Thursday, April 2, 2026

Russia violated human rights when expelling Georgians, court rules

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The Strasbourg court faulted Russia for expelling Georgians in 2006.

TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia violated the European human rights convention when it expelled thousands of Georgians following a spy row in 2006.

The ruling will be seen as a moral victory for Georgia, which sued Russia

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Former mayor detained at Tbilisi airport

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Former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava was detained at the city’s airport. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Mayor Gigi Ugulava was detained Thursday morning at Tbilisi airport as he was about to leave for Ukraine. He is accused of money laundering.

The Finance Ministry’s investigation service on Monday brought new charges against

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Two thirds of Georgia's growing wine export goes to Russia

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From a wine festival in Sighnaghi in 2013. (Click on image to read about the festival.) (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia exported 26,872,145 bottles of wine in the first half of 2014. Out of the 34 different countries receiving the wine, two thirds of it went to Russia.

In sheer volume, the almost 27 million bottles, each 0.75 liters, if put together

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South Ossetia accuses EU observers of bias

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The EU-hosted field meetings take place in a tent on the de facto border. (From a video published by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A spokesman for the Georgian breakaway region South Ossetia has accused the European Union’s observers of being biased following a field meeting Tuesday.

As usual, the Incident Response and Prevention Mechanism (IRPM) meeting took place

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Court to decide bail conditions for former Tbilisi mayor

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Former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava is charged with embezzlement of money from parking fees. He vigorously denies the charges. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has asked the court to set a 50,000 lari (USD 30,000) bail for former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava in a case involving embezzlement of money from parking fees.

The office on Tuesday also asked Tbilisi City

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The grave of painter Pirosmani allegedly found in Tbilisi

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The grave bears the inscription ‘Forgive, God, Nikala’ and is located at Kukia cemetery in Tbilisi. (Photo published by the Culture Ministry.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The tomb of the Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani has allegedly been discovered in Tbilisi.

Pirosmani was self-taught and his paintings are easily recognized for their simple style and depictions of country life, often of merchants,

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New report details obstacles for minorities in Georgia

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Exams in Marneuli, a predominantly ethnic Azeri town south of Tbilisi. (DF Watch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–There are many obstacles to integrating minorities in Georgia, according to a new report published on Thursday by the Ministry of Reconciliation and Civil Equality.

Problems include access to information and education, not knowing the

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Art students in Tbilisi protest 'Russian, socialist' teaching methods

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Art students say the academy is still teaching by ‘Russian, socialist’ methodology. (1tv.ge.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Art students in Tbilisi protested Monday against what they see as a backward teaching style and an outdated understanding of art.

Students at the Academy of Arts demand transparency and changes in the procedure for electing a rector.

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