Tuesday, March 17, 2026

News

Trump sends senior U.S. official to meet Georgian foreign minister, signaling diplomatic thaw

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met with Wyatt Toehlke, senior advisor to the U.S. State Department, in what observers see as a clear step toward improved relations. The meeting, which was confirmed by Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, covered U.S.-Georgia relations, regional security challenges, and Georgia’s role in promoting stability in the South Caucasus. … Read more

Three opposition figures in prison as Georgia gets ready for local elections

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Three oppsition figures are currently in pre-trial detention, raising concerns about the political situation ahead of the local elections scheduled for October 4. The three jailed opposition politicians are Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia, and Nika Gvaramia. All three are from the opposition coalition “For Change” – one of four election alliances that took part … Read more

Former PM, now leader of opposition party, faces possible charges over 2019 border standoff

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TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, prosecutors have reopened case about a 2019 border incident involving former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who is the leader of one of the few opposition parties planning to participate in this year’s local elections in October. The investigation centers on events in the village of Chorchana, near the de facto boundary with … Read more

Students rally against the Georgian government

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Students protested in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on June 14, expressing both anger over instances of injustice domestically as well as how the country has become a target of international criticism. Outside Tbilisi State University, demonstrators condemned the recent sentencing of student activist Mate Devadze, who received four and a half years in prison for … Read more

Georgia brings up killing of Tamaz Ginturi at IPRM talks

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TBILISI, DFWatch–The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) met again on June 11 in Ergneti to discuss issues along the administrative border line. Participants reviewed recent incidents, including restrictions on movement, illegal detentions, and so-called “borderization” by Russian-backed forces. Georgia’s state security demanded accountability for the killing of Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi and pressed for … Read more

Georgia again detains opposition figure Nika Gvaramia

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Opposition figure and TV director Nika Gvaramia was detained in Tbilisi today, sparking an outcry among supporters. The arrest followed shortly after a court session, where it was decided to revoke Gvaramia’s bail and converting it into imprisonment. The judge justified this as a response to his alleged violation of bail conditions. Prosecutors argued … Read more

Opera star turned politician suggests ‘Third Republic’ in Georgia

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Opera singer and political figure Paata Burchuladze has suggestwd convening a ‘national congress’ to form a ‘Third Republic’, as a way of pushing back against what he calls an illegitimate government. Drawing parallels to Georgia’s first (1918–1921) and second (1991) republics, Burchuladze argues that the current administration is no longer acting in the public’s … Read more

Donald Tusk spearheading renewed attempt to shut down EU’s visa-free travel for Georgians

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Another push is underway to convince European Union member states to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. Leading the charge is Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has emerged as a hardliner among EU leaders seeking to pressure the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government using Brussels’ institutional tools. “I apologize to Georgians if this … Read more

Donald Tusk spearheading renewed attempt to shut down EU's visa-free travel for Georgians

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Another push is underway to convince European Union member states to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. Leading the charge is Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has emerged as a hardliner among EU leaders seeking to pressure the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government using Brussels’ institutional tools. “I apologize to Georgians if this … Read more

In Georgia, journalists and activists are asked to explain their “offensive” social media posts in court

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Several high-profile Georgian journalists, activists and opposition politicians have been summoned to court for allegedly insulting public officials online. TV anchors Vakho Sanaia and Vika Bukia, opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria and activist Ana Subeliani are among those who have faced court hearings. Specifically. this deals with Facebook posts considered offensive to ruling party MP … Read more