News
Abkhazia’s parliament: MP’s car explosion was an ‘act of terrorism’
Sputnik Abkhazia TBILISI, DFWatch–The opposition suggests that the explosion could be connected to the government’s plans to allow foreign nationals to buy property in Abkhazia, while major political actors call for cross-political solidarity. Members of Abkhazia’s de facto parliament, […]
Students and lecturers in joint protest at Georgian Technical University
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the last week, several lecturers at Georgian Technical University (GTU) have been on hunger strike demanding the resignation of the rector, who has been elected three times in a row. Five lecturers, with the support of students, […]
Revived TSU student protest called off after talks with PM
PM meeting with students at Auditorium 115 (Tornike Shevardnadze/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After two days of blocking the journalists’ campus at Tbilisi State University, the Auditorium 115 movement Sunday evening left the building after meeting several hours with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. Students of Tbilisi […]
Batumi Muslims continue demanding the right to build a new mosque
Prayers in Batumi pray in the street outside of Orta Jame (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – On 15 April, after the weekly Friday prayer, Acharan Muslims organised a peaceful rally demanding construction permit for a new mosque in Batumi, Batumelebi (‘Batumians’) reported. The protesters marched to the government buildi […]
Abkhazian MP’s car hit by explosion in Sokhumi center
(Sputnik Abkhazia) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The official car of Almas Japua, MP in Abkhazia’s de facto parliament called the National Assembly, was hit by an explosion on Saturday evening, Sputnik Abkhazia reports. The car exploded on Sergei Bagapsh Square in […]
Georgian no longer language of instruction in Gali, Abkhazia
TBILISI, DFWatch–There are now no schools using Georgian as language of instruction in Gali, a part of the breakaway region Abkhazia where 97 percent of the population are ethnic Georgians (Megrelians). Georgian children have to study school subjects […]
Man arrested in Tbilisi for slitting wife’s throat
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was arrested a Tbilisi suburb Wednesday, suspected of slitting his wife’s throat with a knife. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an investigation has been launched under article 108 of the Criminal Code about premeditated murder. […]
Putin gives yellow light to South Ossetian unification project
Leonid Tibilov, de facto president meets with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, March 31, 2016. ‘Let’s wait for the moment when “the stars align”, so we can begin to implement the referendum’s results,’ Tibilov was quoted by TASS news agency (http://presidentruo.org/ photo). TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia accuses Russia of instrumental use of a South Ossetian initiative to conduct a referendum on joining Russia, while Russia continues sending mixed signals to the Tskhinvali leadership. South Ossetian hopes for unification with the Russian Federation […]
Constitutional Court deprives security service of surveillance access keys
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court ruled Thursday to take the access keys to secret surveillance away from the State Security Service, which until now has had the technical means to access data that may identify people. Lika Sajaia, parliamentary […]
MP’s call for formal recognition of Armenian Genocide reignites debate
MP Azer Suleimanov, still from the video TBILISI, DFWatch–A call to formally recognise the Armenian Genocide further strains interethnic relations in the context of recent hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, upcoming annual genocide commemorations, and impending parliamentary elections. […]
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover January-March down 7%
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first three months of 2016 was USD 2.136 million. This is 7 percent less than in the same period last year. According to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat, […]
Georgian Manganese loses lawsuit over GEL 200 million tax penalty
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The company Georgian Manganese, which owns manganese mines in Chiatura and a ferro-alloy plant in Zestaponi, lost a court case against the government on Tuesday and must pay a 200 million laris (USD over 88.2 million) tax penalty […]
TSU students reject reform proposal, relaunch protests Saturday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at Tbilisi State University (TSU) will resume their protests on Saturday, after negotiations with the Ministry of Education failed. After a meeting with Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze Wednesday evening, members of the group Auditorium 115, […]
Poll: Georgian Dream 15%, National Movement 13%
TBILISI, DFWatch–Less than six months before the parliamentary election in Georgia, an opinion poll shows Georgian Dream in the lead with 15 percent and the National Movement second with 13 percent. But 38 percent don’t know who they would vote for. […]
Saakashvili blames sex tape scandal on Bidzina Ivanishvili
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a TV interview Tuesday, Mikheil Saakashvili blamed former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili of a series of sex tapes posted online with threats against politicians. A fourth video was sent to a Georgian media outlet the same day as the former […]
Former head of Georgian military police charged with contract killing
Megis Kardava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has charged the former head of the military police Megis Kardava with the murder of general Roman Dumbadze. The decision was made on April 7, but published on Tuesday. According to the Chief […]
Georgia improves on Freedom House index
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia slightly improved its position on the Nations in Transit index published by the human rights organization Freedom House, and has the best result over the past nine years. Georgia’s score in the latest index is 4.61 points out of 7. […]
Georgian sex tape scandal continues, another video threat posted online
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more Georgian sex video was posted on the Internet on Tuesday. The clip was sent to a media outlet; the same delivery method as the previous three times. This time, the website news.ge received an email with a video depicting […]
More Georgians think the country is moving in the wrong direction
(National Democratic Institute.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A larger share of Georgians think the country is going in the wrong direction, according to new opinion poll published Monday by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). According to the poll, 39 percent of people think that Georgia is moving […]
Georgia increasingly attractive for Azerbaijani businessmen and activists
Border with Azerbaijan (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–An increasing number of Azerbaijani citizens have been moving to Georgia in order to work and study. In addition to growing interest from tourists, one can already speak of a trend in which an increasing number of Azerbaijani choose […]
Georgia strengthens economic ties with China
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian authorities are set to strengthen cooperation with China in the areas of trade, transit, and tourism. The Georgian government has expressed interest in making Georgia a part of China’s transit initiatives known colloquially as ‘New Silk […]
10% fewer Georgians want to join the Russian-led Eurasian Union
(National Democratic Institute.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The proportion of Georgians who think their country should join the Russian-led Eurasian Union has fallen by about ten percent since August, 2015. 20 percent of Georgians now agree that they should join the Eurasian Union, according […]
One person detained at South Ossetian boundary line
TBILISI, DFWatch–43-year-old Erosi Takadze was detained by Russian border police at South Ossetian administrative boundary line (ABL) on Saturday, 9 April. According to Mr Takadze’s relatives in the village of Kirbali, which is located in Gori region right next […]
Another Georgian citizen killed in Syria
(ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vakha Bugiev, 39-year-old native of Chechnya became yet another Georgian citizen who died in Syria, Information Centre of Kakheti (ICK) reported. Mr Bugiev arrived to Georgia via Azerbaijan during the Second Chechen War in 2000 and was […]
Panama leak shows how Davit Kezerashvili became an oligarch
Davit Kezerashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A newspaper report based on the leaked Panama documents shows how Davit Kezerashvili, who was defense minister during Saakashvili’s presidency, became an oligarch a few days after he resigned. The Swiss newspaper Tribune […]
12 Babushara victims buried in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–12 more bodies have been identified from the Babushara airport disaster during the 1992-1993 Abkhazian war. The bodies were buried at Brothers’ Cemetery in Tbilisi on Saturday April 9, when Georgia commemorates the victims of the tragedy of 9 April 1989. […]
Pope Francis to visit Georgia as part of Caucasus tour
TBILISI, DFWatch–Pope Francis will visit Georgia in September as part of a tour of the Caucasus, by invitation of President GIorgi Margvelashvili. The president’s administration said Saturday that Margvelashvili invited the pope last year during his […]
Georgia marks National Unity Day
Government members attend the ceremony at April 9 memorial (government.gov.ge) Members of the Georgian government gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi in order to commemorate victims of the tragedy of 9 April 1989. […]
Shalva Ramishvili denies allegations he sexually harassed actress
Actress Tatia Samkharadze (Taso Barnova). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The actress Tatia Samkharadze, or Taso Barnova as she is also known, claims that journalist and producer Shalva Ramishvili sexually harassed her. “I confirm that [my] former boss, Shalva Ramishvili, sexually harassed me, and it […]
Republican Party cabinet members will resign in August
Khatuna Samnidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican cabinet members will leave their posts in August, party leader Khatuna Samnidze said in an interview on Friday. The Republicans are part of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, but recently decided to run on an independent ticket […]
Feminists protest against abortion ban outside Poland’s embassy in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Nearly 20 people gathered Friday outside the Polish embassy in Tbilisi to show solidarity with Polish women trying to stop a proposed ban on abortion in their country. The gathering was organized by Independent Group of Feminists […]
Check-in-Georgia kicks off April 24, nationwide series of concerts
TBILISI, DFWatch–A nationwide music festival titled Check-in-Georgia will kick off in Tbilisi on April 24. The 35 concerts and festivals around the country will feature Robbie Williams, Maroon 5 and José Carreras. The festival, […]
Forest fire nearby Russian military base in South Ossetia
Location of Russian military facility (OpenStreetMap) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has declared readiness in helping to extinguish a forest fire in the vicinity of a Russian military facility in South Ossetia, Novosti-Gruziya reported. […]
Georgian lawmaker questions policy of seeking NATO membership
Tamaz Mechiauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A prominent member of parliament from the governing Georgian Dream coalition says Georgia should not seek membership in NATO if it is against the state interests. Tamaz Mechiauri, head of the finance and budget committee, also said he […]
Suspect arrested for fatal stabbing in Tbilisi suburb
Zarangul Akhmedova, mother of the murder victim. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia arrested a person Thursday accused of murdering 22 year old Pikrat Akhmedov on December 28 in Ponichala, a predominantly Azeri suburb of Tbilisi. The Ministry of Internal Affairs informed said police from Isani-Samgori […]
Romania welcomes Georgia, Ukraine in potential NATO Black Sea fleet
Mihnea Motoc (MApN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of defense of Romania Mihnea Motoc hopes that during the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw a decision will be made regarding creation of NATO Black Sea fleet with participation of Georgia and Ukraine. […]
Georgia to begin checking asset declarations by officials
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is introducing a new law from January 2017 which will lead to a 1,000 fine for any official who fails to file or files incorrect asset declarations. There is currently no mechanism for reacting to incorrect submissions of asset declarations. […]
UK refuses to extradite former Georgian minister of defense
Uk rejected Georgia to extradite Davit Kezerashvili (ipn) TBILISI, DFWatch–‘Political prosecution’ was used as the justification for the London court’s refusal to extradite former UNM official who served as Minister of Defense of Georgia during 2008 Russo-Georgian War and was charged with numerous crimes after his party […]
Talk show host fired, reason unclear
Shalva Ramishvili. TBILISI, DFWatch–Shalva Ramishvili, a talk show host and producer at Imedi TV, was fired on Tuesday. In an interview with DFWatch, the journalist ruled out the possibility that he was fired because of government pressure. There was no warning […]
Georgia leaves gas transit agreement with Gazprom unchanged
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has renewed an agreement with Gazprom which means the country will continue to receive 10% of natural gas transiting through to Armenia. Gazprom has sent the text of the agreement to the Georgian Ministry of Energy, […]
One Armenian and one Azerbaijani MP concerned by Karabakh escalation
Ruslan Pogosyan and Ali Mamedov. (parliament.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two parliamentarians from the governing Georgian Dream coalition – one of Armenian, the other of Azerbaijani origin – express concern over the military situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after the recent escalation in hostilities. “We call […]
Usupashvili: Partnership with UNM ‘not serious’
Usupashvili: We can’t speak seriously about a partnership with the United National Movement (2030) TBILISI, DFWatch–Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili flatly denied allegations that the Republican Party of Georgia, commonly known as the Republicans, was considering a partnership with the United National Movement (UNM) before the parliamentary […]
Georgia marks NATO Week on the eve of Warsaw Summit
Tbilisi City Council decorated with the NATO member state flags (Facebook) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Two-day NATO–Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum in Tbilisi opened NATO Week 2016, which will last from 4 to 19 April. ‘Georgia’s NATO and EU integration is our return to the European family with whom we are linked to by our common values of democracy, freedom and human rights protection. […]
Fighters recruited among Georgia’s minorities for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Arnold Stepanyan. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has complicated relations between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in Georgia. A small group of Georgian citizens plan to go to fight in case the conflict continues. […]
Georgia’s parliamentary election scheduled for October 8
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of Georgia on Tuesday announced that the parliamentary election in 2016 will be held on October 8. “I want to inform the public that the date of the parliamentary election is set for October 8. Tomorrow, the prime minister […]
Gori university lecturer claims she was fired because of anti-Stalinist views
Arina Tavakarashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lecturer at the University of Gori, a town 80km west of the capital, claims that she was fired because of her anti-Stalinist opinions. Arina Tavakarashvili wrote on her Facebook page that the canceling of her lectures was related to the issue […]
Vice speaker doubts ‘Panama Papers’ report about Ivanishvili
Manana Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A leading Georgian parliamentarian says she doubts the accuracy of a journalistic investigation published on Sunday which also included material about the Georgian billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili’s […]
Georgian president calls for Karabakh de-escalation
President Giorgi Margvelashvili addressing the Georgia-NATO forum in Tbilisi on April 5, 2016. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili called for a ‘peaceful end to the tensions’ in the recent outbreak of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, Rustavi 2 reported. President made his remarks during the second day of the NATO–Georgia […]
17% more visitors to Georgia in March 2016 compared to last year
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of visitors entering Georgia in March grew by 16.7 percent, compared to same period last year, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the new monthly report of MIA the number of visitors in March was 450,875. […]
Demand for tougher regulation of surveillance following sex tapes scandal
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Organizations that are members of the campaign This Affects You Too on Monday called on the government to take measures to rein in the use of secret surveillance and wiretapping. The groups also demand the resignation of Chief Prosecutor […]
Tbilisi State University to select new rector on April 20
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi State University (TSU) has scheduled the selection of a new rector for April 20. Vladimer Papava resigned as rector after a student rebellion and a nearly week-long sit-in. The TSU’s academic council decided on Monday that the […]
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Georgia may offer to host negotiations
Vakhtang Kapanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is considering offering Azerbaijan and Armenia to negotiate about the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, where at least 33 people have died and more than 200 have been injured during the last few days, according to the United Nations. […]
National Forum withdraws from coalition, parliamentary majority
Gubaz Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Forum withdrew from the governing Georgian Dream coalition -on Sunday, and the following day party leaders said they are also withdrawing from the parliamentary majority. Leader of the party Kakha Shartava […]
EU’s Avramopoulos optimistic about visa-free travel for Georgians
Dimitris Avramopoulos. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU’s commissioner for home affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos said Saturday that he is confident that the EU Parliament will support the proposed visa liberalization for Georgia. After meeting with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the commissioner […]
Tbilisi plans to regulate its taxis to ‘eliminate discomfort’
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall has begun work on a new taxi regulation that will eliminate the discomfort of taking taxis in the capital. Mayor Davit Narmania said Friday that taking a taxi will become more secure and comfortable. The new regulation […]
National Forum third GD coalition partner to go independent
Gubaz Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Forum, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, declared Thursday its intention to run as an independent party in the parliamentary election this fall. The Republican Party was the first of the parties in the […]
Sex tapes were not uploaded from Georgia: Prosecutor
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Mamuka Vasadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Chief Prosecutor’s Office claims three sex tapes posted to the Internet in order to threaten politicians were not uploaded from Georgia. Mamuka Vasadze, Deputy Chief Prosecutor, said at a briefing on Friday that investigators are currently […]
European People’s Party president meets imprisoned UNM officials
Joseph Daul (Ipn) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Joseph Daul expressed his support for the United National Movement and made comments on EU visa liberalisation process. President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Joseph Daul paid a visit to Georgia in order to meet with representatives of the opposition party United National Movement (UNM) and express his support for the party. […]
Georgia aims to maintain 10% share of Gazprom natural gas transit
Anti-Gazprom demonstration in Tbilisi in March, 2016. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has offered Gazprom to continue the transit of natural gas to Armenia. under the same conditions as before. The details of the offers are not known, but the negotiations between the Georgian government and Gazprom will finish […]
Republicans and Georgian Dream to run as independent parties
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two of the parties in the governing Georgian Dream coalition have decided to run as independent parties in the upcoming parliamentary election. The Republican Party declared Thursday that they plan to participate in the election independently, […]
New Georgian sex tape posted online
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more sex tape was uploaded to Youtube on Thursday, targeting a Georgian politician. The video was posted on the personal Facebook pages of a journalist and an actor and later removed. The police questioned actor Beso Zanguri. Journalist […]
TSU rector resigns after weeks of protests
Vladimer Papava. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vladimer Papava, the rector of Tbilisi State University (TSU), resigned Wednesday, but denied that he had done so because of pressure. “A lot of things influenced this decision. Their hunger strike and your demands, but many other things,” Vladimer Papava said. […]
Georgian official blames Russia for sex tape scandal
Levan Izoria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A deputy head of the Georgian counterintelligence on Monday hinted that Russia could be behind leaked surveillance videos recently used to threaten government members, although he did not rule out any theory. The videos were uploaded […]
Intelligence official denies the presence of agents at TSU
Levan Izoria said the practice of placing ODR agents at universities to spy on students ended in 2015. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The conflict at Tbilisi State University (TSU) seemed to be over a few weeks ago, but now Georgian intelligence has jumped into the fray, announcing that it hasn’t had agents at TSU since the beginning of this year. The presence […]
Ukraine fires deputy chief prosecutor, a Georgian
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Davit Sakvarelidze, a former Georgian official, has been fired as deputy chief prosecutor of Ukraine. He was fired for violating the ethics of a prosecutor, and for interfering in the business of another prosecutor, according to the the website […]
Reports: Georgian women more present in business than in government
Proportion of senior management roles held by women (Grant Thornton) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia scores high in international rankings of women’s participation in business management, although few Georgian women hold political office. […]
CEC approves referendum bid about same-sex marriage
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved a proposal to hold a referendum about whether to allow same sex marriage in Georgia. The proposal, which was submitted by a group of seven people, will not automatically […]
Sukhishvili performed at Russian oligarch son’s Moscow wedding
Mikhail Gutseriev. TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian media reported that Elton John, Sting, Jeniffer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Beyonce and others performed at the wedding of the son of Russian oligarch Mikhail Gutseriev March 26 in Moscow. It caught some attention in Georgia […]
Over 1,400 minors became parents in Georgia last year
A girl participates in a performance to protest early marriages in November, 2015 (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 1,440 minors became parents in 2015 and there were registered 611 marriages of people from 16 to 18 years, according to a report published Monday by Georgia’s ombudsman. In 2014, there were registered 665 marriages involving minors. […]
One more human rights activist released from Azerbaijan prison
(freeintigamaliyev.com) TBILISI, DFWatch–Azerbaijani authorities released from prison Intigam Aliyev, a lawyer and human rights activist, on March 28, as the court in Baku commuted his 7.5 years-long term to a suspended 5 year sentence, Radio Liberty Azerbaijan reported. […]
‘No tragedy’ if GD coalition falls apart: Kaladze
Vice PM sees no tragedy if the coalition falls apart (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream — Democratic Georgia, a key political party within the Georgian Dream coalition, may opt for running independently in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Kakha Kaladze, Minister of Energy stated Saturday, thus adding fuel to the fire in the widespread […]
Georgian PM takes part in Armenian Easter celebrations
(Prime Minister’s press office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited the newly renovated Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi’s Old Town, in order to join Armenian Easter celebrations. Adherents of the Armenian Apostolic Church are almost exclusively ethnic […]
Tbilisi City Hall will pay for Sameba Cathedral restoration
(Ministry of Finance) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall announced its plans to sponsor restoration works at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, known colloquially as Sameba (‘Trinity’), which was damaged by fire earlier this month. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili asked the Minister […]
Car dealers demonstrate against ban on right-hand drive vehicles
Rustavi car market. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Car dealers demonstrated in Rustavi on Friday against the government’s initiative to ban the registration of cars with right-hand drive from 2017. The protest took place at Georgia’s largest car market, located in Rustavi, […]
Former police official Erekle Kodua sentenced in absentia
Erekle Kodua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former government official was Thursday sentenced in absentia by Tbilisi City Court to two years in jail for exceeding official powers. The Prosecutor General’s Office says Erekle Kodua, who chaired the Special Operative Department (SOD) of the […]
In pictures: Georgian Catholics mark Easter
(DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch - This year, a number of Christian minorities in Georgia, including the Catholics, Armenians, and Protestants observe Easter, the most important Christian holiday, more than one month before Orthodox Christians. Before Easter, Catholics observe a forty-day long fasting period known as the Great Lent. The last week immediately before Easter is [...]
Public hearing process begins for constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
Vice Speaker Manana Kobakhidze, one of the parliamentarians behind the bill. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A parliamentary commission has launched a public debate about a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The first meeting was held on Friday in Telavi, in the eastern Kakheti […]
Apartment block planned on cemetery for German prisoners from WWII
TBILISI, DFWatch–A construction company plans to build residential apartments on what according to locals is a cemetery for German prisoners of war from World War II. According to the environmentalist group Guerrilla Gardening Tbilisi, construction is planned […]
Gori wind farm expected to start producing electricity in December
TBILISI, DFWatch–Construction of wind a farm in Gori, 80km west of the capital, will be completed by the end of 2016, according to the Energy Ministry. Deputy Energy Minister Irakli Khmaladze said the power station […]
Georgia’s foreign trade Jan-Feb down 2%
Rustavi used car market. (Rustavi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first two months of 2016 was 2 percent less than last year, totaling USD 1,413 million. According to a new monthly report by the National Statistics Department (GeoStat), export was down 13 percent to USD 281 million, […]
Pankisi imams won’t endorse early marriages
Mosque in Duisi, Pankisi Gorge The issue of early marriages highlights existing religious divisions in Pankisi valley and competing views on the community’s relation with the Georgian state. In a conversation with local Radio WAY (‘We’ in Chechen), member of Pankisi’s Council of Elders Khaso Khangoshvili declared that early marriages won’t be endorsed by [...]
Abkhazia field meetings to be resumed after near four-year break
From an earlier IPRM meeting in Abkhazia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parties have agreed to resume talks aimed at solving problems in the border areas near the Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia. Agreement to resume the talks, called Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), was reached […]
Georgia postpones ban on registration of right-hand cars till 2017
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia postpones banning on registration of cars with right-hand drive until January 1, 2017, to allow enough time to car importers to reshuffle their business and carry out commitments under the existing contracts, Deputy Minister of Interior said during […]
Tkibuli miners threaten new strike
Workers in the coal mines in Tkibuli were on strike in February. (Tkibuli municipality/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Trade Unions warns that workers in the coal mines in Tkibuli may go on strike again. Workers were on strike for two weeks in February, but an agreement was reached a few weeks ago. The trade union says the the mining […]
Ivanishvili won’t return to politics: Kaladze
Kakha Kaladze (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili will keep promise not to return to politics, Minister of Energy and the first vice Prime Minister, Kakha Kaladaze stated on Thursday, diffusing speculations in the media that the oligarch would be included […]
Interpol drops arrest warrant for Georgia’s former security chief
Data Akhalaia (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor states that former chief of security had Interpol’s red notice removed against him due to his refugee status, not ‘political persecution’, despite his family’s claims. Interpol removed an arrest warrant that was […]
Two suspected of stealing oil from BP’s pipeline in Georgia
(investigation Service) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two persons have been detained for allegedly stealing crude oil from Baku-Supsa Pipeline (BSP), which is used to transport Azerbaijani oil to Georgia’s Black Sea terminal and is operated by British Petroleum. The crime […]
Netherlands extradites former Georgian counterintelligence officer
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Netherlands on Tuesday extradited a former Georgian intelligence official known as ‘Mastera’. Giorgi Dgebuadze, a former official of the Constitutional Security Council (Kudi), was transferred by the request of Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office. […]
Georgian Orthodox Church calls sex-tape blackmail malice
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Orthodox Church said in a statement Tuesday that the publishing of sex-tapes in the media is ‘deliberate malice.’ Two videos were recently published on Youtube, showing well-known Georgians engaging in sex. The tapes […]
Georgia strengthens security at airports and borders after Brussels attacks
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is strengthening security measures in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. At least 34 people were killed in Brussels on Tuesday. Three bombs went off in the morning; two at Brussels airport and one at a metro station […]
Georgian politicians react to Brussels attacks
PM: “express my condolences to the Government and people of Belgium and in this difficult time I wish them strength and endurance” (IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s main political figures pay condolences and stress the importance of strong intelligence services in wake of today’s terrorist attacks in Brussels. At least 34 people died in today’s terror attacks that shook Brussels, Belgian public broadcaster VRT reported. […]
Dispute about control over Maestro settled
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Agreement was reached on Monday between the owners of Maestro TV to allow the channel to continue using its logo, settling a several months long dispute. The agreement was announced in a statement by Gia Gachechiladze (‘Utsnobi’), who owns […]
Saakashvili calls on his party in Georgia to introduce gender quotas
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who is governor of Odessa in Ukraine, has advised his party home in Georgia to have 50 percent women on the election list for the upcoming parliamentary election, which will be held later this year. […]
Down Syndrome Day marked in Tbilisi
A kid participates in a demonstration to mark Down Syndrome Day (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia marked International Down syndrome Day on March 21 with a march that started in Vake Park and ended at Tbilisi State University. This year’s main message worldwide and in Georgia was about friendship and socialization of people with Down’s syndrome. […]
Iraqi media: Body of Omar al-Shishani found
Tarkhan Batirashvili TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten bodies of Islamic State fighters were found east of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, including the body of Tarkhan Batirashvili (Omar al-Shishani), the Iraqi TV channel Al Sumaria reported. General in the Iraqi army Islail Mahlawi told […]
In pictures: Nowruz celebrations in Marneuli
Novwruz in Marneuli (DFWatch) MARNEULI, DFWatch–Hundreds of people celebrated the coming of spring in the city of Marneuli, populated predominantly by ethnic Azerbaijanis. Nowruz (Novruz bayramı in Azerbaijani) is a major holiday of Persian and Zoroastrian origins, celebrated nowadays […]
Georgia’s Russia envoy Abashidze answers president’s criticism
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Diplomat Zurab Abashidze has expressed astonishment at a statement by President Giorgi Margvelashvili that he had not properly handled a critical remark by a Russian diplomat. Abashidze, whose full title is Prime Minister’s […]
Prayer service suspended at Sameba Cathedral after fire
(Prime Minister’s press office/Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prayer service has been temporarily halted at Sameba Cathedral after a fire burned about 1,200 square meters on the ground floor of the building on Sunday. However, prayer will offer in four little churches on the territory of Sameba that are […]
Georgian president faults envoy’s handling of Russian diplomat’s reprimand
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Monday criticized his country’s envoy for failing to respond adequately to criticism from a Russian diplomat during a bilateral meeting in Prague last week. President Margvelashvili […]
Margvelashvili praises TSU students for their commitment
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Sunday praised the students at Tbilisi State University for their commitment to social issues after the end of a near week-long sit-in. President Giorgi Margvelashvili recalled sending advisers to the university during […]
Fire burns 1,200 square meters at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An area of more than 1,200 square meters was burnt at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi on Sunday after a fire started on the ground floor of the cathedral. More than a hundred firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, which started at about 14:00 and lasted […]
Inequality lowers Georgia’s happiness score: Report
worldhappiness.report TBILISI, DFwatch–According to the World Happiness Report 2016, published today, Georgia is in 126th place out of 157 countries included in the study. The result places Georgia as the ‘least happy’ country of the former Soviet Union, while Uzbekistan […]
Campaigners demand action against secret surveillance blackmail
This Affects You Too demonstrates in Tbilisi (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists from campaign Es Shen Gekheba rallied against use of people’s private life for intimidation and blackmail and demanded concrete steps from the government. Up to one thousand activists walked through Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue […]
Georgian leaders send condolences to Russia after Rostov-on-Don plane crash
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili (Official Photo) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President and Prime Minister expressed their condolences to the families of victims of a deadly plane crash in Rostov, Russia. “I express my deepest sympathy to the victims of Flydubai passenger plane crash in Rostov, where dozens […]
Tbilisi State University initiates impeachment procedures
TSU Rector Vladimer Papava. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The academic council at Tbilisi State University (TSU) has started impeachment procedures against the rector after a meeting with members of the student’s union (Tvitmmartveloba). Classes were resumed Friday at TSU after more than a week of conflict […]
Classes resume at TSU, but conflict still simmers
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a week-long student sit-in, teaching has resumed at the main building of Tbilisi State University (TSU), while the opposing groups continue to fight for their demands. Friday, Professor Gogi Gogsadze at the Social and Political Studies Faculty […]
House used for checkpoint should be compensated: Ombudsman
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian ombudsman says the Ministry of Internal Affairs failed to compensate a man for using his house as a checkpoint in a village bordering South Ossetia. In a statement published Friday, the ombudsman writes that the […]
LGBT rights activists protest against politicization of the definition of marriage
Protest at parliament in Kutaisi (Identoba) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream MP slurs Identoba’s activists who stage a protest against proposed constitutional changes in the definition of marriage. A group of activists from NGO Identoba (‘Identity’) gathered today in front of the Parliament […]
String of concerts planned in election year, including Robbie Williams
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As the parliamentary election draws nearer, Georgia’s Culture Ministry is planning a string of concerts, beginning in April, which will feature world famous musicians. Negotiations have been launched with Robbie Williams and Eros Rammazotti. […]
Georgia lets Russian MP visit Tbilisi despite ban on Abkhazia & SO visits
Grigory Karasin. (Atlantic Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian member of parliament will be allowed to attend a meeting of the parliamentary assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Tbilisi between July 1 and 5, although he has violated […]
Koba Gvenetadze appointed new head of Georgia’s National Bank
Koba Gvenetadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president has appointed a new head of the National Bank (NBG). The appointment was signed by President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Thursday. Outgoing NBG head Giorgi Kadagidze will be replaced Koba Gvenetadze, a former politician […]
Building of new fire trench discussed at South Ossetia field meeting
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As representatives of Georgia and the breakaway region South Ossetia sat down on Tuesday for a regular field meeting, one of the major topics of discussion was the situation in the village Jariasheni, where construction work is in progress. […]
Students leave Tbilisi State University after nearly a week’s sit-in
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The protests at Tbilisi State University are over. Auditorium No 115 and members of student government (Tvitmmartveloba) have left the main building after occupying it for about a week. Police, security guards and journalists also left the building. The student […]
Russian diplomat criticizes Georgian leaders for anti-Russian rhetoric
Grigory Karasin. (Atlantic Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian deputy foreign minister has criticized Georgian politicians for engaging in anti-Russian rhetoric, warning that patience has its limits. Gregory Karasin made the statement in Prague on Wednesday after meeting with Georgian […]
In pictures: Yazidi cemetery in Tbilisi
The only Yazidi cemetery in Tbilisi is located on a hill overlooking the city in Upper Chughureti district. Until less than a year ago, the area around the cemetery used to be a site of illegal garbage disposal. It was finally rehabilitated in June 2015. […]
Negotiation attempts fail to solve TSU student protest
One of the leaders of Auditorium 115. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For more than a week, students have been protesting at Tbilisi State University and the tension continues to escalate. TSU is split in two, with the police and security guards protecting every entrance to the two-wing building occupied by students. […]
More people charged in Georgia sex tape scandal
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office Saturday evening arrested two persons for illegally storing and spreading videos depicting individuals in intimate settings. The office said that apart from the two who were arrested Saturday – Zurab Jamalashvili […]
Student conflict escalates as rector refuses to resign
TSU Rector Vladimer Papava. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On the fifth day of protests, two opposing student groups continue to occupy a building at Tbilisi State University. Both groups grew increasingly frustrated with a decision by police not to allow anyone to enter the building except accredited journalists. […]
Armenian-language radio gains ground in Georgia
Arsen Kharatyan Director of Armenian-language radio Aliq Media, Arsen Kharatyan discusses challenges facing minority-language media in Georgia and the anti-Armenian sentiment in the country. DF Watch: Can you tell us about the history of the radio? […]
Two men detained for distributing secret surveillance videos
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people have been detained for allegedly collecting, storing and distributing videos depicting the private lives of people. The Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed the detentions, and later issued a statement which said that the two are detained for […]
US confirms Shishani’s death
Undated photo of Tarkhan Batirashvili, Abu Omar Shishani TBILISI, DFWatch–Pentagon officials confirm the death of the Islamic State’s prominent field commander Tarkhan Batirashvili (Omar al-Shishani), CNN reported. On 9 March, major Western news outlets reported that Mr Batirashvili, 30, was ‘likely killed’ in […]
Opposing sides clash in corridors of TSU as student protest continues
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After several clashes during the day, the tension at Tbilisi State University continued on Monday, between the student government, called tvitmmartveloba, and another group of students calling themselves Auditorium 115. Even though […]
NGOs demand tougher measures to stop surveillance videos
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NGOs in Georgia demand the creation of an investigative tool to combat the spreading of videos depicting people’s intimate lives and they want international experts to be involved in this. The initiative comes from organizations which are part […]
Georgian president promises to defeat ‘dark forces’ behind sex tapes
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday promised that the ‘dark forces’ attempting to blackmail free society will be defeated and fittingly punished. “I guarantee that the fight against those criminals will be won,” he said at a briefing […]
Georgia sex tape scandal not over, new video posted Monday
Lasha Berulava. TBILISI, DFWatch–Strangers Monday posted one more video online showing sex scenes involving a public person. The Youtube video was accompanied by a warning that more videos will be posted soon. Youtube was cut off for some time for Georgian users. […]
Gaprindashvili withdraws candidacy after student protests
Counter-rallies separated by the police (DF Watch) TBILISI, DFWatch–After four days of students occupying a building at Tbilisi State University, Giorgi Gaprindashvili announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy for university chancellor. “I am ready to step [aside] considering the interests […]
Russians building new road near South Ossetia boundary line
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russians are constructing a new road near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) with Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia, at the village Jariasheni. The State Security Service Sunday informed that the construction […]
Ex-prosecutor reveals systematic sex surveillance and blackmail
Maia Mtsariashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former Tbilisi prosecutor claims that the military inspection at the Defense Ministry used to collect videos depicting intimate situations of gay men during Saakashvili’s presidency, to use for blackmail. Maia Mtsariashvili, a former prosecutor, […]
Sanikidze calls for inquest into intel agents at TSU
Tamar Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze is considering asking parliament to hold an inquest into the presence of intelligence agents at Tbilisi State University. Saturday evening, Sanikidze met students at TSU who for the last three days […]
Georgian man charged with faking power of attorney to steal land plot
(Finance Ministry, Investigative Service.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was detained on Saturday, charged with appropriating a plot of land in Tbilisi which belongs to an Egyptian citizen. The investigation service of the Finance Ministry informed that a Georgian citizen called Giorgi fabricated documents in order […]
Harsh punishment for spreading secretly recorded sex video: Georgian PM
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Saturday warned people who uploaded a sex video of an opposition politician to the Internet that they will be harshly punished. In a statement issued on Saturday the PM explains that this will be an example […]
Students occupying university building in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Protesters continue to occupy a building at Tbilisi State University, demanding a transparent process for electing the university’s management amid allegations of interference by the State Security Agency. On the second day of protest, […]
Compromising video of opposition politician posted on Youtube
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A video depicting the sex life of a politician from the opposition was Friday posted on Youtube and privately sent to several Georgian journalists by e-mail. Some of the media outlets disclosed the name of the person in the video, but later apologized. […]
Life of Muslim Meskh repatriates at South Ossetian boundary line
Salim Iskanderov (DFWatch) Tsitelubani, DFWatch – The Iskanderov family members tell the story of life on the move, Meskh activism in Georgia, and challenges of life at the ABL. When DF Watch first knocked on Salim Iskanderov’s door, he was suspicious. […]
Students clash with police over candidate for university assembly
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students clashed with security guards and police at Tbilisi State University on Thursday while trying to prevent the election of a new chancellor of the university senate. The assembly of the senate had to be canceled. Students continue […]
Man attacks Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kutaisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man attacked a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kutaisi, western Georgia, on Thursday. The inebriated attacker beat him and tore book and, leaflets and smashed the JW stand. The incident took place on Thursday morning near […]
Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia exchange prisoners
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia exchanged prisoners with South Ossetia and Abkhazia at the Enguri on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Reconciliation and Civil Equality, agreement was reached with the de-facto governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia […]
Direct foreign investments in Georgia down 23% in 2015
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia went 23 down percent in 2015 compared to the previous year, according to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat. According to the report, the amount […]
17% of teachers pass professional exams, up from 4% in 2015
Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The vast majority of Georgian school teachers have failed their professional exams. On Thursday, Businesscontact.ge published statistics which shows that the teachers in primary school had the worst exam results of all. Teachers […]
Georgians, please behave well in Europe: justice minister
Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani called on her country’s citizens not to shame themselves after the visa liberalization comes into force and the borders of Schengen will be open for Georgians. Tsulukiani told journalists after […]
ISIS’s Georgian-born commander ‘wounded, not dead’: Report
Undated photo of Abu Omar TBILISI, DFWatch–The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced that according to its sources military commander of the Islamic State, Tarkhan Batirashvili, was seriously injured in an American airstrike on 4 March, yet not killed, Reuters reported. […]
Free Democrats support constitutional ban on gay marriage
Viktor Dolidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Free Democrats, an opposition party which until 2014 was a member of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, supports a Constitutional amendment that will define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Four members […]
EU Commission proposes visa-free travel to Schengen for Georgians
Dimitris Avramopoulos. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Commission on Wednesday proposed to lift visa requirements for Georgian citizens. If approved by the Union’s legislative bodies, Georgians may be able to visit the Schengen area without a visa from this summer. […]
EU Commission to announce visa liberalization for Georgia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Commission is expected to announce its proposal for visa-free travel for Georgians today at a press conference in Brussels. The press conference is scheduled for today at 20:30 Tbilisi time. There is a three hour difference between […]
Georgian medical student confirmed dead in the Syrian war
Beslan Mukhtarov TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian member of Jabhat an-Nusra is confirmed dead after spending one month alongside Syrian Turkmen in Syria’s Latakia region. 30-years-old Beslan Mukhtarov was confirmed as the 17th Georgian citizen who was […]
Georgian defense minister: We have been informed of al-Shishani’s death
Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli says the U.S. government has informed that there is an assumption that Tarkhan Batirashvili, known as Omar al-Shishani or Omar the Chechen, was killed on Friday, but they are studying the situation. […]
March 8 rally in Tbilisi calls for more women in politics
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Labour rights and women’s political participation were the central issues during the International Women’s Day rally in Tbilisi. The rally included speeches and performances organised by a coalition of various feminist, LGBT, […]
CNN, Reuters report Georgian-born IS militant’s killed by U.S. forces
Undated photo of Abu Omar TBILISI, DFWatch–Several media reported Tuesday that Georgian-born militant Omar al-Shishani, one of the Islamic State’s top commanders, has been killed by U.S. forces. CNN, Reuters and other media reported that Shishani, whose birth name is Tarkhan […]
Protest in Tbilisi University against ‘student government privileges’
Protest at TSU (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists demand transparent funding mechanisms for student government’s projects over allegations of misspending. On Monday, 7 March, approximately 300 activists gathered in front of the administrative building […]
Ombudsman highlights remaining challenges on Women’s Day
Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On the International Women’s Day, Georgia’s Public Defender highlighted problems related to protection of women’s labor rights, supporting women’s participation in decision-making and elimination of violence against women. Ucha Nanuashvili […]
Alexi Petriashvili gives first comments since attack
Alexi Petriashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An opposition politician who was shot last week left the hospital on Tuesday and made his first statements to the press. Alexi Petriashvili, former member of government and party secretary of the opposition Free Democrats, said he didn’t know […]
Rockslide blocks SH-7 road between Zugdidi and Mestia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The SH-7 road in northwest of Georgia is closed after a rockslide near the village Tsitskhvari. A large mass of rock and soil slid onto the SH-7, which runs between Zugdidi in Samegrelo and Mestia in the Svaneti region. […]
Lecture on homophobia disrupted at Free University in Tbilisi
(Identoba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A public lecture about homophobia was called off at the Free University in Tbilisi as result of a protest by a radical religious group that claimed the lecture was propaganda. Identoba, an organization working to defend the rights of sexual and […]
GD coalition agrees on constitutional block against gay marriage
Prime MInister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) coalition on Monday agreed to support a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The constitutional amendment was discussed at a session […]
Suspect detained in attack on opposition politician
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian police announced Friday that a man has been detained suspected of the brutal assault on Alexi Petriashvili, former member of government and prominent member of the opposition Free Democrats. At a special briefing at the MIA, […]
Air Arabia, Scat, El Al, ARKIA and Dniproavia eye Batumi airport
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Air Arabia, Scat, El Al Israel Airlines, ARKIA and Dniproavia are considering flights to Batumi airport on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. Guram Jalaghonia, head of the Civil Aviation Agency, told Business and Political Insight (BPI) on Monday […]
Court approves Levan Gachechiladze as new director of Maestro TV
Levan Gachechiladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Registry on Monday registered Levan Gachechiladze as director of Studio Maestro. The registry said in a statement that Gachechiladze was appointed director of Maestro as a result of a decision made by the Appeals Court on March 1. […]
Georgian Islamic State suspect sentenced to 14 years
Aiup Borchashvili. (ick.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi sentenced three men to prison on Monday for associating with or assisting a foreign terrorist organization. Aiup Borchashvili, former imam of the mosque in the village of Jokolo in Pankisi valley, was sentenced to 14 years […]
Anti-Russian protest gathers thousands in Tbilisi
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several thousand people joined the National Movement on Sunday in a protest against the Georgian government’s negotiations with Gazprom. People formed a 7 km long human chain from the government office to the former Russian embassy […]
Large vehicles prohibited on S-3 road that connects Georgia and Russia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There are restrictions on heavy vehicles on a section of the S-3 road north of Tbilisi leading to the Russian border. Due to heavy snowfall, it is prohibited for trailers, semi-trailers and vehicles with more than 30 seats to drive between […]
Month-long strike at Ksani factory ends as solution reached
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A strike at a glass factory in Ksani near Tbilisi has ended after 29 days. Workers demanded increased salaries, collective contract and office space for the local trade union. They achieved a 7.5 percent pay raise and from January 1, 2017 will […]
Batumi Muslims rally demanding permit to construct a mosque
Batumi Mosque (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Batumi Muslims continue to rally for permission to build a new mosque in the city. The only existing mosque, called Ortajame, is not large enough and people have to pray on the street. Several hundred Muslims gathered outside […]
New domestic flights between Kutaisi and Natakhtari near Tbilisi
airport of Mestia (Air Navigation of Georgia) TBILISI, DFWatch–From March 10, there will be two flights per week between Natakhtari airport near the capital and Kutaisi. Flights will be carried out every Tuesday and Thursday between Natakhtari and Kutaisi, Georgia’s third largest city, about […]
Republican Party will remain part of GD coalition
Davit Usupashvili (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican Party will remain in the Georgian Dream coalition, Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili said Thursday after meeting Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. The reason for the meeting was a recent statement by the prime minister […]
Prime minister seeks to calm feud within ruling coalition
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister sought to calm down a feud within his coalition on Thursday, detailing his views in a statement posted on Facebook. Gogi Topadze, leader of the coalition partner the Industrialists, accused the defense minister of having […]
CoE criticises Georgia’s record on religious minorities and LGBT rights
May 17, 2015 (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new report published by the Council of Europe (CoE) highlights persisting issues of hate speech, racism, xenophobia, direct violence, and systemic discrimination in Georgia. On Tuesday, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance […]
Hotel construction permit in Tbilisi park revoked by court
Vake Park protests in 2014 (DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–On Wednesday, after a two-year-long legal dispute, Tbilisi City Court revoked the construction permit for Budapest Hotel, which is planned to be built in Vake Park in Tbilisi, journal Liberali reported. Wednesday’s ruling concerned a lawsuit […]
Christians and Muslims in Adigeni agree to share cemetery
(Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Muslims and Christians have reached agreement about a cemetery in a village Adigeni, in the south of Georgia, after a tense standoff. The communities agreed to have one common cemetery, which will be separated by a line. Jambul Abuladze, […]
Azot chemical plant in Rustavi shuts down for a month
(Azot.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Azot chemical plant in Rustavi with more than 2,000 employees has shut down for a month due to economic factors. The plant, which lies in Rustavi, a town 20km south of the capital, expected Azerbaijan’s state oil company Socar to reduce […]
155 prisoners pardoned in Georgia
Zviad Koridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president pardoned 155 prisoners on Wednesday. 105 of them will leave jail today. The commission met on February 21-22, and considered 1,178 cases. 105 were completely pardoned, while the rest had their sentences […]
Tbilisi metro workers threaten strike
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Some of the employees of Tbilisi’s metro demonstrated at Didube on Tuesday, demanding better working conditions and higher salaries, following a drop in the value of the national currency lari. Metro workers warn that they may go on strike […]
Georgian NGO umbrella organization elects new leader
Kakha Gogolashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Platform, an umbrella organization for more than 100 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has a new chairman: Kakha Gogolashvili, director of European Research Center. He replaces Lasha Tughushi, […]
EU Commission to propose visa-free travel for Georgia on Wednesday
TBILISI, DFWatch–The EU Commission will publish legal document on Wednesday about visa free travel for Georgians to Schengen countries, according to Zviad Kvachantiradze, leader of the parliamentary majority. “Tomorrow, Brussels will finally officially publish […]
Defense minister ready to answer questions about alleged election fraud
Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli is prepared to cooperate with the investigation into allegations of fraud in the by-election in Sagarejo last October, which was won by her fellow party member. “Anyone who wishes […]
MIA opens investigation into Christian-Muslim cemetery conflict
(Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has launched an investigation into the religious conflict in Adigeni in southern Georgia, where Muslims and Christians disagree about whether to have a separate graveyard for Muslims. The investigation […]
Georgian kvevri to be on display at UN in Geneva
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The United Nations will have traditional Georgian wine making vessel on display outside its building in Geneva from March 1 in connection with the organization’s 70th anniversary. Georgia gifted UN’s Geneva office a kvevri; a large earthenware […]
Solution reached in Tkibuli miners’ strike
A government representative visiting Tkibuli on Friday. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A solution was reached Monday evening in the labor dispute in Tkibuli after more than four hours of negotiations. Mine workers in the western Georgian town went on strike more than two weeks ago, demanding a pay raise. The negotiations […]
Christians and Muslims in Adigeni exchange insults in cemetery row
(Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Disagreement over a cemetery led to exchange of insults between Muslims and Christians in a village in southern Georgia on Monday. Samkhretis Karibche, a local online newspaper, reported that the locals verbally insulted each other. […]
Court in Georgia to hear case of man who married 15 year old girl
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The regional Court in Sighnaghi in eastern Georgia is considering the case of a 25 year old man who married a 15 year old girl who is pregnant. A few weeks ago, the couple showed up at a talk show on Imedi TV called the Gia Jajanidze Show. The man told of how he and the girl found […]
Two Georgians who avoided hanging in Malaysia returned home
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgian citizens who barely avoided being hanged in Malaysia for drug-related crimes returned to Georgia on Sunday. Babutsa Gordadze, who was arrested in Malaysia along with Darejan Kokhtashvili, was convicted of illegally […]
Georgia’s by-election last October to be investigated for fraud
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor General’s Office in Georgia has launched an investigation two weeks after allegations were put forth by a member of parliament about election fraud in last year’s by-election in Sagarejo in eastern Georgia. Gogi Topadze, leader […]
Hundreds rally against Ivanishvili’s ‘Panorama Tbilisi’ project
(DFWatch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists demand putting halt a large construction project amidst environmental, urban, social, and conflict-of-interest controversies. Up to 400 activists gathered on Tbilisi’s Freedom Square on 27 February in order to protest against the construction […]
Tbilisi’s Azerbaijani activists call for recognition of the ‘Khojaly Genocide’
(DF Watch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Azerbaijani activists marked the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy and called for its recognition as a genocide. On 25 February, a conference on the Khojaly (Xocalı) genocide was held in Tbilisi. The event was organised […]
Protesters support Tkibuli miners’ strike in Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists demonstrated in front of the headquarters of Georgian Industrial Group in Tbilisi in solidarity with the miners who are on strike in Tkibuli. In the evening of 26 February, a group of up to 200 protesters […]
Ex-minister in a stable condition after being shot
Avtandil Imedadze. TBILISI, DFWatch–Doctors say former government official and now opposition member Alexi Petriashvili is in a stable condition. He was shot in the legs and abdominal area on Friday at a cemetery in Tbilisi. The director of the Republican Hospital […]
Georgian ballerina criticized for Moscow performance on ‘Soviet Occupation Day’
Nino Ananiashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Nino Ananiashvili, a former prima ballerina at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater, was criticized in Georgia for performing at the theater in the Russian capital on February 25, because in her home country, the day is observed as the Day of Soviet Occupation. […]
Georgian Islamic State suspect denied recruitment activity
Aiug Borchashvili (ICK.ge) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Aiup Borchashvili admits links to Umar ash-Shishani, but denies direct involvement in recruiting people to fight in Syria and Iraq. Telavi District Court heard Aiup Borchashvili in the case of […]
Shots fired at Georgia’s ex-minister for Euro-Atlantic integration
TBILISI, DFWatch–A former member of government and secretary of an opposition party was shot by unknown attackers on Saburtalo cemetery on Friday afternoon. His injuries are not life-threatening. Aleksi Petriashvili with his wife, journalist Eka Mishveladze (Facebook) Aleksi Petriashvili was shot at and wounded at the Saburtalo […]
One person detained at South Ossetian boundary line
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border police detained a 31-years-old inhabitant of Tbilisi in the vicinity of the South Ossetian boundary line, Sputnik Ossetia reported. The man was detained on 24 February near the village of Akhmaji (Akhmadz in Ossetian) in Akhalgori (Leningor) […]
Workers break into mining company’s offices in Tkibuli
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Coal miners on strike in a small mining town in the west of Georgia broke into the offices of the company that owns the mines Thursday evening. Workers came in through the windows of the offices of Saknakhshiri GIG in Tkibuli, with the support of locals. […]
Open-air exhibition marks the Soviet Occupation Day
Exhibition at parliament (DFWatch) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Pictures and documents from the period of Bolshevik terror in Georgia marked the anniversary the tragic events of 1921. A photo exhibition in front of the Parliament building in Tbilisi marked the Soviet Occupation Day, […]
One more arrest made in Tbilisi ‘bridenapping’ case
TBILISI, DFWatch–One more person was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the suspected ‘bridenapping’ in Tbilisi’s southern Ponichala district. Earlier on Tuesday, police in the capital arrested a Russian teenager, who is suspected of abducting […]
Man stabbed to death near Telavi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A man of about 50 years was murdered on Wednesday in the village Vardisubani near Telavi. A suspect was apprehended the same day. The victim, Vepkhia Glurjidze, had a disagreement with the suspect, who then stabbed him. Glurjidze took […]
Irrigation water and detentions discussed at South Ossetia field meeting
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The field meeting on the perimeter of the South Ossetia region went ahead as planned on Wednesday, and some of the topics discussed were irrigation water and detention of people for border violations. The meeting was held in Ergneti, a village […]
Tbilisi ‘bridenapping’ suspect caught
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Tbilisi detained a teenager on Wednesday who is suspected of abducting a 17 year old girl and keeping her for four days. The detainee is a citizen of Russia, and like the victim also a minor. He was arrested by officers from the central Tbilisi […]
Georgian politician Nino Burjanadze visited Moscow
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin and Nino Burjanadze, leader of Democratic Movement. TBILISI, DFWatch–Nino Burjanadze, leader of the Georgian opposition party Democratic Movement, recently visited Moscow and met with Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin. The parties did not disclose the topic of the meeting. Her party’s press […]
Annual report by Amnesty International criticises Georgia’s human rights record
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia still struggles with issues connected to its justice system, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, rights of LGBTI people, and cases of torture and other ill-treatment. Amnesty International (AI) has released the […]
New Islamic State video commemorates Georgian fighters
Badri Iremadze, a still from the video TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian fighters affiliated with the Islamic State commemorate three men who died earlier this year in Syria. A new Georgian-language video produced by Furat, a media company affiliated with the Islamic State, has been circulated […]
Chief judge at Tbilisi City Court fired
Mamuka Akhvlediani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The chief judge at Tbilisi City Court was fired on Tuesday, sparking speculation that it might have something to do with his recent statements about corruption in the court and other controversial topics. Twelve members of the High […]
Road building to be accelerated, says Georgian PM
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili promises that the motorway through Georgia currently under construction will be completed by 2020. The transit road east-west through Georgia, connecting the border with Azerbaijan with the Turkish […]