Sunday, September 13, 2026

Georgia’s summer politics: road trips, party crises and planning new protests

TBILISI, July 5 – The opposition party Freedom Square has taken its summer campaign to Zugdidi, launching a 10-day tour of Georgia’s western Samegrelo region at a time when much of the country’s political class is slowing down for the season. Party leader Levan Tsutskiridze said the group would meet supporters, citizens and “friends” across … Read more

UNM heads into leadership fight as Bokuchava term nears end

TBILISI, July 4 – Georgia’s largest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), is heading into a new leadership fight, with jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili publicly recommending four younger party figures. Tina Bokuchava’s two-year term as UNM chair officially expires next week, but according to Rezonansi, the party has not yet named official candidates … Read more

Georgia’s hate speech crackdown sparks free speech concerns

TBILISI, July 1 – Georgia’s government says a new police unit created to fight hate speech, insults and bullying in public spaces has already changed the tone of public debate, one month after it began work. The unit started operating on June 1. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it identified 170 alleged administrative … Read more

Jailed Georgian opposition figure to be moved to clinic

TBILISI, July 1 – Jailed Georgian opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria is being transferred from prison to the Vivamedi clinic after days of pressure from her supporters, doctors and lawyers over her health condition. Khoshtaria is one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change and the opposition party Droa. According to Droa’s press service, doctor … Read more

What triggered the Georgian parliament brawl?

TBILISI, June 28 – A major scuffle in Georgia’s parliament on Friday began after an opposition MP mocked Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s political standing, according to a detailed reconstruction published by Rezonansi. DFWatch has already reported that MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition Gakharia for Georgia clashed physically during the final … Read more

Parliament scuffle in Tbilisi leaves one opposition MP injured

TBILISI, June 27 – Former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia said Saturday that being in the opposition in Georgia has become a physical safety risk, after a confrontation in parliament on Friday left one of his party colleagues needing medical assistance. The incident took place during a tense political session in parliament, where Prime Minister Irakli … Read more

Relatives of protest detainees: Our loved ones must not be forgotten

TBILISI, June 27 – Family members of people detained during Georgia’s November and December 2024 protests called on citizens to join a march in Tbilisi on Saturday evening, saying the prisoners should not be forgotten. The appeal was made near the Tbilisi Concert Hall, commonly known as the Philharmonic. The march was planned for 7 … Read more

Supporters rally outside Tbilisi prison for jailed doctor

TBILISI, June 26 – Family members, colleagues and supporters gathered outside Gldani prison in Tbilisi on Friday in solidarity with doctor Giorgi Chakhunashvili, who has been sentenced to five years in prison over the October 4 events near the Atoneli presidential palace. Chakhunashvili was convicted in connection with the unrest that took place near the … Read more

More October 4 detainees to leave prison after plea deals

TBILISI, June 24 – Another group of people detained over Georgia’s October 4 unrest are set to leave prison after accepting plea deals. A Georgian court on Wednesday found 13 people guilty over the events near the Atoneli presidential palace in Tbilisi. Twelve accepted plea agreements. One defendant, Manuchar Mikeladze, denied guilt and was sentenced … Read more

Georgia prison service rejects concerns over opposition politician’s health

TBILISI, June 17 – The lawyer of jailed Georgian opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria warned Wednesday that her condition has sharply worsened. But prison authorities denied that she was being denied proper care. Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the opposition party Droa and the Coalition for Change, has been held in prison for about 10 … Read more