TBILISI, August 19 – Georgia’s jailed former prime minister Irakli Garibashvili claims an anti-corruption crackdown was designed to put him behind bars and destroy him politically. The confrontation began on Monday, with Garibashvili issuing a statement from prison saying he held Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and the government fully responsible for the safety of … Read more
TBILISI, August 9 – A planned Georgian law to protect national values is drawing warnings that it could restrict criticism of public figures, writers and other cultural icons. The package, whose exact wording has not been specified, is expected to be introduced when parliament begins its autumn session. Georgian Dream lawmaker Archil Gorduladze said work … Read more
TBILISI, August 5 – Georgia’s opposition United National Movement has scrapped its top leadership posts and replaced them with a temporary governing council as part of a reform process. The decision was approved at a party congress on Wednesday, Rezonansi reported. The posts of party chair, secretary general and other senior leadership positions were abolished. … Read more
TBILISI, August 4 – Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused opposition politicians and activists of using “Russophobia” as a political tool, triggering a sharp backlash just days before the anniversary of the 2008 war with Russia. In a social media post on Tuesday, Kobakhidze argued that many of today’s most vocal anti-Russian figures had … Read more
TBILISI, August 4 – Georgia’s ruling party is preparing possible new legislation to protect “national identity”, a move supporters say is needed to defend traditional values and critics warn could deepen social divisions. The Georgian Dream initiative follows the creation of several groups in recent days claiming to defend Georgian identity, national unity, traditions and … Read more
TBILISI, July 31 – The leadership struggle in Georgia’s largest opposition party continues as United National Movement chair Tina Bokuchava questioned why a key party meeting was held while she was away from Tbilisi. The United National Movement’s political council met on Thursday, July 30, amid what party officials described as heated internal debate. It … Read more
TBILISI, July 30 – Georgia will abolish its Ministry of Regional Development in September, just over a year after it was created as a separate ministry. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Wednesday that regional policy will instead be handled by a state minister. The post will go to Mamuka Mdinaradze, a former head of … Read more
TBILISI, July 29 – A new patriotic movement founded by a Georgian MMA fighter has triggered accusations the initiative will lead to street violence. The initiative was launched by Giorgi Kartvelishvili, and pledges to defend national traditions. Members say they are ready to face prison to achieve this, if necessary, Interpressnews reported. Kartvelishvili and his … Read more
TBILISI, July 29 – Georgia’s Culture Minister Tinatin Rukhadze has resigned after less than two years in office, citing health problems and the need for special medical treatment. Rukhadze announced her decision on Facebook on Tuesday, after consulting Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. She said her condition would prevent her from properly carrying out her duties … Read more
TBILISI, July 27 – Ten people were detained Sunday night, at a political protest outside the Tbilisi city assembly building on Freedom Square. Interpressnews first reported the detention of Tornike Toshkhua around 10pm in the evening, while holding a banner with an obscene message about Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the governing Georgian Dream party. Toshkhua … Read more