News
Georgian cross-party declaration confirms goal is NATO and EU membership
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian delegation to the NATO summit in Warsaw has presented a document signed by six political parties, reiterating their support for the country’s course toward a closer integration with the alliance. The document was signed […]
Georgia doesn’t expect a NATO membership plan this time around
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi considers it unlikely that NATO will offer Georgia a Membership Action Plan (MAP) at the Warsaw summit, which begins today, after a number of officials from member countries made it clear that it is not on the agenda. Georgian authorities believe […]
In pictures: Pankisi valley celebrates Eid al-Fitr
Pankisi Valley, DFWatch – Eid al-Fitr, or the Feast of Breaking the Fast, is a major Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. This year, Eid al-Fitr was celebrated by Muslims worldwide on 6 July. In Pankisi valley, Georgia’s utmost […]
Sabi murder case may go to the Supreme Court as prosecutor appeals
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday appealed a ruling in the Appeals Court to acquit the defendant in the murder of transgender woman Sabi Beriani. If approved, the case could go to the Supreme Court. […]
New Stadler KISS bilevel trains arrive in Tbilisi
(Youtube.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Swiss-made bilevel trains have arrived in Georgia and will be servicing the Tbilisi-Batumi line starting later this month. The bilevel train cars are manufactured by Stadler and arrived in Tbilisi yesterday. A spokesperson for Georgian Railway […]
Road connecting Georgia and Russia still closed due to risk of landslide
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The road through Dariali Valley is still closed because of further landslides after the June 23 incident. According to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, traffic will be restricted until July 7, as it can not be ruled out […]
Kerry visits Georgia ahead of NATO summit in Warsaw
TBILISI, DFWatch–A few days prior to a NATO summit in Warsaw, Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding about defense and security cooperation between the United States and Georgia. […]
Abkhazia won’t hand over murderer of Georgian IDP
Raul Hajymba (Ria Novosty) TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto president of Abkhazia Raul Hajymba (Khadzhimba) told Russian media that the murderer of Georgian IDP Giga Otkhozoria won’t be handed over to the Georgian side. […]
Protests resume against the Nenskra hydro power plant in Svaneti
(DFWatch.) (DFWatch.) (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Up to two hundred locals and environmental activists gathered in Chuberi in Upper Svaneti on Sunday as the protests against the planned Nenskra hydro power plant resumed. Activists argue that if built, the dam on the Nenskra river will deprive […]
CEC rejects referendum bid about gay marriage due to shortfall of signatures
TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the attempts to hold a referendum about same-sex marriage has been rejected by Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) because the sponsors failed to collect the required 200,000 signatures. The CEC’s decision was unanimous. […]
Tbilisi airport gets 24 hour bus service, ticket price 22 US cents
The buses are a gift from the city of Istanbul. (Tbilisi City Hall.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi international airport is now serviced all night through by the regular daytime bus line number 37, Tbilisi City Hall informs. Before the new schedule on July 4, line 37 had been operating until midnight, like other municipal bus lines in the capital. […]
Speaker of parliament wants full disclosure about Istanbul mastermind
TBILISI, DFWatch–The speaker of Georgia’s parliament says people must know the truth about the suspected Istanbul bombing mastermind and his role in a mysterious shooting incident in Georgia in 2012. The same day, a member of government […]
‘Mastermind of Istanbul attack was an agent for Saakashvili’
Sozar Subari. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two leading politicians in Georgia believe that Akhmed Chatayev, the suspected mastermind of the terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, was an ‘agent of the previous government.’ “It turns out that this prominent terrorist [Chatayev] was an agent […]
Georgia notes 18% rise in number of tourists in first half of 2016
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of foreign visitors to Georgia went up 12.9% and the number of tourists 18.1% in the last six months, the National Tourism Administration said on Monday. The latest figures confirm that Georgia continues to attract more visitors. […]
Cancelled trains in western Georgia
The trains are cancelled due to infrastructure work between Ureki and Supsa. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several trains will be cancelled in western Georgia the next few days due to ongoing work between Supsa and Ureki. All tracks in Supsa and tracks connecting Ureki and Supsa will be closed from 06:00 on July 5 to 06:00 on July 6, according […]
Georgia denies that Istanbul airport attack’s mastermind was its citizen
Akhmed Chatayev in Tbilisi in 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia and Georgia disagree about what citizenship the suspected mastermind behind the terror attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport June 28 has. Russia claims Akhmed Chatayev is not a Russian but a Georgian citizen. Georgia, on the other hand, […]
Two flights diverted from Tbilisi airport as city braces for more extreme weather
TBILISI, DFWatch–A thunderstorm led to two planes being diverted from Tbilisi airport on Friday. One year ago, extreme flooding caused massive damage. DFWatch spoke to one of the passengers of a flight that should have landed in Tbilisi but was diverted […]
Georgians may get visa-free travel to Europe by late September: Steinmeier
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union will begin offering visa-free short-term travel to Georgians in the end of September, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday during a visit to Tbilisi. Steinmeier said on Friday that the visa-free rules […]
Road connecting Russia and Georgia will be closed for another two weeks
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The road through Dariali Valley in northern Georgia will be open for traffic in about two weeks, Infrastructure Minister Nodar Javakhishvili said on Thursday. For the moment, the road connecting Russia and Georgia is cut off due to a landslide […]
Kerry to visit Tbilisi on July 6
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will come to Georgia and have talks with leaders and opposition, before heading for a NATO summit in Warsaw which begins July 8. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced Kerry’s visit on Thursday during a dinner […]
Was Istanbul airport attack organized by militant with links to Georgia?
Akhmed Chatayev. (Interpressnews.) Chatayev was missing his left leg and right arm as he appeared outside the court building in Tbilisi in December, 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The terrorist attack at Istanbul Atatürk Airport on 28 June, which claimed the lives of 44 victims and three suicide bombers and left 239 people wounded, is believed to have been organized by Akhmed Chatayev, a Russian national […]
Opinion polls differ wildly 3 months ahead of Georgian election
Zurab Bigvava. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two opinion polls show vastly different levels of support for the two main contenders in Georgia’s parliamentary election, scheduled for October 8. A poll conducted by Georgian Dream gives the party a lead of 35 percent, with the United National […]
Another Georgian Islamist militant killed in Syria
(ICK.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 39-year-old man from Pankisi Valley in northeastern Georgia has reportedly been killed fighting on for the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) in Syria. The death of Omar Margoshvili, reported by Information Centre of Kakheti on Wednesday, […]
22-year-old Georgian Islamist militant killed in Syria
(ICK.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 22-year-old Georgian man is reported to have died in the Syrian war, fighting alongside one of the Islamist rebel groups. Information Centre of Kakheti (ICK) wrote on Tuesday that Aslanbeg Borchashvili was from Dumasturi, a village in Pankisi Valley […]
Georgian parliament gives amnesty to 116 elderly prisoners
The bill’s author Gubaz Sanikidze says it is a humane act toward elderly people. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on June 24 passed an amnesty bill which will release female prisoners older than 65 and male prisoners over 70, if they are convicted of lesser crimes. The bill was proposed by the National Forum faction in parliament […]
Georgian Dream slams minister’s decision to end conscription
Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli’s decision on Monday to end compulsory military service sparked a variety of negative comments from members of the ruling party, Georgian Dream. Khidasheli is a member of the Republican Party, […]
Georgian defense minister signs decree that ends compulsory military service
Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli on Monday controversially signed a decree ending compulsory military service with immediate effect. In April, Khidasheli said she expected the professional army system to be introduced in 2017. […]
Early evacuation averted tragedy as new landslide hit Georgia-Russia border
(All photos: Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia airlifted 60 people to the border crossing at Larsi on Sunday. The travellers had been stuck in Kazbegi since Thursday night, when a mudslide cut off a section of road in Dariali Valley. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) said around 60 people […]
Employees of Imedi TV call news chief’s replacement ‘unacceptable’
Nana Lezhava, Imedi TV’s new news chief. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of the news division at Imedi TV was unexpectedly replaced on Thursday. News chief Maia Tabagari was moved to a post as consultant to the general director, while journalist Nino Lezhava (pictured) was brought in as her replacement, […]
MIA: Suspect in Khurcha murder could become ‘liquidated’
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian minister of internal affairs, Giorgi Mghebrishvili has claimed he has information that the suspect in the Khurcha killing could become ‘liquidated’ in a plot to discredit Georgia. “Abkhazia’s de facto Prosecutor’s Office appealed […]
Georgian parliament rejects sexual harassment bill
The bill was proposed by Tamar Khidasheli (pictured) and Tamar Kordzaia from the Republican Party. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Thursday rejected a proposal to criminalize sexual harassment in the work place and in public places. During the last year, about 50 complaints about sexual harassment have been filed with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and two with the Ombudsman’s Office. […]
Ivanishvili fund manager accused of putting money in personal accounts
(OCCRP) By Occrp Bloomberg News is reporting that Patrice Lescaudron, a Credit Suisse Bank money manager who former Georgia Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili blames for the loss of over $US500 million, has confessed that he transferred $US3.5 million of client money to his wife’s bank account in Monaco and to the account of a company he controlled in Dubai. […]
Georgia’s top prosecutor concludes Kitsmarishvili committed suicide
Erosi Kitsmarishvili took part in the founding of Rustavi 2, one of the largest TV stations in Georgia, and served as ambassador to Russia during the 2008 war. In July 2014, he was found dead in Tbilisi with a gunshot wound to his head. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor General’s Office in Georgia said Wednesday it had solved the case about the politician and founder of the television station Rustavi 2 who was found dead in his car with a gunshot wound to his head in 2014. […]
Ministry of IDPs employee detained for corruption
TBILISI, DFWatch–An employee of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees was detained by the State Security Service (SUS) under the charge of bribery. According […]
Suspect on the run in attempted femicide case
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Khelvachauri District Court issued a warrant for a suspect wanted in the case of an attempted femicide which happened on June 10. According to the General Prosecutor’s Office, […]
Mayor Narmania: Tbilisi sidewalks may be free of parked cars from September
Tbilisi’s drivers have been allowed to park on sidewalks for years, but this will end in September. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–City authorities in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi are considering removing parking spaces that were allocated on the city’s sidewalks a few years ago. Pedestrians may look forward to having the sidewalks cleared of cars already from September. […]
Ivanishvili Says Money Managers Cost Him $500 Million
Bidzina Ivanishvili with his wife Ekaterine Khvedelidze By Dave Bloss and Nino Bakradze OCCRP Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is now claiming he lost more than $US500 million due to mismanagement by Credit Suisse Bank and by directors of an offshore asset fund he controlled. […]
Georgia protests against planned Abkhaz Cultural Institute in Italy
In April, Georgia forced an Abkhazian tourist exhibition to shut down at a tourism fair in Montenegro because it presented Abkhazia as an independent state. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ambassador to Italy, Kakha Sikharulidze, says the Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia will not be allowed to open a cultural institute in Rome. The planned Abkhaz Cultural Institute in Rome is an initiative by the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs […]
Merkel: Suspension mechanism before visa liberalization
‘Visa liberalisation for Georgia is not a distant matter,’ the German chancellor Angela Merkel stated during a joint conference with the Georgian prime minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Berlin on 15 June. […]
‘Saakashvili ordered beating of MP who criticized him to set an example’
Irakli Okruashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili on Tuesday testified that ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili ordered the beating of a parliament member to make an example of what would happen to others if they dared openly criticize him. […]
Svan council convenes to stop hydro power plants
Photos courtesy of Tamara Bokuchava, Social Photography Caucasus Foundation TBILISI, DFWatch–Resistance against the Nenskra hydro power project in Georgia’s northern Svaneti region has caused locals to restore the traditional ruling body lalkhor in order to increase the community’s impact on the national decision-making process. A congress […]
UAE signs USD 32 million contract with Georgia’s Delta
Former President Mikheil Saakashvili inspecting a Lazika infantry combat vehicle in 2012. TBILISI, DFWatch–The United Arab Emirates has signed a contract to buy military equipment worth USD 32 million from the Georgian state-owned company Delta. Delta’s former director Ucha Dzodzuashvili said the first batch of equipment […]
Georgian businessman to open McDonald’s in Armenia
Temur Chkonia (right) discussing the opening of a new McDonald’s in Rustavi earlier in 2016. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian businessman may open the first ever McDonald’s restaurant in rival Armenia, Sputnik Armenia reports. The news agency reports that the opening of the first of the chain’s restaurants in Armenia was decided at a meeting […]
Angela Merkel to visit Georgia ‘in the near future’
Reiner Haseloff. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–German Chancellor Angela Merkel might visit Georgia this summer, Interpressnews reports. The news agency is quoting Reiner Haseloff, the minister president of the German federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, as he met Georgian media […]
Georgia’s CEC greenlights another referendum bid about marriage
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Central Election Commission on Sunday gave preliminary approval for one more referendum about same-sex marriage. This is the second referendum bid about this issue and if approved it will be held in parallel with the parliamentary […]
Two Georgians detained by Russian border patrol in Bershueti
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgians were detained on Saturday by officers of the Russian FSB’s border service patrolling the perimeter of the breakaway region South Ossetia. Roin Zautashvili and his son Giorgi were detained for border violation in the village Bershueti […]
Still no decision on EU visa waiver
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union once again failed to reach an agreement on abolishing visas for Georgian citizens who want to enter the Schengen area. […]
Rustavi 2 loses ownership case in Appeals Court, vows to continue fight
Rustavi 2 lawyer Tamta Muradashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia upheld a decision by Tbilisi City Court to transfer ownership of the largest opposition TV station, Rustavi 2, to Kibar Khalvashi, a former owner. Khalvashi successfully sued claiming that Rustavi 2 was forcibly […]
Ivanishvili plans to build new hotel on the border with Abkhazia
Ganmukhuri is symbolic because it lies on the “Abkhaz” side of the border river Inguri. TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has revealed a plan to build a luxury hotel in western Georgia on the border with the breakaway region Abkhazia. He told journalists on Friday that he also has some other plans which he will disclose when they are approved. […]
Foreign investments in Georgia in Jan-Mar: up 103% from 2015
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s direct foreign investments in the first quarter of 2016 was 103 percent more than in the same period last year, Georgia’s National Statistics Office writes in a preliminary report. Investments in the first quarter amounted to USD 376 million. […]
Germany delays visa waiver plan again, cites Georgian burglar gangs
TBILISI, DFWatch–Germany on Wednesday again blocked visa-free access to the Schengen area for Georgian citizens, with reference to police reports that Georgian asylum seekers play an important role in organizing burglaries. After the decision became […]
Georgia’s traditionalists form new coalition ahead of election
Kakha Kukava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s traditionalists have formed a coalition for the October 8 parliamentary election. The initiative came from the Alliance of Patriot, whose leader Irma Inashvili came close to winning a contested local by-election last year, fraught with accusations […]
Tbilisi’s embattled vegan cafe is searching for a new location
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi’s embattled vegan café Kiwi is looking for a new location after neighbors complained about its environment and guests. One of the employees of the café told DFWatch that the owner two weeks ago barred them from putting tables outside, […]
UN: Georgian IDPs have right to return to Abkhazia and South Ossetia
IDPs from Abkhazia living in a Sanatorium in Western Georgia (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the ninth consecutive year, the United Nations General Assembly on June 7 passed a resolution calling for the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the wars in Georgia in the early 1990s. The first resolution […]
Chair of EU parliament supports visa liberalization for Georgia
Schulz wrote the Georgia has fulfilled all criteria for visa liberalization. (Twitter.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, on Wednesday used his Twitter account to voice support for Georgia getting visa-free travel with the Schengen area without delay. Mr Schulz’s statement comes shortly after EU states decided to delay […]
Georgia’s score declines in Global Peace Index
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is ranked 85th among 163 of the world’s countries in the latest Global Peace Index published by the think tank Institute for Economics and Peace. Seven more European countries scored lower than Georgia, including all of Georgia’s […]
Azerbaijani Insiders Benefited from Currency Collapse
(OCCRP) by Dave Bloss, Miranda Patrucic, Khadija Ismayilova and OCCRP Azerbaijan 06 June 2016 The First Family of Azerbaijan and a close business partner made a series of financial transactions in the days and weeks before a crippling 2015 devaluation of the national currency that eventually earned them at least 100 million manat (US$ 64 million) in just two deals while additionally protecting their banks and companies. […]
Activists launch #visafree Twitter campaign for Georgia and Ukraine
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of activists rallied in Brussels on Saturday in support of Georgian and Ukrainian citizens being allowed to travel visa-free to the Schengen area. The rally came days after the European Union put the visa waiver program […]
GD’s electoral campaign in full swing as Ivanishvili praises PM
Ivanishvili Tuesday met with TV journalists (2030) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former prime minister and businessman, Bidzina Ivanishvili discovered ‘a person of his dreams from the time of his youth’ in Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, he said during a press conference at TechPark on Tuesday. […]
Femicide bill rejected by Georgian parliament’s human rights committee
Tamar Kordzaia (pictured) and Tamar Khidasheli proposed the femicide bill. (Photo published by Georgian Dream.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The human rights committee in parliament on Monday rejected a proposal by two MPs from the majority faction to make femicide a crime. It would have taken seven votes for the committee to approve the draft. Only three voted for it; […]
Suspect in femicide case detained by police
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Tbilisi arrested a man on Tuesday who is accused of murdering his wife the day before. The 36 year old man is charged with premeditated murder. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, […]
Woman hotel worker murdered in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–A woman was shot outside a hotel in Isani on the outskirts of Tbilisi on Monday. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later died at the hospital. The woman was working in the kitchen […]
Georgians support gay rights, but want gay rights rallies banned
Invisible Protest for May 17, 2014, Tbilisi, Georgia (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Over half of Georgians think the state should protect the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and other sexual minorities, but four out of five want it to be illegal to demonstrate for LGBTI rights, according to a new survey by Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG). […]
Ivanishvili invites 10 TV channels to his residence for a joint interview
Among the invited channels to interview Ivanishvili there are Maestro, Rustavi 2, Imedi, Kavkasia, GDS, Tabula (2030) Tbilisi, DFWatch – After negotiations between former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili and two opposition TV channels fails, the billionaire and Georgian strongman issues a statement inviting 10 major TV channel to a press conference. The conference is scheduled on Tuesday at Ivanishvili Sololaki residence at noon. […]
Civic groups brace to appeal Constitutional Court bill
Meeting of civil society organizations to discuss Constitutional Court Bill. June 3. Tbilisi (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Civil society organizations brace for appealing revised constitutional court bill, and express their discontent with the final version of the bill that includes the president’s objections. President Giorgi Margvelashvili vetoed a bill on Constitutional Court on May 31, […]
Tbilisi hard rock festival disrupted after outrage by clergy
International Rock Festival Tbilisi Jam Fest was disrupted on Saturday (photo: Edita Badasyan) Tbilisi, DFWatch – International Rock Festival was disrupted on Saturday on the Tbilisi outskirts after a power blackout that, the organizers believe, was probably arranged by the clergy. […]
Ukrainian journalist died climbing Mkinvartsveri
Syvokon with his wife (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Ukrainian journalist, Pavlo Syvokon, 32, died in the Caucasus mountains near the townlet of Stepantsminda while climbing Mount Kazbeg, or Mkinvartsveri in Georgian (5,047 m ). According to the other climbers, […]
EU puts visa waiver on hold. “We don’t want to stop the whole process”
Tbilisi, DFWatch – On Wednesday, European Union once again failed to agree on waiving visas for Georgian citizens within the Schengen zone, Reuters reported. Last minute objection from Germany, […]
Minister of education and science replaced, still remains in ‘the team’
PM (left) replaced Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze by Aleksandre Jejelava (center) (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili Friday announced resignation of the Minister of Education and Science, Tamar Sanikidze, and introduced a new candidate to the post, Aleksandre Jejelava, the Chairman of Management Academy. […]
Ivanishvili and Burchuladze accuse each other of lying
Burchuladze: No one has ever cast doubt on my words, cannot be said of Mr. Bidzina’s words (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and famous Georgian operatic bass, Paata Burchuladze exchanged mutual accusations of lying. “I would advice Paata Burchuladze not to lie,” […]
Hundreds gather in Tbilisi against ‘inhumane drug policy’ of the state
Tbilisi, DFWatch - Hundreds of people, mostly youth, gathered at the government building in Tbilisi Thursday evening to protest ‘inhumane drug policy’ and demand decriminalization of the light drugs and to soften the drug legislation in general. The annual protest bringing together youth, politicians, journalists, NGO activists is held every June 2, since 2013. The main [...]
Six athletes charged with beating high profile opposition figures
Nika Melia (center) and Tengiz Gunava, MP, in Kirtskheli after the incident. (20300 TBILISI, DFWatch--The Ministry of Internal Affairs on Wednesday indicted six athletes for a violent incident about a week ago in Samegrelo, when several high profile opposition figures, including members of parliament, were severely beaten during the local municipal by-elections. In a [...]
Tbilisi Zoo receives kangaroos and other new animal species
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Zoo received 22 new animals on Monday. The animals were a gift from zoos in Germany and Belgium. There are seven South American coatis, two Indian porcupines and ten striped mongoose from Germany, while three blue wildebeest […]
14.9% increase in visitors to Georgia in May 2016
Hiking club in Tkibuli (Tourism Administration) Tbilisi, DFWatch – 14.9 percent more people visited Georgia in May, compared to the same period last year, Georgian National Tourism Administration states in its monthly report released on Wednesday. […]
Parliament won’t override president’s veto
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Ruling Georgian Dream coalition will not initiate motion to overturn presidential veto on the recently adopted law that significantly restricts power of Constitutional Court, Zviad Dzidziguri, Vice Speaker of the parliament, said on Wednesday. […]
Appeals Court postpones Rustavi 2 hearing, CEO expects the worst scenario
(Rustavi 2) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Appeals court on Tuesday postponed hearing of Rustavi 2 case for Friday, June 3, and its CEO fears the same day the court will issue its decision in favor of the former owner, who, they believe, will strip the Georgia’s main opposition channel its independence. […]
Abkhazia hosts football ‘championship’ for ‘unrecognised’
The opening ceremony (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Teams from twelve stateless peoples and regions without international recognition will compete in a football championship in Abkhazia’s capital of Sukhumi, while ordinary Abkhazians express polarised opinions about the event. […]
Ivanishvili accuses Int. organizations’ ‘certain representatives’ of being ‘deeply engaged’ in UNM ‘lie machine’
Ivanishvili published a lengthy open letter on Monday, as promised (ipn) Tbilisi, DFWatch – ‘Certain representatives’ of the international organizations were ‘so deeply engaged in the lie machine’ of the previous government that assessment of the ongoing events in Georgia used to be written by the leaders of the United National Movement, rather than by foreign experts, asserts former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili in his lengthy open letter published on Monday by 2030, a news agency affiliated with him. […]
Crops wiped out by hail in Shida Kartli, anti-hail rockets ineffective
(Delta.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Crops were destroyed by a hailstorm in several municipalities of Georgia’s Shida Kartli province on May 26. In the hardest hit village Ebnisi the harvest was almost completely devastated. The local municipality is now estimating the cost of the damage. […]
Tbilisi Ugly Walk – Green activist group against disfeaturing city’s urban image
Irakli Zhvania (center), Iare Pekhit activists and guests (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – About thirty people, Tbilisians as well as number of foreigners, gathered on Sunday to take an unusual tour of the capital – Tbilisi Ugly Walk – which was aimed at exposing the city’s recent architectural history with three different political periods – ‘Shevardnadze Era’ (1993-2003), ‘Saakashvili Era’ (2003-2012) and ‘Ivanishvili Era” (2012 to present). […]
Georgian journalist died in an accident in Mtiuleti Mountains
Zviad Tkhelidze (GDS) Tbilisi, DFwatch – Zviad Tkhelidze, reporter at news program 2030 at the GDS TV, died as result of a tragic accident during his journalistic assignment on Saturday. […]
Operatic bass holds a party rally, vows to come to power
Paata Burchuladze during Independence Day celebrations, May 26. (Facebook.) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The newly former political party led by Paata Burchuladze, famous operatic bass, held a rally at Tbilisi central sports arena on Saturday […]
18 yo arrested for possible homophobic assault, stabbing
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Police arrested an 18-year-old man, who allegedly stabbed two men, one minor, on possibly homophobic grounds. […]
South Ossetia postpones referendum on joining Russia
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The de facto leadership of South Ossetia issued a statement saying that the referendum on joining Russia would be conducted in 2017, instead of, as previously planned, in August this year at latest. […]
Appeal Court upholds ‘not guilty’ verdict in transphobic murder case
Sabi Beriani (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Tbilisi Appeal Court announced yesterday that it upheld the verdict of the Tbilisi City Court, which ruled in August 2015 that Levan Kochlashvili wasn’t guilty of the murder of the transgender woman, Sabi Beriani. […]
Georgia marked Independence Day [photo]
Oath taking ceremony on Freedom Square (DFWatch) As a tradition, an oath taking ceremony was held on Freedom Square, however for the first time it was also held in other places – in Kakheti, Samegrelo, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Imereti and Adjara. Totally 432 recruits all over Georgia took an oath. […]
Saakashvili squabbled with SBU searching office of his advisor in Odessa [video]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Investigators of Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine and masked and armed members of Security Service (SBU) conducted searches in the office and premises of Odessa Regional Governor, Mikheil Saakashvili’s adviser on Thursday. […]
Eight activists arrested in Nenskra power plant protests
Svan campaigners protest against Nenskra construction (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Svan campaigners declare that their protests will continue as long as no alternatives to the current project assuming flooding of their native valley are presented. […]
Student activist group resumes rallying in Tbilisi University
Student from Auditorium 115 holding a sign of students' union (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch - Auditorium 115, students’ movement at the Tbilisi State University resumed rallying against students’ union tvitmmartveloba demanding its abolishment on Wednesday, a day after one of its members was beaten allegedly by the Union members. Auditorium 115 organized protest in [...]
UNM may boycott parliament sittings until Oct. 8 elections
The boycott declared by the UNM was preceded by a squabble during the plenary session. Tbilisi, DFWatch – United National Movement has announced its decision to suspend its activities in the parliament until all involved in violent incident in Kortskheli were punished. […]
New confrontation of TSU students amidst accusation of violence
Protests in TSU, March, 2016 (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The student movement Auditorium 115, which was set up in the beginning of March during the sit-in protests at the Tbilisi State University (TSU), informed on Tuesday evening that members of the student union tvitmmartveloba attacked one of its members. However, tvitmmartveloba claims it was a provocation. […]
Saakashvili announces his return to Georgia before the elections
Mikheil Saakashvili accuses Mr Ivanishvili of causing the death of Kakha Bendukidze by threatening to incarcerate him in a 4 m² cell Tbilisi, DFWatch – The former president of Georgia and the current governor of Ukraine’s Odessa region, Mikheil Saakashvili declared in an interview for Rustavi 2 that he’d return to Georgia and engage in the campaign before the parliamentary elections in October. […]
Joint Georgian-US-UK military excersises concluded in Tbilisi
Noble Partner 2016 concluded in Georgia (US Embassy) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Joint Georgian-American-UK military exercise Noble Partner 2016 was finalized on Tuesday with tanks firing and helicopters simulating battlefield rescue of the wounded soldiers in Vaziani field, near Tbilisi. […]
Still no suspects in Kortskheli incident
Nika Melia (center) and Tengiz Gunava, MP, in Kirtskheli after the incident. (20300 Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Ministry of Internal Affairs investigates the violent incident in Kortskheli, Samegrelo under the 125th article of Criminal Law Code. So far, no-one has been arrested in connection to the case. […]
Ivanishvili: UNM devastated science, new government tries to restore its dignity
Bidzina Ivanishvili, his wife Ekaterine Khvedelidze, and PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili at the founding ceremony. (facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A foundation was laid on Monday to the construction of a technologic institute, which the government vows, will be ‘the fifth largest in the world after the same kind of facilities in Italy, Switzerland, Japan, and Austria’. […]
Two more cases of homophobic violence in Tbilisi
LGBTQI activists protesting detentions of May 17 at Tbilisi City Court (DFWatch) TBilisi, DFWatch – Two cases of likely homophobic violence were reported in Tbilisi on Saturday. Koba Bitsadze, the executive director of LGBT organisation Temida, […]
Anniversary of Circassian Genocide commemorated in Georgia
A conference held in Tbilisi (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A group of Georgian and Circassian activists commemorated the symbolic anniversary of the ethnic cleansing of Circassians by the Russian Empire in the 19th century, marked internationally on 21 May. The activists from the Circassian Cultural Centre in Tbilisi visited the monument dedicated to the victims of the Circassian Genocide in the village of Anaklia, right at the border with Abkhazia, where they laid wreaths. […]
Georgian Dream wins seven, UNM two seats in by-elections
Logo of Election Administration of Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Electoral Commission (CESKO) announced the preliminary results of the by-elections to Sakrebulos (‘municipal assemblies’), which were held on 22 May in nine majoritarian electoral districts. […]
Azeri activist tortured, humiliated for drawign graffiti on Haydar Alyev’s statue
Photo: Graffiti at the Alyev’s statue were erased and round-the-clock police put on duty at the monument. (Meydan.tv) Tbilisi, DFWatch – On evening of May 10 two activists disappeared in Baku, Meydan TV reported. Then on May 12, the Khatai District Court placed Bayram Mammadov and Qiyas Ibrahimov under a four-month arrest for drug-related charges. […]
Georgia to seek international criminal prosecution for suspect in Khurcha incident
The Prosecutor’s Office in Ortachala, Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a statement released on Saturday, Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia laid out its version of the tragic event of May 19, and announced it would appeal to the court demanding detention in absentia of Rashid Kanciogli, identified as a person who allegedly […]
[Updated] Bokeria, Melia, other UNM members attacked, beaten in Samegrelo
Nika Melia (center) and Tengiz Gunava, MP, (right) in Kirtskheli after the incident. (2030) Tblisi, DFWatch- Members of the opposition United National Movement, including several high profile figures at the party, were brutally beaten in Samegrelo on Sunday. The scuffle broke out in Kortskheli, a village near Zugdidi, administrative center of Samegrelo-Zemo […]
Anti-NATO, anti-gay MP left Georgian Dream
MP Tamaz Mechiauri left the ruling Georgian Dream coalition (ipn.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tamaz Mechiauri, an outspoken member of Georgian Dream, known for his anti-NATO and anti-gay statements, left the ruling party, yet retains the post as chair of parliament’s finance and budget committee until the next elections in the fall of 2016. […]
Georgian IDP killed by Abkhaz guards at checkpoint
Russian-Abkhazian checkpoint between Khurcha and Nabakevi. (Sputnik) An ethnic Georgian man was fatally wounded by an Abkhaz border officer in an incident that occurred at the Khurcha-Nabakevi checkpoint at the de facto border with Abkhazia, inside the territory under control of Georgian authorities. The video (+18) from a surveillance camera distributed by Rustavi 2 [...]
Poti police chief accused of sexually abusing a detective, fired
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The head of the Poti Police was dismissed for alleged of sexual abuse case on Wednesday. The alleged victim is a female police detective whose identity hasn’t been disclosed. […]
Civil society and countering violent extremism in Georgia
Mosque in Duisi, Pankisi Gorge Georgia’s State Agency for Religious Issues is accusing NGOs of fomenting radicalisation and terrorism in the country. Others, however, consider civil society vital in any attempt to prevent it. […]
Six Russian soldiers die, 16 injured in South Ossetia
Sputnik Ossetia publishes photo provided by the witness. Tbilisi, DFWatch – Six Russian military personnel were killed and further sixteen suffered injuries in a bus accident in South Ossetia, Sputnik Ossetia reported. The accident happened today near the village of Kanchaeti on the […]
WHO: Georgia at high risk of Zika virus outbreak
The carrier mosquito, Aedes, is present in Georgia, but the disease is not, NCDC representative was quoted as saying. Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s Black Sea coast is among the European regions which are at the highest risk of a Zika virus outbreak during late spring and summer, a statement made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) reads. […]
Kist Salafi community joins debate on religion and radicalisation in Pankisi valley
A young Kist man named Musa, who was present in the audience, pointed out that the war in Syria lost its appeal after it became apparent that it was connected to interests of major political powers. Tbilisi, DFWatch – A Salafi imam from Pankisi valley met with Georgian public in order to explain the community’s views on religion, the role of the state, the role of media, sources of radicalism, and gender equality. […]
Stairs painted in rainbow colors in western Georgia, then cleaned by municipality
Street cleaners cleaning stairs from paint (Photo: Gurianews) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Stairs of a theatre in Ozurgeti, administrative center of Guria, Western Georgia, was painted in rainbow colors on May 17, International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), Guria news reported. […]
Environmentalists call Tbilisi mayor ‘enemy of the city’, interrupt speech
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Environmental activists interrupted a speech by Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania on Tuesday during a session of the City Council, accusing him of being an ‘enemy of the city’. The activists protested the recent selling off of a part of the city’s botanical garden, […]
17 May marked with rallies, guerrilla tactics, arrests, and prayers [updated]
A small group of feminist and LGBT activists rallied in front of the Tbilisi City Court’s building demanding an immediate release of the detainees. (DFWacth) The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) marked internationally on 17 May once again sheds light on existing tensions between the LGBTQI community, the authorities, and the Church. [...]
Ombudsman call on public agencies ‘to do their best’ to prevent hate-motivated violence
Ucha Nanuashvili (Ombudsman.ge) The Public Defender of Georgia released a statement on International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), May 17, in which he deplores that “no effective measures have been taken for raising public awareness or establishing the culture of tolerance in the country.” “A timely, efficient and accountable investigation of hate crimes [...]
Fewer underage marriages registered in Georgia
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were 611 cases of marriage involving a minor last year, compared to 665 in 2014, according to the latest figures from the Ombudsman’s Office. 95 percent of the minors were girls. The report says that there were 408 pupils in Georgia […]
Alasania planning rally against ‘authorities obedient to the informal governance’
Alasania: Free Democrats switch to ’emergency mode’ (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Free Democrats of former Defense minister Irakli Alasania announce a rally on Saturday to protest ruling of the Tbilisi City Court by which 5 officials have been sentenced to 7 years in prison each. Free Democrats will switch to ‘emergency mode’ […]
5 Defense Ministry officials sentenced to 7 years in prison
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Five Defense Ministry officials who were detained in 2014 on embezzlement charges and released on the basis of personal guarantees from several MPs, have been sentenced to 7 years in prison each by Tbilisi City Court on Monday. […]
Georgian feminists rally against the conservative Christian conference
group of Georgian feminist activists protest in front of Radisson Blu Hotel where the World Congress of Families (WFC) was held (DFWatch) A small group of Georgian feminist activists organised a protest in front of Radisson Blu Hotel in downtown Tbilisi, where the World Congress of Families (WFC) was taking place on Sunday. […]
Conservative Christians from different continents meet in Tbilisi
Levan Vasadze’s speech during congress (DFWatch) The 10th edition of the World Congress of Families (WCF) opened in Tbilisi yesterday, bringing together conservative Christian activists from four continents. […]
Georgia’s PM has selected replacement for Republican ministers
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who was elected as a leader of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party on Saturday, told Imedi TV that he has candidates to replace ministers from the Republican Party in case they resign. A few weeks ago, […]
Georgia plans exhibitions, oath-taking ceremonies on May 26
Exhibition of military equipment on May, 2015 (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia will mark Independence Day on May 26 in most of the cities and towns all over the country by organizing different events. […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-April up 8%
(DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first four months of 2016 was USD 3,287 million. This is 8 percent more than in the same period last year. […]
9 Georgian jonjoli-pickers detained by Russian troops
Jonjoli, or bladdernut, is a shrub used for cooking in Georgia Tbilisi, DFWatch – Jonjoli picking season began in Georgia, which means more Georgians will face detentions for crossing the “border” with breakaway South Ossetia, as on Friday Russian caught 9 inhabitants of Sachkhere district. […]
Svaneti gold rush from Saint Kitts and Nevis
On 10 May, inhabitants of Ieli and adjacent Svan villages organised a protest demanding an immediate stop to excavation works and asking the company’s employees to leave the village’s territory. (Photo from student environmental movement Green Fist [„მწვანე მუშტი“] Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A wave of protests and civil activism erupted in Svaneti against a planned gold mining project, while the people behind it remain hidden in offshore shadows. The tiny village of Eli, more commonly known by its Svan name Ieli, […]
One man arrested for bribing official and stealing manganese slag
(State Security Service/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The State Security Service on Thursday arrested a Georgian citizen for bribery and stealing silicon manganese slag. The Anti-Corruption Agency and the State Security Department of the State Security Service conducted a joint […]
Harassment audio file is authentic, Imedi TV actress to sue former boss
Tatia Samkharadze (Taso Barnova) went public with the harassment accusations against Shalva Ramishvili on April 8, 2016. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Forensic Bureau has confirmed the authenticity of an audio file which appears to show that a well-known Georgian journalist threatened to ruin the career of an actress working for him if she did not sleep with him. Tatia Samkharadze […]
Georgia has become a more dangerous place for gays: Rights group
TBILISI, DFWatch–The human rights of gays, lesbians and other sexual minorities are being less protected in Georgia, according to the organization ILGA, which monitors the situation internationally. International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex […]
Israel investigates a corruption case with former Georgian minister of defence
Davit Kezerashvili, was questioned under caution by the Israeli Police’s fraud squad (Haaretz) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Gal Hirsch, an Israeli suspect in bribing the former minister of defence, Davit Kezerashvili, was questioned under caution by the Israeli Police’s fraud squad, Haaretz reported. Mr Hirsch was a brigadier general at the Israeli […]
Enormous wages/bonuses at Georgia’s CEC: Report
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The head and other senior staff members of the Central Election Commission of Georgia have been accustomed to get enormous bonuses, according to the recent report by ISFED, a Georgian NGO focused on monitoring electoral processes in Georgia. […]
Georgia’s wine exports up 15% in January-April
(Wine Agency) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia exported 45 percent more bottles (0.75 L) of wine in the first four months of 2016, compared to the same period last year. Increase in revenues in the same period is 15 percent. […]
Stalin bust erected in Gori, then paint-bombed and dismantled
TBILISI, DFWatch–A bust of Stalin was paint-bombed pink and later dismantled in the village Ateni in Gori, the hometown of Joseph Stalin, on Monday. The bust of Stalin was erected for the 71th anniversary of victory over fascism, on May 9. It was dismantled […]
Avalanche kills a shepherd in northeast of Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A 27 year old man was killed by an avalanche on Tuesday in Tusheti, in the northeast of Georgia. A 44 year old man was also injured and taken to the hospital in Telavi, in the Kakheti province. The victim was from the village Kistauri, near Akhmeta. […]
Fmr Saakashvili official who brought simpler services launches new party
Giorgi Vashadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian politician who was deputy justice minister during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency has left the National Movement and plans to start a new party. Giorgi Vashadze is perhaps best known for having overseen the reform known as […]
Offshore Leaks database premieres in Tbilisi
‘It doesn’t necessarily mean that these people had anything to do with offshore... Anyone’s name can show up in this database. It’s a database without a brain’, Dave Bloss (left) from OCCRP Caucasus explaines. Global launch of the Offshore Leaks database revealed names of eighty-five Georgian citizens, some of who might potentially be implicated [...]
Auditorium 115 to ask court’s help to break student union’s ‘monopoly’
Auditorium 115 was formed during the student protests at Tbilisi State University in March. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The student movement Auditorium 115 plans to file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court demanding to amend several regulations in the law about higher education. Members of the organization which was created during protests […]
Agency for Religious Issues: Civil society fosters Islamic terrorism
A mosque in Adjara (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – NGO and Muslim activists slam the State Agency for Religious Issues for accusing the civil society of fostering Islamic terrorism and radicalism by pointing out structural violence on behalf of the state and the Georgian Orthodox Church. […]
In pictures: Georgia marks Victory Day
TBILISI, DFWatch–On May 9, Georgia marked the 71st anniversary of Victory Day, the day Nazi Germany surrendered to the Soviet Union. As usual, there were events all over Georgia. World War II veterans came to the memorial in Tbilisi’s Vake Park, where […]
No-one has been charged in Georgian sex tape scandal
Irakli Shotadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s top prosecutor says no-one is charged in the case of four compromising sex videos of politicians which were posted on the Internet. Speaking at a conference about juvenile justice reform on Friday, Chief Prosecutor […]
Alasania issues ultimatum, vows to fight Ivanishvili’s informal power
TBILISI, DFWatch–Irakli Alasania, the former defense minister who was fired after some of his staff were detained for embezzlement, Friday issued an ultimatum: If the court finds the detainees guilty, he will mobilize people and launch protest rallies […]
Six detained at rally against Ivanishvili construction projects
Nata Peradze, from Guerilla Gardening movement (DFwatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Six people, including a member of Tbilisi City Council, were detained on Saturday during a rally against construction projects by companies affiliated with former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Around 150 activists gathered near the Botanical […]
Environmentalists, opposition plan rally on Ivanishvili-owned land
Rally against Panorama (DFWatch, 2015) TBILISI, DFWatch–24 non-governmental organizations and several opposition parties plan a rally against former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili on May 7. The venue is near the office of GDS TV, on Kojori road on the southern […]
Marion Maréchal-Le Pen listed among speakers to Tbilisi conference
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The French right wing politician has been tentatively announced as a speaker at the conference which will bring together conservative activists from four different continents to Tbilisi. The French right-wing MP, Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, […]
Parliament’s Human Rights Committee approves constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
Vice Speaker of Parliament Manana Kobakhidze during Human Rights Committee session (parliament.ge) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Amidst fierce debates, Georgian Parliament’s Human Rights Committee on Thursday almost unanimously (only one MP abstained, no one voted against) approved the bill of constitutional changes to define marriage as a voluntary union of a man and a woman. […]
Strong hail damages crops in Shida Kartli and Kakheti
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Strong hail affected parts of Kakheti and Shida Kartli yesterday, destroying early crops in a number of villages. Villages in Gurjaani and Kvareli regions of Kakheti suffered most, […]
Two former officials charged with extorting business shares
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia Thursday charged two former officials with torture and property appropriation of a businessman, who was murdered later. […]
Georgia must have small, professional, flexible army: Khidasheli
Tbilisi, DFWatch – The number of troops is not important, what’s crucial is to have a professional army, as Georgia will never be able to win any war by the number of soldiers, Minister of Defense Tina Khidasheli said in a talk show 2030 at GDS pro-governmental TV channel Wednesday evening. […]
Activists call for banning Russian TV channels in Georgia
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Representatives of ten NGOs and one media outlet issued a statement in which they urged the government to ban twelve Russian TV channels in Georgia. The activists, roughly half of them former officials […]
US Abrams tanks arrived in Georgia
American heavy military equipment arrived to Georgia (Ministry of Defense) Tbilisi, DFWatch – American tanks and armored vehicles arrived for joint American–British–Georgian military exercises to be held between 11–25 May. American heavy military equipment arrived to Georgia for a joint […]
Patriarch gives blessing to World Congress of Families
TBILISI, DFWatch–Patriarch Ilia II has endorsed a controversial ‘pro family’ congress to be held in Tbilisi in May and is expected to deliver a keynote speech. The leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II gave his blessing to the 10th World Congress of Families which will be held in Tbilisi on May 15-18, […]
Ethnic and religious minorities affected by population decline: Census
43% of the population of Kvemo Kartli is Muslim, 40% in Achara , and 12% in Kakheti (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–The 2014 census sheds light on issues related to ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities in Georgia. The size of all ethnic minorities fell drastically. While Georgia has lost 15% (658 thousand) of its population since the 2002 census, the number […]
Georgian parliament to discuss constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
An anti-gay protest May 17, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Public discussion about amending the constitution to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman are over and parliament will start discussing the bill next week. The amendment will determine marriage as a voluntary […]
MPs propose making femicide a separate crime
Tamar Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two MPs from the parliamentary majority have proposed adding to the Criminal Code a separate offense called femicide, which is the premeditated murder of a woman on the basis of her gender. The bill sets punishment […]
National Movement accused of hindering visa liberalization
Levan Berdzenishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–MPs from the parliamentary majority in Georgia accuse members of the National Movement of hindering the process of achieving visa-free travel with the Schengen area. Georgian Dream members claim that two MPs from the former […]
Angry neighbors claim 65 year old man wanted to rape 11 year old girl
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Over a hundred people in Kobuleti, a town on the Black Sea coast, have surrounded the house of a 65 year old man who they claimed wanted to rape an 11 year old girl. People gathered outside the house and attempted to break in. They demand […]
20 sheep killed in Dedoplistskaro as police car plows into flock
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–20 sheep were killed when a police car plowed into their flock near Dedoplistskaro in eastern Georgia a few days ago. Information Center of Kakheti reported that the incident happened on Sunday on the central highway in the village Gamarjveba, […]
Three cases of homophobic violence reported last month
Jemal Beridze (Facebook) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian media reported about three cases of homophobic violence which took place last month in Tbilisi. The Facebook user, Jemal Beridze wrote on 23 April that he was assaulted by three unknown attackers for wearing an earring. […]
61 more villages abandoned in Georgia in 12 years: Census
TBILISI, DFWatch–There are 223 deserted villages in Georgia, according to the census conducted in 2014 and published last week by the National Statistics Office (GeoStat). In 2002, when the previous census was conducted, […]
Georgian soldier dies in Ukraine war
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more Georgian soldier is reported to have died in the war in Ukraine. Revaz Tsiklauri was reported dead late on Sunday. Tsiklauri died in the town Abievkaa, near Donetsk. A facility he was in was shelled. Tsiklauri was from the village Lapankuri, […]
Five persons arrested in Georgia for trying to sell uranium
TBILISI, DFWatch–Five people were arrested April 26 for attempting to sell radioactive uranium for USD 3 million. Savle Matiashvili, investigator at the counterintelligence service of the State Security Service, said at a briefing on Thursday […]
Quincy Jones, Macy Gray, Prodigy will play at Black Sea Jazz Festival
TBILISI, DFWatch–Quincy Jones, Macy Gray, the Prodigy are some of the artists to visit the Black Sea Jazz Festival in Georgia in July. Director of Eastern Promotion, which organizes the festival, said on a press-conference on Thursday that the festival will be held in […]
Georgian Dream almost caught up by the UNM: IRI polls
(IRI) Georgia’s governing coalition has almost been caught up by the former ruling party, according to the latest poll by International Republican Institute (IRI), published Friday. […]
Population in Georgia shrunk by 15 percent in 12 years: Census
Tbilisi, DFwatch – Population of Georgia declined by 15 percent from 4.372 million in 2002 to 3.714 million in 2014, according to the data released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) on Thursday. […]
No land transfer between Georgia and Turkey
Turkish border crossing at Vale. Wikimapia Tbilisi, DFWatch – The information about the alleged transfer of 15 acres of land from Georgia to Turkey, which went viral on Georgian media, was untrue. Yesterday, Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah published information about the alleged land transfer between Georgia and Turkey. […]
Georgian president pardons 95 prisoners in connection with Easter
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Wednesday pardoned 95 prisoners in connection with Orthodox Easter. The pardon decree was issued on April 27, and 69 of the pardoned prisoners have already left jail, according to Zviad Koridze, […]
Parliament speaker fears visa-free travel for Georgians may be delayed
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU’s plans to allow visa-free travel for citizens of Georgia may be postponed, the Georgian speaker of parliament said Monday. Davit Usupashvili blamed members of the party of former President Mikheil Saakashvili of lobbying against visa […]
PM Kvirikashvili: Peace roadmap for Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the works
PM: ‘Peace roadmap’ in the works for Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Still from Youtube) TBILISI, DFWatch–Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced the need for ‘decisive and brave’ steps in relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia and revealed that Georgia was working on a peace plan, which is to be consulted with Georgian public opinion and the de facto republics. […]
Freedom House: Georgia regional leader in media freedom
Georgia earned the highest score of 49 points (0 is best, 100 is worst) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia took the 96th place among the world’s 199 countries and regions evaluated in the latest edition of the Freedom of the Press report prepared annually by Freedom House. Georgia earned the highest score of 49 points […]
Pshavi historical province to get Protected Landscape status
Tsikhetgora in Pshavi. Photo credit: Alexander Bainbridge / Wikipedia Commons TBILISI, DFWatch–Pshavi, the historical and cultural province of eastern Georgia, might soon be granted the official status of a Protected Landscape. Pshavi is located in the mountains of Mtskheta–Mtianeti region alongside the Aragvi River, on the way to the historical […]
Pro student union rally draws people who don’t know why they’re there
(Imedi TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Groups from different universities in Georgia demonstrated in the streets of Tbilisi on Tuesday, mainly demanding education reform, but local media wrote that many of the students didn’t know what the goal of the event was. The […]
National Movement activist claims he was attacked by local officials in Rustavi
(geotimes.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–An activist for the National Movement claims that several officials at the Rustavi City Hall, including the deputy mayor, insulted and beat him Monday night. Mamuka Chikovani, head of the UNM’s branch […]
Georgian charged with murdering mother and son arrested in Greece
Body found in a barrel buried underground (Channel 1) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The extradition procedures have already been started, but yet it is not known when or whether Greece will extradite the suspect. “I cannot tell you more details,” DFWatch was told at MIA press office. the suspect Giorgi Kuparadze is at the hospital […]
Tbilisi students object against Soviet style surveillance methods
TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at Tbilisi State University (TSU) protested on Monday against what they call a ‘police regime’, demanding that law enforcement bodies stop threatening their families and that the so-called ODRs are removed from publicly owned universities. […]
Ramazzotti’s concert in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Eros Ramazzotti dedicated his concert in Tbilisi on Sunday to the American singer and songwriter Prince, who died April 21 at the age of 57. […]
In pictures: Kist Cultural Evening in Tbilisi
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Cultural activists from Pankisi valley stress the importance of strong Chechen–Georgian relations and the need of challenging the existing negative stereotypes. […]
Abkhazian MFA slams Georgia for blocking Montenegro exposition
Montenegrin police covered the exposition with tarp following Abkhazia’s refusal to remove it from the fair (Chamber of Commerce of the de-facto Republic of Abkhazia) Abkhazia accuses Georgia of pursuing a policy of isolation and puts a question mark on the restitution of the IPRM, while Georgia points towards individual countries’ policies of non-recognition of Abkhazia. […]
Georgian team won European judo championship
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Judo Team won the European Judo Championship in Kazan, Russia. In the final competition, the Georgian male judo team won 3:2 against the Russian team. The victories were won by Nugzar Tatalashvili, Avtandil Chrikishvili […]
Saakashvili confident his party will return to power in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president and current governor of Odessa, told a Georgian TV channel on Sunday that he is confident of victory for his political party in the parliamentary election in October, and afterward […]
North & East European foreign ministers support visa-free travel for Georgia, Ukraine
Photo by MFA of Latvia TBILISI, DFWatch–Foreign ministers of Europe’s northern and eastern countries call on EU member states to go ahead with a plan to allow 90 days visa-free visits for Georgian and Ukrainian citizens. On 21–22 April, a meeting of foreign ministers of Baltic, […]
The Azerbaijan Crackdown: An Update
Abbas Atillay (RFE/RL) by OCCRP Soon, it will have been a year since reporters for OCCRP and other organizations took a long, hard look at what is going on inside Azerbaijan’s prison system. Last June, journalists from the US joined colleagues from the Caucasus region and eastern […]
Abkhazian exhibition in Montenegro shut down on Georgia’s request
Montenegrin police covered the exposition with tarp following Abkhazia’s refusal to remove it from the fair (Chamber of Commerce of the de-facto Republic of Abkhazia) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia filed an official complaint with the authorities of Montenegro, as a result of which Montenegrin police shut down an Abkhazian tourism exposition. The Abkhazian exposition was a part of an international […]
Tbilisi City Hall refuses to guarantee security for members of Armenian Genocide rally
Rally on the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in front of the Saint Ejmiatsin church in Tbilisi (DFWatch) Members of Tbilisi’s Armenian community gathered in front of an Armenian church in Avlabari district following the authorities’ refusal to secure the annual rally in front of the Turkish Embassy demanding recognition of the Armenian Genocide. […]
In pictures: Tbilisi Armenians celebrate Palm Sunday
TBILISI, DFWatch–Although the Armenian Apostolic Church follows a different liturgical calendar, many Georgian Armenians mark religious holidays on the same days as the Georgian Orthodox. Armenians in Armenia already celebrated Palm Sunday (Tsaghkazard in […]
In pictures: Georgian Jews prepare for Passover
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Passover, also known by its Hebrew name, Pesach, is a major religious holiday celebrated by Jews across the world. It commemorates the liberation of Jews by God from the slavery in Egypt and the […]
US congressman names Ivanishvili ‘illegal arms trader’, calls for freezing his assets
Youtube / Rep. Steve Russell Tbilisi, DFWatch – Republican Steve Russell called for sanctions against representatives of the Georgian government for attempts at rigging the upcoming elections. Steve Russell, 53, representative of Oklahoma, delivered a speech in the United States House of Representatives, […]
Ombudsman asks for thorough investigation of death in detention
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Defender has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate a death in preliminary detention. The ombudsman’s statement reads that March 15, a person who was detained a day before died in a detention facility […]
Flying Spaghetti Monster not approved as religion in Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Registry in Georgia rejected an application to register the Autocephalous Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as a public legal entity. Journalist Lexo Machavarian’s April 19 application was rejected for two reasons. First, because […]
Eight flights postponed at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight flights were postponed yesterday at Tbilisi airport due to strong wind. All the affected flights were by Turkish Airlines. Interpressnews quoted an airport spokesperson saying that the decision was made by the airline. The delayed flights […]
Abkhazia shelves proposal to allow sale of real estate to foreigners
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia has decided not to lift a ban on selling real estate to foreigners. The de facto parliament in Sukhumi has rejected a draft law that would have lifted the ban, which is written into the constitution. […]
Georgians mentioned in leaked Islamic State documents
A sample of leaked IS registration documents (Picture: Zaman al-Wasl) Experts point out inconclusiveness of the analysis of a sample of leaked documents, which mention five Georgian fighters registered with the Islamic State. […]
Georgia plans total ban on tobacco ads, other strict measures
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is preparing an anti-smoking bill. It is not yet known when the law will come into force. Amiran Gamkrelidze, head of the National Center for Disease Control, says he hopes that the new regulations will come into force from fall. […]
Georgia’s universal health insurance will not be changed
Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s minister of healthcare says there is no plan to change the system of universal health insurance, but the government is considering a number of reforms. Appearing in parliament Wednesday to talk about last year’s achievements, […]
Darejan Tvaltvadze elected acting rector of Tbilisi State University
Darejan Tvaltvadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Academic staff at Tbilisi State University voted for a new acting rector on Wednesday. The winner was the vice rector, Darejan Tvaltvadze, who received 526 out of 967 votes cast. Other candidates were TSU professors Levan Gordeziani […]
UN chief to visit South Caucasus this month
Ban Ki-Moon will hold meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches (EPA) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon will pay an official visit to Georgia on 23–24 April on the invitation of Georgia’s Prime Minister. The Secretary General will hold meetings with representatives of the legislative and executive branches. […]
Georgia’s Press Freedom score declines, ranking rises: RSF
Georgia: 64th place, Armenia: 74th place, Russia: 148th place, Turkey: 151st place, Azerbaijan: 163rd place TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite the relative rise in the ranking to the 64th place, the highest place in the region, Georgia’s score slightly declined. Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières, RSF), a France-based international organization, issued the […]
Georgia may end compulsory military service in 2017: Defense minister
Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli says compulsory military service may be abolished from 2017. “This is my decision as minister of defense,” she told Channel 1 on Tuesday. “If another leader comes to this office, naturally, that decision may be changed.” […]
Family feud linked to Pankisi arson case
The family house in Pankisi valley was burnt to ground in a suspected arson case linked to a family feud (ICK.ge) The victim’s family demands an urgent and comprehensive investigation into a suspected arson case, which will otherwise be solved through the application of traditional law. A family house in Pankisi valley was burnt […]
Constitutional Court rules against Saakashvili’s mother
Giuli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court ruled against the mother of former President Mikheil Saakashvili in her appeal against the seizing of her property. Giuli Alasania demanded that it be declared unconstitutional to seize property which might not […]
Gold bars worth USD 445,000 seized at Georgia-Azerbaijan border
(Finance Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Finance Ministry’s investigative service arrested two Azerbaijani citizens on the so-called Red Bridge border crossing for attempting to illegally import 12 kg of gold to Georgia. The value of the gold bars is more than one million laris (USD 445,000). […]
Student activists say police threatened their families
Students at Tbilisi State University created a new movement in March. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The student movement Auditorium 115, which sprang up a during a protest at Tbilisi State University (TSU) in March, claims that law enforcement bodies are putting pressure on them and their families. The State Security Service denies this. […]
EU considers including kill switch in agreement about visa-free travel
TBILISI, DFWatch–EU may add a suspension clause to the text of the document about visa-free travel for citizens of Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia and Kosovo. The addendum will give Brussels the right to rapidly bring back visa requirements if it becomes necessary. […]
Tbilisi City Court rules in favor of Gia Gachechiladze in Maestro case
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court decided Monday that the Georgian rock singer Giorgi Gachechiladze, also known as Utsnobi, will remain in control of the TV company Maestro. The city court’s ruling forms the conclusion of a several months long lawsuit […]
Police in Georgia arrest 6 persons for trying to sell uranium
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have arrested six persons for attempting to sell radioactive uranium for USD 200 million. Savle Motiashvili, an investigator at the State Security Service, said at a briefing on Monday that they have arrested a three Armenian and […]