News
UNM lawmaker and two others released on bail in property scandal
Rusudan Kervalishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Rusudan Kervalishvili, a former lawmaker for the National Movement party, and her sister Maya Rcheulishvili, who are accused of running a ponzi scheme through a construction company they founded, have been released on USD 150 000 bail each. […]
Governor sentenced to four years in jail
Tengiz Gunava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The governor of the Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti region was Friday sentenced to four years in jail. Governor Tengiz Gunava was charged in several different cases and was accused of exceeding his powers while he was head of the regional police department […]
Saakashvili: Government is worsening relations with EU
Tamar Beruchashvili, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili accuses the government of worsening relations with the EU and claims that the signing of an association agreement with the EU has been removed from the schedule of the Vilnius summit. Tamar Beruchashvili, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, […]
Friday prayer disrupted again in Kakheti village
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Muslims in an eastern Georgian village are still not able to live their lives normally, as Friday prayer was disrupted again in Samtatskharo. Neither local Muslims or Muslims from the other regions came to pray yesterday. Parmen Tsetskhladze, […]
37 percent of Georgians think Russia is a threat
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new survey shows that the number of Georgians who consider Russia a threat has increased by nine percentage points since March. The survey was organized by National Democratic Institute (NDI) and shows that 37 percent think Russia is a threat, […]
Füle hopeful about Georgia getting association agreement
EU Commissioner Štefan Füle (left) and Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU Commissioner Štefan Füle is hopeful about Georgia’s chances of signing an association agreement with the EU at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November. Füle is visiting Georgia and today met with Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili […]
Prosecutors seize UNM member’s house in libel case
Sergo Ratiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prosecutors in Georgia have seized the house of a member of the parliamentary opposition on the grounds of an appeal by the businessman Joseph Kay. Sergo Ratiani, a member of the Untied National Movement, on Thursday went public with what had happened […]
UNM lawmaker may face 11 years in jail for ponzi scheme
Rusudan Kervalishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former member of parliament from the National Movement and her sister are accused of fraud in connection with a construction company they own and if convicted may face up to 11 years in jail. Thursday they were summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office […]
Georgia has relocated Afghanistan soldiers
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan have relocated to a safer place after the last attack on one of their bases, which caused the death of seven soldiers. However, the investigation into the Taliban threat video, […]
Three ‘anti-Duma’ demonstrators fined USD 240
From the July 7 scuffle outside Dinamo stadium in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has fined three participants at a rally outside Dinamo stadium on July 7. Groups of mostly young people rallied against Russian Duma members who were watching a match between the football teams Dinamo Tbilisi and Dinamo Moscow. […]
Second detention this week near de facto border
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained one more Georgian citizen and taken him to Tskhinvali, the capital of the de facto breakaway region South Ossetia. Witnesses claim that the detainee, Guram Gigineishvili, 49, was working in the cornfield in the village […]
Russian Duma members in Tbilisi — how unusual is it?
Member of Parliament Akaki Minashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A duel of words has broken out in Tbilisi after members of the Russian Duma turned up at a football match between Dinamo Tbilisi and Dinamo Moscow. The friendship match on July 7 is the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union that the two […]
EU enlargement commissioner continues Georgia tour
Štefan Füle (left), European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, and President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Photo published on Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, is in Georgia and has met with the president and members of the parliamentary opposition. After meeting with President Mikheil Saakshvili, the EU’s enlargement […]
Protest against tree-cutting in Tbilisi
Campaigners say they have gathered more than five thousand signatures against the clearing of trees to build a complex of apartment blocks. They demand that the area be made a recreational zone. (Palitra TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 40 healthy trees were cut at the former psychiatric clinic in Tbilisi on Monday. Youth and locals rallied outside, demanding a stop to the tree-cutting. Rally participants brought posters which read ‘Don’t cut’ and ‘Tbilisi City Hall is an enemy […]
Another Georgian detained at de facto border
The village Sakorintlo. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border soldiers a few days ago detained another Georgian citizen and brought him to Tskhinvali where he was placed in preliminary detention. The detainee Zurab Salamashvili, 52, from the village Sakorintlo has been in a detention for three […]
Georgia worsens its performance on Global Innovation Index
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has worsened its performance on the Global Innovation Index by two points. According to the Global Innovation Report 2013, Georgia has moved down two positions, compared to last year, to 73th place among 142 countries. In the South Caucasus […]
Ivanishvili criticizes prisoner abuse whistleblower walking free
Most of the abuse took place at Gldani prison in Tbilisi, where the whistleblower Bedukadze used to work. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili criticizes the chief prosecutor for having freed a former prison guard from criminal responsibility for torturing prisoners because he blew the whistle on the scandal. The whistleblower, Vladimer Bedukadze, was released […]
Constitutional amendments going through public review
TBILISI, DFWatch–The public review process of the amendments aimed at reducing the power of the prime minister that he will assume after the presidential elections scheduled for October 27 commenced this week, bringing together MPs, politicians, civil society […]
Youth rallied against Russian lawmakers at Tbilisi match
Three were detained after the incident. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Dinamo Tbilisi and Dinamo Moscow played a friendship match in Tbilisi on Sunday. It was attended by Cristiano Ronaldo and Andriy Shevchenko, and guests from the Russian Duma. The presence of the Russian parliamentarians caused youth groups to […]
Štefan Füle to visit Georgia July 11-12
Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, will visit Georgia July 11-12. Davit Jalaghania, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, said at a briefing Monday that the visit is planned to be held in Batumi, a city […]
Bakradze wins Saakashvili party’s second primary
Davit Bakradze, one of UNM’s four candidates for president. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Davit Bakradze, leader of the parliamentary opposition, won the United National Movement’s second primary election for the upcoming presidential election in October. This latest party conference was held in Gori, a town closer to the capital. […]
Police brutality still a concern in Georgia
Groups protested police brutality on Sunday (DFWatch photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the Interior Ministry is accused of psychological and physical pressure against a young man who committed suicide after being interrogated by police. Mamuka Mikautadze, 36, is reported to have killed himself at a water reservoir in one […]
Government to form constitutional commission and stop court cases
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and the leader of the parliamentary minority, Davit Bakradze, have agreed to create a commission to work on changing the constitution. In return, members of United National Movement won’t be interrogated […]
Government criticized for inaction over Depardieu’s Abkhazia trip
Gerard Depardieu. (IPN.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is coming under fire at home for not doing more after Gérard Depardieu violated Georgian law by visiting the breakaway region Abkhazia. The government says it will not react, as it does not consider it a serious violation. […]
Government’s goal of 6% growth seen as unrealistic
Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite the prime minister’s prognosis and the state budget, the minister of economy and the minister of finance say it is impossible to achieve 6 percent economic growth by the end of the year. Minister of Economy Giorgi Kvirikashvili said on […]
Saakashvili’s party received USD 3 mill in illegal donation
TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Audit Office claims that the United National Movement received more than USD 3 million illegally as a donation during the election campaign in 2012. The State Audit Office, which earlier was called the Chamber of Control, was granted the […]
Saakashvili loses one more Tbilisi council member
Davit Tsereteli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One more member of the United National Movement, the party headed by President Mikheil Saakashvili, on Thursday left the party’s faction in Tbilisi City Council. This time it was Davit Tsereteli, chair of the commission on urban planning, who […]
Hunger strike over in Georgian women’s prison
Eka Beselia, chair of the parliamentary committee on human rights. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The hunger strike at Rustavi women’s prison is over. Prisoners of No 5 prison facility in Rustavi, a town 20 km south of the capital, had been on hunger strike for two days demanding to get their sentences reduced. Wednesday, Eka Beselia, chair […]
Saakashvili changes date of election
Current President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has changed the date of the upcoming presidential election from October 31 to October 27. He announced date of the election July 2, but the date caused concern among experts and non-governmental organizations, […]
Storm again damages Kobuleti beach
Three people were taken to sea by the waves, and later rescued. (TV9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain has hit the town Kobuleti on the Black Sea coast for the last two days. Three people were taken to sea by a big wave, and later rescued. The storm on Wednesday lasted just three minutes. Big waves took three youngsters from the beach. […]
Minorities will be protected, Ivanishvili assures
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the government will protect minorities in the country through legal ways, but not ‘artificially.’ At a monthly press conference at Metechi Palace Hotel Wednesday, Ivanishvili also addressed the issue […]
Ivanishvili might leave, but might also stay as PM
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he can be ‘useful’ for society for twenty more years. The comment came on Wednesday at a routine press conference about current events in the country. Ivanishvili was asked about a recent statement he made […]
Hunger strike breaks out in Georgian women’s prison
TBILISI, DFWatch–About 80 prisoners at the women’s prison in Rustavi have gone on hunger strike demanding to get their sentences reduced. According to the administration of prison No 5 in Rustavi, 20 km away from the capital, the prisoners have no complaints against […]
Georgia cancels visa free rules for Iranian citizens
Georgia’s justice minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has canceled visa free rules for Iranian citizens, while Georgian citizens can still visit and stay in Iran for 45 days without a visa. Georgia and Iran enforced rules for visa free travel from January 2011, until July 2 this year, when Georgia tightened […]
Georgians are questioning the date of the election
TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, a discussion has begun about the date of the presidential election. Yesterday, President Mikheil Saakashvili set the date to October 31, which will be a Thursday. But groups claim a presidential election must be held in a weekend. […]
Iraninan official praises Georgia’s business climate
TBILISI, DFWatch–Iran’s Deputy Ambassador says Georgia has good conditions nowadays to attract foreign investments. The first Iran-Georgia business forum is ongoing in Tbilisi at Expo Georgia, a exhibition center. It is being attended by representatives of large […]
New charges against escaped intelligence chief
Former head of “Kudi”, Data Akhalaia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia Monday introduced new charges against a former head of the domestic intelligence agency Kudi that deals with one of the most controversial murder cases in the country’s history. Data Akhalaia, former chairman […]
Georgia’s presidential election to be held October 31
October 31, Georgians will select a successor to current president Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president has decided to set October 31, 2013, as the date of the presidential election. A few hours before this became known, October 27 was named as Election Day, but the head of the president’s administration held a briefing to say […]
Comprehensive healthcare program begins in Georgia
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia a comprehensive healthcare program began from July 1. Socially vulnerable will get double allowances, and the number of state financed healthcare programs has been increased. It has been a priority of the Georgian Dream coalition to […]
Saakashvili’s party loses majority in Tbilisi City Council
Koki Ionatamishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement has lost its majority in Tbilisi City Council after one of its members on Monday decided to leave the UNM faction. UNM used to have 24 seats in the Council and this way remained in majority, […]
Iran-Georgia business forum in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tuesday there will be held an Iran-Georgia business forum in Tbilisi. An Iranian trade delegation arrives in Georgia July 1 and will stay until July 5. The forum will be held at Expo Georgia, an exhibition and convention center, where there will be […]
Saakashvili’s party meets for first primary debate
From left to right: Zurab Japaridze, Shota Malashkhia, Davit Bakradze and Giorgi Baramidze. (UNM photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The United National Movement Sunday kicked off its election campaign for the presidential election with a debate between the candidates. The event took place in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city and current seat of parliament, and will be […]
Court deems detention of four Tbilisi officials unlawful
Rustavi city court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Georgia has decided that four officials in Tbilisi City Hall were detained in violation of law, but sentenced all of them to pre-trial detention. June 27, Davit Alavidze, Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, Davit Avaliani, Head of Tbilisi […]
Georgia received 56 percent more tourists in 2012
4.4 million tourists visited Georgia in 2012; a 56 % increase. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of tourists grew by 56 percent in 2012, according to the National Tourism Administration. 4 389 256 tourists visited Georgia last year. In the period from January to May 2013, the number of tourists was 1 698 146, which is an increase of […]
Saakashvili’s party names four presidential candidates
UNM spokesman Giorgi Vashadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement on Saturday named four candidates for the party’s primary election to select as candidate for the upcoming presidential election in October. Party spokesman Giorgi Vashadze presented the […]
Locals beat wife of Hajji in Kakheti village
Suliko Khozrevanidze. (ICK.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals attacked and beat the wife of the Hajji in the village Samtatskharo Friday, only weeks after the religious conflict there seemed to have been solved. Locals had earlier prevented Muslims from conducting Friday prayer for three weeks, but the […]
Saakashvili’s party to start election campaign on June 30
UNM spokesperson Giorgi Vashadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The United National Movement has announced that its election campaign will be launched on June 30. UNM member Giorgi Vashadze said on Friday that the party will name all its candidates, who will then participate in a primary election to select […]
Saakashvili’s party suspends work in parliament, again
Levan Bezhashvili from the UNM. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement has again suspended work in parliament, due to the recent detentions of the Tbilisi City Hall and Council officials. Levan Bezhashvili, member of the UNM, on Friday said that their decision […]
CoE asks Georgia to investigate anti LGBT violence
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the Georgian government to conduct a ‘prompt investigation’ of the violence on May 17 2013. 30 persons were injured that day, as radical clerics and their supporters prevented LGBT […]
NATO envoy concerned about lack of trust in Georgian politics
James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO envoy James Appathurai says he is ‘a bit concerned by the level of mistrust’ between Georgia’s government and opposition. Appathurai, whose full title is NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, […]
Tbilisi council members detained
This is unprecedented political pressure over Tbilisi City Hall and Council members, which is criminal,” Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava said. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The investigative service of the Finance Ministry on Thursday morning detained 22 employees of Tbilisi City Hall and Tbilisi City Council. They were released in the evening, and then four of them were again detained. After the first detentions, […]
Heavy rain flooding the streets of Tbilisi
The rain flooded streets and first floors in Tbilisi. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain hit the Georgian capital Thursday evening with hail in some of districts. Rain flooded the first floors of houses and underground pedestrian tunnels. In some districts of Tbilisi there was a short hailstorm. Interpressnews reports that […]
24 000 families to be compensated for war losses
Families who have lost a member in the military will get compensation. Photo shows the body of Sergeant Giorgi Kikadze being brought home from Afghanistan earlier this year. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–About 24 000 families who lost a member while doing military service will get increased compensation according to a new initiative, which will be presented to parliament on Friday. The proposed bill will amend the law on the status of a military servant […]
117 Georgians detained by Russian border guards so far this year
TBILISI, DFWatch–117 persons have been detained by Russian soldiers so far in 2013 close to the so-called administrative borders with the breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), […]
Appathurai: Georgian troops in Afghanistan are not targeted
NATO envoy James Appathurai. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO envoy James Appathurai says the alliance does not have any evidence that Georgian troops in Afghanistan ‘are specifically targeted.’ Appathurai, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, said […]
Rasmussen: Georgia is close to NATO
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (left) arriving in Tbilisi Wednesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–“Yes, Georgia is close [to NATO] but there’s still a lot of work to do,” NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says. The secretary general is visiting Georgia and on Wednesday held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili […]
The justice minister will no longer have added role as prosecutor
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has taken away the justice minister’s added role as a prosecutor in a new regulation that came into force from Tuesday morning. Speaking at a press conference, Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani explained that before, as justice minister […]
Israel and Georgia considering visa free travel
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili (left), and Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo published on Ivanishvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says Israel and Georgia may enter an agreement about visa free travel. Ivanishvili said this after meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. He said that they also discussed establishing […]
One further ex-official detained for Girgvliani murder
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained a fifth person in one of the most controversial cases during the previous government, Sandro Girgvliani’s murder. The Prosecutor’s Office says it has been unknown until quite recently that Tamaz Kokiashvili […]
Saakashvili again exercises his veto powers
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has vetoed the amendment of three more laws in a package passed by parliament. This time it was about the law on broadcasting, the election code and the law about the public defender. The president’s spokesperson […]
Council of Europe did not discuss ‘deteriorating situation’ in Georgia
“Nothing urgent is happening in Georgia which would prove it necessary to hold the debate,” Tina Khidasheli, Member of Parliament for Georgian Dream, wrote on Facebook. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, PACE, did not go through with an announced discussion about the ‘deteriorating situation’ in Georgia. During the session which is ongoing in Strasbourg a majority of 73 members voted against […]
NATO tops visit Georgia
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and other NATO tops arrive in Georgia Wednesday for high level talks. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO’s highest political body, the North Atlantic Council, will visit Georgia June 26-27. The delegation, which is headed by Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, have planned meetings with President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Bidzina […]
Israel and Georgia sign economic cooperation agreement
Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (left) and Israeli President Shimon Peres. (Photo published on Ivanishvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Israel will create a common commission to enhance economic cooperation. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will sign the agreement in Israel Tuesday. On Monday, the first day of a two-day working visit, the Georgian leader met Israeli […]
New charges against Merabishvili
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office on Monday introduced a new charge against former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili, that of abuse of powers in the case of Sandro Girgvliani’s murder. In a statement, the office said Merabishvili took a number […]
Georgia’s GDP in Q1 was USD 3.5 billion
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s GDP in the first quarter of 2013 was 5 782.8 million GEL (USD 3 500 million), which is 2.4 percent more than same period last year. According to Georgia’s National Statistics Department, industry has the largest share for GDP figures […]
Saakashvili: I gave the order to create weapons cache
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili says he ordered the establishment of underground weapons caches all over the country. He said, in case of renewed aggression, Georgia wouldn’t be ‘unprotected as it was in 2008.’ “There is nothing new for me in that […]
Ivanishvili says he will leave after election
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili plans to leave office in fall. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili plans to leave his post after the presidential election in October. He said this in an interview with the Russian edition of the Estonian newspaper Postimees on Saturday. The prime minister said he plans to leave […]
Council of Europe will discuss the ‘deteriorating situation’ in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–PACE will discuss the ‘deteriorating situation in Georgia’ during a session which opens Monday, June 24 and lasts until June 28. Georgia is on today’s agenda under the headline ‘changes in the membership of committees’. The name of the topic […]
Did UNESCO remove Bagrati from World Heritage List?
Bagrati cathedral in Kutaisi, Georgia. (Unesco.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Culture Ministry in Georgia claims that UNESCO has decided to take Bagrati Cathedral off the World Heritage List. But UNESCO says it is only a question of modifying the boundaries of the site. Bagrati Cathedral, which is located in Georgia’s second largest […]
Parliament discussed May 17 violence with initiative group
Committee leader Eka Beselia (center). (Sazogadoeba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The May 17 initiative group Saturday met with parliament’s human rights committee in order to discuss the draft statement regarding the violence that occurred that day, when radical priests and activists disrupted a small rally against homophobia. […]
Hailstorm destroys crops in eight villages in eastern Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A hailstorm Friday night damaged eight villages in Akhmeta in the eastern Kakheti region of Georgia. The damaged villages are Ashkhnis Velebi, Akhshani, Arashenda, Chabinaani, Khorkheli, Zemo Khodasheni, Ozhio and Atskhuri, according to […]
Georgian released from Tskhinvali detention
Rostom Sosiashvili. (Photo from Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian citizen who was detained May 29 by Russian border guards for crossing the so-called administrative border with South Ossetia was released on Friday, June 21. The 35th session of Incident Prevention and Reaction Mechanisms was held on […]
More surveillance material found in western Georgia
Some of the tapes found in an underground weapons cache in Samegrelo last week. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia Friday announced the discovery of more weapons in an underground cache in the western Samegrelo region. The latest find adds four more barrels to a cache discovered last week containing weapons, drugs and surveillance […]
Russian border guards detain Georgian near South Ossetia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards have detained two more locals on the de facto border with South Ossetia while several people detained during the last few weeks still remain in detention. According to locals, armed Russian border guards took Zaza Khidasheli […]
Protest against parliament’s handling of anti LGBT violence
Parliament’s human rights committee has cast doubt on the authenticity of a petition signed by 12 000 people asking for accountability for the violence last month. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–June 20 a protest rally was held at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel while parliament’s human rights committee was holding a meeting inside. A few days ago, the committee presented a draft statement about the events of May 17, when radical clerics and […]
Media leaders walked out of torture video screening
TBILISI, DFWatch–After criticism from the US Congress the government in Georgia decided to display proof of the former government’s illegal actions and organized a presentation of videos showing torture and mistreatment. There was first a screening for diplomats […]
57% of visitors to Georgia Jan-Mar 2013 were tourists
Giorgi Sigua, head of Georgian National Tourism Administration. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–57 percent of foreigners who crossed the border into Georgia in first quarter of 2013 were tourists, according to the first result of a report conducted by the Georgian National Tourism Administration. Giorgi Sigua, head of the administration, said […]
Torture videos will be shown in closed screening
The tapes were found along with weapons, explosives and drugs inside these plastic barrels. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia Thursday will hold a screening for media leaders of newly discovered videos of torture and rape, but filming will not be allowed. A few dozen people will be shown the tapes which were discovered in a buried weapons cache […]
Georgia torture videos not published, nine detained
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia changed its mind about publishing videos showing torture of prisoners, but said nine persons have been detained regarding the discovery of the weapons cache where the videos were found. Minister of Internal Affairs […]
Merabishvili to get a TV
Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former interior minister Vano Merabishvili, who is in prison awaiting trial, will get a TV set in his cell today or tomorrow, according to the prison minister, Sozar Subari. Merabishvili, who is a long-time ally of President Saakashvili and […]
Further proof of prisoner torture to be revealed
Georgia’s Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili plans to release a video today at a meeting where also foreign diplomats will be present. The video is said to contain strong scenes of sexual abuse of prisoners and was discovered in an underground […]
Russia and Georgia consider opening regular flights
Paata Zakareishvili, Georgia’s Minister of Reintegration. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Russia, the transport ministry and travel agencies are ready to start negotiations about reopening regular air travel with Georgia. The minister of reintegration in Georgia says ‘this is not bad generally’. Alexander Lukashevich, spokesperson […]
Merabishvili on hunger strike, demands TV in his cell
Vano Merabishvili during his first court appearance in Kutaisi last month. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vano Merabishvili, Secretary General of the United National Movement party, has gone on hunger strike in prison to demand a TV set. When contacted by DF Watch, representatives of the Prison Ministry were only willing to say that he really […]
Saakashvili’s party to hold primary while gen secretary is in jail
Vano Merabishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party is still planning to hold primary elections to select a candidate for the presidential election, even though party secretary Vano Merabishvili is in detention. The names of the participants have not been revealed, […]
Weapons cache found in western Georgia
Photo released by Georgian Interior Ministry. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia has discovered an underground cache in the Samegrelo region, which borders with breakaway Abkhazia. The cache contained ammunition, explosives and explosive devices, grenades, automatic rifles and other weapons. […]
Georgia introduces new law to protect minorities
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is planning to introduce a law aimed at protecting the rights of religious, sexual, ethnic and other minorities in the country and avoid discrimination. Speaking at Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Tbilisi, Justice Minister Thea […]
Russia detains a man on border with Abkhazia
The bridge across the river Enguri with border post. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards Sunday detained a Georgian citizen near the administrative border around Abkhazia. A reporter for Interpressnews said Russian border guards took Tengiz Kurua from the village Orsantia, Zugdidi. Kurua was walking along the […]
Government wants parliament to have more time to prepare budget
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream bloc wants to keep having a relatively low threshold for amending the constitution and to give parliament longer time to work out a budget before it leads to a government’s dismissal and a new election. […]
US Congress warns Georgia about ‘democratic backsliding’
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A statement by the U.S Congress about defense cooperation with Georgia caused debate in the country on Saturday. Government officials claim the congress was misled by a lack of, or incorrect, information about current events, while their opponents claim […]
Sixteen convicted of prisoner torture in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi determined sixteen persons as guilty of torture of prisoners, humiliation and mistreatment, but recognized Vladmier Bedukadze, the person who released the video footage documenting it, as innocent. He was freed from criminal […]
Two seats still vacant in Georgia’s court oversight council
TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, two seats still remain vacant in the High Council of Justice after an election that has been going on for two weeks. Four more members were elected by parliament in the second round, but due to objections by representatives from […]
Georgia to offer amnesty for illegal surveillance material
Eka Beselia, head of the parliamentary committee on human rights. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is proposing an amnesty for people who are in the possession of illegally obtained footage of someone’s private life and are willing to hand it over to the Interior Ministry. A bill has been drafted and will soon […]
Families of war dead to get increased compensations
TBILISI, DFWatch–Families of dead military soldiers, including those who died during the war in Abkhazia in 90s and those who died as part of Georgian soldiers’ participation in the NATO-led ISAF force in Afghanistan, will receive USD 600 monthly from 2014. Defense […]
Georgia detains two suspected terrorists
Police searched the place the two were living and found a large amount of explosives, detonators, firearms, ammunition and fake identity papers. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained two foreign citizens, Mikail Kadiev and Rizvan Omarov, suspected of preparing to carry out an act of terrorism. The two were detained in Tbilisi as part of an investigation by the Interior Ministry’s antiterrorism […]
First Georgian cognac in 7 years to reach Russian consumers
The first Georgian drinks to be on sale in Russia will be a cognac made in Kakheti. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–20 000 bottles of cognac were Tuesday sent to Russia to be sold there. This is the first time Georgian beverages are sold in Russia after it imposed an embargo on Georgian products in 2006. Levan Davitashvili, Chair of the National Wine Agency […]
Rector of Tbilisi State University resigns
Alexandre Kvitashvili resigned as rector of Tbilisi State University. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi State University formally approved Rector Alexandre Kvitashvili’s resignation on Wednesday, according to a short statement published on its official website. The decision is allegedly related to a recent amendment to the law on higher […]
Georgia considering to tigthen visa rules
Georgia’s minister of foreign affairs Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is reconsidering its liberal visa rules towards 121 countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze says. Mrs Panjikidze said she is not ruling out revising the liberal visa policy towards many countries, as the migration policy […]
Jihad threat video was uploaded from Georgia
Georgia’s interior minister, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The video containing threats against Georgian soldiers was uploaded to Youtube from Georgia, the Georgian interior minister says. Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said the IP address of the user who uploaded the video has been determined, […]
Georgia to close two bases in Afghanistan
Georgian ISAF soldiers in Afghanistan. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two of Georgia’s military bases in Afghanistan will be closed, according to the defense minister. In a TV interview on Tuesday Defense Minister Irakli Alasania said that his government, acting on recommendations from its armed forces […]
Two Georgians detained in border area
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards detained a father and son in a village close to the de facto border with breakaway South Ossetia. Zviand and Vakhtang Zghentis were bringing cattle out to graze when they were detained and taken to Tskhinvali. Later the same […]
Heavy rain inflicts damage in Georgia again
TBILISI, DFWatch–Heavy rain damaged roads and flooded streets in several villages in Georgia. The capital Tbilisi was also affected. Clean-up work is being conducted in the village Ereda, in the Akhalgori region, where the roads were damaged. Rain killed livestock, […]
Georgia’s Security Council to meet Tuesday
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Security Council will meet Tuesday at 18:00 at the president’s palace in the capital. This will be the second session of the Security Council after the change of government after the parliamentary election in October 2012. […]
42 000 less jobs since fourth quarter of 2012
TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of employed in the business sector has increased by 16 000 in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, but the number has decreased by 42 000 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. In the first quarter of 2013, […]
Georgia’s Security Council to meet to discuss video threat
Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has called Georgia’s National Security Council together for another session in the beginning of this week to discuss a video threat uploaded on Youtube. The video contains threats against Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan […]
Thousands attend funeral of dead Georgian soldiers
Funeral of the seven dead soldiers was held at Sameba on Sunday (DF Watch photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Sunday, thousands of people attended the funeral of the seven soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Patriarch Ilia II conducted the funeral which took place at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi. The prime minister and almost the entire government were present during the service […]
Demonstration in Tbilisi to demand withdrawal from Afghanistan
The demonstrators demanded that Georgia withdraws its troops from Afghanistan. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students rallied in front of the old parliament building in Tbilisi Friday to demand the withdrawal of Georgian troops from Afghanistan. The protest came after seven Georgian soldiers died in a suicide attack in Helmand province on Thursday. […]
NATO to investigate threat video against Georgia
Georgia is the largest non-NATO contributor to ISAF. (MoD.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO is to investigate whether there was a connection between a suicide attack on a Georgian base in Afghanistan and a video posted the same day which threatened to attack inside Georgia in retaliation for the country’s participation in ISAF. James […]
Georgia commemmorated fallen soldiers
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania visiting one of the wounded soldiers. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Friday, Georgia commemorated the seven soldiers who died in a suicide attack in Afghanistan the day before. The soldiers were serving in the 42nd infantry brigade at Base Lezernik in Helmand Province. “We took the bodies of our seven heroes […]
Diplomats in Georgia visit border area
Razor wire like this is being put up through villages on the de facto border. (Radio Liberty.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia Friday organized a trip for a few dozen foreign diplomats to villages close to the Russian-controlled breakaway region South Ossetia, where Russian border guards last week moved the border 300 meters into […]
Destruction of dirty archive delayed
TBILISI, DFWatch–Several organizations in Georgia criticize the Interior Ministry for delaying the destruction of an archive of compromising videos filmed with a hidden camera. The publication of videos in April and May showing several well-known persons engaging […]
Georgians demand to know who posted video threat
TBILISI, DFWatch–A video posted on Youtube which contains threats against Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan has caused debate in Tbilisi. The video has spread fear, especially among family members and relatives of the soldiers, but it now appears that the video was […]
Russia demands that Georgia abandons law on territories
Gregory Karasin, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia maintains its demand that Georgia must do away with its law on the occupied territories, which makes it a crime for people to visit the breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia without permission from official Tbilisi. Gregory Karasin, […]
Seven Georgian soldiers die in Afghanistan suicide bombing
Irakli Dzneladze (center), Head of Georgia’s Joint Staff. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Seven Georgian soldiers died in a suicide attack in Afghanistan Thursday. President Mikheil Saakashvili has called for a national day of mourning on June 7 and asked that all the flags be lowered. The Ministry of Defense on Thursday informed that […]
Saakashvili rallies people to resist Russia
President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili Wednesday described the moving and fortifying of a de facto border between Georgian- and Russian-controlled territory in place since the war in 2008, as a call for everybody to resist Russian occupation. “This session […]
Abashidze mentioned border issue at direct talks with Russia
Zurab Abashidze is the Georgian Prime Minister’s Representative for Relations with Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The small-scale careful dialogue between Georgia and Russia continued in Prague Wednesday as Zurab Abashidze and Gregory Karasin met to sum up the results of six month of talks. Abashidze, who was specially appointed by Prime Minister Bidzina […]
Georgian soldiers to remain in Afghanistan after 2014
Georgia’s Minister of Defense Irakli Alasania (left) and NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The NATO-Georgia commission held a session in Brussels on Wednesday as part of a meeting of ministers from member states. The Alliance’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen opened the session by reiterating the importance of Georgia’s […]
Saakashvili calls Security Council session to discuss border issue
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has called for an unscheduled session of Georgia’s National Security Council today at 4 pm. Prime Minister Ivanishvili and several ministers who are abroad will not attend the meeting, but some government officials […]
Georgia’s Ivanishvili slams the Washington Post for editorial
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili claims the Washington Post is drawing conclusions based on information from President Mikheil Saakashvili’s lobbyists. The newly elected head of government demands an answer as to how the newspaper gets […]
Priests to be put on trial for anti-gay violence
Almost thirty people were injured in the violence during the disruption of a gay rights rally in Tbilisi on May17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The trial of the two priests who are suspects regarding the violent clashes on May 17, is scheduled for July 15. Meanwhile the Prosecutor’s Office didn’t ask the court to place them in pre-trial detention or administrative punishment. […]
MEP Lisek visits Saakashvili ally in prison
Krzysztof Lisek, Polish MEP from the center-right European People’s Party, was surprised to find that Saakashvili ally Vano Merabishvili did not have a TV set and no contact with with his family. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vano Merabishvili says he is optimistic, but complains about lack of information, according to Krzysztof Lisek, Member of the European Parliament (MEP), after meeting the former Prime Minister in Matrosov Prison Tuesday. Representatives of […]
NATO’s Appaturai calls Russian border activity a violation
NATO envoy James Appathurai says construction of fences that restrict the movement of locals in the border zone is a violation of the 2008 cease-fire agreement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO is concerned about illegal separating constructions in the conflict zone, says the alliance’s Caucasus and Central Asia envoy James Appathurai. Last week, Russian soldiers moved the so-called administrative border 300 meters on a point south […]
Two Georgians released by South Ossetia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian father and son who were detained by Russian soldiers close to the so-called administrative border with South Ossetia a few days ago were were released on Monday. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, Avtandil and Kakhi Khaduri, […]
Georgian’s foreign minister visits the US
TBILISI, DFWatch–Maya Pankikidze, Foreign Affairs Minister of Georgia, is on a visit to the United States and will today attend a reception in Washington organized by the Georgian embassy to mark Independence Day of Georgia. She will also meet with Miriam Sapiro, […]
Georgia rejects Russian accusation of biological warfare
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Food Safety Service responds to the Russian chief sanitary inspector, who said that Georgia was planning ‘bio-sabotage’ in Russia. Veriko Gulua, head of the Service’s press office told DF Watch that this statement is groundless […]
Egypt police thought Georgian tv crew were making porn movie
The crew of Top Gogo during an earlier film shoot. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Egypt has apologized for detaining a group of Georgians during a swimwear photo session. The Georgians were having a photo shoot for swimwear when several Egyptian policemen thought they were filming a porn movie and detained the crew. Egyptian […]
Georgia to scrap Soviet style archive of compromising secrets
Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian interior minister says that an archive of secret recordings of people’s private lives will be destroyed next week. Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili said this during a public meeting at the Center of European Politics […]
NATO week in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will mark NATO week from 3 to 10th June. It will be opened by NATO envoy James Appathurai and the minister for Euro Atlantic integration. Elene Gotsadze, director of the information center for NATO and EU, said Friday that James Appathurai, […]
Parliament forces through two more laws
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia has forced through two more laws that were vetoed by President Saakashvili. This is the latest in a series of vetoes by Saakashvili after the change of government in October, 2012. Under normal circumstances, his signature […]
Lithuanian businessman freed by the court
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Friday released a Lithuanian businessman pending his trial. Saulius Vaitkevičius was detained two days ago at Tbilisi airport and charged with a large amount of money appropriation and embezzlement. The prosecutor […]
Zestaponi strike over, most demands accepted
TBILISI, DFWatch–1 600 workers at the Ferro plant in Zestaponi called off their strike Friday. The strike lasted more than a week, and paralyzed the plant which accounts for 12% of Georgia’s national export. Management agreed to enter into negotiations and finally […]
Former AC Milan player Kaladze played farewell match
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (center left) and Kakhi Kaladze at Dinamo Stadium in Tbilisi Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The farewell match of former AC Milan player Kakhi Kaladze on Friday ended with Kaladze’s friends losing 1-3 to Milan. Kaladze, who is Energy Minister now, played for Milan against his friends, a team which was mainly filled by well-known Georgian […]
Two more Georgians detained by Russian border guards
The de facto border in Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two more Georgian villagers for illegally crossing the so-called administrative border around breakaway South Ossetia. The detainees are Avtandil and Kakha Khaduri. They were detained two days ago and taken to Tskhinvali. […]
Former interior minister must remain in detention
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court placed Vano Merabishvili in pre-trial detention; the second time such a measures is imposed on the former interior minister. This time additional charged were added since his hearing in Kutaisi City Court last week, dealing with […]
Russia silent about South Ossetia border-moving
This is the kind of razor wire being erected by Russian soldiers in the Georgian-controlled village Ditsi. (Radio Liberty.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian Federation has not yet reacted to a diplomatic note of protest from Georgia regarding the moving of the so-called administrative border into Georgian-controlled territory near breakaway South Ossetia. But the Deputy Foreign Affairs […]
Six policemen being held in ordinary prison
TBILISI, DFWatch–Six policemen who are in prison awaiting trial are not in any danger, according to the Prison Ministry in Georgia. The six are being held at Gldani prison in northern Tbilisi, a large facility which became infamous last year in connection […]
Lithuanian businessman detained in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has confirmed for DF Watch that a Lithuanian businessman has been detained. According to the office, Saulius Vaitkevičius, owner of supermarket chain Populi, is charged with appropriation of another company’s […]
Saakashvili vetoes amendments to Criminal Procedure Code
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has again blocked a bill. This time it was a set of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. The president has remarks about two aspects of the draft: First about the dates when certain regulations will come into force. […]
Ivanishvili bloc will let dual citizenship holders lead Georgia
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition is considering making it possible for a person with dual citizenship to hold three top posts in the country: president, prime minister and speaker of parliament. The amendments will only apply to the constitution, which […]
South Ossetia downplays importance of border moving
A view of the village Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border soldiers have again been seen in the village Ditsi, on Georgia controlled territory close to the de facto border with Russian-controlled South Ossetia. On Monday, the first reports came about Russian soldiers in the villages Ditsi and […]
EU observers consider Russian border activity unacceptable
The EU Monitoring Mission does not accept the moving of the de facto border around South Ossetia and installing of new barbed wire. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The recent installation of fences near Ditsi is unacceptable, EUMM says in a statement. Staff from the EU Monitoring Mission arrived in the village Ditsi, where Russian soldiers have erected new barbed wire which moves the de facto border 300 meters […]
Metal workers in Zestaponi still holding out
Maka Kvaratskhelia, spokesperson for the company that owns the plant in Zestaponi. TBILISI, DFWatch–At Zestaponi’s ferroalloy factory workers are still on strike. The week-long strike is paralyzing the one of the largest companies in the country, which accounts for 12 percent of the exported product. Two of the workers are on hunger strike, while […]
Demonstration outside Russian “embassy” in Tbilisi
People demonstrated against Russia moving the border. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A rally was held outside the former Russian embassy in Tbilisi on Tuesday to protest against Russian soldiers moving the so-called administrative border 300 meters into Georgian controlled territory on Monday. Members of non-government organizations, […]
Expanded charges against former interior minister
Former Minister of Internal Affairs Vano Merabishvili is held personally responsible for the violent dispersal of demonstrators two years ago which led to at least two deaths and was accompanied by a nationwide crackdown on opposition groups. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The charges against former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili concerning events on May 26, 2011 were Tuesday expanded. The violent dispersal of peaceful anti-government protesters by police and regime loyal vigilantes two years ago resulted in at least […]
EU’s observer corps studying Russian border activity
The EU’s field observers are tracking Russian activity on the de facto border around South Ossetia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers’ moving of the de facto border between Georgian- and Russian-controlled territory is being followed by European Union’s observers in the area. Yesterday evening, the European Union Monitoring Mission to Georgia (EUMM) […]
Saakashvili’s UNM protests against detention of party secretary
Vano Merabishvili, former interior minister and current party secretary of the National Movement party of President Mikheil Saakashvili, appearing in Kutaisi City Court last week. Co-defendant Zurab Chiaberashvili on the right. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of parliament for President Saakashvili’s National Movement party have again taken leave from their duties as a sign of protest. Party spokesman Giorgi Baramidze says they will not attend plenary sessions until all the ‘political […]
In Georgia, online game which emulates gay rights clash goes viral
‘Call of Taburetka’ lets the player be a priest who fends off gay rights activists using a stool. TBILISI, DFWatch–A new Facebook game has become popular among Georgians. It emulates the violent incidents on May 17, when clerics took the lead in disrupting a demonstration against homophobia in Tbilisi. The violence, which led to almost 30 persons being injured, […]
Russia moves de facto border around South Ossetia
A view of Tskhinvali, the only city in the breakaway region South Ossetia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia Monday confirmed that Russian soldiers have moved the de facto border with South Ossetia 200 to 300 meters and is planning to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM). […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover fell 4 % Jan-Apr
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-April 2013 fell by 4 percent compared to the same period in 2012. The trade turnover with EU was reduced by 13 percent, while the negative net trade balance with CIS countries went down 57 percent. […]
Georgia marked Independence Day in 26 cities and towns
Independence Day was celebrated in 26 towns and cities. Here a scene from Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Sunday May 26, Georgia marked its Independence Day in 26 cities and towns all over the country. The celebration included folklore ensembles and choir concerts, military and police equipment exhibitions, theatrical performances and other events. […]
Tbilisi mayor criticizes Saakashvili for LGBT comment
Controversy continues over what really happened in Tbilisi on May 17, 2013, and who is to blame. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava criticizes President Mikheil Saakashvili for having ‘incorrectly ordered’ his facts while commenting on a gay rights rally last week. Saakashvili criticized the LGBT activists for having planned a rally the same day […]
Georgian metal workers still on strike
The metal works plant in Zestaponi accounts for 12 percent of Georgia’s export. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the largest factories in Georgia is still paralyzed by a now week-long strike by hundreds of workers who demand higher salaries, better social conditions, collective contracts and compensation for night shifts. A group of students have joined […]
PACE’s Mignon visits Georgia on Tuesday
TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of PACE will arrive in Georgia May 28 for a two-day visit. Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, is on a regional tour and comes to Georgia after finishing his visit to Azerbaijan. He […]
Georgia celebrates Independence Day Sunday
From last year’s celebration at Roses Square, Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Preparations are ongoing in Georgia for the Independence Day celebration Sunday, May 26. Government officials say there will not be a military parade through the capital as there has been in the past. Instead, there will be held different events […]
Two more charged with May 17 violence
Police line on May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two more persons have been charged with violence on May 17, when a rally against homophobia was disrupted by a crowd of thousands of people encouraged by Orthodox clerics. The clashes led to almost 30 people being injured. The Interior Ministry […]
Strongly opposing views expressed peacefully at Tbilisi rally
‘No to theocracy’ said one part of the demonstrators. The other part wanted a ban on ‘homosexual propaganda’. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two opposing rallies about very sensitive social issues went ahead peacefully in downtown Tbilisi Friday. People gathered at 18:00 to protest against ‘propaganda of homosexuality’, while the other rally was ‘no to theocracy’ – a protest […]
Georgia preparing switch to digital by 2015
Rita Rudusa, regional editor of Mapping Digital Media. (mediaconference.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A conference on digital media was held in Tbilisi May 23-24 to discuss the transition to digital TV, good and bad examples from other countries and positive and negative sides of the process. Media experts from Estonia, Lithuania, UK, Moldova, Russia, […]
Saakashvili signs Georgia’s new security strategy
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, visiting Georgian troops in Afghanistan February, 2012. TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia, has approved the main directions of development of the ministry and Georgia’s armed forces until 2016. The goal of the Strategic Review of Defense 2013-2016, which is a manual for the Defense Ministry, […]
Opposing views on gay rights to meet, peacefully this time
A counter-demonstrator on May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The two opposing sides in Georgia’s gay rights debate are to hold demonstrations at the same spot in Tbilisi today. But Prime Minister Ivanishvili reassures the public that people will be able to express their views peacefully. The first one is in support of the LGBT people […]
Metal workers in Zestaponi are holding out
Metal workers in Zestaponi are keeping up their strike. (Zestaponi.com.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Workers at the Chiatura Mining and Enrichment Plant will May 25 join the strike at the Zestaponi Ferroalloy Plant, which started four days ago, while three persons Thursday went back on hunger strike in the same conflict. The workers who are […]
NATO-Georgia Commission discussed visit of NATO tops
TBILISI, DFWatch–A session of the NATO Georgia commission was held May 22 in Brussels. Ambassadors discussed the planned visit to Georgia of the North Atlantic Council this summer. Zurab Abashidze, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russian Relations, […]
Update: Former AC Milan player Kaladze’s farewell match
Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former AC Milan player Kakhi Kaladze’s farewell match on May 31 is getting closer and people are already queuing to buy tickets. Davit Mujiri, who coordinates the organizing of the match, on Wednesday held a press conference to give more details […]
Georgia charges two Orthodox clerics after anti-gay violence
A scene from May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry in Georgia says it is charging two high-ranking clerics who work for the country’s Orthodox church. (Article has been corrected.) The police is pressing charges against the archimandrite of Sameba cathedral, Father […]
Merabishvili moved to Matrosov prison
Vano Merabishvili in Kutaisi City Court yesterday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili on Thursday was moved from Kutaisi, in western Georgia, to the capital, and placed in the so-called Matrosov prison, where former government officials and others are offered slightly better conditions […]
Ex interior minister placed in pretrial detention
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili (left) at his first court hearing. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI–Kutaisi City Court Wednesday placed former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili in pretrial detention. Zurab Chiaberashvili was released on bail. The hearing lasted five hours. Both Merabishvili, Secretary General of Saakashvili’s United National […]
Georgian Railway director charged with embezzlement of USD 40 mill
TBILISI, DFWatch–The unit to combat financial fraud in Georgia has charged Irakli Ezugbaia, the former head of Georgian Railway, of appropriation and embezzlement of state money. He is not in Georgia but has been sentenced in absentia to pretrial detention. His […]
First court appearance for ex interior minister today
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili says the charges are ridiculous. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The City Court in Kutaisi will this afternoon decide whether to place Saakashvili ally Vano Merabishvili and National Movement party member Zurab Chiaberashvili in pretrial detention. Meanwhile their supporters and other UNM members are gathered […]
Strike continues at Georgian metalworks plant
Steel workers in Zestaponi are still on strike. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds workers of Georgia’s large ferroalloy plant in Zestaponi are continuing their strike and do not plan to give up until their demands are met. Three workers have decided to end their hunger strike after consultations with the head […]
PM: Being a cleric is no excuse for violent behavior
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says that church prayer isn’t an excuse for anyone to violate the law. The PM on Tuesday met with a club of experts and after the meeting he commented on the May 17 events, when Orthodox Christians and clerics […]
Georgia detains former interior minister
Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili during his first interrogation December 1, 2012. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained former Interior Minister and Saakashvili faithful Vano Merabishvili. He is charged with sabotaging the investigation of the murder of a bank employee, Sandro Girgvliani, in 2006, appropriation and embezzlement in connection with […]
Saakashvili’s travels: Whose fault is the bad coordination?
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, and former US President Bill Clinton meeting recently. (Photo published on Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The foreign ministry and the president’s administration in Georgia are embroiled in a quarrel over who is to blame for the bad coordination of foreign visits. The ministry accuses the president’s administration of not coordinating visits abroad […]
Metalworks plant in Georgia paralyzed by strike
The ferroalloy plant in Zestaponi produces 12 percent of Georgia’s national export. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Metal workers in Zestaponi in western Georgia are on strike and have paralyzed the functioning of a plant which is responsible for 12 percent of Georgia’s export. The operation of the Zestaponi ferroalloy plant was suspended almost all of Monday. […]
Hammarberg: Hard to explain how May 17 could happen
Thomas Hammarberg. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Thomas Hammarberg says it will be difficult to explain to Europe how the May 17 violence could occur in a democratic country such as Georgia. Christian Orthodox activists last Friday used violence to disrupt a planned peaceful event to mark […]
Lawmakers discussed how to destroy ‘dirty archive’
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Shota Rekhviashvili said the Prosecutor’s Office in 2012 asked the court 1 063 times for permission to conduct phone surveillance and as far as he remembers, in all cases the request was granted. (Ministry of Justice.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to partially destroy illegally recorded secret surveillance material in one week. Deputy Interior Minister Levan Izoria said on Monday that this process will be conducted with the participation of society. […]
Saakashvili asks the government to travel more
President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, is visiting Thailand. (Photo posted on the president’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili again asks members of the Georgian Dream coalition to go on visits abroad together with him. The president on Sunday left for Thailand in order to participate in the second Asia-Pacific Water Summit, as well as to hold […]
Calls for a truth and justice commission
Victims and activists ask parliament to create a commission to study the crimes of the Saakashvili regime. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former political prisoners on Sunday held people’s congress at Sport’s Palace in Tbilisi in order to demand the restoration of justice and put the Saakashvili regime on trial. The congress decided to set up a people’s movement with the same […]
Police Day observed in Georgia
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili speaking at Police Day. (Photo published by Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police Day was marked in Georgia May 19. It was supposed to have been held on May 6, but the event was rescheduled due to the Easter celebration. The Interior Ministry used the occasion to present a new uniform, a shoulder-mounted video […]
Gathering today to condemn Friday’s violence
Priests removing the police barricades Friday. (Click to enlarge.) (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After the violence yesterday, a gathering is planned today Saturday outside the government building on Ingorokva Street 7 at 15:00 to condemn what happened. Organizers say the goal is to condemn the violence by clerics and others who confronted the LGBT […]
Georgian Church distances itself from anti-gay violence
Clerics addressing the anti-gay demonstrators with megaphone Friday. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian church is distancing itself from the violence on May 17, but maintains that LGBT propaganda is not acceptable. Patriarch Ilia II commented on the violent clashes between his parishioners and LGBT campaigners in Tbilisi. Ilia II called […]
Georgian Church mobilized thousands against LGBT event
The Georgian Orthodox Church mobilized thousands of people in Tbilisi to prevent activists for the rights of sexual minorities to peacefully mark the International Day Against Homophobia. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Thousands of parishioners and clerics from the Georgian Orthodox Church May 17 prevented LGBT rights activists from carrying through a peaceful rally against homophobia in downtown Tbilisi. According to the health minister, the day ended with 28 […]
Gay rights protesters driven out of Tbilisi, many injured
Orthodox Christian activists successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration against homophobia in Tbilisi Friday. Twenty eight people were injured. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Orthodox Christian activists Friday successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Tbilisi. After numerous violent incidents throughout the day which led to more than twenty people being […]
Foreign trade turnover fell 4% Jan-Apr 2013
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover fell in the first four months of 2013. (GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–According to preliminary data, Georgia’s foreign trade turnover has decreased by four percent in the months January through April of 2013, compared to the same period in the preceding year. The total foreign trade turnover in this period totaled […]
Three rebel fighters reburied in Pankisi
Salam Zaurbekov, Aslan Margoshvili and Bajaudi Baghakashvili were reburied in Duisi, Pankisi Gorge, Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The bodies of three militants who died in a border shooting in August 2012 were Thursday reburied in Duisi, in the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia. An autopsy has been carried out on the bodies of Salam Zaurbekov, Aslan Margoshvili and Bajaudi Baghakashvili, […]
Three dead ISAF soldiers brought back to Georgia
The three ISAF soldiers killed in a May 13 attack were Thursday brought back to Georgia. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The three Georgian soldiers who May 13 died in Afghanistan were today brought back to Georgia. The bodies of Corporal Alexandre Kvitsinidze, Corporal Vladmier Shanava and Sergeant Zviad Davitadze, arrived at Tbilisi airport on Thursday morning. […]
Georgia declares a day of mourning after Afghanistan losses
The three who died will be buried on May 16. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia, has declared May 16 a day of mourning as a tribute to those Georgian soldiers who have lost lives while serving in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. The presidential order says that May 16 will be announced […]
Secret archive of abuse videos discovered
Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office and the Prison Ministry have discovered a secret archive of prison videos. At a meeting with journalists, Prison Minister Sozar Subari said that when the government came to power these kinds of archives were put away, but […]
Suspect in sex tape leak out on bail and fired
Deputy Interior Minister Gela Khvedelidze is free on bail. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Gela Khvedelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister accused of leaking a sex tape, is free on USD 3 000 bail and has been removed from his position. Khvedelidze was detained a few days ago for publishing a video with intimate scenes between three people. Wednesday Tbilisi […]
Saakashvili back for another US visit
President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) talking to Marco Rubio, the junior US Senator from Florida (R). (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After touring the United States for several days in the beginning of May, President Mikheil Saakashvili is back on an other visit to the country. He has already had a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, one of the Republican party’s presidential […]
27 Georgians were wounded in attack, some back on duty
The three soldiers who died in Afghanistan will soon be brought home to Georgia. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten of the 27 wounded Georgian soldiers in an insurgent attack have returned to duty in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, while the remaining 17 are still undergoing medical treatment. Part of the wounded may be taken to Germany or brought to […]
Another hailstorm hits eastern Georgia
The storm destroyed crops and fruit in five villages. TBILISI, DFWatch–A strong hailstorm hit Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region Monday, almost completely destroying fruits and crops in five villages. Giorgi Sibashvili, former Deputy Governor of Kakheti, told Interpressnews that hail has destroyed agricultural lands […]
Injured ISAF soldiers brought to hospital
Master Sergeant Zviad Davitadze (left), Corporal Aleksandre Kvitsinadze and Corporal Vladimer Shanava lost their lives in the attack. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian soldiers who were wounded in yesterday’s attack in Afghanistan are in a satisfactory health condition and have been moved to the main hospital at Base Bastion, according to the Ministry of Defense. Three Georgian soldiers in the 42nd battalion […]
Georgia preparing second investigation into the 2008 war
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of eight persons will study crimes commited during and after the Russia-Georgia war in August, 2008. Following a decision by Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili, representatives of three bodies will sit in the investigative group and study […]
Three Georgian soldiers die in Afghanistan
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Still from a Ministry of Defense video announcement.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgian soldiers died on Monday in Afghanistan in a large attack by insurgents. There are wounded soldiers as well, Defense Minsiter informs. Georgia’s Defense Minsiter Irakli Aalasania said Monday that the insurgent attack took place […]
Saakashvili vetoes two bills
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has vetoed two bills passed by parliament. One of the bills is about amendments to the Civil Code of Georgia, which allows to change the status of non-profit legal entities and change the status of a a private law entity […]
Georgia to destroy its ‘dirty archive’ of personal secrets
Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Internal Affairs has agreed with the Prosecutor’s Office to immediately destroy a ‘dirty archive’ of compromising material created during President Saakashvili’s various governments. Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said […]
Interior Ministry official detained for publishing sex video
Deputy Interior Minister Gela Khvedelidze (left) was detained for releasing the sex tape. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The deputy interior minister has been detained for posting a sex video on the Internet allegedly involving a journalist who had criticized him. Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili Sunday evening held a press conference to talk about the investigation into […]
Ivanishvili impatient to set date for presidential election
Giorgi Margvelashvili speaking as Georgian Dream’s candidate for president. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishivli calls on President Mikheil Saakashvili to set a date for the presidential election. Representatives of the president’s administration told DF Watch that the president’s opinion about this issue is still unknown. […]
Saakashvili escapes late night brawl
The scuffle at La Truffe involved throwing of cups, plates and ashtrays. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili left a restaurant in Tbilisi before there broke out a scuffle between several well-known politicians. Three members of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM), including two parliamentarians, […]
21 percent more visitors to Georgia in April
Tbilisi international airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–21 percent more foreigners visited Georgia in April 2013 than in the same month the year before. In the first five months of the year as a whole, 32 percent more foreigners visited the country, compared to the preceding year. These figures […]
Ivanishvili picks Margvelashvili as candidate for president
Giorgi Margvelashvili looks likely to become Georgia’s next president, if the latest poll is correct. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition has chosen Minister of Education Giorgi Margvelashvili as its candidate for president in the upcoming election. “Giorgi Margvelashvili has all good skills to be a president,” Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said at […]
Tbilisi’s new biolab to be owned by the NCDC
The laboratory building lies near the international airport in Tbilisi. TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has decided to change the ownership of the Richard G Lugar Public Health Research Center in Tbilisi. The liquidation process is to take three months and the center’s property will be handed over to the National Center […]