News
First five Georgian evacuees arrive home from Syria
TBILISI, DFWatch–Five of the Georgians who have been waiting to get out of Syria were brought home on Sunday. The five arrived from Istanbul the Tbilisi by plane and are among in all 18 Georgians who are expected to make it home soon. Seven more Georgians will arrive […]
New oil refinery planned on Georgia’s Black Sea coast
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new oil refinery will be constructed on the Black Sea coast with Azerbaijani money, according to Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Mr Ivanishvili was speaking during a visit to Riga, where he attended Riga Conference 2013. Government […]
54 through first hurdle ahead of presidential election in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–54 persons are through the first hurdle in the upcoming presidential election in Georgia as the deadline to register as a candidate expired on Friday. Among applicants are Giorgi Margvelashvili, the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate, and Davit Bakradze, […]
Georgia denies report that it agreed to open Abkhazia railway
The Georgian PM’s special representative Zurab Abashidze says if the railway through Abkhazia is to be opened it must happen based on the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government denies information from Armenia’s Secretary of National Security Council Artur Baghdasaryan that Georgia has agreed to open the railway through Abkhazia. Baghdasaryan said Georgia, Russia and Abkhazia had all […]
Teenager arrested for parliament bomb scare
TBILISI, DFWatch–A 17-year old boy has been detained for being behind a bomb scare in the parliament building in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city. The Interior Ministry said Saturday that the suspect yesterday at 20:40 called in to the 112 call center to report […]
Zourabichvili lost appeal in city court, continues fight
Salome Zourabichvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday upheld a decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to not allow former Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili to register as a candidate for the presidential election. Zourabichvili’s appeal against the CEC’s decision […]
France-Georgia ends 0-0 at Tbilisi stadium
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia played 0-0 against France in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match Friday. The teams met at Dinamo Stadium in Tbilisi. Goalkeeper Giorgi Loria successfully blocked what could have been a goal, and the game ended in a draw. “I am proud […]
Parliament evacuated after another bomb threat
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament building in Kutaisi was evacuated Friday due to a bomb threat. Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili appealed to lawmakers to leave the building, despite the fact that a bomb threat earlier this year turned out to […]
One more Stalin monument appears in Georgia
The new Stalin bust in Vanta. (ick.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new Stalin bust has appeared in the village Vanta in Kakheti. It stands on the fence of one of the houses, in front of a shop. Dali Kirvalidze, a resident in the house with the fence, says strangers installed the bust without their permission when the family […]
Saakashvili goes for a walk at 4500 meters’ height
President Mikheil Saakashvili on top of Mount Kazbek (Kazbegi). (President’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has gone for another mountain walk, this time to conquer Mount Kazbeg, one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus, reaching 5 047 meters above sea level. According to the president’s administration, Saakashvili accepted […]
Georgia’s Ivanishvili visiting Latvia
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is visiting Latvia for two days, starting Friday. The visit begins with a meeting with Andris Bērziņš, President of Latvia, and Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis. Ivanishvili will also meet with the speaker of […]
Storm leaves thick sediment, danger of landslides
A fallen tree on the waterfront in Batumi. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite heavy rains and wind in the west of Georgia the last two days, no serious damage was done to villages and towns. But there is still a danger of landslides. Strong wind and rain caused problems in several regions of Georgia for the last two […]
Georgia destroys 110 DVDs with illegal surveillance videos
Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili feeding a surveillance DVD into a shredding maching Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The interior minister in Georgia Thursday destroyed 110 DVDs containing highly sensitive footage illegally acquired by the domestic intelligence during President Saakashvili’s government. The DVDs contained 144 files, totaling 181 hours, and were fed […]
Georgians in Syria will return home on Sunday
Archil Dzuliashvili, Georgian Ambassador to Egypt. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian citizens who are currently in Syria will return home on September 8, Archil Dzuliashvili, Georgian Ambassador to Egypt, said Thursday. Georgia will cover transportation costs for 18 of its citizens in order to bring them home from Syria, […]
Still unknown who will be Georgia’s next prime minister
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite the great public interest, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili refrains from naming his replacement as he steps down in the near future. Georgia’s next head of government will benefit from a constitutional change which invests the prime minister with […]
Russia offers Georgia help in bringing civilians home from Syria
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he trusts the US’s conclusion about chemical weapons use in Syria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia offers to assist in returning Georgian citizens to their home country from Syria. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told media Wednesday that the offer was conveyed to Zurab Abashidze, the prime minister’s special representative for relations with […]
Ivanishvili offers UNM to give advice through mediators
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he will only deal with Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party through mediators and suggests that they present their views to experts who then will explain it to the government. Ivanishvili […]
Ivanishvili: Georgia might join Eurasian Union
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanisvhili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanisvhili doesn’t rule out that Georgia might join the Eurasian Union, which will span most of the former Soviet Union when it is realized. But Ivanishvili says Georgia will only become member if it is benificial for the […]
Georgia and Russia to meet in Prague in mid September
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Russia plan another round of direct talks in Prague in the middle of September. The Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, Zurab Abashidze, told journalists on Tuesday that the details of the meeting are […]
Georgia on high alert as flooding expected Thursday evening
Batumi. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm system is expected to hit western Georgia for the next two days, starting late on Wednesday. The weather forecast predicts a storm that will spread from the Baltic Sea to the shores of the Black Sea with cold and humid air masses, and […]
Salome Zourabichvili not allowed to register as a candidate
Salome Zourabichvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission refused to let former Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili register as a candidate for president in the upcoming election. The reason is that under Georgian legislation a citizen of a foreign country cannot […]
New Stalin statue in Telavi paint bombed
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new Stalin monument in the east of Georgia was paint bombed the same day as the opening ceremony. As Stalin monuments are resurrected around Georgia’s towns and villages, protesters paint them with slogans against the dictator […]
Georgia’s dirty archive to be destroyed on September 5
The Interior Ministry’s “Moduli” building in Saburtalo, Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A date has been set for destroying the Soviet-style ‘dirty archive’ accumulated by the secret police during the Saakashvili regime: September 5 at 15:00. Some of the archive consists of videos from hidden cameras pointing into the bedroom of […]
Hospital director accused of harassment and discrimination
Health Minister David Sergeenko said Iashvili Children’s Hospital was sold without any consultations with the ministry. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Doctors at the largest children’s hospital in Georgia accuse its new owner of sexual harassment, physical abuse and religious discrimination. Staff of several hospitals gathered outside the main entrance of Iashvili Hospital on Monday to protest against what […]
Ivanishvili explains reasons for leaving Georgian politics
Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Press office photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili seems to be sticking to his word and really plans to leave politics after two years in the game. On Monday, he issued another open letter explaining the reasons for his leaving. But again, he left the main […]
Georgia to brief its diplomatic corps about foreign policy
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Ministry is holding a conference for its diplomats. Maia Panjikidze, Foreign Affairs Minister, opened the conference in Tbililsi Monday. Prime Minister Ivanishvili and other government representatives will also attend the meeting, […]
Georgian government impatient with delayed ambassadors issue
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the government is growing impatient as President Saakashvili has delayed for nine months the confirmation of seven new ambassadors. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said Saakashvili has not fulfilled his promise, but National Movement […]
New Stalin statue unveiled in Telavi, Georgia
A new statue of Joseph Stalin was unveiled in Telavi, Georgia. (tv1.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A monument of Stalin has been installed in Telavi, a town in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region. The new statue is the work of two organizations, Stalineli and Veteran Union, and the creation of the monument was financed by donations. It now stands at the […]
Croatian climber found 39 years after his death
Croatian climber Nenad Culic, who died in 1974, has been found. (police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rescue crew for the Georgian Interior Ministry’s emergency service have discovered a corpse of a Croatian climber who was lost in Caucasian mountains in 1974. A group of Croatian rock climbers went on an expedition to Ushba in the Svaneti region […]
Muslims in Batumi, Georgia apply to build one more mosque
The mosque in Batumi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Muslims in Batumi have asked the central government for permission to build one more mosque in the Black Sea coastal city, as the one mosque they have is not big enough. On Friday, people gathered and conducted prayers at the a deserted plot marked […]
Georgia lacks ambassador to 7 countries, Saakashvili hasn’t signed
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is without ambassador in seven countries, because the president has failed to sign their confirmation. Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze said on Saturday that President Mikheil Saakashvili still hasn’t signed the document to confirm […]
Friday prayer in Chela as minaret lies in storage 2 km away
(Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The minaret that was dismantled in southern Georgia earlier in the week and taken to Tbilisi has been returned to its village, but remains in pieces for the time being. The Revenue Service, which promised to rebuild it where it once stood […]
Russia to simplify visa rules for Georgian citizens
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia is to simplify visa rules for Georgian citizens. Zurab Abashidze, the Georgian PM’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, told Russian media that visa rules will be simplified for Georgian citizens who are planning to visit Russia […]
22 Georgians trapped in Damascus
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Georgia is working on providing a safe route out of Syria for Georgian citizens who are in Damascus. Two days ago, Rustavi 2 reported that there are 22 Georgians in Damascus requesting help from the government. They […]
Compromise about minaret will create new inter-religious council
“Give us freedom of faith” says this poster. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Agreement was reached by Muslim and Christian leaders in Georgia on Thursday about what to do with a minaret which was removed from a mosque earlier in the week. The Georgian Orthodox Church — the Patriarchate — and the organizations Muslims of […]
New inquest into how Saakashvili regime trained Chechen rebels
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili Thursday announced a separate inquest into the Lapankuri border skirmish in August 2012, which claimed the lives of fourteen people. Nanuashvili told Interpressnews a new inquest is necessary because more than a year has […]
Victims families don’t want Saakashvili to score points on them
Khatuna Kortava says her nephew was a victim of the Saakashvili regime. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili’s National Movement is meeting resistance in its efforts to play the crime card in the election campaign. “No-one should be led by Saakashvili to try to score political points in my child’s name,” says Khatuna Kortava, aunt of Levan Kortava, […]
Head of Adjara region promises to let minaret be reerected
“Everybody has a right to pray”, says this poster. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On Wednesday, it seemed that a minaret which was taken down, ostensibly for tax audit purposes, would be put back up. Archil Khabadze, head of government in the Adjara region, said the minaret in Chela would be rebuilt on Thursday. Muslims had come […]
Saakashvili calls Ivanishvili a “zoo director” for releasing prisoners
President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) compared Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili to a zoo director for releasing prisoners. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili called Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili a “zoo director” and compared persons released in an amnesty to animals. Saakashvili said he usually gets a warm welcome in Batumi, and was surprised when there was a demonstration […]
Former prison minister: ‘I didn’t know about abuse until Oct 2012’
Dimitri Shashkin yesterday said he didn’t know there was abuse in the prisons until October 2012, although nine prison staff were reprimanded in 2011 after the Council of Europe exposed systematic mistreatment. (Maestro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The exiled Saakashvili ally Dimitry Shashkin returned to Georgia on Wednesday to answer questions about the abuse in the prisons. Shashkin was among many officials in the former regime who fled the country after the National Movement’s election […]
Three Georgians released from Tskhinvali detention
Tsitelubani. (tv1.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgians were released on Wednesday by Russian soldiers in South Ossetia, a Georgian breakaway region. Irakli Merebashvili, and the couple Nana Vanishvili, Alexandre Tsertsvadze and their teenage child were detained on August 22 in the village […]
Georgia releases 429 prisoners who were pardoned
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–429 prisoners were released on Wednesday in connection with the Georgian religious holiday Mariamoba. August 28, Georgia celebrates the assumption of Mary, known as Mariamoba. In connection with the holiday, the president customarily pardons […]
Demonstrations continue after dismantling of minaret
The Public Defender calls for an immediate investigation of the violence during a demonstration against the dismantling of a minaret in southern Georgia. (Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–All the people detained while protesting against the dismantling of a minaret at a Mosque in the village Chela, in southern Georgia, have now been released. Meanwhile, the protests continue in the village and support rallies are held in the capital […]
Gamgebeli detained in village where minaret was dismantled
In Chela, where a minaret was recently taken down from the local mosque, the head of the local government has been detained. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia on Tuesday detained the head of the local government in Adigeni in the south of the country, where a minaret of mosque was recently dismantled. Gamgebeli Simon Parunashvili, who is member of the National Movement, is charged with […]
Saakashvili calls for measures to prevent religious strife
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has asked the Ivanishvili government for a dialogue to discuss how to establish ‘civil peace’ after the dismantling of a minaret, but the government rejected the idea, and the vice premier said there have never been […]
Georgia may take part in UN peacekeeping operations
Minister of Defense Irakli Alasania visited the United States and met Edmond Mulet, the UN’s Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia may take part in UN-led peacekeeping operations. This is clear after a visit to the U.S. by Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. During the visit, Alasania and Irakli Dzneladze, head of Joint Staff of Georgia’s armed forces, met with Edmond […]
Tension in Bolnisi after vote to impeach gamgebeli
Conflict along political fault lines were brought to the surface in Bolnisi. (Channel One.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was tension outside Bolnisi municipality building on Monday when some members of the city council wanted to hold a secret ballot and impeach the new head of the municipality, who was appointed in January by the Georgian Dream coalition. 13 […]
EU concerned about Putin’s Abkhazia visit
De facto president Alexandre Ankvab (left) and Russian president Vladimer Putin. (Kremlin photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union Delegation to Georgia expresses concern about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia. The EU delegation on Tuesday issued a statement saying that it recalls that the EU doesn’t […]
Olympic Committee chairman released on bail
TBILISI, DFWatch–The former head of Georgia’s National Olympic Committee and the founder of Artesi Ltd were released on 200 000 lari (USD 120 000) bail each and will have 30 days to pay the bail. The Prosecutor’s Office asked for 300 000 bail for each of them. 16 […]
Reports of frequent police searches in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–For the last few days people have been reporting that the police have stopped them in the street and searched them. Some have also been taken to the local police station for further questioning. The incidents have taken place mainly in the capital. […]
Putin visits Abkhazia, celebrates recognition
De facto Abkhazian President Alexandre Ankvab (left) and Russian President Vladimer Putin. (Official Kremlin photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia Monday and congratulated de facto President Alexandre Ankvab on the ‘five year anniversary since Russia recognized its independence’. Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has […]
Precise data confirm 2% drop in foreign trade turnover Jan-Jul
Used cars is still Georgia’s number one export article. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Precise data from Georgian Statistics Department (GeoStat) show that Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first seven months of 2013 was two percent less than in 2012. The total amount of foreign trade turnover in January-July 2013 was USD 5 662 […]
Turkey reduces transit fee for Georgian trucks
(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Turkey has lowered the transit fee for Georgian registered trucks to a quarter after several Georgian trucks failed to pay the amount usually paid by every other country. From September 1, so-called panel vans and minibuses will have to pay 150 or 300 […]
Third day of Batumi Summer Set canceled due to bad weather
Most visitors on Friday had come to see Sleep Party People. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The third day of Batumi Summer Set electronic music festival had to be canceled due to bad weather as water flooded the festival area and destroyed equipment. The festival in Georgia’s largest Black Sea beach resort started on August 22 with Danish […]
Georgian Olympic Committee chair charged with embezzlement
TBILISI, DFWatch–Former member of parliament and chairman of the Olympic Committee Gia Natsvlishvili is charged with appropriation of 4 052 108 lari (USD 2.5 million) of public money. He denies guilt. The investigative service of the Ministry of Finance said Saturday […]
How the role of the president will change in Georgia
Power will shift from president to prime minister after October’s election. Pictured: President Mikheil Saakashvili (left), and Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Photo published on Ivanishvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will change from a presidential republic into a parliamentary one after the election on October 27. We give you the details. The new president will start fulfilling his duties as soon as he has been sworn in, and after this ceremony, the […]
217 prisoners in Georgia recommended for pardoning
Elene Tevdoradze, head of the pardon commission. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The pardon commission on Friday reviewed the cases of 500 prisoners. 217 were given a positive recommendation. The commission received recommendations from the president, who has the right to pardon prisoners independently or based on the […]
Three Georgians detained by Russian soldiers near South Ossetia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers Friday detained three Georgian citizens close to the breakaway region South Ossetia. The incident took place as the father of one the detainees, Aleksandre Tsertsvdze, was being driven by his neighbor to the neighboring village, […]
Georgia’s Ivanishvili explains decision to close Channel 9
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says many of Channel 9’s journalists were not professionals. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says journalists and employees of TV9 made a mistake when they closed down the channel immediately after his statement. “Journalists didn’t come to TV9 from BBC and CNN. Many of them weren’t professionals; [they] […]
Mafia has been contained, claims Georgia’s prison minister
Prison Minister Sozar Subari. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prison Minister Sozar Subari on Friday responded to accusations made by the National Movement yesterday that the government has allowed the mafia to make a comeback in Georgian prisons. Prisoners with influence over other inmates, called supervisors, […]
New mosque planned in Kakheti, eastern Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A mosque is going to be built in a village in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region. Badrudin Ibragimov, Chairman of National-Cultural Autonomy of Avar in South Caucasus, told Intepressnews that at the moment, the project is acquiring all the necessary […]
Georgian NGOs want a new CEC head with UN background
TBILISI, DFWatch–Eleven non-governmental organizations which work on election issues will Friday name their candidate to fill the vacant position as chairman of the Central Election Commission. The NGOs plan to propose Tamar Zhvania, a project manager at […]
Tottenham beats Dinamo Tbilisi 0-5
Dinamo Tbilisi lost 0-5 to Tottenham Hotspur in Tbililsi Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Dinamo Tbilisi lost Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur 0-5. The play-off match for UEFA Europa League was held at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. Tottenham scored in the 13th minute and added one more goal in the first half. By the end of [...]
Mafia controls Georgia’s prisons, claims Saakashvili’s party
TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement blames the government for allowing the mafia to run the prisons in Georgia. Mikheil Ghurtskhaia, spokesperson for the Prison Ministry, does not deny that criminals have power in the prisons, but told DF Watch that when UNM was in […]
Tottenham plays against Dinamo Tbilisi Thursday
Tottenham players training in Tbilisi before Thursday’s match. (Tottenham Hotspur website.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Dinamo Tbilisi plays against Tottenham Hotspur at 20:00 today at Dinamo stadium in Tbilisi. The London team arrived in Georgia on Tuesday and left the airport without comment. Practicing matches were held at Dinamo stadium. The match is part of the […]
Georgian soldier dies in apparent suicide
Giorgi Mebonia. TBILISI, DFWatch–A recruit has died at a Georgian military air base near the capital Tbilisi. According to the ministry, the incident happened on Wednesday at a checkpoint while he was on duty. The body of the deceased, Giorgi Mebonia, has been taken to the National […]
Georgia’s finance minister reminds staff of election rules
Minister of Finance Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of Finance Nodar Khaduri has sent out a special statement to ministry employees that makes clear what restrictions they must follow regarding election campaigning. The statement concerns the Code of Conduct for public servants and includes […]
Batumi Summer Set Festival kicks off Thursday
Batumi is getting ready for three days of electronic music. (Festival handout photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s sea resort Batumi is hosting a three-day summer festival of electronic music starting Thursday. Batumi Summer Set Festival runs from August 22 to 24 and will host many well-known names in the genre. Among the headliners are Denmark’s […]
Armed robbery in Bank of Georgia branch in downtown Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Bank of Georgia was subject to an armed robbery in downtown Tbilisi late on Wednesday. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was tight-lipped about the details, beyond noting that an investigation has been launched and criminal experts are studying the […]
Saakashvili wants to promote wine industry after end of term
President Mikheil Saakashvili is feeling bored sitting in his office. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili plans to open an education center for viticulture, wine-making and vine care in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, where he owns a house and vineyards. Speaking in front of journalists at his palace in Tbilisi Wednesday, […]
Witness in Girgvliani case suspended as priest
Mikael Botkoveli, head of the press office at the Patriarchate. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Church, the Patriarchate, has suspended a priest who recently claimed that the Prosecutor’s Office pressured him to give testimony against former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia. Mikael Botkoveli, head of the press office at […]
Queue outside president’s palace to get criminal records cleared
Ex-prisoners are queueing outside the presidential palace after Saakashvili promised to clear their records. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former prisoners and people on probation crowded outside President Mikheil Saakashvili’s palace in Tbilisi after he offered to pardon them and clear their criminal record. The president said August 19 that people who are probationers or have […]
Georgian hospitalized in Athens, beaten while awaiting extradition
Davit Chkhitunidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian man is in hospital in a serious condition after being beaten while in detention awaiting his extradition to his home country. The man, Davit Chkhitunidze, was detained at Athens airport on August 14 as he was preparing to fly to Turkey, […]
Georgia improves listing on failed states index
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is in 55th place of 178 countries on the Failed States Index for 2013. This is a slight improvement position compared to previous years. On top of the list are Somalia, Congo, Sudan and South Sudan. The least failed countries are Finland, […]
Georgia’s election system: Improvements and pitfalls
From left to right: Levan Natroshvili (TI), Lela Taliauri (GYLA), Irina Imerlishvili, MP, and journalist Rusiko Machaidze. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–DF Watch organized a round table on election issues with representatives of two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition. They discussed amendments to the election legislation and also problems which […]
Georgia’s commission to prevent election fraud holds first session
Minister of Justice, Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s interagency commission for free and fair elections on Monday held its first session. It was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice. The commission was created ahead of last year’s parliamentary election to prevent […]
Several buyers express interest in Channel 9
TV 9 director Luba Eliashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several persons have already expressed interest in buying Georgia’s Channel 9, which yesterday stopped functioning. The TV station’s director Luba Eliashvili said to employees gathered outside its office building that several persons already have […]
Tbilisi budget expanded by 4%
Tbilisi City Hall. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A majority of Tbilisi City Council has voted for expanding the city budget by 17 million lari (USD 10.2 million) to 740 million lari (USD 445 million) — a four percent increase. Mayor Gigi Ugulava from the former ruling National Movement party […]
Update: Channel 9 has gone off air from tonight
TBILISI, DFWatch–TV9, a channel affiliated with Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, went off air on Monday. It had earelier announced that it would close on September 1. The news program at 21:00 was its final broadcast, with News Director Luba Eliashvili saying goodbye […]
Landslides in Georgia’s Guria region forced families to flee
Landslides have been accelerated by the heavy rain, says Valerian Chitashvili, governor of Guria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several families have been forced from their homes in Ozurgeti, in Georgia’s western Guria region, due to a landslide. Valerian Chitashvili, governor of Guria, told journalists that two days of heavy rains in the region accelerated the landslides […]
Georgia’s Channel 9 goes off air September 1
Luba Eliashvili, head of Channel 9’s news division. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Channel 9, a TV company affiliated with Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, is to be closed from September 1. Luba Eliashvili, chairman of the TV company’s news division, explained that for the last ten months they have been looking for new owners […]
22 families cut off by flooding in Georgia’s Guria region
The flood struck the village Ureki in the middle of the tourist season. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–22 families are cut off from the outside world due to flood in the village Chanchati, in Georgia’s western Guria region. Gulnara Chichua, government trustee in the village, told journalists that the flood also has affected other villages in Guria, […]
Why were youth fighting in Georgia’s Pankisi Valley?
Police cars in Duisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A conflict of unknown nature has developed between Kists and local Georgian youth in Pankisi Valley, which lies in the northeast of Georgia, at the foot of the Caucasus mountains. No-one is injured, but the situation is tense and the Interior […]
Georgian beach resort on the Black Sea hit by flood
The flood water was one meter high and rising, locals said Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Black Sea resort Ureki was flooded after heavy rain on Sunday. Part of the population is leaving the place and requesting help from the government. Tens of houses were flooded, and a landslide has blocked the roads. Kote Sharashenidze, […]
Six policemen released on bail in Tamazashvili case
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court releasing six policemen on bail who were detained for fabricating evidence to build a case against Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s father-in-law, Tamaz Tamazashvili. The six are charged with planting a weapon on […]
Okruashvili detained at Nice airport after scuffle
Irakli Okruashvili in Tbilisi, January 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili was Saturday briefly detained by French police after a scuffle with another Georgian politician, former MP Merab Samadashvili. The scuffle took place at Nice airport. Okruashvili was later released by airport police. […]
Bacho Akhalaia to be questioned about Girgvliani murder
Bacho Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Law enforcers are considering another charge against former Interior Minister Bacho Akhalaia and want to question him about the murder of Sandro Girgvliani in 2006. Tbilisi Prosecutor Maya Mtsariashvili told journalists that in the course of the […]
Ex prison minister questioned about torture, claims didn’t know
“Of course I didn’t know,” Khatuna Kalmakhelidze said on Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia Friday summoned the former prison and defense ministers to question them about the torture in the prisons during the Saakashvili regime. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, it has found, after a number […]
OSCE election observers will arrive in Georgia Sept 16
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–OSCE’s long term observers for the upcoming presidential election will arrive in Georgia on September 16. Maia Panjikidze, Foreign Affairs Minister, on Friday told journalists that Georgia has received a positive response from the NATO Parliamentary […]
TSU elects former economy minister as new rector
Newly elected TSU rector Vladimer Papava (left) and his predecessor Aleksandre Kvitashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vladimer Papava, an economics professor who was economy minister during President Shevardnadze in the 1990s, has been elected as rector of Tbilisi State University. Papava was supported by ten of the board’s 12 members, the remaining two voted for Irma […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover down 2% Jan-Jul
Data for January-July of previous years. (GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Foreign trade turnover in January-July 2013 fell by 2 percent compared to the same period in 2012, according to preliminary data from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat. The total foreign trade turnover in the first seven months […]
Destruction of Georgia’s ‘dirty archive’ delayed again
Minister of Internal Affairs, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s interior minister says the dirty Soviet-style archive of compromising surveillance videos illegally amassed by the Saakashvili regime will be destroyed in the ‘next few days’, but the date remains unknown. Interior Minister Irakli […]
Foreign investments in Georgia down by a fifth in 2012
FDI in Georgia in 2012, broken down by sector. Preliminary data. (Source: investingeorgia.org.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia fell by almost a fifth in 2012, compared to 2011, according to data from the National Statistics Department (Geostat). In 2012, the total amount of foreign investments was USD 912 million. This is five percent […]
Georgia’s CEC head goes into politics, may run for president
Zurab Kharatishvili, for years head of the Central Election Commission, left his job to become a politician. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Zurab Kharatishvili, head of the Central Election Commission in Georgia, on Thursday explained that he resigned in order to go into politics and may even run for president. On Monday, Kharatishvili applied to parliament for permission to leave as CEC head. […]
TSU students to protest Friday against rector election
TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at Tbilisi State University are planning a protest on Friday against the system of having the 12-member academic board of the institution elect a rector. Organizers say it is not right that only 12 persons decide this, when there are more […]
Georgia increases subsidizes for wine industry threefold
Minister of Agriculture Shalva Pipia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is subsidizing the grape harvest with 25 million lari (USD 15 million) in the form of cheap loans to wine companies. This is a threefold rise, compared to previous years. Explaining the increased stimulation of the wine […]
Saakashvili writes address to Abkhazians on anniversary of war
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–“The war didn’t start between Georgians and Abkhazians – this war was imposed on our people, that’s why we will win together – Georgians and Abkhazians,” President Mikheil Saakashvili said 21 years after the Abkhazian War started. The war […]
Economy minister and UNM candidate cancel meeting
Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said the UNM’s call for a crisis meeting was election PR. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A planned meeting between two top people in the main political blocs in Georgia has been scuttled by a disparaging remark by one of the sides. Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili from the Georgian Dream coalition, and Davit Bakradze, the National […]
Protester detained at Bacho Akhalaia trial released
Giorgi Gabedava was detained Tuesday at the trial of Bacho Akhalaia, who by many is seen as responsible for the prison torture. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Front member Giorgi Gabedava, who was detained yesterday at a rally outside Tbilisi City Court, was today released and given a 100 lari (USD 60) fine. He was charged with petty hooliganism and admitted guilt. During the hearing, Gabedava […]
Uzbek citizen charged with murder and trafficking in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has charged an citizen of Uzbekistan for human trafficking. The suspect, Nargizbegim Nakhmanova, born in 1984, is charged in absentia for four different violations, according to the Interior Ministry. Apart from […]
Many hospitals to return to public ownership in Georgia
The Oncological Clinic in Tbilisi. (1tv.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hospitals which are owned by Aditti, and the Oncological clinic in Tbilisi, will become government property, the Health Minister Davit Sergeenko says. The Oncological center in Tbilisi was privatized and bought by Canadian Pegasus Pharmaceuticals […]
Three detained as anger boils over outside Akhalaia trial
Crowds awaiting the verdict in the case against Bacho Akhalaia. Many see him as responsible for the prison torture. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three people were Tuesday detained at a rally outside Tbilisi City Court where the case against ex-minister Bacho Akhalaia went on. In a few days, the court will announce its verdict in the final case against Akhalaia which deals with torture […]
Two drowned in Georgia mine accident
Mine workers in Chiatura pictured during the strike in November, 2012. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two mine workers have drowned in a mine in Chiatura as result of an accident as water flowed up while they were drilling in an old mine. Roland Nozadze, 51, shift leader, and Iuza Samkharadze, 49, worker, died as result of an accident. Two other […]
Ivanishvili launches his candidate’s presidential election campaign
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (left) and candidate for president Giorgi Margvelashvili with supporters in Nokalakevi. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili opened the Georgian Dream coalition’s election campaign on Monday, in the historical town Nokalakevi. The event marked the official launch of the coalition’s election campaign and its candidate for president, […]
Ex minister submits US Justice Department report in own defense
Police used excessive force on May 26, 2011, according to Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association. TBILISI, DFWatch–The lawyer of the detained former prime minister Vano Merabishvili demands to stop the criminal prosecution against his client, or at least release him on bail, after the publication of a report commissioned by the US Justice Department. […]
EU calls for restraint after shooting near South Ossetia checkpoint
The village Kveshi. (Radio Tavisupleba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In the morning of August 10, there was a shooting incident close to the so-called administrative border around South Ossetia. A patrol car of Georgia’s Interior Ministry and representatives of EUMM were present. The Georgian Interior Ministry in […]
Georgia had 26% more tourists so far in 2013
The Black Sea coast is a popular destination in summer. Here Ganmukhuri. TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of people who visited Georgia has increased by 26 percent in the first seven months of 2013 compared to the same period last year. Giorgi Sigua, Chairman of the National Tourism Administration, said at a briefing that in the first seven […]
EBRD compliments Georgia on stabilizing bank sector
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says Georgia’s bank sector is in ‘a very good shape’. Sir Suma Chakrabarti, EBRD President, said in an interview with the Georgian edition of Forbes Magazine that many […]
Georgia’s CEC head resigns
Zurab Kharatishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two months before Georgia’s presidential election, the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Zurab Kharatishvili, has resigned. Kharatishvili’s reason for leaving is not known. He has published a statement saying that he is leaving, but will […]
Former prisoners demand Supreme Court chair’s resignation
Demonstrators in Batumi don’t want any ‘cohabitation’ between the Saakashvili regime and the current government. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former political prisoners and refugees from Abkhazia held a rally in Batumi on Sunday outside the prosecutor’s office in Adjara to demand the arrest of Supreme Court Chairman Kote Kublashvili and the dismissal of Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili. […]
Three prison staff out on bail in Kortava case
The court building in Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three prison staff suspected of wrongdoing in connection with the death of a prisoner in a town in western Georgia were Saturday released on bail. The Appeals Court in Georgia’s second city Kutaisi decided to release Giga Kokhodze, Aleko Babunashvili […]
Two ships with Georgian crew in trouble off Croatia and Algeria
Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five Georgian sailors are stuck on a ship in Croatian waters. Seven other Georgians are stuck on another ship off the Algerian coast. The sailors haven’t been paid salary for months and cannot return to Georgia. Owner of both ships is a Slovenian company which […]
Heavy rain floods 500 houses in Khoni
People in Khoni were up since 4 am Friday removing water from their homes. (tv9.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rain water poured into the village Khoni in western Georgia Friday, flooding the basements and first floors of 500 houses and killing poultry. Locals tell journalists they haven’t slept all night but have been out cleaning their houses and saving […]
Saakashvili goes hiking
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Saakashvili Friday left the capital for a three day hike at Tobavarchkhila Lake. He brought with him several members of the National Movement. Saakashvili spoke about his trip in an interview with the Public Broadcaster’s channel 1 […]
Former MP detained for shooting at village official
Tengiz Jgushia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police have detained former MP Tengiz Jgushia, who is suspected of yesterday having shot at the deputy head of a local government near the town Zugdidi, in western Georgia. Jgushia was member of parliament for the Citizen’s Union from 1995 to 1999 and […]
Last two defendents in ‘tractors case’ out on bail
Cheap tractors were bought, and public money siphoned off, prosecutors say. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court Thursday released on bail the last two persons who had been detained in the so-called tractor case. All in all, seven are accused on charges spanning negligence, state money embezzlement and pressure on experts. […]
OSCE highlights plight of people in conflict areas
Dvani, a village in the conflict area. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five years after the war between Russia and Georgia, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has called for action to help the people in the conflict-affected areas. Supporting political negotiations is not enough, the OSCE […]
Bakradze calls for national agreement to ensure stability
The National Movement’s candidate for president, Davit Bakradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Movement presidential candidate Davit Bakradze has put forth a plan called the national agreement and asked the ruling Georgian Dream coalition to make changes to solve the country’s economic problems. Presenting his party’s initiative […]
One more detained for suspicious prisoner death
The deceased, Levan Kortava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office has detained another suspect in the case of the death of Levan Kortava. Prosecutors at the western regional office detained Iveri Gogoberidze on the basis of a court decision, according to a statement by the Prosecutor’s Office. […]
2008 war remembered in Gori
Torch lighting event on Wednesday to commemorate the 2008 war. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Every year after the Russia-Georgia war in 2008 there have been planned different events for the five days the war lasted to pay tribute to the victims. Events were planned today in Gori, a town close to where the war took place. In the morning there […]
Georgian government says economy is not in crisis
Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has answered its critics who say that the economy is in crisis, assuring them that all commitments and plans will be fulfilled and that the economy is in no danger. Georgian Dream coalition MPs on Wednesday met with the […]
Georgia and Ukraine to boost bilateral trade
TBILISI, DFWatch-Georgia and Ukraine plan to increase bilateral trade turnover to one billion USD in 2013. This was reported by Ukrainian media after a meeting between Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Vilkul and Georgian Ambassador Mikhail Ukleba. Vilkul said […]
Five years since the Russia-Georgia war
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The situation is still tense in the conflict region five years after the Russia-Georgia war, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and the occupation of two Georgian breakaway territories by Russia. The recent tension was caused by Russian soldiers […]
45 inmates on hunger strike at Rustavi women’s prison
Prison Minister Sozar Subari. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–45 inmates are on hunger strike in the women’s prison in Rustavi, demanding to bring back the recently fired director of the facility. Later today, 80 other prisoners in a sign of solidarity refused to eat bread. They demand that Salome Janelidze […]
Limestone formation partly destroyed along Kazbegi road
A construction company needed an access road and cut through the limestone. Environmentalists say it will take centuries for the rock to reform. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A large part of a massive limestone formation in Georgia has been destroyed during repair work on a tunnel. The rock formation is located at a section of road between Gudauri and Kobi, leading up into the Kazbegi mountains in the north of Georgia, […]
Medvedev: Razor wire fences were not agreed with me
In the village Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says that the installation of razor wire close to the so-called administrative border with South Ossetia was not agreed with the Kremlin. In May, Russian soldiers moved a de facto border line around South […]
Medvedev wants Georgia to join Eurasian Union
Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev interviewed by Georgian TV five years after the war: ‘Georgia should be interested in joining the Eurasian Union, because it is a neighbor of Russia.’ “We will never be neighbors with the US whatever happens. […]
Locals in Bolnisi demand the resignation of municipality head
Bolnisi municipality building. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals of Bolnisi, a town in southern Georgia, demand the resignation of the acting head of the local government, the gamgebeli, because they believe he is not fulfilling any of his duties. People in Bolnisi, in the Kvemo Kartli region, claim that […]
Contradictory new data about crime rate in Georgia
Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) (New comments added from Prof Jan van Dijk.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry and the National Statistics Department, GeoStat, have published different statistics of the level of crime in the country. The Statistics Department data says that the number of criminal cases has increased, […]
Three detained after suspicious prisoner death
TBILISI, DFWatch–Three persons have been placed in pre-trial detention for two months pending trial, after a suspicious death of a prisoner. The prisoner, Levan Kortava, died May 23 at the prison hospital after being moved there from Geguti prison, a village […]
Three prisoners on hunger strike in Ksani prison
TBILISI, DFWatch–Three prisoners are on a hunger strike at Ksani prison. The Prison Ministry said Monday that August 1 one of its prisoners, a man called Kakha, had sewed his eyelids shut as a sign of protest, as he perceives himself as innocent and demands to […]
River bursts its banks in Ozurgeti, carries away two people in car
(Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A river burst its banks in Georgia’s western Guria region Monday and flooded about fifteen houses in the town Ozurgeti. According to local media, the water carried a car with two people inside into the river Shuti. One of them was a pregnant woman. […]
Farmer cut down peach field in protest against falling prices
Gia Shaoshvili is the first to carry out a threat by peach farmers to cut down their plantations if the government doesn’t help them. (ick.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A peach farmer in Georgia has cut down his plantation because the government hasn’t helped him and his colleagues deal with a slump in the market price. When Gia Shaoshvili , a resident of the village Chumlaki in the eastern Kakheti region, carried […]
Parliament in Georgia starts to review constitutional amendments
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia is starting to review a set of amendments to the constitution that aim to balance powers between the prime minister and the parliament, after a draft has been through a process of public discussion. The hearing process […]
Protesters demand halt in construction work at Turtle Lake
Demonstrators want to preserve the area as a recreational zone. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A rally was held on Sunday to protest the planned construction of a new restaurant at Turtle Lake in Tbilisi. Demonstrators say it will destroy a recreation zone. The demonstrations started in late July, when there was first put up a sign […]
Georgian government contests negative growth figures
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s economy and finance ministries claim that data recently published by the National Statistics Department, GeoStat, showing negative economic growth is not final and will be adjusted twice. On Wednesday, GeoStat published a report about […]
Georgian court acquits priest accused of anti gay violence
May 17, 2013, thousands of activists disrupted a peaceful protest against homophobia in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Thursday ruled that there is not enough evidence to prove the guilt of priest Tamaz Bichinashvili in the incidents of May 17, when clerics and their supporters dispersed a peaceful LGBT rally in Tbilisi. When a few tens […]
Stalin statue to be restored at the museum in his hometown
The statue of Stalin has been stored outdoors in a yard since its dismantling in 2010. (Radio Tavisupleba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The monument of Stalin, which was removed from the pedestal in the central square in his hometown Gori in 2010, will be restored in the Stalin Museum in the same town. Georgian government officials deny any notion of rehabilitation of Stalin’s […]
New party financing model to include small parties
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has presented figures for how political parties are to receive state funding in this year’s election campaign. 2 100 000 lari (USD 1 300 000) will be allocated for the seven parties that are represented in parliament; 1 050 […]
Bakradze asks Ivanishvili for meeting to discuss crisis
Davit Bakradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Davit Bakradze, the National Movement’s presidential candidate, asks Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for a meeting to discuss how to get the country’s economy out of the crisis. The PM has not yet responded. On Wednesday, the National Statistics […]
Ivanishvili bloc in parliament loses one member
Koba Davitashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Koba Davitashvili, leader of the People’s Party, one of the Georgian Dream coalition partners, on Friday said he is leaving the coalition to run for president. Davitashvili said the reason for his leaving is a systematic disagreement with Prime Minister […]
Georgia’s new government criticized for economic policy
TBILISI, DFWatch–The new government in Georgia is coming under fire for its economic policy. Figures from the National Statistics Department, GeoStat, show that GDP in June was negative -0.8 percent compared to same period last year. President Saakashvili’s party […]
Six Georgians remain in detention in Tskhinvali
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Russian soldiers have detained one more Georgian citizen in a village close to the breakaway region South Ossetia. Locals say Mikheil Khurievi, 63, was in the village Tsitelubani on Georgian-controlled territory when Russian soldiers approached him. […]
Dirty archive to be destroyed in two weeks
Lasha Tugshushi, commission member says the part of archive will be destroyed by August 15 (IPN) TBilisi, DFWatch – Authorities in Georgia have set a time frame of two weeks for destroying part of an archive containing illegally obtained surveillance footage during the previous government. Lasha Tughushi, who is member of a commission to monitor […]
Polish climbers rescued after being trapped for three days
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Emergency workers in Georgia have saved four Polish climbers who have been trapped for three days atop one of the highest mountains in the Caucasus. The four became trapped on top of the mountain Shkara after one of them fell down when […]
Saakashvili ally and former minister acquitted
Close Saakashvili ally Bacho Akhalaia was partly acquitted, but some charges remain. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a controversial decision on Thursday, Tbilisi city court acquitted former defense and interior minister Bachana (“Bacho”) Akhalaia, of one of the charges against him. The acquittal relates to a charge of abuse of military personnel and illegal […]
People in Senaki are trying to cope with the flood
First floors and basements of houses in Senaki were flooded after heavy rain on Monday (DF Watch photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–In almost every house in Senaki’s main streets, people are using spades to get rid of mud and water after heavy flooding on Monday. Senaki is a small town in Samegrelo, in the western part of Georgia, with more than 25 000 residents. Elderly people […]
Saakashvili pardons former governor
Tengiz Gunava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has pardoned the former governor of Samegrelo region, who was sentenced to four years in jail. Ex-Governor Tengiz Gunava left prison Tuesday night and was greeted by members of Saakashvili’s party, the National […]
Saakashvili’s party had 700 state debit cards in ’12 campaign
TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Justice Minister Zurab Adeisvhili personally ordered the Chairman of Tbilisi Development Foundation to order debit cards, which made it possible to withdraw millions from the state coffers. The scheme was meant to be used to finance the National […]
Georgian Dream expels one member after protests
Protester outside the National Movement’s primary in Tbilisi, July 28, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream party has expelled one of its members and warned two of them in relation with the scuffle on July 20 in Zugdidi during the National Movement’s primary election. Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia on Monday issued a statement […]
Iran’s consul offers Georgia assistance in murder case
TBILISI, DFWatch–Iran’s consul in Georgia Ahmad-Reza Arzjani says the suspect in murder of a 16-year-old girl in Batumi Juy 22 has been in Turkey for the last two years. Mariam Kochalidze, 16, was murdered near the beach in Batumi, a Black Sea holiday resort and one […]
Senaki partly evacuated due to flooding
A civilian being rescued in the streets of Senaki, a town in western Georgia. (TV9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Part of Senaki in western Georgia has been evacuated because of flooding. Local reporters say more than 70 families have left the town. Hundreds of houses are underwater. The markets, theatre and other facilities are also hit, and car traffic has been rendered impossible. […]
1.7 mill bottles of Georgian wine exported to Russia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has exported more than 1.7 million bottles of wine to Russia after the lifting of an embargo from 2006, says Minister of Agriculture Shalva Pipia. Russia is now among the top five export markets for Georgia for wine, Pipia said Monday. […]
Margvelashvili accepts offer to hold presidential debates
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Georgian Dream coalition’s president candidate, Giorgi Margvelashvili, accepts the offer from his competitor Davit Bakradze from the National Movement, who invited him to a series of election debates. Margvelashvili told journalists on Monday that […]
Anti-Saakashvili protesters released
The protesters demanded that the Saakashvili regime be brought to justice. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Sunday released three persons who were detained on Saturday during a scuffle outside the National Movement’s party conference and gave them a 100 lari (USD 60) fine. Davit Chantladze, Irakli Chubabria and Pridon Merebashvili […]
Four Polish climbers trapped in the Caucasus mountains
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of Polish climbers are requesting help after four of them got stuck in the Caucasus mountains. One of the trapped climbers fell after a rope broke. He did not break any bones, but is having problems moving. Giorgi Dzagnide, head of the Interior […]
Lawmaker denies rumor of Rice becoming adviser to Ivanishvili
Tedo Japaridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tedo Japaridze, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in parliament, once more denies the rumor that Condoleezza Rice is to become advisor for the Georgian Prime Minister. In a new statement, Japaridze sheds some light on what happened during […]
Saakashvili’s party announces Bakradze as candidate for president
Three were detained during the protest outside the National Movement party conference in Tbilisi on Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Davit Bakradze, leader of the parliamentary opposition, has been announced as the National Movement’s official candidate for the upcoming presidential election. UNM’s sixth and final primary election was held on Saturday in Tbilisi. The final […]
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II visits Moscow, meets Putin
Patriarch of Russia Kirill I (left) and Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Patriarch Ilia II, who visited Russia for the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus, met with the Russian Patriarch Kirill I and invited him to Georgia. The meeting was held in Moscow on July 23 at the Russian Patriarchate to discuss […]
Suspect in Batumi murder detained in absentia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Batumi City Court Thursday detained the suspect in the murder of a 16-year old girl in absentia. Mohammadamin Rointan, a citizen of Iran, is suspected of having killed Mariam Kochalidze, 16, on July 23 in the boulevard of Batumi, a city […]
One man detained for parliament bomb scare
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police detained Omar, 71, on suspicion of being behind a false bomb threat at the parliament building in Kutaisi. Thursday parliament building was evacuated to allow law enforcers to conduct a bomb search. It later turned out that the report […]
One soldier dies in weapon accident at Vaziani, Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A soldier has died while examining a weapon at Vaziani military firing range on Thursday. According to the Defense Ministry, Major Otelo Gulgbiani was injured and was immediately brought to the hospital, but despite doctors’ efforts he died. Major died at Ingorokva […]
Bomb threat in Georgia’s parliament
TBILISI, DFWatch–Another problem was added to the list of mishaps that have afflicted the new parliament in Kutaisi, as there were reports of a bomb in the building. Davit Usupashvili, Speaker of Parliament, said that a stranger informed police that there was a bomb […]
Ivanishvili denies rumor that Rice offered him to be advisor
GD parliamentarian Tina Khidasheli (left), Condoleezza Rice and Tedo Japaridze, head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tedo Japaridze, who chairs the foreign affairs committee in parliament, denies rumors that former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be appointed as official advisor to the Georgian prime minister. A few days ago, the Russian newspaper […]
Bokeria pointing at government for attacks on opposition
Giga Bokeria says the police reaction to the violence in western Georgia was inadequate. (IPN.) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The interagency commission for free and fair election expresses concern about incidents, which took place this Saturday and Sunday during United National Movement’s primary election conferences in Batumi and Zugdidi, Western Georgia, where people threw […]
Margvelashvili: Ivanishvili leaving post, not politics
Georgian Dream presidential candidate Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) Tbilisi, DFWatch—The first remark about Bidzina Ivanishvili stepping down as prime minister came from the Georgian Dream coalition’s presidential candidate who says that ‘the PM plans to leave his post, but not politics.’ Giorgi Margvelashvili, Ivanishvili’s […]
Hepatitis C campaigners demand affordable treatment
The price on drugs necessary to treat hepatitis C has not been reduced in 15 years, say campaigners. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Non-governmental organizations and people affected by hepatitis C on Wednesday organized rallies outside pharmaceutical companies demanding a reduction in drug prices. According to rally participants, the price on drugs to treat hepatitis C has not […]
Suspect identified in murder of 16-year old girl
The suspect Mohamadamin Ruintan. (Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Interior Ministry Wednesday evening identified a 28-year old man as the suspect in the murder of 16-year old Mariam Kochalidze on July 22. The suspect is a citizen of Iran, Mohamadamin Ruintan, born in 1985. According to the statement, […]
33 000 of Georgia’s war refugees earn too much, will have aid cut
Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Refugee Minister Davit Darakhvelidze says about 33 000 refugees might have their 28 lari (USD 16) monthly allowance cut off because they their income is above the 1 500 lari limit. 10 000 of them earn about 20 000-30 000 lari (USD 12 000 […]
Georgia loses 0-1 to Serbia in U19 championship
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s on Tuesday lost 0-1 to Serbia in the European under-19 football championship in Lithuania. This is the first time Georgia has qualified and the team is now in third place in group B with one point after a 0-0 match against France. Serbia remains on top […]
16-year old girl brutally murdered in Batumi
Zhuzhuna Beridze said she believes her 16-year old daughter was murdered in a robbery. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 16-year old girl was found dead Monday evening near the new boulevard in Batumi, a beach resort and one of the main tourist destinations in Georgia. Lia Mgeladze, a friend of the victim’s family, said Mariam Kochalidze was found near […]
NGOs in Georgia appeal to EU to stop Russian border activity
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian National Platform, a coalition of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), appeals to EU to oppose Russia’s recent border moving and installing of razor wire at the so-called administrative border. The statement says that the Russian […]
World Bank funds USD 60 million reform program in Georgia
Georgia’s Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The World Bank is funding a USD 60 million program to support competitive and inclusive economic growth in Georgia. Signing the formal agreement for the Bank was its Regional Director for South Caucasus, Henri Kerali, and for Georgia, Finance […]
Government in Georgia overhauling election regulations
TBILISI, DFWatch–Less than three months before the presidential election, the Georgian Dream coalition is working on improving the election legislation, and has introduced five sets of amendments. According to the draft of the amendments, voters who were taken off […]
ISFED: No violations so far in Georgia’s election campaign
ISFED director Nino Lomjaria said a programme for loans to farmers may resemble voter bribery, as some of the money comes from a fund linked to Prime Minister Ivanishvili. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There has so far not been been observed any violations in the election campaign for the presidential election on October 27. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), a non-governmental organization which specializes in election […]
EU concludes negotiations about free trade with Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–EU and Georgia have finished talks on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and preparations are starting for a legal review of the text. Minister of Economy Giorgi Kvirikashvili said on Monday that finishing the negotiation […]
Georgia’s U19 team gets first point in UEFA championship
Georgia’s U19 team took its first point in the European championship Sunday in a match against France that ended 0-0. (UEFA.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s U19 football team played 0-0 against France on Sunday, gaining its first points in the European championship in Lithuania. “I’m really dissatisfied with the first half of the match. The other half was better,” Georgian U19 coach […]
Georgia to recount its refugees to prevent voter fraud
IPDs in a makeshift shelter in Zugdidi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is preparing to re-count its internal refugees, in order to prevent election fraud in the presidential election in October. Davit Darakhvelidze, the refugee minister, said re-registration is compulsory and will start from August 1, and that […]
Saakashvili’s party haunted by violent crowds
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Saakashvili’s National Movement had a tough weekend with both party conferences interrupted by demonstrators. After being greeted by an angry hoe-wielding crowd in Zugdidi Saturday, the UNM gathered in Batumi Sunday, only to see protesters […]
Violent protest outside Saakashvili party’s conference
Protesters want the National Movement party out of Samegrelo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement’s fourth primary on Saturday took place against the backdrop of violent clashes with an angry hoe-wielding crowd who threw stones and bottles. For the fourth time, the UNM’s primary was won by former Speaker of Parliament […]
Heavy rain and flooding in several regions of Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain caused flooding in several regions of Georgia Saturday. In Zugdidi, a region bordering the breakaway region Abkhazia, more than 20 villages are flooded, according to local reporters. Didinedzi is hardest hit, and has a water cover of more […]
Saakashvili loses majority in Tbilisi
Tbilisi city hall. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Saakashvili’s National Movement party has lost its majority in Tbilisi City Council. Members of Georgian Dream coalition, and former members of the National Movement who switched sides after the parliamentary election in 2012, […]
Georgia strengthening control with transit trucks
A trailer passing the border from Georgia to Azerbaijan. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is strengthening its control of transit trucks. Levan Izoria, Deputy Interior Minister, told DF Watch that the ministry made this decision after the number of car accidents increased and the number of casualties in accidents has also […]
Georgia to make US embassy into presidential residence
The current presidential palace is controversial. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is considering using the former US embassy in Tbilisi as presidential residence after the election on October 27. It’s unclear what would happen to the current presidential residence in Avlabari in the old part of Tbilisi. […]
One Georgian released by South Ossetia
(Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia has released Guram Gigineishvili, a Georgian who was detained five days ago in a village bordering on Russian-controlled territory. Russian soldiers detained Guram Gigineishvili in the village Bershueti while he was working in […]
Georgia’s PM Ivanishvili met Lithuania’s president
Bidzina Ivanishvili (left), Prime Minister of Georgia, and Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania. (Ivanishvili Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili on Thursday met President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė at the president’s palace. Grybauskaitė and Ivanishvili discussed bilateral relations and views on how to strengthen them. The Georgian […]
Protest camp outside town hall in Ozurgeti
Georgian Dream supporters demand the Georgian Dream gamgebeli’s resignation, because he supported a National Movement candidate for head of the town council. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For more than three weeks, activists and supporters of the Georgian Dream coalition have been protesting in front of town hall in Ozurgeti in the western Guria region of Georgia, against the acting head of the municipality. The activists have set up […]
Georgian patriarch to visit Russia July 23-30
Patriarch Ilia II during his last visit to Russia earlier this year. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Patriarch will visit Russia for the 1025th epiphany anniversary. Events for the anniversary will be held in Moscow, Kyiv and Minsk. Patriarch Ilia II will visit all three cities accompanied by a Georgian delegation July 23-30. […]
Ivanishvili government tries to clean up campaigning rules
Zakaria Kutsnashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new amendment to the election code will require top officials to resign two days after they are registered as candidates in the presidential election. The new regulations will apply to the prime minister, ministers of autonomous republics […]
EU parliamentarians visited Georgia’s jailed opposition leader
Vano Merabishvili during a court appearance. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU’s enlargement commissioner Štefan Füle has spoken by phone to the UNM Secretary General and former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili, who is in detention waiting to face trial. According to Merabishvili’s Facebook page, the European […]
Parliament passes statement on anti LGBT violence
Eka Beselia, head of the committee. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The human rights committee in parliament has passed a statement about the events of May 17, when radical priests and their supporters disrupted a peaceful demonstration against homophobia in Tbilisi. Before the final adoption on Tuesday, there have […]
One dead in mine explosion in Georgia
Conditions are tough in Georgian mines. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One person has died after an explosion in a mine in Chiatura, a town in the central parts of Georgia. This is sixth person who have died while working in the manganese mines the last three years. 11 have been so severely injured that they are unable […]
Interior Ministry denies it roughed up detainee who committed suicide
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia denies that there were violations or acts of brutality by the police during the questioning Mamuka Mikautadze, who a few weeks ago was reported to have killed himself the after he was questioned at the police station. […]
Five more Georgians detained at de facto border
Earlier this year the de facto border was moved 300 m and reinforced with razor wire in Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards have detained five more Georgian citizens for crossing the de facto border near the breakaway region South Ossetia. A journalist working for Interpressnews reports that three Georgians were detained in the village Akhalubani […]
Margvelashvili picks replacement ahead of presidential run
Minister of Education Giorgi Margvelashvili (left), and his deputy Tamar Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of Education Giorgi Margvelashvili has picked his own replacement, as he prepares for the race to be Georgia’s next president. The Georgian Dream coalition chose Margvelashvili as its candidate in the upcoming election, and although Georgian […]
Ivanishvili will visit Lithuania and Poland July 18-19
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will visit Lithuania and Poland July 18-19. Davit Zalkaliani, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, said on Monday’s briefing that Georgia sees visit to Lithuania to be important as it has recently taken […]
Georgian opera star dispels rumors of presidential run
Paata Burchuladze. (Intrpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As the presidential election in October is drawing nearer, Georgians are discussing candidates and who their next president might be. The Georgian Dream coalition has already decided on Education Minister Giorgi Margvelashvili as their candidate, […]
Court case about anti LGBT violence postponed
TBILISI, DFWatch–The court hearing for the two clerics who participated in the violent clashes on May 17 has been postponed until July 23. The hearing was to have been on Monday, and apart from the two clerics the case also concerns several other persons who are […]
Poll shows Ivanishvili bloc leading UNM 29 to 10 percent
Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–45 percent of people like Giorgi Margvelashvili, the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate for president, while 48 percent like Davit Bakradze, who most likely will be the National Movement’s candidate. When asked who they would want as president, […]
Bakradze wins primary in Kakheti
Davit Bakradze, one of the National Movement’s four candidates for president. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Davit Bakradze, parliamentary leader of the National Movement, defended his frontrunner status Sunday with a third primary election win. 566 UNM delegates met in Telavi, a town in the eastern Kakheti region, to listen to a debate between Davit […]