The new Stalin monument in Telavi before it was paint bombed. (TV1.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Stalin monument in Telavi, Georgia, has been dismantled. The same day as it was installed in September, 2013, the statue was paint bombed by unknown persons, who also painted other Stalin monuments in other Georgian villages, erected after the change […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Chief Prosecutor of Georgia has resigned, nearly a week after he was targeted by the National Movement party for a robbery conviction in Germany in 2001. Otar Partskhaladze Monday evening issued a statement saying that due to the questions which […]
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s parliament speaker said Monday that the country’s main political priority is signing the Association Agreement with the EU and that all the other issues are subordinate to this priority. Summing up the year 2013 at a press conference, Davit […]
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Photo published by Parliament’s press office.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, a new Constitution Commission is preparing a draft of constitutional amendments that will balance the branches of power. It will start work in the second half of January, 2014. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili said this on Monday […]
Anaklia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia plans to build an international airport in Anaklia, a beach resort on the Black Sea next to the breakaway region Abkhazia. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Minister of Economy, said at a briefing December 25 that a plan developed by the previous […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava plans to mortgage his house in order to pay the bail money in a corruption case. Ugulava was last week suspended by Tbilisi City Court. The mayor is charged with embezzlement of Tbilisi City Hall money and using it to […]
Used cars remained Georgia’s number one export product. (gancxadebebi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-November 2013 was USD 9 681 million. This is four percent more than in the same period last year. USD 2 618 of this was export – 20 percent more than in 2012. Import amounted to USD 7 064 million […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will get increased salary next year, but the increase is less than previously planned. The president’s salary will go up from 4 720 to 6 900 lari (USD 3 900), according to new draft, which parliament is reviewing. […]
Rusiko Machaidze, Agit Mirzoev, Tina Ghogheliani, Manana Nachkebia and Levan Vepkhvadze. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Participants at a round table discussion organized by DF Watch said lack of language skills is preventing ethnic minorities from engaging in politics in Georgia. The discussion was held on December 28, and the topic was what obstacles there are […]
Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava at Saturday’s demonstration. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement on Saturday mobilized thousands of its supporters to protest the removal from office of the Tbilisi mayor. UNM members believe that democracy is in danger in Georgia. Apart from being against the suspension of Ugulava, who is […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Defender claims his staff witnessed mistreatment of a prisoner. Ucha Nanuashvili on Friday appealed to the Prosecutor’s Office to start investigation of Prison No 8 in Gldani. The Ombudsman’s statement says employees visited the […]
Megis Kardava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former official in the Saakashvili regime has been charged in a case involving Abu Ghraib-style sexually degrading treatment of detainees. Megis Kardava, who has held several positions at law enforcement bodies in Georgia, has been out of the country […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A decision by the city court to suspend Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava pending a corruption trial has been upheld in the Appeals Court. Both the Prosecutor’s Office and Ugulava’s defense lawyers appealed the city court’s decision. The Prosecutor’s […]
Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement Party in Georgia has exposed that the Chief Prosecutor was convicted of robbery in Germany in 2001. Otar Partskhaladze confirms that he had certain incident with police in Germany, but claims that he was not subject to coercive […]
Mikheil Saakashvili addressing the protesters in Kyiv December 7, 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ukrainian government has barred former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvil from entering the country after he visited the protesters in Kyiv. Saakashvili’s name appears along with 29 Georgians on a list published by the Ukrainian foreign […]
Chiora Taktakishvili threatens to sue Eka Beselia, head of the parliamentary committee on human rights. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lawmaker from the National Movement party in Georgia has threatened to sue her colleague from the Georgian Dream coalition for defamation during a debate about rough interrogation methods. The quarrel broke out during a session of the parliamentary […]
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told Forbes he is sure he won’t return to politics. In an interview with the Russian edition of the publication, he explained that he would keep his promise to stay out of politics. “I guarantee […]
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prime minister Irakli Gharibashvili plans to visit the US in the first half of 2014, according to the country’s foreign affairs minister. Maia Panjikidze announced the visit while summing up events the last year on Monday, but did not […]
The National Movement’s parliamentary leader Davit Bakradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement party went on the offensive on Sunday and demanded an investigation into claims that the Prosecutor’s Office pressured two judges in a corruption case against Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. Ugulava was Saturday night suspended from […]
Gigi Ugulava and Sevdia Ugrekhelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vice Mayor Sevdia Ugrekhelidze will take over as acting mayor of Tbilisi, after a decision by Tbilisi City Court to suspend Mayor Gigi Ugulava. Gigi Ugulava said on Sunday that this follows by law. “According to Georgian law, the first vice mayor […]
Davit Bakradze, leader of the minority in parliament, the National Movement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement party will resume work in the Georgian parliament on Monday after being absent since December 11. The party’s delegates went on a boycott after a scuffle between one of their MPs and one from the Georgian Dream coalition, which […]
Muslims praying in Samtatskaro. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a year of religious conflict in three Georgian villages, neither Christians nor Muslims are fully satisfied with the way the problem was solved. The Christians do not exclude that conflict might erupt again, while the Muslims still have no […]
After the patriarch, ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is the most liked person in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new poll shows that the top people in the Georgian Dream coalition are the most trusted public figures in Georgia, after the patriarch. The results are part of a wider survey of public attitudes organized by a US agency that builds democracy […]
Gigi Ugulava said in a statement he will fight on: “I won’t let the will of the people be trampled on behind closed doors.” (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava was Saturday night stripped of his authority by the city court. Ugulava was informed about the court’s decision at 1 am Sunday. The decision was made without a hearing and came hours after the court had issued him bail […]
Former president Mikheil Saakashvili speaking at the UN earlier in 2013. TBILISI, DFWatch–The former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili will join Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US from January. He will hold lectures about European governance and other contemporary international and regional issues, […]
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU is willing to move forward the signing of the Association Agreement with Georgia and Moldova to August 2014 or earlier. This is the content of a statement by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, published December 20, 2013. “This […]
The organization Free Zone protested against a conference to further closer relations between Georgia and Russia. (Photo by Free Zone.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four members of the organization Free Zone were detained on Friday during a protest against a meeting at Hotel Vere-Palace in Tbilisi dedicated to closer relations between Georgia and Russia. Demonstrators blocked the road as they blew whistles and […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The minority National Movement party has been boycotting parliament for more than a week and refuses to continue work in the assembly. The party’s delegates left the session hall as a sign of protest when a scuffle broke out between MP Giorgi […]
Klaus Gerhaeusser (left), ADB’s General Director, and Georgian Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Photo published by the Finance Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia on Thursday signed agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) about financing infrastructure projects. According to the Ministry of Finance, Minister Nodar Khaduri and Klaus Gerhaeusser, ADB’s General Director, signed the agreement, […]
Ketevan Tsikhelashvili is Deputy Minister of Reintegration. TBILISI, DFWatch–The talks between the parties in the 2008 Georgia-Russia war will meet in Geneva for another round of talks on March 25-26. It is known that the OSCE heads of the meeting this time will be from Switzerland. The last round of Geneva talks was held […]
The prisoners demand a commission to review faults in the judicial process. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–1 032 prisoners are now on hunger strike in several prisons in Georgia, according to the Prison Ministry. This is the most recent information as of 19:00 on December 19, and the majority – 946 prisoners – are on hunger strike at Geguti No […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has been elected as member of the Hague Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the election was held on December 17 at UNESCO headquarters during the 5th […]
63% of respondents say the number of jobs has increased the last year. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–54 percent of Georgians say their country has democracy now, while 35 percent say there is no democracy in Georgia, according to a poll by National Democratic Institute (NDI). These numbers show a clear upward trend; in September, 44 percent said […]
Downhill skier Nino Tsiklauri and three other Georgian athletes will take part in the Olympics. (ambebi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–66 percent of Georgians approve of the decision by the government that Georgian athletes will participate in the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, while 17 percent disapprove of this decision. 16 percent didn’t answer. In September 2013, 76 percent supported this […]
Two former city officials are accused of money laundering. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former gamgebeli of Old Tbilisi and his deputy were Wednesday released on 400 000 lari (USD 234 000) bail each. Prosecutors wanted to keep them in detention, but Tbilisi City Hall disagreed. Defense lawyers for Lasha Purtskhvanidze and Koba […]
Paul Goble is an American analyst and columnist. Almost two centuries ago, the Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote in an oft-cited verse “And would some Power the small gift give us/To see ourselves as others see us! /It would from many a blunder free us, /And foolish notion:/What airs in dress and gait would leave us, /And even devotion!” […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili accuses Chief Prosecutor of harassing him. The National Movement party asks to have the case investigated and that the responsible officials are dismissed. The government claims Merabishvili’s accusations […]
Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani. (Photo published by the Justice Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Ministry of Justice has prepared a draft law on anti-discrimination. The proposal aims at eliminating all forms of discrimination, Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani explained as she met human rights organizations, representatives of […]
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili signed his first decree to pardon 75 prisoners on Wednesday. According to the head of the president’s administration Lasha Abashidze, 54 of the prisoners were released, 14 got their sentence reduced to half, while […]
Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava was on Wednesday questioned at the Prosecutor’s Office in case about embezzlement of City Hall money by employees. The Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday explained charges to the mayor which may lead to him being […]
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili (left) and President of Azerbaijan Iljam Aliyev. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia plans to invest USD 400-700 million in the Shah Deniz project in Azerbaijan, according to Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. Kaladze was in Azerbaijan December 16-17 along with a delegation from the Georgian government who signed a resolution […]
One of history’s greatest hoaxes was, according to Time Magazine, this fake news report on Imedi announcing another Russian invasion in March 2010, just weeks before the local election. The caption says: “Medvedev’s statement”. (Screen grab from Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the National Movement party was fined 50 000 lari (USD 30 000) on Monday for defamation of businessman Joseph Kay. Kay is the investor who took over the control of Imedi TV after the owner, Badri Patarkatsishvili, died […]
Mikheil Saakashvili appearing on Ukrainian TV channel 112 last Sunday. (112.ua) TBILISI, DFWatch–A month after leaving office as president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili has revealed that he is currently living in New York and working on reform programs with several major US universities. Appearing on Ukrainian TV 112, Saakashvili said he is […]
People demonstrated in Batumi last Friday against a lack of attention from authorities. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten days after snow fell in the eastern Adjara region of Georgia, frustration is growing as there are still problems with supply of electricity, natural gas and water. December 13, people demonstrated in Batumi against what they feel is a lack of […]
TBILISI, DFWatch--In Georgia, two former officials in the city administration in Old Tbilisi were detained on Monday. The detained are the former gamgebeli of Old Tbilisi and his deputy. They are charged with illegal participation in industrial activity and money laundering. The charges are that they manipulated the prices of trees and plants for green areas [...]
Snow storms in winter and flooding in summer have knocked out infrastructure in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia on Sunday created two new bodies to address urgent problems. The first one is a temporary center for crisis management to deal with the problems caused by bad weather and earthquakes. The second state body is a center to […]
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Monday began an official visit to neighboring Azerbaijan. Gharibashvili will meet President Ilham Aliyev, and December 17 participate in a conference about the financing of the second phase of Shah […]
The European Union gives 27 mill euros to education reform in Georgia. (Photo published by the Ministry of Education and Science.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will receive 27 million euros from the EU which is to be spent on reforms in education, professional training and employment. The EU will allocate 35 million euros for Moldova and 25 million euros for Armenia. According to Štefan Füle, […]
Activists are putting pressure on the government to create a committee to right the wrongs of the Saakashvili regime. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Activists on Sunday gathered in front of the old parliament building in Tbilisi demanding the creation of a committee to go through miscarriages of justice during former President Saakashvili. The demonstration was organized by the organization […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Saturday detained a former official in the Defense Ministry and charged him with illegally owning and keeping a weapon. Alexandre Ninua, former head of the purchasing department at the ministry, was placed in pre-trial detention the same day. […]
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president’s pardon commission gave a positive recommendation in 54 of recent applications from prisoners. The commission which is one of two such bodies, the other one part of the government, was recently staffed by the […]
A student demonstrates against Saakashvili outside Tbilisi State University in the aftermath of the prisoners abuse scandal in September 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the parliament has asked the government to investigate crimes committed during the Saakashvili regime. The bureau of parliament on Friday recommended the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor’s Office […]
Companies based in the UK, Germany and Hungary will try to enter the pharmaceutical sector in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Foreign pharmaceutical companies are preparing to enter the Georgian market, according to the Health Ministry. Health Minister Davit Sergeenko said on Friday that foreign pharmaceutical companies plan to start operating in Georgia and negotiations […]
Artwork made by female prisoners is on display at Europe House in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An exhibition of handicraft art made by prisoners at the women’s facility is open for visitors until December 15 at the Europe House in Tbilisi, Freedom Square. More than 250 pictures crafted from felt is on a display, as well as accessories like […]
Snow is creating problems many places in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–86 schools in Georgia are closed due to bad weather, according to the Education Ministry. 69 of them is in the Adjara region – Keda, Shuakhevi and Khelvachauri. Four schools are closed in Guria, six in Imereti, four in Svaneti, one school in Kakheti, one in […]
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili on Friday appointed new governors in nine of the country’s regions. The new governors are Irakli Shiolashvili, lawyer, in Kakheti, Zaza Meparishvili, engineer and lawyer, in Imereti, Zurab Rusishvili, […]
Lika Nakaidze. (Video still from Imedi TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An ice skating arena in Batumi, Georgia, collapsed Thursday due to heavy snowfall. The last five days there has been an electricity problem in Batumi, in the Adjara region, as transmission lines and poles were damaged due to the amount of snow in recent […]
Foreign Minister of Georgia, Maia Panjikidze, and Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Linas Linkevičius. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia Thursday signed a protocol with the EU about participating in several programs within health care, science, culture and business. The signing took place in Brussels and was carried out by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius and […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The new Georgian government has presented a 9 billion lari (about USD 5 billion) budget for 2014 which prioritizes health care and education. The budget bill was approved by 86 votes against 0 at a plenary session on Wednesday. Members of the […]
The snow masses have knocked out power supply in south western Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Batumi, one of the largest cities in Georgia, has been without electricity and heating four days due to a snow storm. There is still more than one and half meter snow cover in Batumi and the rest of the mountainous Adjara region. Some streets […]
Hundreds of people demonstrated in Tbilisi Wednesday evening in solidarity with the protesters in Ukraine. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds of people demonstrated in the streets of Tbilisi Wednesday to support the protesters in Kyiv. Georgians, as well as Ukrainians living in Georgia, gathered in the evening outside Tbilisi concert hall, waving the flags of Ukraine, EU and Georgia, […]
As parliament expressed full support for Ukraine’s EU integration, there was a street rally to show solidarity with Ukrainians. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia Wednesday passed a statement supporting the demonstrations in the Ukrainian capital. “The Georgian parliament declares its complete solidarity with the Ukrainian people in its struggle for freedom of choice. It expresses […]
UNICEF’s new report warns that children in Georgia are at risk. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–UNICEF Georgia claims that since 2005, the government has made significant progress in reforming the child care system, but important challenges remain, such as child poverty, violence against children and weak child protection. Currently, there are […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A physical scuffle broke out in the Georgian parliament on Wednesday. Soso Jachvliani, MP from the Georgian Dream coalition, scolded Giorgi Baramidze from the National Movement. His microphone was switched off. This lead to a physical confrontation […]
(DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prosecutors in Georgia have charged two more persons with causing the death of a prisoner last May. December 11, the Prosecutor’s Office charged Nugzar Bechuadze and Shota Sinauridze in connection with the death of Levan Kortava. Bechuadze is […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has decided to raise the president’s salary by 2 500 lari (USD 1 450). There has been talk about increasing the president’s pay for the last week and on Tuesday the governing Georgian Dream coalition asked parliament […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili signed the appointments of seven new ambassadors. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has seven new ambassadors abroad, after President Giorgi Margvelashvili last week signed their appointment. The new ambassadors are the ones to Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Germany, Japan, China, Iran and Jordan. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, […]
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili has managed to convince the government to amend a disputed passage in a draft bill about local government reform, as promised. The government prepared a draft law to regulate the country’s territorial […]
Hydro power is one of the things international financial institutions are funding in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–The amount of direct foreign investments in the third quarter of 2013 was USD 239 million, up three percent from the second quarter. Investments in third quarter of 2013 was 20 percent more than the same period last year. Foreign investments […]
Khatuna Kortava said earlier her nephew was a victim of a system of abuse, mafia and murder in Georgian prisons. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has charged prisoners and prison administration employees with causing the death of Levan Kortava, who was allegedly killed by the so-called thieves in law inside prison. Kortava died May 23, 2013, at the prison hospital, […]
Kakhi Kaladze (pictured) was involved in at least three companies in the energy sector before he became energy minister, according to TI’s report. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Business and politics are tightly connected in Georgia, according to a new report by Transparency International. The organization claims that some wealthy businessmen have been elected to the Georgian parliament and some members of the executive […]
Two people died as a greenhouse collapsed in Georgia. (First Channel.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two persons have died after a roof of a greenhouse collapsed in Georgia because of bad weather. The accident happened Monday evening in the village Salibauri in the Adjara region and was caused by strong wind and heavy snowfall. Two women, aged 35 […]
The border meeting as usual took place in a tent at Ergneti. (EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parties in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war Monday discussed the installation of warning signs and fences in the villages Ghogheti and Bershueti on the border to the breakaway region South Ossetia. This was the 40th meeting of the Incident Prevention […]
Tbilisi Airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Airways will offer direct flights between Tbilisi and the Olympic village Sochi from February 4, 2014, in connection with the upcoming Winter Games. There will be flights between Tbilisi and Sochi every Tuesday and Thursday until May. The […]
The snow storm has caused a power blackout affecting 155 000 households. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–155 000 households are left without electricity in Georgia, according to the Energy Ministry. Deputy Energy Minister Irakli Khmaladze said at a briefing that the bad weather has created problems mainly in the regions in the west of Georgia, and that the damage is caused by snow and blizzard. […]
Georgians have been gathering every day at the same place since the protests started in Ukraine. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of the protesters in Ukraine gathered Sunday in Tbilisi to support a mass mobilization in the Ukrainian capital. The gathering outside the former parliament building started at 14:00, the same time as the demonstration in Ukraine. Georgians […]
A gigantic planned hydro power station has brought environmentalists out in the streets in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia ask the government for answers about the construction of Khudoni hydro power station. There are many questions regarding environmental and social issues. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and an […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has placed a former deputy chief prosecutor in pre-trial detention. Davit Chkhatarashvili, the former deputy of former Chief Prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava, was December 7 detained and charged with organizing staged torture videos […]
Nana Kakabadze from the organization Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prison Ministry in Georgia Saturday called on prisoners to put an end to a hunger strike that has been joined by 146 prisoners all across Georgia. In Prison No 6 in Rustavi, 20 km away from the capital, about a hundred […]
Georgian ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili on Saturday addressed the protesters gathered in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. His speech to the movement which started two weeks ago, when President Viktor Yanukovich refused to sign an Association Agreement with the […]
A Jehova’s Witnesses book stand on Freedom Square, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A human rights group claims there has been an increase in discrimination of religious minorities in Georgia in 2013. On November 15, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall, located in Upper Etseri, Samegrelo, West Georgia, was shot at twice. […]
Davit Chkhatarashvili. (IPN.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained a former deputy prosecutor and charged him with participating in filming videos of staged torture at a prison in Tbilisi. The Prosecutor’s Office charges Davit Chkhatarashvili, the former first deputy of ex-Chief […]
Figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili and three other Georgian athletes are participating in the Sochi Winter Olympics in less than two months. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian athletes will participate in the Sochi Winter Olympics, but the country will not send an official government delegation. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said a few days ago in an interview with Russia Today that only Georgian athletes […]
Kvevri, a ceramic vessel buried in the ground, where wine is made the traditional way. (UNESCO.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s age-old method for making wine is now listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. On its eighth session, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Non-Material Cultural Heritage decided to list Georgia’s traditional […]
Davit Berdzenishvili from the Georgian Dream coalition. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The local elections in Georgia will be held in June 2014, instead of May, the parliamentary majority says. The last local elections were held on May 30, 2010. Davit Berdzenishvili from the Georgian Dream coalition said on Friday that the local […]
The new Stalin statue in Telavi was quickly paint-bombed. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The local government in Telavi, a town in the Kakheti region, has announced a tender for the dismantling of a statue of Joseph Stalin. According to Information Center of Kakheti, the local government allocated 1 121 lari (USD 660) for the dismantling […]
Ilia II, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament has postponed the adoption of a landmark bill that will drastically change local government, after the draft Self-Governance Code was harshly criticized by the influential head of the Georgian Church. The bill should have been […]
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has fined two persons who tore down posters announcing Hanukkah. Wednesday night, two people tore down the posters and damaged the tribune that had been prepared for the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. They were fined 100 lari (USD 60) […]
Thomas Hammarberg. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government of Georgia will two months from now approve a strategy of protecting human rights. The document will be complex aiming to establish a high standard of democracy. This is one of the results of a human rights conference in Tbilisi […]
(Ministry of Internal Affairs.) TBILISI, DFWatch–4 973 632 people visited Georgia in January-November, 2013 according to the Interior Ministry. This is 22.6 percent more than the same period last year, and 12.3 period more than the total number of visitors in 2012. The highest number of visitors […]
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says it is possible for Georgia to have good relations with Russia and at the same time move towards NATO membership. Rasmussen said there are examples of nations that are member of NATO and […]
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili says Russia has no means of influence that could divert Georgia from its course toward integration with Europe and interrupt the signing of the Association Agreement next year. In a TV interview on Tuesday, […]
Bacho Akhalaia was acquitted in yet another trial, but remains in detention pending another court case. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeals Court in Georgia has acquitted former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia, but sentenced the others who were charged in the same case to 3 years and nine months in jail. Bacho Akhalaia, Giorgi Kalandadze, former head of Joint Staff and Zurab […]
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–People gathered in Tbilisi again on Tuesday to show support for Ukraine despite the frosty temperatures and cold wind. About 50 people showed up outside the old parliament building carrying Ukrainian flags to express support for the Ukrainian people, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has slightly worsened its ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index – from 51st to 55th place. In 2012, Georgia ranked 51st among 176 countries, but in 2013 it is in 55th place among 177 countries. The organization […]
Bits of the roof flew off the new public service center in downtown Tbilisi. (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The House of Justice in Tbilisi was Tuesday evacuated as a result of high winds which damaged the roof of the building. No-one was injured, but the building remained evacuated throughout the day. The roof was damaged at the entrance of the building, […]
Georgian police in Lapankuri 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Public Defender in Georgia says an independent inquest into a border skirmish in 2012 has revealed many interesting details. But ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili refrained from saying specifically what has been revealed and says this will be published […]
The main road connecting eastern and western Georgia is closed due to bad weather. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–More than 70 000 households in Georgia are left without electricity due to strong wind and snow according to the utility company Energo-Pro Georgia. Electricity was switched off as the lines are damaged and technical crews are now working to rectify […]
Zurab Abashidze, who chairs the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentary Assembly of GUAM adopted a document during the sixth session in Tbilisi, which reflects major aspirations and goals, which the countries of the union have. The document also focuses on supporting the EU’s Eastern Partnership. The sixth […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Ukrainian opposition MP, Ruslan Koshulinski, who is deputy speaker of parliament, broke off his visit to Georgia due to the protests in Kyiv. Koshulinski visited Georgia in order to attend the sixth session of the parliamentary assembly of GUAM; […]
(Photo: Davit Mikheil Shubladze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–People rallied in Tbilisi again Monday in support of the Ukrainian people. As on Sunday, they gathered in front of the old parliament building, and vowed to continue protesting and also hold support rallies in other parts of Georgia. Participants […]
(Photo: lur.am.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Armenians protested on Liberty Square in Yerevan Monday against Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who is visiting. Blognews Armenia informs that the protesters brought posters reading ‘Stop Russia’, ‘Serzh the Betrayer’ and shouted ‘Stop Russia’ […]
Irakli Gharibashvili, Georgia’s Prime Minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has strongly criticized the former ruling party, the National Movement, in an interview on Russia Today, the state-owned Russian television station. It’s a bit difficult to understand the opposition, they […]
Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Yerevan today for the first time in five years. Russian media report that during his visit, Putin will meet with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan. There will also be held a Russia-Armenia regional […]
Part of the razor wire being installed by Russian soldiers. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The razor wire bundles along the de facto border will eventually be changed into wire-mesh fences, a spokesperson for the South Ossetian KGB’s press service told the online news service Caucasian Knot. According to Wikipedia, razor wire blades are […]
People rallied outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi to show support for the Ukrainian people. (Photo: Elene Khachapuridze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tens of people gathered on Sunday in Tbilisi wearing yellow and blue to support people in Ukraine and express solidarity with them after a violent dispersal in Kyiv. “Our Ukrainian friends need support, they mustn’t be alone facing impudent violence,” […]
Vassiliy Likhachev, Russian Duma member and PACE observer. (Photo: Council of Europe.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has imposed sanctions against Georgia after a Russian election observer was denied entry before the presidential election a month ago. The organization has decided not to hold any committee […]
Zurab Abashidze, Chairman of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives from the GUAM countries will meet in Tbilisi on Monday. The occasion is the sixth session of the Parliamentary Assembly of GUAM, a cooperation between Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova. Zurab Abashidze, chairman of the […]
Russian soldiers at Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have taken two more Georgian villagers to a detention facility in Tskhinvali inside the breakaway region South Ossetia. Ambrosi Kapanadze and Genad Baisikovi were taken from the villages Tsagveli and Kobi Saturday morning. Their […]
Paata Zakareishvili changes title to Minister of Reconciliation and Civil Equality from January 1, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government has decided to change the name of the Reintegration Ministry into the Ministry of Reconciliation and Civil Equality. The name change will come into force on January 1, 2014. The minister who heads the renamed ministry, […]
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Video grab.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In his less than two minutes long address at the Eastern Partnership Vilnius Summit President Giorgi Margvelashvili spoke briefly about the country’s past, present and future on the way to Euro-Atlantic integration. After recalling the democratic election […]
Sign at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The last few days, Russian soldiers have begun installing signs in the villages bordering with South Ossetia that warn locals not to pass, and are continuing installing fences and barbed wire. The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) on Friday expressed concern over […]
Georgian Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s budget for next year will be about 9 billion lari (USD 5.3 billion), Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri says. After the government session on Friday, Khaduri told journalists that a draft budget has been sent to parliament for further review […]
Georgian foreign minister Maia Panjikidze (left) and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton sealing the agreement with a kiss. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–EU and Georgia on Friday finished the first signing of the Association Agreement. The proceedings took place in Vilnius during the summit there of the EU’s Eastern Partnership. The agreement was signed by the Union’s foreign policy spokesperson […]
Sopho Chareli is a Project Lawyer at Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association. The issue of procuring vehicles by public agencies has frequently been discussed by the public and the media for the past several years. Procurement of luxurious cars by high state officials with state money has also been criticized. State procurement which is linked […]
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili will be given three minutes to address the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius today. He is expected to talk about the importance of Georgia being integrated with Europe, and that a certain resistance […]
Orthodox activists are against the re-erecting of a minaret in the village Chela. (Photo: Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Orthodox clerics and members of a radical religious group Thursday demonstrated in the Georgian village Chela against the restoration of a minaret on the night of November 27. The day ended without incident, and the rally was dissolved peacefully. […]
Deputy Georgian Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaniani signing each of the one thousand pages. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The technical part of the initialization of Georgia’s Association Agreement with the EU is finished, and tomorrow is the official part of the proceedings. Attending Thursday’s event in Vilnius were, from Georgia, Deputy Foreign Minister Davit […]
A used Mercedes for sale at Rustavi car market. (gancxadebebi.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-October 2013 was USD 8 591 million, according to precise data from Georgian National Statistics Department (Geostat). This is one percent more than in the same period last year. The export was USD 2 306 […]
A roadblock at the de facto border at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian man has been released from a holding facility in South Ossetia after first being detained two days ago for trespassing. Malkhaz Vanishvili, 24, from the village Khurvaleti near the de facto border, was detained together with Gocha Makishvili. […]
National Movement MP Sergo Ratiani with Ukrainian national colors. (First Channel.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Movement MPs on Wednesday came to parliament wearing Ukrainian flags as tie and with Ukrainian flags on their desks. They did it to express solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The speaker of parliament liked the idea and asked to give him one too. […]
The minaret in Chela was put up at the mosque Wednesday. (Photo: Samkhretis Karibche.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The minaret that was taken down in a Georgian village was put back up at the mosque Wednesday night. According to the local newspaper Samkhretis Karibche (Sknews.ge), the local government in Adigeni issued a permission to restore the minaret in Chela […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A ship Wednesday arrived in Batumi to take aboard 300 000 boxes, or 120 tons, of Georgian citrus fruits and bring the goods to Novorossiysk. The citrus fruit originated in the two municipalities Khelvachauri and Kobuleti. According to Zaur Putkaradze, […]
Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said the Association Agreement will be signed in Vilnius November 29 at 09:00 am. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia will initialize its Association Agreement with the EU on November 29 as leaders of the EU and countries in the Eastern Partnership meet in Vilnius. Davit Zalkaliani, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, will initialize the agreement by signing […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new agreement between Georgia and Switzerland about simplified visa rules will come into force on January 1, 2014. According to the Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the two countries have completed all the procedures related to the agreement […]
Encumbent Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A dispute has developed between the current Tbilisi mayor and the likely new mayor. The dispute has to do with infrastructure projects in Tbilisi which the encumbent mayor claims the candidate for new mayor, who is now infrastructure minister, has […]
The lack of formal registration makes it difficult to know the exact number of Romas who live in Georgia. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Meliasanovs, a Roma family of nine, did not participate in the last presidential elections, because they are registered far from where they actually live. However, they don’t believe that the elections would improve their hard social and financial […]
Sign at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two Georgian citizens at the de facto border with the breakaway region South Ossetia. The detainees – Malkhaz Vanishvili, 28, and Gocha Makishvili, 28, from the village Khurvaleti – have been taken to a detention […]
Aleksandre Elisashvili, a well-known TV journalist, is new head of the president’s pardon commission; one of two such bodies. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili has replaced some of the members of the presidential pardon commission, one of two commissions which review applications from prisoners for reduced sentence or early release. Aleksandre Elisashvili, a well-known […]
Zviad Dzidziguri from the Conservative Party wearing the Chokha with sword in parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament is considering banning the carrying of swords of the type belonging to the Georgian national costume Chokha. A few days ago, two teenage boys were injured when two others dressed in Chokha drew swords on them at Pushkin Square in Tbilisi. […]
Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian justice minister has replaced her first deputy after the new government was approved by parliament. Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani explained on Monday that she has known Davit Jandieri since the time when he was her intern for three […]
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s office. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–It is not known why two deputies to the Georgian chief prosecutor have resigned, and the Tbilisi prosecutor was replaced a few days ago. Lasha Natsvlishvili resigned November 21, just as a new chief prosecutor was appointed. In his letter of […]
Lincoln Mitchell is Associate Professor at Columbia University’s Harriman Institute. DF Watch talked with Georgia-analyst Lincoln Mitchell, Associate Professor at Columbia University’s Harriman Institute. DFW: What has changed since July, when we last talked?L.M: The euphoria of winning an election, of unseating Saakashvili, of getting rid of […]
Alexandra Kalatozishvili (center) from Multinational Georgia, and Zaur Khalilov (right) from Civic Integration Foundation. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives of two non-governmental organizations told DF Watch about problems which remain in involving minorities in the election processes and political parties not been actively interested in having contact with minorities. Alexandra […]
Coastal freighter Stella. (MaritimeTraffic.com.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Economy will finance a renewed search operation for the missing captain of the freighter Stella, which went down in the Aegean Sea on November 3. A search was conducted after the accident, but the captain, Levan Tebidze, was not found, […]
Georgian wine will be served to guests at the EU summit in Vilnius this weekend. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian wine will be served during the summit of the EU’s Eastern Partnership in Vilnius November 28-29, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirms. The event will be held at the exhibition hall Litexpo in Vilnius and will be attended by representatives […]
Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he will announce his future plans in two or three months. Ivanishvili said this during the Georgian Dream party’s congress on Sunday. He said he has to think before he decides how he will continue […]
From left to right: Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, his wife Nunuka Tamazashvili and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili was Sunday elected as new leader of the Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia Party. Gharibashvili took over as leader after Bidzina Ivanishvili, who founded Georgian Dream two years ago. Delegates also voted for […]
The pardon commission meeting Saturday. (Prison Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–151 prisoners were let out of jail on Saturday, after a session of the prison ministry’s pardon commission held at the women’s facility in Rustavi, 20 km away from the capital. The commission discussed 700 applications for reduced sentence or […]
Davit Narmania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition has chosen Davit Narmania, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, as its candidate for mayor of Tbilisi. Narmania is thought to be one of the best ministers in the new government. The decision was made by […]
From left to right: Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Chairman of the Joint Staff Vakhtang Kapanadze. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Vakhtang Kapanadze has been appointed as chairman of the Joint Staff of Georgia’s armed forces, replacing Irakli Dzneladze. Who should take over as head of the Joint Staff was subject of a conflict between ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili and […]
A view of the Khevsureti mountains. (Photo by mtskheta-mtianeti.gov.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The mountainous Pshav-Khevsureti region in the northeast of Georgia is to be made a protected area. This is a historical region and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The environment committee in parliament has proposed […]
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) and U.S. Senator John McCain. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The first week after leaving office, former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili remained abroad and Thursday met members of the U.S. Congress in Washington. Among the around twenty politicians Saakashvili met on the Hill was Republican Senator John […]
Ex Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (right) received the Supreme Order of Justice. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili has been awarded the Supreme Order of Justice. The award is given once a year by the World Jurist Association (WJA) to a person and one cleric for their work for peace and justice. WJA President […]
Akaki Tsereteli. TBILISI, DFWatch–UNESCO has placed the 100 year anniversary of the death of Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli on a list of important events in 2014-2015. Tsereteli was born in 1840 and died in 1915 and is considered the best Georgian poet in this period. He also was […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Commission is satisfied with how Georgia has completed first phase of a visa action plan which might lead to visa free travel with the EU. The evaluation is particularly important because compliance with the action plan is expected to be […]
Narikala Castle in Tbilisi. (Photo published by Tbilisi.gov.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia is discussing a draft law about cultural heritage which may remove the protected status of 6 319 historic sites. Among the sites are Borjomi Park in southern Georgia and Romanov Palace in Abastumani, as well as Narikala Castle, […]
Zurab Abashidze and Grigory Karasin, negotiators for Georgia and Russia, respectively. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Russia met for the fifth time Thursday in Prague within the diplomatic channel established by the government that came to power a year ago. After the meeting, Georgia’s representative Zurab Abashidze said discussions dealt with practical […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Residents of ‘Dream Town’ – a settlement of homeless families in Adjara – ask the region’s authorities to give them shelter. The shantytown residents rallied against the government’s decision to give only 15 families shelter, while there are a few […]
Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At the end of his two year run as a politician, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has published an open letter that rebuts speculations about his future plans. In the letter, titled ‘Postscript’, Ivanishvili writes that he only wants to answer one […]
Aditti’s hospital in Kharagauli as it looked when DF Watch visited last July. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–All the Georgian hospitals which were owned by the Israeli company Aditti have now become government property. Aditti owned hospitals in nine regions of Georgia. Most of them are in a difficult condition and doctors at those hospitals have protested […]
Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--EU's Foreign Affairs Council has agreed to sign and conclude an agreement establishing a framework for the participation of Georgia in EU's crisis management operations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia document called Framework Agreement on the Participation of Georgia in EU Crisis Management [...]
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Photo posted on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili has signed a document which appoints former interior minister Irakli Gharibsahvili as prime minister. The new president also has been asked to sign a document by which parliament declares its trust in the new […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The acting Georgian finance minister on Wednesday met with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss priorities in next year’s budget and the country’s macroeconomic indicators. Mark Griffiths, head of the IMF mission, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–40 000 households in Georgia are without electricity due to bad weather. According to Energo-Pro Georgia, which distributes electricity to consumers, 50 000 households have been without electricity since morning, but power supply to 10 000 of them has now been restored. […]
Deputy Prison Minister Giga Giorgadze. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prison Ministry in Georgia is considering closing the women’s prison, where new figures showed that 17 % of inmates are hepatitis C positive. The prisoners in Rustavi women’s facility will be transferred to another facility, but it is still […]
Irakli Gharibashvili in parliament Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament plans to confirm the new government on Wednesday. On Tuesday, parliamentary committees listened to speeches by the minister candidates and asked them questions. A sharp exchange developed between Prime Minister candidate Irakli […]
Chairman of the Georgian Supreme Court, Kote Kublashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s High Council of Justice on Tuesday elected 12 new judges. There were 59 candidates present at the session. Each candidate needed at least ten votes out of the 13 members of the council in order to be elected. 41 out of the 59 candidates […]
New Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Acting Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili promises that those who ordered and organized the so-called Khurcha incident in 2008 will be identified and punished. A few weeks ago, police detained two former government officials on suspicion of having organized […]
Acting Prison Minister Sozar Subari. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The acting prison minister in Georgia says screening procedures have revealed a very high level of hepatitis C infections in prisons. Sozar Subari said Tuesday at a session with parliamentary committees that the ratio of infected inmates at the […]
Irakli Gharibashvili presented a government with the same people as before, except for new Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister in waiting Irakli Gharibashvili on Monday named his new cabinet. It lists the same people as before the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili, with the exception of Gharibashvili’s post as interior minister which will be […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–With the inauguration of the new president in Georgia, many things will be different. We give you a rundown of the main changes. After the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as the new president, the new Constitution came into force. These amendments […]
Eka Khutsishvili. I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.-Thomas JeffersonThe judiciary is in permanent need of control from the side of an impartial and quality observer with a view to ensuring its existence. We are still on […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia and Israel have formed an agreement which allows Georgian citizens to stay in Israel for 90 days without a visa. Acting Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Israel’s Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum on Monday signed an […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January-October 2013 was one percent more than in the same period the year before. According to preliminary data from the National Statistics Department, the total amount of foreign trade turnover in the first ten […]
Photo published by EUMM. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRM) met for the 39th time on Friday. According to the Interior Ministry, Georgia raised the issue of the installation of barbed wire and fences by Russian soldiers in the villages Ergneti, Ditsi and […]
Activists demand a stop in large hydro power dams that threaten villages and the environment. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two separate demonstrations went on on the street outside during the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi on Sunday. Labor party leader Shalva Natelashvili rallied supporters and said that the […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili has instructed the majority in parliament to form a new government. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–With the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as president on Sunday, the government is now suspended, but continues as an acting government until parliament has confirmed a new government that will be presented by the president. Parliament will […]
After the swearing in ceremony, President Giorgi Margvelashvili addressed guests in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Giorgi Margvelashvili was Sunday sworn in as the fourth president of Georgia at a ceremony held in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. The text of the oath says he swears to protect Georgia’s Constitution, independence of the state, […]
New Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili addressed guests in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili was held today in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. The schedule of the day’s events is the following: at 13:00, the inauguration started and was expected to last for 45 minutes. The new […]
Guards began letting in people in groups of 30, but later let visitors enter the presidential palace freely. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has awarded former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the Golden Fleece award. Saakashvili is leaving office on Sunday, and in a flurry of activity handed out awards and distinctions to more than a thousand people. […]
The railway workers achieved a signed deal with Georgian Railway and have called off the strike. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two thousand railway workers in Georgia ended their strike yesterday, after successful negotiations with the company. Talks between workers and the Georgian Railway management board lasted for six hours and all three demands the workers brought with […]
Georgia’s Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s justice minister has asked her French colleague to extradite a former defense minister who faces two separate criminal cases at home. Former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili left Georgia for France after the National Movement lost the […]
Photo published on Mikheil Saakashvili’s Facebook page. TBILISI, DFWatch–Outgoing President Mikheil Saakashvili says he will ‘temporarily’ leave politics and may go on to work within science. In an open letter posted on Facebook on Friday, Saakashvili explained why he will not attend the inauguration of Giorgi […]
Fourteen people were arrested as police broke up brothels in Batumi and Gonio. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained owners and administrators of fourteen hotels and clubs in Batumi and Gonio for allocating space for prostitution. Police in Adjara conducted a coordinated operation in the coast cities of Batumi and Gonio which led to […]
Giga Bokeria has resigned as Secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council, Giga Bokeria, has resigned a few days before the inauguration of the new president. Bokeria’s letter of resignation is dated November 15 and addressed to the president’s administration, which says […]
Mikheil Saakashvili is in Europe and does not plan to come home for the inauguration of Georgia’s new president. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili and other top people in the National Movement party will not attend the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president on Sunday. In a statement, the UNM says their people have acted in line with ‘civil standards’ […]
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has sent outgoing Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili a thank you letter. In the letter, which was published by Saakashvili’s administration, Rasmussen thanks the Georgian leader for his ‘good […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two thousand railway workers went on strike in Georgia Thursday, demanding overtime pay, bonus system and entitlements. The workers on strike have three main demands: compensation for overtime, a transparent system for award payments and to have […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A man suspected of injuring a policeman in Zugdidi, a town in western Georgia, was released on Thursday on a 2 000 lari (USD 1200) bail. Zugdidi City Court satisfied the appeal by the Prosecutor’s Office to release the suspect on bail. The suspect will have […]
The planned homeless shelter. (Channel One.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Church, the Patriarchate, is against the opening of a shelter for homeless people. The plan has been proposed by the organization Identoba, which protects the rights of LGBT people in Georgia. A private individual donated a building […]
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A protest was held Wednesday in Zugdidi, in western Georgia, by relatives of a man detained for injuring a policeman a few days ago. Their demand was to have him released. But the suspect surrendered to the police and admitted having injured […]
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Lithuanian President, President of Federal Council of Austria, Vice Speaker of Parliament of Czech Republic, also Secretary General of OSCE and NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative in South Caucasus and Central Asia […]
Five of the Public Defender’s staff are out in a dispute about the conditions of former government officials in jail. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three employees at the Public Defender’s office in Georgia have resigned, and two have been fired, after disagreement over a visit to former prison minister Bacho Akhalaia in jail. Marina Gigineishvili, Amiran Nikolaishvili and Guram Bendiashvili, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has downgraded its prognosis for Georgia’s economic growth in 2013 from 3 to 2 percent. EBRD said a few days ago that the GDP growth will also be reduced from 5 to 4 percent and the level of […]
CEC spokeswoman Eka Azarashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The final results of the presidential election on October 27 show that Giorgi Margvelashvili of the Georgian Dream coalition received 62.12 percent of votes, Davit Bakradze from the National Movement received 21.72 percent and Nino Burjanadze, […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–A policeman was brutally attacked in western Georgia Tuesday, after locals accused him of having raped a woman. Local media reported that the policeman was found naked, with a broken leg, and in a pool of blood near the presidential residence in […]
President-elect Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The newly elected president of Georgia is considering showing up at the winter Olympics in Sochi, despite his country’s strained relationship with Russia. A few days ago, president-elect Giorgi Margvelashvili said in an interview with Russia’s […]
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Association Agreement with the EU will be initiated by Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani during the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius November 28-29. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said this on Monday. The text of the agreement, […]
USS Mount Whitney. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Five days before the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president, he and other members of the current government will join outgoing president Mikheil Saakashvili for an event aboard a U.S. naval ship docked in Batumi. Also outgoing Prime […]
The minaret is still in storage outside Chela, while locals hope the government will solve the conflict. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The conflict over a minaret that was dismantled in a small Georgian village is far from over. Locals are continuing their fight to have the minaret restored, and claim that the guarantee of freedom of religion in the Georgian Constitution supports […]
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is expecting representatives of 30 countries to attend the inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as new president on November 17. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said Monday that among the guests will be two or three presidents, speakers […]
A typical gas heater. (Tbilisi City Hall Website.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, natural gas is cheaper than electricity, so more and more people use it for heating in winter. But the safety of the devices is far below any acceptable level. A young married couple and their 4 year old daughter died after a gas leak […]
The National Movement’s new party banner was taken down from the palace flagpole Sunday at noon. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Sunday at noon, the Georgian national flag was back up on the presidential residence in Tbilisi. On Saturday, the National Movement party banner with four hearts and a cross was flying above the building. The government accused the president […]
Refugees demonstrating in 2012. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Refugees will provide 85 refugee families with apartments on Monday. The apartments, which are located on Kvareli Street in Tbilisi, were distributed to families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by use of secret ballot, […]
Stella went down after hitting a reef near the Greek island Karpathos. (MaritimeTraffic.com.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The captain of the sunken freighter Stella has been declared lost as the rescue work ended November 5, according to Georgia’s Foreign Ministry. In a statement, the ministry says yacht clubs, harbors and ships sailing near the site of the accident […]
The National Movement party’s banner flying above the presidential residence in Avlabari, Tbilisi. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president’s administration Saturday raised the National Movement party banner atop the presidential palace in Tbilisi. The flag has four hearts and a cross, instead of five crosses, as is on the Georgian national flag. The government […]
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (left) and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Irakli Alasania Friday met with his French colleague Jean-Yves Le Drian at the French Defense Ministry. They discussed military-industrial cooperation between Georgia and France and future plans. Alasania said they discussed […]
Georgia’s new Interior Minister Alexandre Chikaidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police Colonel Alexandre Chikaidze will replace Irakli Gharibashvili and become new Georgian Interior Minister. Chikaidze was presented by Prime Minister Gharibashvili on Saturday. The 28 year-old Chikaidze graduated from Tbilisi State […]
Georgian Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili (left) and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili yesterday finished a one week visit to Lithuania and Latvia. He said Georgia’s friends are ready to support its integration with Europe at the summit of the Eastern Partnership’s in Vilnius November 28-29, […]
