TBILISI, DFWatch – Saakashvili’s main competitor Bidzina Ivanisvhili yesterday gave 80 million lari to the state. This is about USD 48 million. He says the government has denied him of all other ways to help the disaster struck population, and therefore he decided
News
Georgian audit service gets new director
TBILISI, DFWatch – The head of parliament’s committee on human rights will replace the head of the audit service.
Davit Bakradze, Speaker of Parliament, announced the decision Tuesday during a visit to Abasha, small town in the Samegrelo region.
The audit service
Georgian Dream demands more transparency in crisis funds

TBILISI, DFWatch – In Georgia, the main opposition bloc Georgian Dream accuses the government of having recklessly spent the state reserve funds, set apart to handle disasters.
According to law, the two crisis funds, one controlled by the government and
Georgian Dream supports non-use of violence declaration
TBILISI, DFWatch – The opposition Georgian Dream coalition is ready to join a declaration asking for a competitive, fair and peaceful election.
Maia Panjikidze, spokesperson for the coalition, said Monday that the coalition supports a document published July 16
More equipment seized from Maestro TV

TBILISI, DFWatch – More of Maestro’s satellite equipment was seized yesterday by police on the Georgian border, the company’s director informs.
Ilia Kikabidze, General Director of Maestro TV, today said at a press conference that three cars were seized yesterday,
Georgia starts negotiations with EU about visa free travel
TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgia has started negotiations with the EU about liberalization of visa rules.
Today, the EU Commission’s Director General for Development met the Georgian deputy foreign minister in Brussels.
According to Georgia’s foreign ministry,
TV studio robbed, suspects political reasons

TBILISI, DFWatch – An independent TV studio in Georgia had its offices robbed, and suspects political reasons.
Studio Monitor, which makes investigative reports for Maestro TV, was subject to a break-in on July 22.
Its main work deals with producing
Ivanishvili once more offers to help storm victims
TBILISI, DFWatch – Saakashvili’s main competitor Bidzina Ivanishvili says he does not trust the government’s official data about the amount of losses due to an extreme storm on July 19.
Ivanishvili says his opposition Georgian Dream coalition is
Saakashvili uses state coffers to repair storm damage
TBILISI, DFWatch – The government in Georgia has set aside 162 million lari to deal with the losses because of last week’s storm. The money is to be taken from other parts of the state budget.
Finance Minister Dimitry Gvindadze explains that a special fund
The head of Georgia's audit service resigns

TBILISI, DFWatch – The head of Georgia’s audit service today resigned in order to help people affected by the storm in Kakheti last week.
Levan Bezhashvili has held the position since 2008. Monday, he announced his decision to resign, on the fifth day