News
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 […]
Georgian president pardons 75 prisoners
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili signed his first decree to pardon 75 prisoners on Wednesday. According to the head of the president’s administration Lasha Abashidze, 54 of the prisoners were released, 14 got their sentence reduced to half, while […]
Tbilisi mayor questioned in embezzlement case
Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava was on Wednesday questioned at the Prosecutor’s Office in case about embezzlement of City Hall money by employees. The Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday explained charges to the mayor which may lead to him being […]
Georgia to invest in Shah Deniz
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and President of Azerbaijan Iljam Aliyev. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia plans to invest USD 400-700 million in the Shah Deniz project in Azerbaijan, according to Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. Kaladze was in Azerbaijan December 16-17 along with a delegation from the Georgian government who signed a resolution […]
Georgian lawmaker fined for defamation of Imedi investor
One of history’s greatest hoaxes was, according to Time Magazine, this fake news report on Imedi announcing another Russian invasion in March 2010, just weeks before the local election. The caption says: “Medvedev’s statement”. (Screen grab from Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the National Movement party was fined 50 000 lari (USD 30 000) on Monday for defamation of businessman Joseph Kay. Kay is the investor who took over the control of Imedi TV after the owner, Badri Patarkatsishvili, died […]
Saakashvili is living in New York
Mikheil Saakashvili appearing on Ukrainian TV channel 112 last Sunday. (112.ua) TBILISI, DFWatch–A month after leaving office as president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili has revealed that he is currently living in New York and working on reform programs with several major US universities. Appearing on Ukrainian TV 112, Saakashvili said he is […]
Power cuts continue in Georgia ten days after snowfall
People demonstrated in Batumi last Friday against a lack of attention from authorities. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten days after snow fell in the eastern Adjara region of Georgia, frustration is growing as there are still problems with supply of electricity, natural gas and water. December 13, people demonstrated in Batumi against what they feel is a lack of […]
Two detained for money laundering in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch--In Georgia, two former officials in the city administration in Old Tbilisi were detained on Monday. The detained are the former gamgebeli of Old Tbilisi and his deputy. They are charged with illegal participation in industrial activity and money laundering. The charges are that they manipulated the prices of trees and plants for green areas [...]
Georgia creates crisis management centers
Snow storms in winter and flooding in summer have knocked out infrastructure in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia on Sunday created two new bodies to address urgent problems. The first one is a temporary center for crisis management to deal with the problems caused by bad weather and earthquakes. The second state body is a center to […]
Georgian PM on visit to Azerbaijan
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Monday began an official visit to neighboring Azerbaijan. Gharibashvili will meet President Ilham Aliyev, and December 17 participate in a conference about the financing of the second phase of Shah […]
EU funds education reform in Georgia with €27 mill
The European Union gives 27 mill euros to education reform in Georgia. (Photo published by the Ministry of Education and Science.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will receive 27 million euros from the EU which is to be spent on reforms in education, professional training and employment. The EU will allocate 35 million euros for Moldova and 25 million euros for Armenia. According to Štefan Füle, […]
Activists in Georgia demand to have justice restored
Activists are putting pressure on the government to create a committee to right the wrongs of the Saakashvili regime. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists on Sunday gathered in front of the old parliament building in Tbilisi demanding the creation of a committee to go through miscarriages of justice during former President Saakashvili. The demonstration was organized by the organization […]
Former Defense Ministry official detained
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Saturday detained a former official in the Defense Ministry and charged him with illegally owning and keeping a weapon. Alexandre Ninua, former head of the purchasing department at the ministry, was placed in pre-trial detention the same day. […]
Pardon commission approves 54 applications
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president’s pardon commission gave a positive recommendation in 54 of recent applications from prisoners. The commission which is one of two such bodies, the other one part of the government, was recently staffed by the […]
Parliament asks to investigate violations during Saakashvili
A student demonstrates against Saakashvili outside Tbilisi State University in the aftermath of the prisoners abuse scandal in September 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the parliament has asked the government to investigate crimes committed during the Saakashvili regime. The bureau of parliament on Friday recommended the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor’s Office […]
British, German and Hungarian pharma to enter Georgia
Companies based in the UK, Germany and Hungary will try to enter the pharmaceutical sector in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Foreign pharmaceutical companies are preparing to enter the Georgian market, according to the Health Ministry. Health Minister Davit Sergeenko said on Friday that foreign pharmaceutical companies plan to start operating in Georgia and negotiations […]
86 schools closed in Georgia due to snow
Snow is creating problems many places in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–86 schools in Georgia are closed due to bad weather, according to the Education Ministry. 69 of them is in the Adjara region – Keda, Shuakhevi and Khelvachauri. Four schools are closed in Guria, six in Imereti, four in Svaneti, one school in Kakheti, one in […]
Georgia gets new governors in nine regions
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili on Friday appointed new governors in nine of the country’s regions. The new governors are Irakli Shiolashvili, lawyer, in Kakheti, Zaza Meparishvili, engineer and lawyer, in Imereti, Zurab Rusishvili, […]
Skating arena collapses in Georgia
Lika Nakaidze. (Video still from Imedi TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An ice skating arena in Batumi, Georgia, collapsed Thursday due to heavy snowfall. The last five days there has been an electricity problem in Batumi, in the Adjara region, as transmission lines and poles were damaged due to the amount of snow in recent […]
Georgia signs on to many new EU programs
Foreign Minister of Georgia, Maia Panjikidze, and Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Linas Linkevičius. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia Thursday signed a protocol with the EU about participating in several programs within health care, science, culture and business. The signing took place in Brussels and was carried out by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius and […]
Georgia to spend more on health and education in 2014
TBILISI, DFWatch–The new Georgian government has presented a 9 billion lari (about USD 5 billion) budget for 2014 which prioritizes health care and education. The budget bill was approved by 86 votes against 0 at a plenary session on Wednesday. Members of the […]
150 000 households still without electricity in Georgia
The snow masses have knocked out power supply in south western Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Batumi, one of the largest cities in Georgia, has been without electricity and heating four days due to a snow storm. There is still more than one and half meter snow cover in Batumi and the rest of the mountainous Adjara region. Some streets […]
Georgians rallied in support of Kyiv protesters
Hundreds of people demonstrated in Tbilisi Wednesday evening in solidarity with the protesters in Ukraine. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds of people demonstrated in the streets of Tbilisi Wednesday to support the protesters in Kyiv. Georgians, as well as Ukrainians living in Georgia, gathered in the evening outside Tbilisi concert hall, waving the flags of Ukraine, EU and Georgia, […]
Georgian parliament declares support for Ukrainian people
As parliament expressed full support for Ukraine’s EU integration, there was a street rally to show solidarity with Ukrainians. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia Wednesday passed a statement supporting the demonstrations in the Ukrainian capital. “The Georgian parliament declares its complete solidarity with the Ukrainian people in its struggle for freedom of choice. It expresses […]
Scuffle breaks out in Georgian parliament
TBILISI, DFWatch–A physical scuffle broke out in the Georgian parliament on Wednesday. Soso Jachvliani, MP from the Georgian Dream coalition, scolded Giorgi Baramidze from the National Movement. His microphone was switched off. This lead to a physical confrontation […]
Georgia charges two more for prison death
(DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prosecutors in Georgia have charged two more persons with causing the death of a prisoner last May. December 11, the Prosecutor’s Office charged Nugzar Bechuadze and Shota Sinauridze in connection with the death of Levan Kortava. Bechuadze is […]
Georgia increases the president’s salary
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has decided to raise the president’s salary by 2 500 lari (USD 1 450). There has been talk about increasing the president’s pay for the last week and on Tuesday the governing Georgian Dream coalition asked parliament […]
Georgia appoints seven new ambassadors
President Giorgi Margvelashvili signed the appointments of seven new ambassadors. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has seven new ambassadors abroad, after President Giorgi Margvelashvili last week signed their appointment. The new ambassadors are the ones to Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Germany, Japan, China, Iran and Jordan. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, […]
Local government reform modified after criticism from patriarch
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili has managed to convince the government to amend a disputed passage in a draft bill about local government reform, as promised. The government prepared a draft law to regulate the country’s territorial […]
Investments in Georgia up 20% in Q3 year-on-year
Hydro power is one of the things international financial institutions are funding in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–The amount of direct foreign investments in the third quarter of 2013 was USD 239 million, up three percent from the second quarter. Investments in third quarter of 2013 was 20 percent more than the same period last year. Foreign investments […]
Georgia cleaning up prison mafia in wake of inmate death
Khatuna Kortava said earlier her nephew was a victim of a system of abuse, mafia and murder in Georgian prisons. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has charged prisoners and prison administration employees with causing the death of Levan Kortava, who was allegedly killed by the so-called thieves in law inside prison. Kortava died May 23, 2013, at the prison hospital, […]
Two die as greenhouse collapses near Batumi
Two people died as a greenhouse collapsed in Georgia. (First Channel.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two persons have died after a roof of a greenhouse collapsed in Georgia because of bad weather. The accident happened Monday evening in the village Salibauri in the Adjara region and was caused by strong wind and heavy snowfall. Two women, aged 35 […]
Access to cemetery discussed at SO border meeting
The border meeting as usual took place in a tent at Ergneti. (EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parties in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war Monday discussed the installation of warning signs and fences in the villages Ghogheti and Bershueti on the border to the breakaway region South Ossetia. This was the 40th meeting of the Incident Prevention […]
Direct flights between Tbilisi and Sochi during Olympics
Tbilisi Airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Airways will offer direct flights between Tbilisi and the Olympic village Sochi from February 4, 2014, in connection with the upcoming Winter Games. There will be flights between Tbilisi and Sochi every Tuesday and Thursday until May. The […]
Snow storm causes electricity blackout in Georgia
The snow storm has caused a power blackout affecting 155 000 households. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–155 000 households are left without electricity in Georgia, according to the Energy Ministry. Deputy Energy Minister Irakli Khmaladze said at a briefing that the bad weather has created problems mainly in the regions in the west of Georgia, and that the damage is caused by snow and blizzard. […]
Supporters of Ukraine’s protesters gathered in Tbilisi
Georgians have been gathering every day at the same place since the protests started in Ukraine. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of the protesters in Ukraine gathered Sunday in Tbilisi to support a mass mobilization in the Ukrainian capital. The gathering outside the former parliament building started at 14:00, the same time as the demonstration in Ukraine. Georgians […]
NGOs call for new impact assessment of gigantic power dam
A gigantic planned hydro power station has brought environmentalists out in the streets in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia ask the government for answers about the construction of Khudoni hydro power station. There are many questions regarding environmental and social issues. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and an […]
Former deputy prosecutor placed in pre-trial detention
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has placed a former deputy chief prosecutor in pre-trial detention. Davit Chkhatarashvili, the former deputy of former Chief Prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava, was December 7 detained and charged with organizing staged torture videos […]
Prison Ministry asks inmates to end hunger strike
Nana Kakabadze from the organization Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prison Ministry in Georgia Saturday called on prisoners to put an end to a hunger strike that has been joined by 146 prisoners all across Georgia. In Prison No 6 in Rustavi, 20 km away from the capital, about a hundred […]
Saakashvili addressed Ukrainian pro-EU demonstrators
Georgian ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili on Saturday addressed the protesters gathered in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. His speech to the movement which started two weeks ago, when President Viktor Yanukovich refused to sign an Association Agreement with the […]
Increasing discrimination of religious minorities in Georgia
A Jehova’s Witnesses book stand on Freedom Square, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A human rights group claims there has been an increase in discrimination of religious minorities in Georgia in 2013. On November 15, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall, located in Upper Etseri, Samegrelo, West Georgia, was shot at twice. […]
Georgia charges former deputy prosecutor with staging torture
Davit Chkhatarashvili. (IPN.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained a former deputy prosecutor and charged him with participating in filming videos of staged torture at a prison in Tbilisi. The Prosecutor’s Office charges Davit Chkhatarashvili, the former first deputy of ex-Chief […]
Georgia to not send officials, only athletes to Sochi Olympics
Figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili and three other Georgian athletes are participating in the Sochi Winter Olympics in less than two months. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian athletes will participate in the Sochi Winter Olympics, but the country will not send an official government delegation. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said a few days ago in an interview with Russia Today that only Georgian athletes […]
Georgian wine-making technique listed as world heritage
Kvevri, a ceramic vessel buried in the ground, where wine is made the traditional way. (UNESCO.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s age-old method for making wine is now listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. On its eighth session, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Non-Material Cultural Heritage decided to list Georgia’s traditional […]
Georgia to hold local elections in June 2014
Davit Berdzenishvili from the Georgian Dream coalition. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The local elections in Georgia will be held in June 2014, instead of May, the parliamentary majority says. The last local elections were held on May 30, 2010. Davit Berdzenishvili from the Georgian Dream coalition said on Friday that the local […]
Tender announced to dismantle Stalin statue
The new Stalin statue in Telavi was quickly paint-bombed. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The local government in Telavi, a town in the Kakheti region, has announced a tender for the dismantling of a statue of Joseph Stalin. According to Information Center of Kakheti, the local government allocated 1 121 lari (USD 660) for the dismantling […]
Georgian patriarch against local government reform
Ilia II, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament has postponed the adoption of a landmark bill that will drastically change local government, after the draft Self-Governance Code was harshly criticized by the influential head of the Georgian Church. The bill should have been […]
Two fined for interrupting Hanukkah celebration in Tbilisi
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has fined two persons who tore down posters announcing Hanukkah. Wednesday night, two people tore down the posters and damaged the tribune that had been prepared for the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. They were fined 100 lari (USD 60) […]
Georgian gov’t sets out goals for improving democracy
Thomas Hammarberg. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government of Georgia will two months from now approve a strategy of protecting human rights. The document will be complex aiming to establish a high standard of democracy. This is one of the results of a human rights conference in Tbilisi […]
23 % more visitors to Georgia in Jan-Nov
(Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–4 973 632 people visited Georgia in January-November, 2013 according to the Interior Ministry. This is 22.6 percent more than the same period last year, and 12.3 period more than the total number of visitors in 2012. The highest number of visitors […]
NATO top: Georgia can seek membership and be friends with Russia
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says it is possible for Georgia to have good relations with Russia and at the same time move towards NATO membership. Rasmussen said there are examples of nations that are member of NATO and […]
Georgian president says Russia cannot stop moves towards EU
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili says Russia has no means of influence that could divert Georgia from its course toward integration with Europe and interrupt the signing of the Association Agreement next year. In a TV interview on Tuesday, […]
Bacho Akhalaia acquitted in abuse case, two others convicted
Bacho Akhalaia was acquitted in yet another trial, but remains in detention pending another court case. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia has acquitted former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia, but sentenced the others who were charged in the same case to 3 years and nine months in jail. Bacho Akhalaia, Giorgi Kalandadze, former head of Joint Staff and Zurab […]
Georgians defy frosty weather to support Ukraine
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–People gathered in Tbilisi again on Tuesday to show support for Ukraine despite the frosty temperatures and cold wind. About 50 people showed up outside the old parliament building carrying Ukrainian flags to express support for the Ukrainian people, […]
Georgia gets worse ranking on corruption index
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has slightly worsened its ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index – from 51st to 55th place. In 2012, Georgia ranked 51st among 176 countries, but in 2013 it is in 55th place among 177 countries. The organization […]
Futuristic service center damaged by storm in Tbilisi
Bits of the roof flew off the new public service center in downtown Tbilisi. (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The House of Justice in Tbilisi was Tuesday evacuated as a result of high winds which damaged the roof of the building. No-one was injured, but the building remained evacuated throughout the day. The roof was damaged at the entrance of the building, […]
Inquest into Georgia’s cooperation with Chechen rebels progressing
Georgian police in Lapankuri 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Defender in Georgia says an independent inquest into a border skirmish in 2012 has revealed many interesting details. But ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili refrained from saying specifically what has been revealed and says this will be published […]
Bad weather in Georgia, power cuts, road closure
The main road connecting eastern and western Georgia is closed due to bad weather. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 70 000 households in Georgia are left without electricity due to strong wind and snow according to the utility company Energo-Pro Georgia. Electricity was switched off as the lines are damaged and technical crews are now working to rectify […]
GUAM countries support EU’s Eastern Partnership
Zurab Abashidze, who chairs the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentary Assembly of GUAM adopted a document during the sixth session in Tbilisi, which reflects major aspirations and goals, which the countries of the union have. The document also focuses on supporting the EU’s Eastern Partnership. The sixth […]
Ukrainian MP breaks off Georgia trip due to political crisis
TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukrainian opposition MP, Ruslan Koshulinski, who is deputy speaker of parliament, broke off his visit to Georgia due to the protests in Kyiv. Koshulinski visited Georgia in order to attend the sixth session of the parliamentary assembly of GUAM; […]
Pro-Ukraine rally in Tbilisi again Monday
(Photo: Davit Mikheil Shubladze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–People rallied in Tbilisi again Monday in support of the Ukrainian people. As on Sunday, they gathered in front of the old parliament building, and vowed to continue protesting and also hold support rallies in other parts of Georgia. Participants […]
Anti-Putin protests in Yerevan
(Photo: lur.am.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Armenians protested on Liberty Square in Yerevan Monday against Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who is visiting. Blognews Armenia informs that the protesters brought posters reading ‘Stop Russia’, ‘Serzh the Betrayer’ and shouted ‘Stop Russia’ […]
Georgian premier blasts former ruling party on RT
Irakli Gharibashvili, Georgia’s Prime Minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has strongly criticized the former ruling party, the National Movement, in an interview on Russia Today, the state-owned Russian television station. It’s a bit difficult to understand the opposition, they […]
Putin visiting Armenia
Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Yerevan today for the first time in five years. Russian media report that during his visit, Putin will meet with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan. There will also be held a Russia-Armenia regional […]
South Ossetia spokesperson: ‘Razor wire will be dismantled’
Part of the razor wire being installed by Russian soldiers. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The razor wire bundles along the de facto border will eventually be changed into wire-mesh fences, a spokesperson for the South Ossetian KGB’s press service told the online news service Caucasian Knot. According to Wikipedia, razor wire blades are […]
Rally in Tbilisi in solidarity with the Ukrainian people
People rallied outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi to show support for the Ukrainian people. (Photo: Elene Khachapuridze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tens of people gathered on Sunday in Tbilisi wearing yellow and blue to support people in Ukraine and express solidarity with them after a violent dispersal in Kyiv. “Our Ukrainian friends need support, they mustn’t be alone facing impudent violence,” […]
Council of Europe imposes sanctions against Georgia
Vassiliy Likhachev, Russian Duma member and PACE observer. (Photo: Council of Europe.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has imposed sanctions against Georgia after a Russian election observer was denied entry before the presidential election a month ago. The organization has decided not to hold any committee […]
GUAM to meet in Tbilisi on Monday
Zurab Abashidze, Chairman of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives from the GUAM countries will meet in Tbilisi on Monday. The occasion is the sixth session of the Parliamentary Assembly of GUAM, a cooperation between Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova. Zurab Abashidze, chairman of the […]
Two more Georgians detained by Russian soldiers near South Ossetia
Russian soldiers at Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have taken two more Georgian villagers to a detention facility in Tskhinvali inside the breakaway region South Ossetia. Ambrosi Kapanadze and Genad Baisikovi were taken from the villages Tsagveli and Kobi Saturday morning. Their […]
Georgia renames ministry: not reintegration but reconciliation
Paata Zakareishvili changes title to Minister of Reconciliation and Civil Equality from January 1, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government has decided to change the name of the Reintegration Ministry into the Ministry of Reconciliation and Civil Equality. The name change will come into force on January 1, 2014. The minister who heads the renamed ministry, […]
Margvelashvili: Looking forward to EU’s support
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Video grab.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In his less than two minutes long address at the Eastern Partnership Vilnius Summit President Giorgi Margvelashvili spoke briefly about the country’s past, present and future on the way to Euro-Atlantic integration. After recalling the democratic election […]
Russian solders placing warning signs at de facto border
Sign at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The last few days, Russian soldiers have begun installing signs in the villages bordering with South Ossetia that warn locals not to pass, and are continuing installing fences and barbed wire. The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) on Friday expressed concern over […]
Georgian gov’t presents 2014 budget, expects 5 % growth
Georgian Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s budget for next year will be about 9 billion lari (USD 5.3 billion), Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri says. After the government session on Friday, Khaduri told journalists that a draft budget has been sent to parliament for further review […]
Georgia through first step toward Association Agreement with EU
Georgian foreign minister Maia Panjikidze (left) and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton sealing the agreement with a kiss. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU and Georgia on Friday finished the first signing of the Association Agreement. The proceedings took place in Vilnius during the summit there of the EU’s Eastern Partnership. The agreement was signed by the Union’s foreign policy spokesperson […]
Margvelashvili to address European leaders in Vilnius
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili will be given three minutes to address the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius today. He is expected to talk about the importance of Georgia being integrated with Europe, and that a certain resistance […]
Demonstration against minaret in Georgian village
Orthodox activists are against the re-erecting of a minaret in the village Chela. (Photo: Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Orthodox clerics and members of a radical religious group Thursday demonstrated in the Georgian village Chela against the restoration of a minaret on the night of November 27. The day ended without incident, and the rally was dissolved peacefully. […]
Georgia’s Association Agreement with EU through the technical part
Deputy Georgian Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaniani signing each of the one thousand pages. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The technical part of the initialization of Georgia’s Association Agreement with the EU is finished, and tomorrow is the official part of the proceedings. Attending Thursday’s event in Vilnius were, from Georgia, Deputy Foreign Minister Davit […]
Precise data show 1 % growth in Georgia’s foreign trade
A used Mercedes for sale at Rustavi car market. (gancxadebebi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-October 2013 was USD 8 591 million, according to precise data from Georgian National Statistics Department (Geostat). This is one percent more than in the same period last year. The export was USD 2 306 […]
One released from South Ossetian detention
A roadblock at the de facto border at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian man has been released from a holding facility in South Ossetia after first being detained two days ago for trespassing. Malkhaz Vanishvili, 24, from the village Khurvaleti near the de facto border, was detained together with Gocha Makishvili. […]
Georgian MPs don Ukrainian flags in show of support
National Movement MP Sergo Ratiani with Ukrainian national colors. (First Channel.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Movement MPs on Wednesday came to parliament wearing Ukrainian flags as tie and with Ukrainian flags on their desks. They did it to express solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The speaker of parliament liked the idea and asked to give him one too. […]
Minaret back up in Georgian village Chela
The minaret in Chela was put up at the mosque Wednesday. (Photo: Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The minaret that was taken down in a Georgian village was put back up at the mosque Wednesday night. According to the local newspaper Samkhretis Karibche (Sknews.ge), the local government in Adigeni issued a permission to restore the minaret in Chela […]
Georgian citrus fruits are being exported to Russia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A ship Wednesday arrived in Batumi to take aboard 300 000 boxes, or 120 tons, of Georgian citrus fruits and bring the goods to Novorossiysk. The citrus fruit originated in the two municipalities Khelvachauri and Kobuleti. According to Zaur Putkaradze, […]
Georgia to initialize Association Agreement with EU on Friday
Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said the Association Agreement will be signed in Vilnius November 29 at 09:00 am. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will initialize its Association Agreement with the EU on November 29 as leaders of the EU and countries in the Eastern Partnership meet in Vilnius. Davit Zalkaliani, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, will initialize the agreement by signing […]
Georgia-Switzerland visa treaty comes into effect from Jan 1
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new agreement between Georgia and Switzerland about simplified visa rules will come into force on January 1, 2014. According to the Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the two countries have completed all the procedures related to the agreement […]
Mayoral race in Tbilisi starts with bickering
Encumbent Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A dispute has developed between the current Tbilisi mayor and the likely new mayor. The dispute has to do with infrastructure projects in Tbilisi which the encumbent mayor claims the candidate for new mayor, who is now infrastructure minister, has […]
Few Roma families take part in elections in Georgia
The lack of formal registration makes it difficult to know the exact number of Romas who live in Georgia. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Meliasanovs, a Roma family of nine, did not participate in the last presidential elections, because they are registered far from where they actually live. However, they don’t believe that the elections would improve their hard social and financial […]
Two Georgians detained near South Ossetia
Sign at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two Georgian citizens at the de facto border with the breakaway region South Ossetia. The detainees – Malkhaz Vanishvili, 28, and Gocha Makishvili, 28, from the village Khurvaleti – have been taken to a detention […]
Journalist selected as head of president’s pardon commission
Aleksandre Elisashvili, a well-known TV journalist, is new head of the president’s pardon commission; one of two such bodies. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili has replaced some of the members of the presidential pardon commission, one of two commissions which review applications from prisoners for reduced sentence or early release. Aleksandre Elisashvili, a well-known […]
Georgia considers ban on carrying knives and swords
Zviad Dzidziguri from the Conservative Party wearing the Chokha with sword in parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament is considering banning the carrying of swords of the type belonging to the Georgian national costume Chokha. A few days ago, two teenage boys were injured when two others dressed in Chokha drew swords on them at Pushkin Square in Tbilisi. […]
Georgian justice minister changes first deputy
Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian justice minister has replaced her first deputy after the new government was approved by parliament. Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani explained on Monday that she has known Davit Jandieri since the time when he was her intern for three […]
Unexplained resignations in Georgia’s prosecution apparatus
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s office. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–It is not known why two deputies to the Georgian chief prosecutor have resigned, and the Tbilisi prosecutor was replaced a few days ago. Lasha Natsvlishvili resigned November 21, just as a new chief prosecutor was appointed. In his letter of […]
Minorities play little role in Georgian politics
Alexandra Kalatozishvili (center) from Multinational Georgia, and Zaur Khalilov (right) from Civic Integration Foundation. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives of two non-governmental organizations told DF Watch about problems which remain in involving minorities in the election processes and political parties not been actively interested in having contact with minorities. Alexandra […]
Renewed search for missing captain of Stella
Coastal freighter Stella. (MaritimeTraffic.com.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Economy will finance a renewed search operation for the missing captain of the freighter Stella, which went down in the Aegean Sea on November 3. A search was conducted after the accident, but the captain, Levan Tebidze, was not found, […]
Georgian wine to be served at EU summit in Vilnius
Georgian wine will be served to guests at the EU summit in Vilnius this weekend. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian wine will be served during the summit of the EU’s Eastern Partnership in Vilnius November 28-29, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirms. The event will be held at the exhibition hall Litexpo in Vilnius and will be attended by representatives […]
Ivanishvili to announce his new plans in a few months
Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he will announce his future plans in two or three months. Ivanishvili said this during the Georgian Dream party’s congress on Sunday. He said he has to think before he decides how he will continue […]
Georgia’s new PM takes over helm of ‘Dream’ party
From left to right: Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, his wife Nunuka Tamazashvili and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili was Sunday elected as new leader of the Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia Party. Gharibashvili took over as leader after Bidzina Ivanishvili, who founded Georgian Dream two years ago. Delegates also voted for […]
151 prisoners let out early on Saint George’s Day
The pardon commission meeting Saturday. (Prison Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–151 prisoners were let out of jail on Saturday, after a session of the prison ministry’s pardon commission held at the women’s facility in Rustavi, 20 km away from the capital. The commission discussed 700 applications for reduced sentence or […]
Davit Narmania named candidate for Tbilisi mayor
Davit Narmania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition has chosen Davit Narmania, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, as its candidate for mayor of Tbilisi. Narmania is thought to be one of the best ministers in the new government. The decision was made by […]
Georgia gets new military top
From left to right: Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Chairman of the Joint Staff Vakhtang Kapanadze. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vakhtang Kapanadze has been appointed as chairman of the Joint Staff of Georgia’s armed forces, replacing Irakli Dzneladze. Who should take over as head of the Joint Staff was subject of a conflict between ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili and […]
Pshav-Khevsureti mountains to become protected area
A view of the Khevsureti mountains. (Photo by mtskheta-mtianeti.gov.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The mountainous Pshav-Khevsureti region in the northeast of Georgia is to be made a protected area. This is a historical region and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The environment committee in parliament has proposed […]
Saakashvili still abroad, visits U.S. Congress
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) and U.S. Senator John McCain. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The first week after leaving office, former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili remained abroad and Thursday met members of the U.S. Congress in Washington. Among the around twenty politicians Saakashvili met on the Hill was Republican Senator John […]
Ivanishvili awarded the Supreme Order of Justice
Ex Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (right) received the Supreme Order of Justice. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili has been awarded the Supreme Order of Justice. The award is given once a year by the World Jurist Association (WJA) to a person and one cleric for their work for peace and justice. WJA President […]
UNESCO marks anniversary of Georgian poet Tsereteli
Akaki Tsereteli. TBILISI, DFWatch–UNESCO has placed the 100 year anniversary of the death of Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli on a list of important events in 2014-2015. Tsereteli was born in 1840 and died in 1915 and is considered the best Georgian poet in this period. He also was […]
EU Commission evaluates Georgia’s visa action plan
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Commission is satisfied with how Georgia has completed first phase of a visa action plan which might lead to visa free travel with the EU. The evaluation is particularly important because compliance with the action plan is expected to be […]
Georgia may lift protected status of six thousand historic sites
Narikala Castle in Tbilisi. (Photo published by Tbilisi.gov.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia is discussing a draft law about cultural heritage which may remove the protected status of 6 319 historic sites. Among the sites are Borjomi Park in southern Georgia and Romanov Palace in Abastumani, as well as Narikala Castle, […]
Georgia-Russia talks: ‘Maniacal hostility’ is over, says Karasin
Zurab Abashidze and Grigory Karasin, negotiators for Georgia and Russia, respectively. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Russia met for the fifth time Thursday in Prague within the diplomatic channel established by the government that came to power a year ago. After the meeting, Georgia’s representative Zurab Abashidze said discussions dealt with practical […]
Ivanishvili: I will not run the country from behind the scenes
Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At the end of his two year run as a politician, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has published an open letter that rebuts speculations about his future plans. In the letter, titled ‘Postscript’, Ivanishvili writes that he only wants to answer one […]
Georgia to take part in EU crisis management operations
Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--EU's Foreign Affairs Council has agreed to sign and conclude an agreement establishing a framework for the participation of Georgia in EU's crisis management operations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia document called Framework Agreement on the Participation of Georgia in EU Crisis Management [...]
New Georgian government approved by parliament
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Photo posted on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili has signed a document which appoints former interior minister Irakli Gharibsahvili as prime minister. The new president also has been asked to sign a document by which parliament declares its trust in the new […]
IMF in Georgia to discuss economic policy with new gov’t
TBILISI, DFWatch–The acting Georgian finance minister on Wednesday met with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss priorities in next year’s budget and the country’s macroeconomic indicators. Mark Griffiths, head of the IMF mission, […]
40 000 households without electricity in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–40 000 households in Georgia are without electricity due to bad weather. According to Energo-Pro Georgia, which distributes electricity to consumers, 50 000 households have been without electricity since morning, but power supply to 10 000 of them has now been restored. […]
Hepatitis C infested prison in Georgia closed due to bad climate
Deputy Prison Minister Giga Giorgadze. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prison Ministry in Georgia is considering closing the women’s prison, where new figures showed that 17 % of inmates are hepatitis C positive. The prisoners in Rustavi women’s facility will be transferred to another facility, but it is still […]
Sharp exchanges as government lays out its plans to parliament
Irakli Gharibashvili in parliament Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament plans to confirm the new government on Wednesday. On Tuesday, parliamentary committees listened to speeches by the minister candidates and asked them questions. A sharp exchange developed between Prime Minister candidate Irakli […]
Twelve new judges elected in Georgia
Chairman of the Georgian Supreme Court, Kote Kublashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s High Council of Justice on Tuesday elected 12 new judges. There were 59 candidates present at the session. Each candidate needed at least ten votes out of the 13 members of the council in order to be elected. 41 out of the 59 candidates […]
Georgian PM: Organizers of Khurcha shooting will be punished
New Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Acting Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili promises that those who ordered and organized the so-called Khurcha incident in 2008 will be identified and punished. A few weeks ago, police detained two former government officials on suspicion of having organized […]
Gharibashvili names new Georgian government
Irakli Gharibashvili presented a government with the same people as before, except for new Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister in waiting Irakli Gharibashvili on Monday named his new cabinet. It lists the same people as before the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili, with the exception of Gharibashvili’s post as interior minister which will be […]
How Georgia will change after the last election
TBILISI, DFWatch–With the inauguration of the new president in Georgia, many things will be different. We give you a rundown of the main changes. After the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as the new president, the new Constitution came into force. These amendments […]
Georgia and Israel agree on visa rules
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Israel have formed an agreement which allows Georgian citizens to stay in Israel for 90 days without a visa. Acting Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Israel’s Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum on Monday signed an […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover Jan-Oct
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-October 2013 was one percent more than in the same period the year before. According to preliminary data from the National Statistics Department, the total amount of foreign trade turnover in the first ten […]
Election incidents discussed at Ergneti near South Ossetia
Photo published by EUMM. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRM) met for the 39th time on Friday. According to the Interior Ministry, Georgia raised the issue of the installation of barbed wire and fences by Russian soldiers in the villages Ergneti, Ditsi and […]
Two protests during Georgian inauguration
Activists demand a stop in large hydro power dams that threaten villages and the environment. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two separate demonstrations went on on the street outside during the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi on Sunday. Labor party leader Shalva Natelashvili rallied supporters and said that the […]
New Georgian government to face parliament on Wednesday
President Giorgi Margvelashvili has instructed the majority in parliament to form a new government. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–With the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as president on Sunday, the government is now suspended, but continues as an acting government until parliament has confirmed a new government that will be presented by the president. Parliament will […]
Margvelashvili spoke about independence, unity, integrity
After the swearing in ceremony, President Giorgi Margvelashvili addressed guests in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Giorgi Margvelashvili was Sunday sworn in as the fourth president of Georgia at a ceremony held in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. The text of the oath says he swears to protect Georgia’s Constitution, independence of the state, […]
Margvelashvili sworn in as new president
New Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili addressed guests in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili was held today in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. The schedule of the day’s events is the following: at 13:00, the inauguration started and was expected to last for 45 minutes. The new […]
Saakashvili gives Hillary Clinton the Golden Fleece award
Guards began letting in people in groups of 30, but later let visitors enter the presidential palace freely. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has awarded former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the Golden Fleece award. Saakashvili is leaving office on Sunday, and in a flurry of activity handed out awards and distinctions to more than a thousand people. […]
Railway strike called off in Georgia
The railway workers achieved a signed deal with Georgian Railway and have called off the strike. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two thousand railway workers in Georgia ended their strike yesterday, after successful negotiations with the company. Talks between workers and the Georgian Railway management board lasted for six hours and all three demands the workers brought with […]
Georgian justice minister asks France to extradite ex-minister
Georgia’s Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s justice minister has asked her French colleague to extradite a former defense minister who faces two separate criminal cases at home. Former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili left Georgia for France after the National Movement lost the […]
Saakashvili says goodbye, plans to stay out of politics
Photo published on Mikheil Saakashvili’s Facebook page. TBILISI, DFWatch–Outgoing President Mikheil Saakashvili says he will ‘temporarily’ leave politics and may go on to work within science. In an open letter posted on Facebook on Friday, Saakashvili explained why he will not attend the inauguration of Giorgi […]
Police raid brothels in Georgian sea resort Batumi
Fourteen people were arrested as police broke up brothels in Batumi and Gonio. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained owners and administrators of fourteen hotels and clubs in Batumi and Gonio for allocating space for prostitution. Police in Adjara conducted a coordinated operation in the coast cities of Batumi and Gonio which led to […]
Georgian Security Council secretary resigns, as promised
Giga Bokeria has resigned as Secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council, Giga Bokeria, has resigned a few days before the inauguration of the new president. Bokeria’s letter of resignation is dated November 15 and addressed to the president’s administration, which says […]
Saakashvili not to attend inauguration of new president
Mikheil Saakashvili is in Europe and does not plan to come home for the inauguration of Georgia’s new president. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili and other top people in the National Movement party will not attend the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president on Sunday. In a statement, the UNM says their people have acted in line with ‘civil standards’ […]
Rasmussen sends thank you note to Saakashvili
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has sent outgoing Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili a thank you letter. In the letter, which was published by Saakashvili’s administration, Rasmussen thanks the Georgian leader for his ‘good […]
Two thousand railway workers on strike in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two thousand railway workers went on strike in Georgia Thursday, demanding overtime pay, bonus system and entitlements. The workers on strike have three main demands: compensation for overtime, a transparent system for award payments and to have […]
Suspected police attacker let out on bail
TBILISI, DFWatch–A man suspected of injuring a policeman in Zugdidi, a town in western Georgia, was released on Thursday on a 2 000 lari (USD 1200) bail. Zugdidi City Court satisfied the appeal by the Prosecutor’s Office to release the suspect on bail. The suspect will have […]
Relatives rally in support of man who cut off policeman’s ear
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A protest was held Wednesday in Zugdidi, in western Georgia, by relatives of a man detained for injuring a policeman a few days ago. Their demand was to have him released. But the suspect surrendered to the police and admitted having injured […]
List of guests of Margvelashvili inauguration partially known, Saakashvili’s attendance doubtful
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Lithuanian President, President of Federal Council of Austria, Vice Speaker of Parliament of Czech Republic, also Secretary General of OSCE and NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative in South Caucasus and Central Asia […]
Rebellion at Public Defender’s office over Bacho Akhalaia visit
Five of the Public Defender’s staff are out in a dispute about the conditions of former government officials in jail. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three employees at the Public Defender’s office in Georgia have resigned, and two have been fired, after disagreement over a visit to former prison minister Bacho Akhalaia in jail. Marina Gigineishvili, Amiran Nikolaishvili and Guram Bendiashvili, […]
EBRD downgrades Georgia’s growth prognosis
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has downgraded its prognosis for Georgia’s economic growth in 2013 from 3 to 2 percent. EBRD said a few days ago that the GDP growth will also be reduced from 5 to 4 percent and the level of […]
Final vote count confirms Georgian election result
CEC spokeswoman Eka Azarashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The final results of the presidential election on October 27 show that Giorgi Margvelashvili of the Georgian Dream coalition received 62.12 percent of votes, Davit Bakradze from the National Movement received 21.72 percent and Nino Burjanadze, […]
Policeman found naked in a pool of blood after rape attempt
TBILISI, DFWatch–A policeman was brutally attacked in western Georgia Tuesday, after locals accused him of having raped a woman. Local media reported that the policeman was found naked, with a broken leg, and in a pool of blood near the presidential residence in […]
New Georgian president ponders going to Sochi Olympics
President-elect Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The newly elected president of Georgia is considering showing up at the winter Olympics in Sochi, despite his country’s strained relationship with Russia. A few days ago, president-elect Giorgi Margvelashvili said in an interview with Russia’s […]
Georgia preparing to initiate Association Agreement
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Association Agreement with the EU will be initiated by Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani during the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius November 28-29. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said this on Monday. The text of the agreement, […]
Georgia’s leaders to meet aboard U.S. Navy ship
USS Mount Whitney. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five days before the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president, he and other members of the current government will join outgoing president Mikheil Saakashvili for an event aboard a U.S. naval ship docked in Batumi. Also outgoing Prime […]
Minaret conflict in Chela, Georgia, still unresolved
The minaret is still in storage outside Chela, while locals hope the government will solve the conflict. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The conflict over a minaret that was dismantled in a small Georgian village is far from over. Locals are continuing their fight to have the minaret restored, and claim that the guarantee of freedom of religion in the Georgian Constitution supports […]
Guests from thirty countries to attend Georgian inauguration
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is expecting representatives of 30 countries to attend the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president on November 17. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said Monday that among the guests will be two or three presidents, speakers […]
Saakashvili party banner taken down from presidential palace
The National Movement’s new party banner was taken down from the palace flagpole Sunday at noon. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Sunday at noon, the Georgian national flag was back up on the presidential residence in Tbilisi. On Saturday, the National Movement party banner with four hearts and a cross was flying above the building. The government accused the president […]
85 refugee families to receive apartments in Tbilisi
Refugees demonstrating in 2012. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Refugees will provide 85 refugee families with apartments on Monday. The apartments, which are located on Kvareli Street in Tbilisi, were distributed to families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by use of secret ballot, […]
Captain of the sunken freighter Stella declared lost
Stella went down after hitting a reef near the Greek island Karpathos. (MaritimeTraffic.com.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The captain of the sunken freighter Stella has been declared lost as the rescue work ended November 5, according to Georgia’s Foreign Ministry. In a statement, the ministry says yacht clubs, harbors and ships sailing near the site of the accident […]
Saakashvili party banner raised above presidential residence
The National Movement party’s banner flying above the presidential residence in Avlabari, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president’s administration Saturday raised the National Movement party banner atop the presidential palace in Tbilisi. The flag has four hearts and a cross, instead of five crosses, as is on the Georgian national flag. The government […]
Georgian and French defense ministers discussed cooperation
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (left) and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Irakli Alasania Friday met with his French colleague Jean-Yves Le Drian at the French Defense Ministry. They discussed military-industrial cooperation between Georgia and France and future plans. Alasania said they discussed […]
New Georgian interior minister appointed
Georgia’s new Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police Colonel Alexandre Chikaidze will replace Irakli Gharibashvili and become new Georgian Interior Minister. Chikaidze was presented by Prime Minister Gharibashvili on Saturday. The 28 year-old Chikaidze graduated from Tbilisi State […]