De facto president Raul Khajimba has re-appointed Valeri Bganba, former Komsomol activist, as a “prime minister” of breakaway Abkhazia. Bganba was first appointed at the office in September 18, 2018, after his predecessor, Genadi Gagulia, was killed in a car accident on the road connecting Sokhumi with Russia’s Sochi when he was returning from his … Read more
GALI, DFWatch–Sokhumi has brought in new restrictions on the administrative borderline between breakaway Abkhazia and Georgia proper, affecting many businesses in the area. Crossing north-south across the Enguri Bridge is essential to many in the area, who rely on trade in products such as hazelnuts. But despite the new restrictions, anyone who pays money can … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia extradited an ethnic Chechen to Russia on Thursday, despite strong opposition to the move. Russia accuses 39-year-old Ramzan Akhyadov, who has lived in Georgia for the last two years, of having ties to the terror group ISIS. Minister of Justice Tea Tsulukiani said Friday that Georgia received “written assurances” from Russia that Akhyadov … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Supreme Court in Abkhazia on Friday rejected a lawsuit filed by presidential candidate Alhaz Kvitsinia, seeking to annul the results of the runoff elections and call a new election. Although Kvitsinia’s team will appeal the ruling, it is already clear that Kremlin-backed Raul Khajimba, a former KGB operative, has won the election. In … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The opposition in Abkhazia is planning a rally in Sokhumi on Tuesday, which will be held in parallel with a court hearing in a lawsuit filed by the opposition candidate Alkhaz Kvitsinia to demand the results of the de facto presidential runoff annulled. Kvitsinia and his supporters argue that the existing “constitution” requires a … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s embattled banker Mamuka Khazaradze is expected to launch a new opposition party on Thursday. The event will take place in Anaklia, a resort on the Black Sea coast and will mark the launch of what has until now been described as a “public movement”, which many expect will become a party strongly critical … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tensions are growing in Abkhazia after the runoff in the breakaway republic’s presidential elections, as the opposition refuses to accept the lead by incumbent de facto president Raul Khajimba. There is a high likelihood that the result will ultimately be declared invalid, a person close to Sokhumi officials told DFWatch. Incumbent de facto president … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A brawl broke out at the parliament building in Tbilisi Sunday, after anti-government protesters yelled at a MP that he was a “Russian slave”. Emzar Kvitsiani, an MP representing the far-right Alliance of Patriots and once a militia commander in Kodori Gorge, physically assaulted several members of the anti-government rally at the entrance to … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze will be replaced by incumbent Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia several Georgian media outlets reported Saturday, based on sources within the ruling Georgian Dream party. Some outlets report that Bakhtadze may be replaced by Maia Tskitishvili, the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure. No specific reasons for the replacement … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia’s ultimatum to Georgia to remove a checkpoint was not fulfilled, but the deadline passed without incident Friday. Another meeting was held within the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in the village of Tsnelisi, and like Thursday’s meeting it ended without agreement, but the parties agreed to continue the dialogue. Meanwhile, Tskhinvali … Read more