TBILISI, September 9 – Tensions are rising in Georgia’s capital as protesters march through Tbilisi’s streets targeting the campaign headquarters of mayor and ruling party candidate Kakha Kaladze, where a mob violently attacked protesters yesterday. Crowds gathered near the Philharmonic building before moving to Melikishvili Street, where they dismantled metal barricades and blocked the entrance … Read more
TBILISI, September 9 – Clashes last night outside the campaign office of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, from the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, was political violence, a rights group said. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association reported that GD supporters armed with iron rods attacked peaceful protesters and journalists near Hotel Georgia. Videos showed demonstrators beaten, … Read more
TBILISI, September 9 – A protest outside the campaign headquarters of ruling party candidate Kakha Kaladze erupted into violence last night, leaving at least 10 people injured. The clash broke out on Melikishvili Avenue in Tbilisi, where demonstrators gathered to denounce the Georgian Dream (GD) government. Protesters claim they were attacked by GD supporters, including … Read more
TBILISI, September 8 – Georgia’s ruling party has made a sharp U-turn just weeks before crucial local elections, announcing that it will invite international observers from the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to monitor the October 4 vote. The decision, confirmed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday evening, comes after … Read more
TBILISI, September 6 – Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office has appealed a court ruling that cleared doctor Giorgi Akhobadze of drug trafficking charges. Akhobadze was acquitted on August 6 and walked free after a Tbilisi City Court judge found him not guilty of possessing large amounts of illegal substances. Akhobadze was controversially arrested in December 2024 after … Read more
TBILISI, September 4 – A Tbilisi court has acquitted journalist Nika Katsia, who was accused of possessing a large quantity of cocaine, in a verdict welcomed by human rights defenders but immediately appealed by prosecutors. The Public Defender of Georgia praised the ruling, saying it underscored the need for police to provide neutral evidence—such as … Read more
TBILISI, September 2 – Police detained 23 protesters on Rustaveli Avenue Tuesday during demonstrations against a new parliamentary report on government crimes under Saakashvili (2004-2012). The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that all detainees were taken in on administrative charges. It urged participants to “stop attempts to gather on the roadway,” after several groups tried … Read more
TBILISI, September 2 – Georgia’s parliament has released the findings of a temporary investigative commission led by Vice Speaker Tea Tsulukiani, scrutinizing the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili (2004–2012). The 460-page report paints a grim picture, alleging systemic torture, unlawful imprisonment, and widespread violations of human rights under a “zero tolerance” crime policy. According to Tsulukiani, … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – Former Georgian prime minister Giorgi Gakharia has been outside the country for more than two months, and on August 30 local media reported that he has received residency in Germany. His party, For Georgia, which is running a joint candidate with Lelo for Tbilisi mayor, did not confirm the claim but … Read more
TBILISI, August 30 – Authorities in Tbilisi are preparing for tense weeks ahead as a deadline set by Brussels expires tomorrow. The European Commission has given the Georgian Dream (GD) government eight demands to meet by August 31. Two are seen as non-negotiable by both sides: repealing a ban on so-called “LGBT propaganda” and scrapping … Read more