Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Saakashvili loyalist may face a decade in jail

Bacho Akhalaia (center), who was interior minister just weeks ago, may face more than ten years in jail if found guilty. He denies the charges. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — A former government official and Saakashvili’s loyalist was today officially charged with abusing his power and illegal deprivation of freedom.

Georgia’s chief prosecutor’s office has charged Bacho Akhalaia, former prison, defense and interior

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Nina Khatiskatsi nominated as ombudsman

Nina Khatiskatsi is the Georgian Dream coalition's candidate for new ombudsman, or public defender, here during a protest inside parliament earlier in 2012. (DFWatch photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — The majority in parliament has picked a former employee of Transparency International as candidate for ombudsman.

Nina Khatiskatsi was fired by TI Georgia shortly before the parliamentary election, allegedly for political reasons.

Who will fill

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Saakashvili's associates alarmed by detentions

Parliamentarian Giga Bokeria from President Saakashvili's National Movement Party is alarmed by the detention of former defense minister Bacho Akhalaia and two military tops, and says it may have negative repercussions for Georgia ahead of next month's NATO summit. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — The Secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council says that the detention of the former interior minister and head of the General Headquarters is ‘an alarming signal’.

The only legal move which can slightly simplify the situation

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Poti Port paralyzed by strike

Poti is an important transit hub in South Caucasus, and lies on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — In Poti, a city on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, the port is paralyzed by a strike.

The port is important not only because it connects South Caucasus to the outside world but also because it is an important transit hub for the flow of goods

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