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
TBILISI, July 24 – A conflict at a wedding in Georgia has escalated into public rallies and demands that Russian tourists should pay an ‘occupation fee’ or sign documents in support of Georgia’s internationally recognized borders. The incident happened on July 18 at the Agarani Mamuli hotel in Telavi, eastern Georgia. According to Georgia’s Ministry … Read more
TBILISI, July 17 – Jailed Georgian opposition politician Murtaz Zodelava was transferred to Vivamedi clinic this week after health complaints, triggering a public dispute over whether he had suffered a stroke in prison. Zodelava is a former prosecutor general and an opposition politician convicted in the October 4 case. He is serving a seven-year sentence … Read more
TBILISI, July 15 – Georgia’s opposition says it is preparing for the next elections, but still has no clear common plan for how to take part. While most opposition parties are still sticking to a boycott of parliament despite winning seats in the last elections, the expectation is now that they will take part in … Read more
TBILISI, July 11 – Georgian opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of attempting to commit a terrorist act. Tbilisi City Court found Elisashvili guilty on Friday. The judge sentenced him to 13 years of imprisonment. The case concerns an incident inside the chancellery building of … Read more
TBILISI, July 10 – Georgia’s United National Movement (UNM) is trying to open its reform process to people who do not want to formally join the party, journalist Nana Zhorzholiani said on Thursday. Zhorzholiani spoke to TV Pirveli about changes planned inside the UNM and a new “reformers’ council” announced by jailed former president Mikheil … Read more
TBILISI, July 10 – A high-profile “sabotage” trial against eight Georgian opposition figures is moving quickly through Tbilisi City Court, with prosecutors citing witness testimony and an audio recording, while the defendants call the case political persecution. The prosecution’s claim is that opposition leaders tried to urge protesters to break through police barriers and into … Read more
TBILISI, July 8 – Former Georgian prime minister Giorgi Gakharia has accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of failing to defend Georgia’s national interests abroad, saying his own team is trying to do that work at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session in The Hague. Gakharia, who now leads the opposition party Gakharia for Georgia, wrote … Read more