam
Georgia’s Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Energy Ministry in Georgia says the government is taking into account the requests of villagers in Khaishi and has halted surveying work in their village. The construction of the massive Khudoni hydropower station in northern Georgia […]
Georgian PM Gharibashvili met Jose Manuel Barroso
Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili met with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso to speak about EU-Georgia cooperation, Georgia’s integration process with the EU. Another topic was the deal with the EU Georgia approved […]
Protest concert to protect ancient gold mine
TBILISI, DFWatch–On Monday a concert was held in Tbilisi to protest against the Culture Ministry’s delaying the process to review the status of the ancient Sakdrisi gold mine, which according to German and Georgian specialists is more than 4500 years old and should […]
Former Georgian defense minister must wear electronic bracelet
Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili was Monday released on bail by a French court, under condition that he wears an electronic bracelet. The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office says the judge decided that Kezerashvili cannot leave France and must […]
Trial continues about May 26 dispersal
Nino Burjanadze. (Interpresnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The trial about a brutal police dispersal of protesters on May 26, 2011, continued at Tbilisi City Court Monday with testimony by Nino Burjanadze, one of the leaders of the protest. While Burjanadze, leader of Democratic Movement, was in court giving […]
Georgian PM meets EU’s enlargement commissioner
Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule. (Government photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s Brussels trip continued Monday with a meeting with EU Commissioner Stefan Fule. The two spoke about the ongoing reforms in Georgia and the country’s closer integration with Europe. Gharibashvili said […]
Biometric voter’s list may not be used in Georgia’s local election
Vakhtang Khmaladze, head of parliament’s judiciary committee. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A biometric election list may not be ready for the upcoming local elections in Georgia, which will be held in June, 2014. Election lists have been subject to disputes for a long time, especially during the National Movement government, when there were claims that […]
Gharibashvili visits Brussels February 3-5
Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili will visit Brussels February 3-5. He will meet with Commissioner for European Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. The Georgian prime […]
‘Georgia should convince Russia NATO is not a threat’
Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili (left) at the Munich Security Conference. (Official photo. TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili says Georgia should assure Russia that its aspirations to become member of NATO and the EU is not a threat to Russia. He said this in a speech during one of the sessions at the Munich Security Conference. The PM said […]
Margvelashvili promises different state of the nation address
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DWatch–President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili will next week hold his first annual address to parliament. He says this year’s speech will have a completely new format, compared to earlier. The constitution says the president must hold a speech to parliament once a year. […]
Wild fire close to gas pipeline in Georgia
Firefighters are trying to prevent the flames from reaching a gas pipeline. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three acres of a nature reserve is on fire in Kobuleti, a coastal town in the Adjara region. According to a reporter for the news agency Interpressnews, the fire is close to the juice processing plant in Kobuleti and firefighters say it is close to populated areas. A gas pipe in the area […]
January 1 not the first attack on Jehova’s Witnesses in Ozurgeti
Giorgi Arbolishvili, spokesperson for Jehova’s Witnesses in Ozurgeti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–When strangers attacked a car and a house where Jehova’s Witnesses are meeting in Ozurgeti, Georgia, on January 1, it was not the first such attack. Two years ago, strangers broke the windows of Kingdom Hall in Ozurgeti. The perpetrators were […]
Georgian wine may be marketed at Sochi Olympics
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian wine may be presented at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Levan Davitashvili, head of the Georgian National Wine Agency, on Friday told journalists that Georgian wine is successfully sold in the Russian market and it is up to distributors […]
Georgia’s Interior Ministry destroys surveillance material
Minister of Internal Affairs Alexandre Chikaidze personally ensuring the DVDs are destroyed Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–45 DVDs and two hard drives were destroyed at the Interior Ministry on Friday, which included footage obtained through illegal surveillance. Alexandre Chikaidze, Minister of Internal Affairs, said that the commission tasked with studying the illegally […]
Some roads closed, deep freeze expected in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Traffic is prohibited on the Gudauri-Kobi section of the road from Mtskheta to larsi via Stepantsminda due to the avalanche danger. The Environment Ministry warned about possible avalanches in this section of road. According to the Road Department, […]
Georgia to keep archive obtained by illegal political surveillance
Lasha Tughushi, one of the members of the commission, says the interior ministry has kept about 28 000 files, or 789 hours, of a surveillance archive, mostly of a political content. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Interior Ministry still stocks about 28 000 computer files with recordings that were part of a system of political surveillance obtained through illegal means. Only a few of the files will be destroyed – those which contain material of an intimate nature. […]
French prosecutor does not want Kezerashvili extradited
Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A prosecutor in France does not want to extradite Davit Kezerashvili, former Defense Minister of Georgia, who was detained in France in October, 2013. Georgia has charged the former minister with abuse of power and receiving more than USD 12 million […]
Georgian PM visited Israel
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze (left), Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo published by Georgia’s Foreign Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has visited Israel to meet with his colleague Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. The meeting with Peres was about the good bilateral relations between the two countries and confirmed an intention to deepen […]
GeoStat: Georgia’s GDP 8% higher in Dec ’13 than Dec ’12
The unofficial economy is not part of GeoStat’s rapid monthly estimates. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s estimated real GDP growth rate was 8.4 percent in December 2013, compared to the same month in 2012, according to preliminary data published by the National Statistics Department, GeoStat. According to the estimate, real GDP growth […]
What Georgia can expect from the Munich Security Conference
Photo published on the Munich Security Conference website. TBILISI, DFWatch–When the annual Munich Security Conference opens in a few days, it will be the first time Georgia’s delegation is headed by the prime minister and not the president. The reason for the change is partly that a constitutional amendment came into force […]
South Ossetian de facto president dismissed the government
Leonid Tibilov, president of the breakaway region South Ossetia. TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto president of South Ossetia, Leonid Tibilov, has dismissed the government. About a week ago, Tibilov said that the government of Rostik Khugaev was unable to fulfill its duties in regard to South Ossetia’s social and economic […]
Video shows Merabishvili promising reward for ‘two corpses’
The video shows Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili instructing soldiers after a mutiny at a tank battalion base near Tbilisi in 2009. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There may be added new charges against former Prime Minister and Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili, according to the head of parliament’s defense and security committee. Wednesday, a 4-minute long video was posted on Youtube, […]
Villagers block road to stop hydro power dam
People from Khaishi on Wednesday blocked a road to prevent surveying work for the gigantic Khudoni hydro power dam. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–People from the Svaneti mountain village Khaishi Wednesday demonstrated against the construction of a gigantic hydro power dam that will wipe out their community. Demonstrators blocked the road to Jvari-Mestia with stones to interrupt land surveying […]
Fog caused delays and cancelations at Tbilisi airport
An Istanbul-Tbilisi flight was cancelled, and a plane already in the air returned to Istanbul. Several other flights were delayed today. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four flights were delayed at Tbilisi airport on Wednesday due to fog. A flight to Istanbul was delayed several hours. A plane arriving from Warsaw was unable to land at Tbilisi airport and instead landed in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city. […]
Witness tells of humiliating treatment on May 26, 2011
Tbilisi City Court heard further witnesses in a trial about the brutal dispersal of demonstrators in Tbilisi on May 26, 2011. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four more witnesses were heard on Tuesday in a trial about the violent police dispersal on May 26, 2011. The witnesses were Zaza Papuashvili, Soso Jachvliani and Luka Kurtanidze, who represent the People’s Assembly, and Beka Javakhadze from the […]
Circus worker dies after lion attack in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–The lion tamer who was attacked by a lion last Thursday has died in the hospital. The circus worker remained in intensive care, but doctors could not save him. The 23-year-old lion tamer was from a Ukrainian circus troupe and entered the cage to do […]
Merabishvili demands a polygraph test
Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili demands to be subjected to a lie detector test to prove he is telling the truth when he says he was threatened by the chief prosecutor. Merabishvili claimed he was taken from his cell at night, brought to an […]
One man dies in coal mine in Georgia
A coal mine in Tkibuli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man has died in an apparent accident in a coal mine in Tkibuli, a town in Georgia’s mid-western Imereti region. Tariel Kasrashvili, a shift leader, died at 16:00 on Tuesday. He was transporting coal inside the Mindeli mine when he fell and died on […]
Parliament again fails to fill Public Broadcaster board
Georgian Public Broadcaster is still without a functioning supervisory board. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia has again failed to approve new board members for the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB). Groups claim this shows there is a lack of will to free the broadcaster from political influence. January 23, parliament approved only one […]
NATO chief: Georgia has made progress
Then Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (left) and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Brussels Nov. 14, 2012. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen writes in his latest annual report that Georgia has made good progress in implementing the reforms required to meet its standards. Rasmussen writes in his 2013 report, which was published on Monday, that NATO […]
Supreme Court gives Ivanishvili back Georgian citizenship
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After waiting more than two years, ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is finally a Georgian citizen. The businessman had his Georgian citizenship revoked by then President Saakashvili in October 2011, shortly after he declared that he would […]
Margvelashili planning his first annual address to parliament
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili is in consultations with the speaker of parliament about the date of his annual address to parliament. The Georgian constitution says that the president must visit parliament once a year and present a report about […]
Iraqi medical student attacked in Kutaisi
The victim, a medical student from Iraq, was taken to a hospital in Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A student from Iraq was beaten in the Georgian city Kutaisi on Saturday. Local media writes that he was attack because of his origins. The student was brought to the hospital and will have to remain there for several more days. Unknown assailants […]
Chechen refugees feel harassed by Georgian counterintelligence
Saikhan Muzayev. (Georgian Public Broadcaster.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Some of the Chechens in Pankisi Gorge close to the Russian border say they are blackmailed and harassed by Georgian counterintelligence. Saikhan Muzayev, a former Russian and Arabic translator for the Refugee Ministry, said at a press […]
Georgia to allow dogs, peppers spray, batons against prisoners
Prison No 8 in Gldani, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia wants to make it legal to use pepper spray, batons and dogs in prisons for security reasons. Today, if a prisoner poses a danger, he may be chained or placed in a restraining jacket. The government has drafted a bill with […]
Ukraine support rally in Georgia’s Samegrelo region
People gathered in Zugdidi to show support for those Ukrainians who are struggling for closer integration with Europe. (Photo: Odishi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tens of people Saturday gathered in Zugdidi, a town in western Georgia’s Samegrelo region, to express solidarity with people in Ukraine. The crowd brought with them Ukrainian flags and Georgian flags and posters saying Freedom to Ukraine, Victory is […]
Carl Bildt hopes Georgia will sign EU pact in August
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. (World Economic Forum.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt says he hopes Georgia will sign the Association Agreement with European Union in August. Bildt met with Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Ghrabishvili in Davos during the World Economic Forum and said afterward that […]
Georgia creates an additional security council
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has created a consulting group named the Security Council that will work on issues concerning Georgia’s internal and external safety. The council has almost the same duties and responsibilities as the National […]
Witnesses heard in trial about May 26 dispersal
A trial is underway in Georgia to determine guilt for the violent dispersal of protesters on May 26, 2011, which led to several deaths. TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Georgia on Friday questioned witnesses and participant in a demonstration on May 26 in 2011, which was violently dispersed by the police causing several deaths. One of the participants, Gia Burjanadze from the People’s Assembly, recalled […]
Muslims in Georgia feel pressured by law enforcement
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili (left) met representatives of the Muslim community. (Photo: Public Defender.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Muslims in Georgia say they are being pressured by law enforcement bodies. Clerics from the Muslims community January 22 met with the Public Defender. According to the Ombudsman’s office, the meeting dealt with problems they are experiencing and […]
Further charges against former Georgian intelligence head
Prosecutors in Georgia have slapped one more charge on Data Akhalaia, who remains abroad. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia on Friday presented further charges against a former top intelligence official under Saakashvili. This again puts the spotlight on Data Akhalaia, who served as head of the domestic intelligence service in Georgia, […]
Ivanishvili starts non-governmental organization
Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has founded a non-governmental organization called Citizen. Details are scarce, but it is known that Ivanishvili himself will head the new organization and that its goal will be to strengthen civil society in the country. […]
Circus worker attacked by lion in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–A lion attacked a lion tamer in Tbilisi on Thursday, after the end of the night’s performance. Monday night, a lion tamer from a group of Ukrainian performers entered the lion’s cage to do some cleaning, and that was when the animal attacked. Roman […]
Georgian lawmakers express concern about violence in Ukraine
Georgian parliamentarians Thursday expressed concern about the violence in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, as people continued to rally outside the old parliament in Tbilisi to show support. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia on Thursday passed a resolution expressing concern about the use of force against peaceful citizens in Ukraine. 118 representatives voted for, none voted against. The minimum number of votes to pass such a resolution is 60. […]
Georgian government members get performance-based bonuses
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Government ministers in Georgia are to be given bonuses according to their performance. Government officials receiving high bonuses was a controversial issue during the previous government. The problem is that under Georgian law, only the salary […]
Georgian lari continues to fall
Georgian lari continues to drop in value. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian lari continues to fall in value and hit 1.7817 against the US dollar on January 23. The fall started in early November and continued gradually from a level of around 1.67 lari against the dollar the month before. The lari rate has also […]
Georgia expresses concern about Russian border-moving
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili expresses concern about Russia moving the border into the territory of Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia. A few days ago, the Russian Federation and de facto government of Abkhazia made a decision […]
Hundreds demonstrated in Tbilisi to support Ukraine
Several hundred people gathered in front of the old parliament building in Tbilisi Wednesday to show support for Ukraine after the violence in Kiev, (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Wednesday evening, several hundred people demonstrated at the old parliament building in Tbilisi in support of Ukrainians who want integration with Europe. Students, journalists, politicians, artists, singers and others filled the square in front […]
Constructive dialogue at South Ossetia field meeting
The atmosphere was constructive at the field meeting at Ergneti Tuesday, the European Union’s observers said. (Photo: EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) met in the village Ergneti on Tuesday. Representatives of Georgia’s Interior Ministry presented footage of Russians installing barbed wire and fences in villages close to the demarcation line […]
Georgian PM to attend World Economic Forum
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has left for Switzerland to participate in the 44th World Economic Forum in Davos. Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze, Director […]
Georgia appoints new chief prosecutor
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili appointed a new chief prosecutor on Monday. The country has been without one for almost a month. The new chief prosecutor is Giorgi Badashvili, a 32 year old graduate from Georgian Technical […]
HRW highlights recent attacks on minorities in Georgia
A crowd of thousands led by Orthodox priests on May 17, 2013, violently disrupted a peaceful demonstration to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Human Rights Watch criticizes Georgia in its World Report 2014 for not having done enough to protect the rights of religious minorities and LGBT. When it comes to religious rights, the organization points out that the Muslim minority has experienced […]
The NATO Military Committe to visit Georgia Feb 11-12
TBILISI, DFWatch–The NATO Military Committee will visit Georgia February 11-12. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said at Tuesday’s briefing that the visit is important, because it means that the military cooperation with NATO is on a new level. “Reforms implemented […]
HRW: Unclear criteria for prosecution of ex-officials
Prison torture in Georgia is one of the things Human Rights Watch reviews in its latest world report. TBILISI, DFWatch–Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticizes Georgian authorities for not clarifying what criteria they used when cleaning up crimes committed by officials under the previous government of former President Mikheil Saakashvili. “The authorities did not explain […]
Many milk products in Georgia have misleading labeling
Center for Strategic Research and Development examined fifteen types of milk products, and ten of them turned out to contain vegetable fat. (for.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Food companies in Georgia are selling modified milk products with misleading labeling, according to Center for Strategic Research and Development. The center examined fifteen types of milk products, and ten of them turned out to be modified. They […]
Court strikes down libel sentence in ‘Imedi’ case
National Movement MP Giorgi Vashadze did not break the law when he called Joseph Kay a fraud, the court ruled, but the case continues. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court struck down a previous court ruling to fine Member of Parliament Giorgi Vashadze for libel against the businessman Joseph Kay. Kay is the investor who for a few months owned Imedi, a formerly government-critical TV station that played an […]
Tbilisi TV tower gets to keep its light show
TBILISI, DFWatch–The TV tower in Tbilisi went briefly dark Monday because of disagreement over the city’s budget, but the flashing light show lit up again late at night. The lights that have become the most visible landmark in the Georgian capital, were turned […]
Georgia to restrict privatization of strategic assets
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia demands to restore the list of strategic assets. The list was abolished a few years ago by the National Movement government and defined assets like railways, dams and pipelines, that have special importance for the country’s […]
Russia moves disputed state border near Sochi
The River Psou. (Photo: elephantr.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has created a temporary border zone in the disputed Georgian region Abkhazia. The measure is said to be temporary in connection with the Winter Olympics in nearby Sochi. According to the Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Russia has moved its […]
Tbilisi’s TV tower goes dark due to budget gridlock
The Tbilisi TV tower has gone dark at night because of a budget gridlock in the city. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi’s most visible landmark, the Mtatsminda TV tower, has gone dark at night, because of the the city’s failure to pass a budget for this year. City Hall decided to switch off the light show on the tower because of the City Council’s […]
Aide to the Georgian president attacked in Ankara
Sopo Janiashvili, an aide to the Georgian president, was attacked in Ankara on Monday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An aide to the Georgian president was attacked in Turkey on Monday during an official visit. The attack took place in Ankara, just as a meeting between Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili and Turkish President Abdullah Gül was about to start. […]
1000 people demonstrated to save Vake Park in Tbilisi
Around a thousand people gathered in Tbilisi’s Vake Park Sunday to show their resistance to a planned new hotel. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Around a thousand people showed up in Vake Park in Tbilisi Sunday to protest against the construction of a new hotel. The event, which was planned on Facebook, brought together people, families, some with dogs or carrying balloons, enjoying snacks […]
Farmers in Georgia dump mandarin harvest due to delay
Farmers in Kobuleti have thrown away mandarins that rotted while they were waiting to bring it to the factory. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Farmers in Kobuleti, a small town on the Black Sea coast, have thrown away part of their mandarin harvest because it rotted before they managed to sell it to the factory. The farmers say frost destroyed their mandarin and they just have to throw it […]
Georgian president pardons 54 prisoners
Prison No 8 in Gldani, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Sunday pardoned 54 prisoners. Two of them are minors, and one is a woman. The pardoning took palce in connection with Epiphany, a holiday usually celebrated on January 19. It is regular practice for the […]
US Congress approves USD 62 million aid to Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States will give more than USD 62 million in aid to Georgia in 2014. Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry says the extent of U.S. aid was decided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year of 2014, which was passed by the House […]
Mining company wants to dig gold in 5400 year old mine
Mining company RMG claims the 5400 years old gold mine has no archaeological value and demands that its employees are not left idling as experts work to determine whether Sakdrisi should be protected. (Culture Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists in Georgia are trying to prevent a five thousand year old gold mine from being opened up for commercial exploitation. It started in spring 2013, when archaeologists became aware that the mining company RMG was about to start excavating gold […]
Energy Ministry claims Saakashvili’s palace stole gas
The presidential residence in Avlabari, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has discovered that the palace Mikheil Saakashvili used as official residence for many years had a gas pipe installed which made it able to consume gas illegally without a counter. The glass domed presidential residence towers […]
Burjanadze fined USD 36 600 for campaign financing violation
Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Audit Office in Georgia has fined the party led by opposition figure Nino Burjanadze, Democratic Movement, 65 000 lari (USD 36 600) for not declaring its finances in the election campaign. The State Audit Office, previously known as […]
Georgian government publishes Imedi settlement agreement
Georgian Minister of Justice, Thea Tsulukiani. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government Friday published an agreement between the previous government and the family of deceased businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili about Imedi TV. The settlement agreement, which is published on the Ministry of Justice webpage, was […]
PM to head Georgia’s delegation at Munich Security Conference
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili will lead the Georgian delegation at the annual Munich Security Conference in two weeks. Mikheil Saakashvili, who stepped down as president three months ago, has been representing Georgia in recent […]
Georgia will consider proposal to open McDonald’s in Abkhazia
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili says it is necessary to correctly evaluate the political risks of McDonald’s and Coca-Cola entering the Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia. Gharibashvili Thursday said at a press conference that he will discuss […]
Georgian government limits purchase of expensive cars
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia plans to adopt rules that will regulate what type and mark of cars officials will be allowed to have according to their rank. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili presented the initiative during a more general press conference […]
Illegal slaughterhouse uncovered near Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Hunters in Georgia have discovered an illegal slaughterhouse close to the village Kumisi, not far from the capital Tbilisi. The hunters claim donkeys are secretly killed there and cut in a way as not to recognize the origin of the meat. Later it is […]
Hungary recognizes Georgia’s ‘neutral passports’
TBILISI, DFWatch–Hungary has recognized Georgia’s neutral passports, which are issued to people living in the breakaway territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Hungary made a decision on November 29, 2013, and it came to force yesterday. The so-called neutral […]
Georgia denies claim Russian fighter jets flew over its territory
Sukhoi SU-27. (Photo: merlion86.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia rejects reports that Russian military jets recently violated Georgian airspace. A few days ago, local media reported that five Russian SU-27s and one IL-76 crossed Georgia on January 10 and landed near the Armenian capital […]
Georgian Muslims to have two muftis
Jemal Paksadze. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Muslims in Georgia will from now on have two muftis instead of one. This was decided at a session of the Administration of Muslims of all Georgia on January 9. Jemal Paksadze, who used to be the Mufti of all Georgia, from now on will be mufti of […]
World Bank expects 6.3 % growth in Georgia in 2014
The World Bank expects Georgia to have over 6 percent growth in 2014. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The World Bank expects Georgia to have 6.3 percent economic growth in 2014. The estimate was published in the Bank’s Global Economic Prospects 2014, which reads that the prognosis for economic growth in Georgia in 2014 is 6.3. […]
Venice Commission visiting Georgia Thursday
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president and the secretary of the Venice Commission will visit Georgia on January 16. Gianni Buquicchio and Thomas Markert will meet with Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili on Thursday and members of the constitution commission, which is […]
Georgia creates agency to stimulate entrepreneurship
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government plans to create an Entrepreneurship Development Agency to spur the growth of business. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said this on Wednesday during a meeting with representatives of the business […]
Tbilisi still without a budget, City Hall warns of problems
Acting Mayor of Tbilisi, Sevdia Ugrekhelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall asks the City Council to solve the problem of approving the 2014 city budget. The Council failed to approve the budget on December 29, which means that City Hall is only allowed to spend up to one twelfth of the size of last year’s […]
Merabishvili inquest turns up nothing interesting: Prison Ministry
Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prison Ministry in Georgia says it did not notice anything interesting while looking into claims made by former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili that he was taken out of his cell at night and threatened by the chief prosecutor. The ministry’s […]
Georgia listed in 22nd place on Index of Economic Freedom
Marneuli Food Factory expanded its range of products with canned peaches in August 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is listed in 22nd place on the Index of Economic Freedom, a ranking which includes 178 countries worldwide. The list was published Tuesday by the Heritage Foundation and shows Georgia in 22nd place with 72.6 points. According to the report, […]
New details may help find who attacked Jehova’s Witnesses
Police in Georgia have new information which may help in finding those who attacked a gathering of Jehova’s Witnesses in Ozurgeti on January 1, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New details might help police find out who attacked Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ozurgeti two weeks ago. In the attack, which took place on January 1, strangers broke the windows of a car the Witnesses were sitting in and threw stones at the building where […]
Georgian and Estonian parliamentarians reinforce ties
Georgian Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili and Estonian Speaker of Parliament Ene Ergma. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of Georgian parliamentarians arrived in Estonia Monday for a two-day visit. The delegation includes MPs from the two opposing power blocs in Georgian politics. On Monday, the Georgian and Estonian speakers of parliament held a meeting to […]
Georgia to launch Facebook page in Abkhazian language
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is preparing to start a Facebook page that will offer information about its activities in the Abkhazian language. Abkhazia is one of two Georgian breakaway regions under Russian control. The previous government also took steps […]
McDonald’s to open restaurant in Abkhazia?
TBILISI, DFWatch–A statement by McDonald’s that it wants to open a branch in the disputed Georgian region Abkhazia has caused strong criticism in Georgia. Temur Chkonia, representative of McDonald’s in Georgia, says the statement will be removed from the […]
Russia-Georgia border crossing will be open 24 hours
Verkhniy Lars – Kazbegi is the only officially approved border crossing between Georgia and Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Checkpoint Lars, the only Russian border crossing with Georgia, will be open 24 hours from January 15. Kavkaz Uzel writes that a person working at the checkpoint says the checkpoint on the Georgian side, which is called Kazbegi, will also be open 24 […]
Further charges against two Saakashvili-era ex-officials
Bacho Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has presented new charges against former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia and Megis Kardava, a former chairman of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti police department in a case that deals with torture of prisoners. This will be […]
National Movement to rally Georgians against Russia
National Movement spokesperson Andro Barnovi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement is planning a series of anti-Putin demonstrations in several cities and towns, but first wants to meet with the people. The party’s spokesperson Andro Barnovi said on Monday that the government is passive as the Winter Sochi […]
Georgian parliament’s website down after hacker attack
Under construction. Parliament is getting a new website after the old one was attacked by hackers. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The website of Georgia’s parliament was down during the weekend and IT specialists are still trying to repair it after it was hacked twice in the last two weeks. Merab Gotsiridze, head of the informational technology department of parliament, says […]
Georgian parliamentarians to visit Estonia Jan 13-15
Speaker of Parliament Davit Bakrardze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of Georgian parliamentarians will visit Estonia January 13-15. The delegation will be headed by the speaker of parliament and hold meetings with the Estonian president, speaker of parliament, prime minister and foreign minister, according to […]
One person a day detained at de facto border in 2014
TBILISI, DFWatch–14 persons have been detained by South Ossetia from December 31 to January 10 for violating the de facto border. Nine of the detainees were locals from South Ossetia, one was a Russian citizen and four were Georgian citizens. They were detained […]
Georgian president to visit Turkey January 20
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili will visit Turkey on January 20. According to the president’s administration, he has planned meetings with President Abdullah Gül in Ankara and also the prime minister and speaker of parliament. […]
Rally against planned new hotel in Vake Park, Tbilisi
Environmentalists say it’s against the law to build a new hotel in a recreational zone, like Vake Park. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–People Friday demonstrated in front of Tbilisi City Hall against a private company’s plans to build a new hotel inside the publicly owned Vake Park in the capital. Behind the project is Tiflis Development Company, and the hotel is planned at the location […]
Nigerian king concerned about attack on own citizen in Georgia
Erik, a citizen of Nigeria, was brutally beaten and robbed on Pekini Street in Tbilisi Thursday night. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man presenting himself as a king has appealed to the Georgian government for better protection of his fellow countrymen after a Nigerian was brutally attacked in Tbilisi. Richard Arize, presented by Rustavi 2 as a king of Igbo-Ukwu, a town in […]
Georgia’s National Bank changes policy after drop in lari’s value
TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Bank of Georgia plans to tighten its monetary policy in case the fall in the exchange rate of lari sets off an inflation. After falling in value for several months, the Georgian lari (GEL) is now rated at 1.7421 against the US dollar. […]
Georgian Patriarch: Glad gay marriage is not EU requirement
Georgia’s Patriarch Ilia II. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Patriarch’s Christmas epistle continues to cause controversy in Georgia. Not only in vitro fertilization and the use of surrogate mothers, but also what he wrote about sexual minorities. “It’s a pity that minority groups, that have sharply […]
Tougher punishment for false reports of terrorism in Georgia
The building of television station Rustavi 2 was evacuated in September 2013. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia is bringing in tougher rules for falsely reporting a terrorist attack or a bomb. The Administrative Violations Code of Georgia will now define stricter punishment for those who report false information to the […]
Georgian government critical of anti-mafia law but won’t change it
Vakhtang Khmaladze, head of parliament’s judiciary committee. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia does not plan to review its policy towards the mafia, but the head of the judiciary committee in parliament says the laws targeting criminal organizations are vague. One of the stated priorities of former president Mikheil […]
Georgia says crime level dropped in 2013
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia says the overall crime level dropped by one fourth in 2013 compared to the preceding year, although the number of new criminal investigations grew by 40 percent. The Ministry of Internal Affairs’s latest crime statistics […]
Four people guilty of hooliganism after Wednesday’s rallies
The four interfered with a protest against a speech by the Patriarch critical to in vitro fertilization and the use of surrogate mothers. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court Thursday fined three people detained at a rally the day before and fined them 100 lari (USD 60). A fourth detainee received a verbal warning. All four were detained on Wednesday as two opposing protest rallies outside the […]
French refugee office lists Georgia as a safe country
The refugee camp in Batumi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless (OFPRA) has listed Georgia as one of the countries considered safe at the national level. This means that people from Georgia who seek asylum in France cannot receive it easily, only in […]
Georgian health minister promotes adoption
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are more than 3 000 applications of couples who want to adopt a child in Georgia, and only 20 children available for being adopted. Health Minister Davit Sergeenko said at press conference on Wednesday that the procedures aren’t difficult but […]
Five prison doctors fired after prisoner death
TBILISI, DFWatch–Five prison doctors have been fired after the death of a prisoner at Prison No 19 in Ksani, a town north of the capital. Spokesperson Irakli Kordzaia said Wednesday that the Prison Ministry has studied what happened to a prisoner who died January 2, […]
Four detained at protests about artificial fertilization
Human rights activists are reacting to a sermon by Georgia’s Patriarch criticizing in vitro fertilization and the use of surrogate mothers. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four persons were detained on Wednesday after several incidents during two counter-rallies held at the main office of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Patriarchate. Participants at one rally came to protest against an epistle by the Georgian Patriarch […]
Ex-officials charged with torture leading to death
TBILISI, DFWatch–In the past two weeks, Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has twice introduced charges against former government official Megis Kardava for torture of prisoners. On Wednesday, the Prosecutor’s Office published information about an investigation […]
Georgia sends delegation to Munich Security Conference
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will send a delegation to attend the 50th Munich Security Conference. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, it is decided that a delegation from Georgia will attend the conference, but it is still unknown who the members […]
Georgia’s Patriarch criticizes artificial reproduction
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Patriarch’s Christmas epistle is causing a reaction among human rights groups in the country. In the epistle, which was published yesterday night, Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II talks about children who were born to surrogate mothers. He […]
Georgia does not plan to advertise for wine at Sochi
TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Wine Agency of Georgia does not plan to advertise Georgian wine at the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, but it is still unknown whether private companies will do it on their own initiative. On Tuesday, Russian media reported that Georgia […]
Christmas procession Alilo held in Tbilisi
The Christmas procession Alilo is held every year on January 7. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–January 7, Georgia marks Christmas according to the Julian Calendar and as customary the large Alilo procession was held in the capital. Clerics and parishioners on Tuesday gathered at Roses Square to prepare to walk along Rustaveli Avenue and end the […]
Georgia listed as world’s fifth best tourism country
Sioni, one of the travel destinations in Georgia. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rough Guides has listed Georgia as number five among the world’s top countries for tourism. Rough Guide is a travel guidebook owned by Penguin Random House. The publication has selected the best tourist countries for 2014, and Ethiopia is […]
Georgian lari falls further against dollar, euro
Georgian National Bank. TBILISI, DFWatch–The exchange rate of Georgian lari (GEL) continues to fall and is now valued at 1.7466 against the US dollar. According to the National Bank of Georgia, the lari this year fell by 5.1 percent. The last time it was as low as 1.74 against the dollar was […]
21% more visitors to Georgia in 2013
Tbilisi airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 5 365 356 visitors to Georgia in 2013. This is a 21.2 percent increase from 2012. According to the Interior Ministry’s department of information and analysis, there came 391 724 visitors to the county in December 2013, which is five […]
Five Georgians die of alcohol poisoning in Turkey
TBILISI, DFWatch–Five Georgians have died of alcohol poisoning in the suburbs of Istanbul, Turkey. First, there was report about the death of four Georgians, which was confirmed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Georgia. On Sunday, there was another report that […]
Ivanishvili’s fortune shrunk 1.1 bln during year in politics
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s fortune shrunk by USD 1.1 billion during the year he governed his country as prime minister. What happened? The journal Forbes in 2012 listed Ivanishvili in 153rd place among the world’s billionaires with an estimated […]
Georgian government starts weekly meetings with its lawmakers
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili (center) flanked by Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili (left) and Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia on Saturday held the first of what is to be weekly consultations with its coalition’s lawmakers. Davit Saganelidze, Member of Parliament for the Georgian Dream coalition, said the point of the weekly Saturday meetings […]
Chechen refugees trying to find their place in Georgian society
Kariata Tsimirbulatova. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the last 14 years, Kariata Tsimirbulatova has lived with her husband and four children in Duisi, a village in a valley in the northeastern part of Georgia near the border to Chechnya called Pankisi Gorge. The members of her family have recently […]
Next Abashidze-Karasin meeting in Prague in February
Georgia’s representative Zurab Abashidze (left), and Russia’s Grigory Karasin. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The next meeting between representatives of Georgia and Russia will be held possibly at the end of February in Prague. Zurab Abashidze, the prime minister’s special representative for relations with Russia, told Interpressnews that he and Gregory […]
Prison Ministry questions former interior minister about threats
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prison Ministry staff have questioned former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili about his statement about being taken from his cell and threatened by the chief prosecutor. Merabishvili said in December that he was brought out of his cell and taken […]
Russia simplifies visa rules for Georgian transport drivers
The Russia-Georgia border crossing at Larsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has simplified its visa rules for Georgian transit traffic. According to Deputy Economy Minister Natia Mikeladze, Russia informed Georgia about the decision through the Swiss embassy, which acts as an intermediary since formal relations were […]
Georgia’s new chief prosecutor to be announced soon
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Gharibashvili says he will name the new chief prosecutor in a few days. The former chief prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze resigned December 30 after the National Movement claimed an alleged robbery sentence from Germany in 2001 […]
Georgia to elect new member of High Council of Justice
The High Council of Justice is to get a new member. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili January 3 announced a competition to select one member of the High Council of Justice. According to a statement published by the president’s administration, the candidate will be selected among professors […]
Families get compensation for soldiers who died in war
TBILISI, DFWatch–From January 1, the closest family of soldiers who have died on duty will receive a monthly compensation of 500 lari (USD 300). An amendment was made in June last year to the law about state compensation and state academic scholarship and is now […]
Jehovah’s Witnesses attacked in Ozurgeti
TBILISI, DFWatch–January 1, unknown persons attacked a gathering of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ozurgeti. According to local media in the Guria region, the assailants broke the windows of a car the Jehovah’s Witnesses were sitting in and threw stones at the building where they […]
Tbilisi City Council rejects 2014 budget
TBILISI, DFWatch–A majority in Tbilisi City Council voted to reject the 2014 budget. The proposal received the support of only 18 council members, while 21 voted against. Three abstained. During the preceding debate, a majority of council members criticized how […]
Georgian ministry renamed from ‘reintegration’ to ‘reconciliation’
Paata Zakareishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Office of the State Minister for Reintegration from January 1 is called the Office of the State Minister of Reconciliation and Civil Equality Issues. According to the minister, Paata Zakareishvili, the name implies two areas: conflicts and […]
South Ossetia pardons Georgian jailed for sedition
Leonid Tibilov, de facto president of the breakaway region South Ossetia. (RES.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto president of South Ossetia, Leonid Tibilov, on December 31 pardoned a Georgian who was serving a 13 year sentence for sedition after being involved in the region’s Tbilisi-backed administration. According to a statement by the breakaway region’s […]
Georgia releases 87 prisoners for New Year’s
The Prison Ministry’s pardon commission during a session in November, 2013. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has released 87 prisoners in connection with New Year’s Day. Four of the released are women and 83 are men, according to the Prison Ministry. The decision was made by the ministry’s pardon commission, one of two such bodies that recommend […]
Georgian president will not use official residences
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili says he has decided not to use any of the presidential residences. He claims that none of the government officials have purchased luxurious cars or other objects by state money. A few days ago, questions […]
Will local government reform encourage separatism in Georgia?
Agit Mirzoev, director of Analytical Center for Interethnic Cooperation and Consultations. TBILISI, DFWatch–A draft law that will reform local government is causing controversy in Georgia, as some think it may encourage separatism and jeopardize the country’s integrity. This issue is problematic because the Soviet government created three autonomous […]
Stalin monument dismantled in Georgia
The new Stalin monument in Telavi before it was paint bombed. (TV1.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Stalin monument in Telavi, Georgia, has been dismantled. The same day as it was installed in September, 2013, the statue was paint bombed by unknown persons, who also painted other Stalin monuments in other Georgian villages, erected after the change […]
Georgia’s chief prosecutor resigns
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Chief Prosecutor of Georgia has resigned, nearly a week after he was targeted by the National Movement party for a robbery conviction in Germany in 2001. Otar Partskhaladze Monday evening issued a statement saying that due to the questions which […]
EU integration main goal of Georgia’s governing coalition
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s parliament speaker said Monday that the country’s main political priority is signing the Association Agreement with the EU and that all the other issues are subordinate to this priority. Summing up the year 2013 at a press conference, Davit […]
Georgia starts work on new constitution
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Photo published by Parliament’s press office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, a new Constitution Commission is preparing a draft of constitutional amendments that will balance the branches of power. It will start work in the second half of January, 2014. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili said this on Monday […]
Georgia moves plan for new airport closer to Abkhazia
Anaklia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia plans to build an international airport in Anaklia, a beach resort on the Black Sea next to the breakaway region Abkhazia. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Minister of Economy, said at a briefing December 25 that a plan developed by the previous […]
Tbilisi mayor plans to mortgage house to pay USD 30 000 bail
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava plans to mortgage his house in order to pay the bail money in a corruption case. Ugulava was last week suspended by Tbilisi City Court. The mayor is charged with embezzlement of Tbilisi City Hall money and using it to […]
Georgia’s foreign trade Jan-Nov grew 4%
Used cars remained Georgia’s number one export product. (gancxadebebi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-November 2013 was USD 9 681 million. This is four percent more than in the same period last year. USD 2 618 of this was export – 20 percent more than in 2012. Import amounted to USD 7 064 million […]
Georgian president to get a modest pay rise
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will get increased salary next year, but the increase is less than previously planned. The president’s salary will go up from 4 720 to 6 900 lari (USD 3 900), according to new draft, which parliament is reviewing. […]
Language barrier prevents minorities from going into politics
Rusiko Machaidze, Agit Mirzoev, Tina Ghogheliani, Manana Nachkebia and Levan Vepkhvadze. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Participants at a round table discussion organized by DF Watch said lack of language skills is preventing ethnic minorities from engaging in politics in Georgia. The discussion was held on December 28, and the topic was what obstacles there are […]
National Movement demonstrated against mayor’s suspension
Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava at Saturday’s demonstration. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement on Saturday mobilized thousands of its supporters to protest the removal from office of the Tbilisi mayor. UNM members believe that democracy is in danger in Georgia. Apart from being against the suspension of Ugulava, who is […]
Georgian ombudsman reports mistreatment in prison
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Defender claims his staff witnessed mistreatment of a prisoner. Ucha Nanuashvili on Friday appealed to the Prosecutor’s Office to start investigation of Prison No 8 in Gldani. The Ombudsman’s statement says employees visited the […]
Saakashvili era official charged with Abu Ghraib-style abuse
Megis Kardava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former official in the Saakashvili regime has been charged in a case involving Abu Ghraib-style sexually degrading treatment of detainees. Megis Kardava, who has held several positions at law enforcement bodies in Georgia, has been out of the country […]
Tbilisi mayor loses appeal
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A decision by the city court to suspend Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava pending a corruption trial has been upheld in the Appeals Court. Both the Prosecutor’s Office and Ugulava’s defense lawyers appealed the city court’s decision. The Prosecutor’s […]
National Movement demands chief prosecutor’s suspension
Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement Party in Georgia has exposed that the Chief Prosecutor was convicted of robbery in Germany in 2001. Otar Partskhaladze confirms that he had certain incident with police in Germany, but claims that he was not subject to coercive […]
Saakashvili barred from entering Ukraine
Mikheil Saakashvili addressing the protesters in Kyiv December 7, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ukrainian government has barred former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvil from entering the country after he visited the protesters in Kyiv. Saakashvili’s name appears along with 29 Georgians on a list published by the Ukrainian foreign […]
Rough debate about rough interrogation methods
Chiora Taktakishvili threatens to sue Eka Beselia, head of the parliamentary committee on human rights. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lawmaker from the National Movement party in Georgia has threatened to sue her colleague from the Georgian Dream coalition for defamation during a debate about rough interrogation methods. The quarrel broke out during a session of the parliamentary […]
Ivanishvili tells Forbes he won’t return to politics
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told Forbes he is sure he won’t return to politics. In an interview with the Russian edition of the publication, he explained that he would keep his promise to stay out of politics. “I guarantee […]
Georgian PM to visit US in first half of 2014
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prime minister Irakli Gharibashvili plans to visit the US in the first half of 2014, according to the country’s foreign affairs minister. Maia Panjikidze announced the visit while summing up events the last year on Monday, but did not […]
National Movement reacts to mayor’s suspension
The National Movement’s parliamentary leader Davit Bakradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement party went on the offensive on Sunday and demanded an investigation into claims that the Prosecutor’s Office pressured two judges in a corruption case against Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. Ugulava was Saturday night suspended from […]
Vice mayor takes over as acting Tbilisi mayor
Gigi Ugulava and Sevdia Ugrekhelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vice Mayor Sevdia Ugrekhelidze will take over as acting mayor of Tbilisi, after a decision by Tbilisi City Court to suspend Mayor Gigi Ugulava. Gigi Ugulava said on Sunday that this follows by law. “According to Georgian law, the first vice mayor […]
National Movement party resumes work in parliament
Davit Bakradze, leader of the minority in parliament, the National Movement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement party will resume work in the Georgian parliament on Monday after being absent since December 11. The party’s delegates went on a boycott after a scuffle between one of their MPs and one from the Georgian Dream coalition, which […]
Group criticizes Georgia for handling of religious conflicts
Muslims praying in Samtatskaro. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a year of religious conflict in three Georgian villages, neither Christians nor Muslims are fully satisfied with the way the problem was solved. The Christians do not exclude that conflict might erupt again, while the Muslims still have no […]
Georgian Dream leaders are most trusted
After the patriarch, ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is the most liked person in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new poll shows that the top people in the Georgian Dream coalition are the most trusted public figures in Georgia, after the patriarch. The results are part of a wider survey of public attitudes organized by a US agency that builds democracy […]
Tbilisi mayor removed from office pending corruption trial
Gigi Ugulava said in a statement he will fight on: “I won’t let the will of the people be trampled on behind closed doors.” (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava was Saturday night stripped of his authority by the city court. Ugulava was informed about the court’s decision at 1 am Sunday. The decision was made without a hearing and came hours after the court had issued him bail […]
Saakashvili to teach governance at Tufts University
Former president Mikheil Saakashvili speaking at the UN earlier in 2013. TBILISI, DFWatch–The former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili will join Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US from January. He will hold lectures about European governance and other contemporary international and regional issues, […]
EU moves forward signing of agreement with Georgia
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU is willing to move forward the signing of the Association Agreement with Georgia and Moldova to August 2014 or earlier. This is the content of a statement by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, published December 20, 2013. “This […]
Anti-Russia demonstrators detained in Tbilisi
The organization Free Zone protested against a conference to further closer relations between Georgia and Russia. (Photo by Free Zone.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four members of the organization Free Zone were detained on Friday during a protest against a meeting at Hotel Vere-Palace in Tbilisi dedicated to closer relations between Georgia and Russia. Demonstrators blocked the road as they blew whistles and […]
National Movement boycotting parliament
TBILISI, DFWatch–The minority National Movement party has been boycotting parliament for more than a week and refuses to continue work in the assembly. The party’s delegates left the session hall as a sign of protest when a scuffle broke out between MP Giorgi […]
Asian Development Bank funds infrastructure in Georgia
Klaus Gerhaeusser (left), ADB’s General Director, and Georgian Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Photo published by the Finance Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia on Thursday signed agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) about financing infrastructure projects. According to the Ministry of Finance, Minister Nodar Khaduri and Klaus Gerhaeusser, ADB’s General Director, signed the agreement, […]
A thousand prisoners are on hunger strike in Georgia
The prisoners demand a commission to review faults in the judicial process. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–1 032 prisoners are now on hunger strike in several prisons in Georgia, according to the Prison Ministry. This is the most recent information as of 19:00 on December 19, and the majority – 946 prisoners – are on hunger strike at Geguti No […]
Georgia becomes member of UNESCO committee
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has been elected as member of the Hague Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the election was held on December 17 at UNESCO headquarters during the 5th […]
Poll: Georgians think country is getting more democratic
63% of respondents say the number of jobs has increased the last year. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–54 percent of Georgians say their country has democracy now, while 35 percent say there is no democracy in Georgia, according to a poll by National Democratic Institute (NDI). These numbers show a clear upward trend; in September, 44 percent said […]
Poll: 66% of Georgian want athletes to participate in Sochi
Downhill skier Nino Tsiklauri and three other Georgian athletes will take part in the Olympics. (ambebi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–66 percent of Georgians approve of the decision by the government that Georgian athletes will participate in the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, while 17 percent disapprove of this decision. 16 percent didn’t answer. In September 2013, 76 percent supported this […]
Two former Tbilisi officials released on bail
Two former city officials are accused of money laundering. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former gamgebeli of Old Tbilisi and his deputy were Wednesday released on 400 000 lari (USD 234 000) bail each. Prosecutors wanted to keep them in detention, but Tbilisi City Hall disagreed. Defense lawyers for Lasha Purtskhvanidze and Koba […]
Former interior minister says he was threatened by prosecutor
TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili accuses Chief Prosecutor of harassing him. The National Movement party asks to have the case investigated and that the responsible officials are dismissed. The government claims Merabishvili’s accusations […]
Georgia introduces law against discrimination
Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani. (Photo published by the Justice Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Ministry of Justice has prepared a draft law on anti-discrimination. The proposal aims at eliminating all forms of discrimination, Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani explained as she met human rights organizations, representatives of […]