Bidzina Ivanishvili. (1TV.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s talk show will not go on air until February at the earliest. the businessman who dedicated himself to strengthening civil society after retiring from politics announced his plans for a talk show […]
A study earlier in 2014 found that many milk products contain vegetable fat. Now the contents of matsoni will be regulated by law. (for.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new law will regulate the quality of the Georgian milk product matsoni, a kind of a fermented milk similar to yogurt. The purpose is to protect matsoni as cultural heritage and ensure the best quality of the traditional product. In a new draft […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president has vetoed a surveillance bill which would have given the Interior Ministry control over access keys to eavesdropping on the communication of citizens. President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s veto on Saturday is the second time […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Friday finally passed a law about secret surveillance that grants the Interior Ministry direct access to secret surveillance material with 73 votes in favor and 30 against. The ‘keys issue’, as it has come to be known […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s national assembly on Thursday decided to leave access keys to secretly obtained surveillance material in the hands of the Interior Ministry. After days of confrontation with a diversity of opinions about the draft bill, 75 MPs voted […]
Nika Gilauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former President Mikheil Saakashvili says the new government has blocked the appointment of one of his former associates as business ombudsman in Ukraine. However, statements made by Nika Gilauri in early November contradict what […]
Nanuka Zhorzholiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A well-known TV host in the republic of Georgia was Wednesday evening criticized for making discriminating statements about Jehovah’s Witnesses while on air. One of the guests on Nanuka’s Show, which is aired on Rustavi 2, a TV channel in the former […]
Mikheil Saakashvili considered the Girgvliani case a ‘black stain’ on the history of his time in power. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New charges were brought against former Georgian President Mikheil Saakasvhili on Thursday, related to the murder of a bank employee in 2006. The investigation into the Sandro Girgvilani murder, which Saakashvili has called the ‘a black stain’ […]
(parliament.hu) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Hungary on Tuesday ratified agreements signed with the EU by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The press service of Georgia’s Foreign Ministry erroneously said that 127 deputies voted for ratification. But in fact, 122 MPs supported […]
Georgian rail workers are on strike. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Employees of the Georgian railway went on strike this week demanding overtime compensation, new salary rules and a so-called 13th salary payment. A new trade union for railway workers has been set up, headed by Vitaly Giorgadze and deputy […]
“The state has a duty to protect women against violence.” (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There were demonstrations in 22 cities and towns all over Georgia on Tuesday to highlight the problem of violence against women. 24 women have been killed this year in Georgia, and there are many reports of family conflicts, when women […]
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said the new treaty makes Abkhazia a part of Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The signing of a new treaty between Abkhazia and Russia has caused outrage in Tbilisi. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said he considers what has happened annexation. Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili went as far as saying that […]
Trucks at the border with Turkey at Sarpi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first ten months of 2014 was USD 9.4 billion; 10 percent more than the same period in 2013. According to the latest monthly report by Georgia’s National Statistics Department, published on Monday, export […]
Khaso Khangoshvili, Zaur Gumashvili, Apolon Gaurgashvili and Soltsa Kavtarashvili. (DF Watch.) DUISI, DFWatch–Despite its reputation, Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge is now a quite peaceful place, according to the Council of Elders, an informal body which arbitrates conflicts in the area. The council has a long history here. Its role is to mediate and decide […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has still not decided who should have access to secret surveillance material, a problem that has remained unresolved for more than half a year. But this week, parliament is to review several legislative proposals. A previous vote that […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–An accident at a thermal power plant in eastern Georgia caused a country-wide blackout early Monday morning. Almost the entire country was without electricity at 02:10 in the middle of the night, as the thermal power plant in Gardabani near […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili pardoned 121 prisoners in connection with the celebration of Giorgoba, an important Christian holiday in Georgia. 93 of those who were pardoned left prison the same day Friday, while 28 prisoners had their […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two people were detained during a demonstration against the National Movement in Tbilisi on Sunday. The demonstration took place outside the party’s office and was held in connection with the 11 years anniversary of the Rose Revolution, which […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former economy minister, the businessman Kakha Bendukidze was buried in Tbilisi on Saturday. Bendukidze died in London recently. A public funeral service was held earlier on Saturday at one of the universities which he founded. […]
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a possible mistreatment case at Gldani prison (“No 8”) in Tbilisi. The investigation will involve questioning prison staff and prisoners and conducting a forensic examination of bodily injuries which were recently […]
Ronald Suny is Professor of Social and Political History at Michigan State University. Ukraine and the Caucasus countries are caught between two ambitious powers: Russia, which wants to have hegemony in the former Soviet space, and the United States, which wants global hegemony, according to Ronald G. Suny, professor of political science and history […]
Emzar Kvitsiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Supreme Court says it has become the target of harassment by certain politicians, particularly following the recent conviction of man for leading the 2006 Kodori mutiny. Emzar Kvitsiani, who in 2006 declared disobedience toward […]
(DF Watch.) DUISI, DFWatch–The people in Pankisi Gorge have been under increasing scrutiny for the last few months, as fighters from this region have become high-ranking commanders in the forces of the Islamic State. Pankisi is merely a 34 square kilometers cut into the Greater […]
A transgender woman recently killed in Tbilisi was remembered with a minute’s silence. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–LGBT activists on Thursday marked Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) in Tbilisi. The demonstration took place at the House of Justice to protest against the fact that transgender people aren’t allowed to register their true gender in ID cards. […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Road construction has become the new subject of dispute between the former and current government in Georgia. What sparked the debate was when the prime minister opened a new section of highway in western Georgia by scathingly saying that the […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The body of the former Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze, who recently died of heart failure according to preliminary information, will be brought home to Georgia on Thursday. The body will be on a direct flight from London and brought to his […]
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ombudsman claims they have reason to believe prisoners were tortured last week at a prison in Gldani, Tbilisi; the very same prison where humiliating abuse of prisoners was filmed and shown on TV two years ago. The public defender […]
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s dismissed defense minister has given a ‘final warning’ to the country’s prosecutors, after which he plans to get the international community involved in the process. Irakli Alasania was dismissed shortly after making strong statements […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentarians in Georgia failed to reach agreement Tuesday about whether men should be legally obligated to take off their hats when the national anthem is played in the assembly. Giorgi Kakhiani has authored a draft bill that will remove […]
Levan Chachua. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The pathologist on trial in the case about the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2005 has been given bail. Levan Chachua has been in detention since March 20, but on Tuesday the court ruled that he may be released against paying a 10,000 […]
Practical problems for people affected by the conflict is the main focus of the IPRM meetings. (EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Monday another meeting was held of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) between the conflicting parties of the 2008 war. This was the 50th such meeting, and as usual it took place at Ergneti, a village close to the de facto border. […]
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister claims Russia is preparing to annex two Georgian breakaway regions. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said this while meeting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday. One of the topics discussed was the […]
Lasha Tordia, head of the State Audit Office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has begun examining the finances of the biggest government ministries. This follows findings by the Audit Office of violations in several ministries expenditures. Head of the Audit Office, Lasha Tordia, said […]
Emzar Kvitsiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The leader of the Kodori Gorge mutiny in 2006 was Monday sentenced to 12 years in jail. Emzar Kvitsiani was convicted of mutiny and forming an illegal paramilitary group. His lawyer said they will appeal the verdict to the Appeals […]
71% of the wine was produced by households in 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia produced 12.6 percent more wine in 2013 than in 2012, according to the government’s international monitoring center. 71.2 percent of the 183,381 tons of wine produced in 2013 came from households, and 28.8 percent from companies. In 2012, […]
Davit Bakradze is Georgia’s new Euro-integration minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister on Saturday approved a new minister of Euro and Euro Atlantic integration. The new Euro-integration minister Davit Bakradze replaces Alexi Petriashvili, who resigned in protest against the dismissal […]
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili addressed a crowd in Tbilisi Saturday, via video link. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former ruling party mobilized several thousand people on Saturday for an anti-Russia themed rally and blamed the government for inaction in the face of what it claimed is impending Russian annexation of two breakaway regions. […]
(Photo: Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgian soldiers were injured at a military base in Bagram, Afghanistan, as a suicide bomber blew himself up while the Georgians were patrolling the area. The Ministry of Defense said the health of soldiers is in no danger. They were taken […]
Rustaveli Avenue was blocked for traffic from 12 today, in preparation for the rally. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former government representatives from the years following the rose revolution in 2003 are holding a rally in central Tbilisi today to protest against Russia’s annexation of two breakaway regions. National Movement members claim this is […]
Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in an address to parliament on Friday that he has warned that there would be problems if people continued to distrust the country’s institutions. “During the recent year, I have repeatedly underlined […]
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Orthodox Church on Thursday remembered the 100,000 martyrs by walking through the streets of Tbilisi for hours and conducting a prayer on Metekhi Bridge. The church marks this day the same way every year. According to historical sources, […]
Friends wrote on Facebook that Kakha Bendukidze died in a hotel room in London. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian economy minister Kakha Bendukidze died Thursday in London, aged 58. Bendukidze was an important strategist for the economic liberalization which started during President Saakashvili from 2004. Friends and acquaintances wrote […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has opened another investigation against the Defense Ministry, which is already subject to two investigations which prompted the minister’s dismissal last week. This time the investigation is based on material […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court did not set bail conditions for six Defense Ministry officials who are on trial for being involved in a food poisoning case in 2013. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, ten cases of poisoning of military employees took place. The six officials […]
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One of the experts who was involved in the autopsy following the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in 2005 was found dead in his apartment on Thursday. Meanwhile, Tbilisi City Court finished the hearing for another expert and listened […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Movement delegates left the suit and tie at home Wednesday and instead showed up in parliament wearing white t-shirts with the slogan ‘no to annexation’ to protest the government’s ‘loyal attitude to Russia’. The party has accused the new […]
Oleg Melnikov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former officer in Georgia’s Interior Minister has made another plea agreement in return for testifying against one of the allies of Mikheil Saakashvili. Oleg Melnikov used to be an officer in the previous government’s possibly most […]
A trans gender woman was killed in Tbilisi Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) I am lucky to be born straight. I am lucky to be one of those people who are not stigmatized on the basis of their sexual affection to a certain human being; who can kiss and hold hands in public without being attacked or bullied for it; who can get officially married […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia Wednesday detained a suspect in the murder of a transgender woman in Tbilisi the day before. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the 26 year old, who lives in Tbilisi, killed the transgender woman because […]
The house in Kobuleti where a Muslim boarding school is planned. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at a Muslim school demonstrated outside the government house in Batumi a few days ago, demanding that the the Kobuleti Boarding School issue be solved soon. Also university students joined the rally. They claim that the local government […]
Elizbarashvili Dog Shelter in Tbilisi holds more than four hundred dogs. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Fighting broke out Tuesday at Tbilisi City Council over a proposal to shut down a large private dog shelter in the capital. Neighbors of the shelter showed up at the council session to demand that it be shut down because they consider it a nuisance. […]
New Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday appointed Tamar Beruchashvili as new foreign minister. Beruchashvili was a deputy to Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze, who resigned in protest against the dismissal of Defense Minister Irakli Alasania […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A young transgender person was killed in her apartment last night on Pekini street, Tbilisi. The victim’s apartment was set on fire, apparently in order to destroy the evidence. Local media report that the victim was a 23 year old transwoman, who has appeared […]
Duisi. (DF Watch.) DUISI. DFWatch–Centuries-old mountain traditions and customs still regulate daily life in Pankisi, a valley in the northeast of Georgia populated by Kists and Chechens. Now the old ways are challenged by a new women’s council. Traditionally, the highest decision […]
Students say Tbilisi State University is run by clans. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Students at Tbilisi State University on Monday demonstrated against what they say is a clan-run education system which doesn’t encourage scientific activities. The march started from the central branch of the university and ended outside the […]
Jokola Achishvili. (Photo posted on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A street fight with ethnic overtones in eastern Georgia on Sunday led to people being hospitalized and several people were detained. The scuffle took place in the town Akhmeta, between local Georgians and Kist, who are a subgroup of Chechens […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will address parliament on November 14 at noon. The address will be held at the beginning at a plenary session and be followed by an address of the speaker of parliament. November 5, right after the prime minister […]
Mikheil Saakashvili is now also charged with organizing deliberate severe damage to someone’s health. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new forensic report concluding that the victim of a beating in 2005 had life-threatening injuries has led to tougher charges being introduced against Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili. The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office announced […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The governing Georgian Dream coalition on Monday increased the number of seats it controls in parliament to 87, as twelve majoritarians agreed to support the bloc. The same day as the twelve decided to join the majority, the Free Democrats officially […]
Roki tunnel before the repair work. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia has reopened a strategically important tunnel through the Caucasus mountain range after a full-scale overhaul that has taken two and a half years and cost USD 400 million. According to Russian officials, equipment had been moved from the […]
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani decided to finally leave the Free Democrats, the party led by the dismissed defense minister Irakli Alasania. Tsulukiani recently withdrew from the Georgian Dream coalition due to political crisis following the sacking […]
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (TV1.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The father of Georgia’s government coalition, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, presented his plans for a new talk show Saturday. Ivanishvili, who was prime minister the first year of the Georgian Dream coalition’s government, will appear on the […]
Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s recently resigned foreign minister believes herself and the recently dismissed defense minister might be arrested soon. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania was dismissed last week because he according to the prime minister was trying to turn […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Transparency International said on Friday that Georgia’s new visa rules have created serious problems for investments and tourism. TI Georgia’s new report, which was presented at Holiday Inn Hotel in Tbilisi, contains recommendations which […]
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Channel 1.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The billionaire behind the government coalition in Georgia on Saturday made his first public comments about the political crisis. Bidzina Ivanishvili had critical things to say about several of the people who have been at center stage these last days, […]
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s dismissed defense minister, Irakli Alasania, feels optimistic that his party which recently left the governing coalition will win in the parliamentary election of 2016. The Free Democrats on Saturday held a party conference, which with […]
(DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Handicraft made by prisoners went on sale at an exhibition at Radisson Blu Iveria hotel in Tbilisi on Friday dedicated to the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women. The works at the exhibition ‘Creation Work for Dignity’ were made by […]
Shalva Shavgulidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream coalition received another unexpected blow Friday when one of its active members switched sides and joined the dismissed defense minister’s political party. Nevertheless, GD says the loss of Shalva Shavgulidze […]
Bidzina Ivanishvili (left) and Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, who was dismissed a few days ago, Thursday evening met Bidzina Ivanishvili, the businessman who brought together the Georgian Dream coalition. Ivanishvili has avoided public statements since he left […]
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After sacking and reprimanding his once ally, Prime Minister Garibashvili says if Alasania’s party goes into opposition, this will make the country’s democracy even stronger. Alasania on his part says he thinks the PM has lost face. Garibashvili […]
Davit Saganelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the party of the recently dismissed defense minister is rushing to try to deprive Georgian Dream of its majority, while the coalition is trying to retain it. If all ten members of the Free Democrats faction leave the coalition, this will […]
“The PM instructed me that the system must function,’ said Davit Japahjania, one of the deputies to the foreign minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–At least two of the deputies of the Georgian foreign minister will remain on their posts despite saying yesterday that they would resign in the wake of the dismissal of the defense minister. Tamar Beruchashvili and Davit Jalaghania told journalists […]
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili castigated former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania on Thursday, calling him ‘a traitor’ and ‘an opportunist’. “What Alasania did, is a betrayal of the victory of 2012 and an attempt to deceive the Georgian […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili rules out the possibility of a change in Georgia’s foreign policy orientation. The government coalition is split with both sides accusing the other of endangering the policy of seeking integration with NATO […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–According to the latest available information, the ruling Georgian Dream coalition may keep its majority of seats in the parliament. Three MPs from the ten strong Free Democrats – Georgian Dream faction might choose to side with Georgian […]
Irakli Alasania announced Wednesday evening that the Free Democrats Party is leaving the government coalition. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government coalition in Georgia is in its worst crisis till now, as one party leaves and questions are raised about its western oriented course. Two ministers resigned in protest against the dismissal of the defense minister the day before, but the crisis […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of Alasania’s political team are stepping down one by one as Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze and four of her deputies resigned on Wednesday in the wake of the political turmoil that has brought Georgia’s ruling coalition on the verge of collapse. […]
Irakli Alasania said he believes his dismissal was political. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili dismissed his defense minister Tuesday evening, hours after the Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against six more Defense Ministry officials. The sacked minister, Irakli Alasania, was one of the most […]
Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandre Batiashvili. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A deputy defense minister in Georgia protested against ‘a number of violations’ on Monday after spending about ten hours in questioning about a corruption case involving defense officials. Alexi Batiashvili has status as witness in the case […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–While Georgia’s western backed defense minister struggles to prove the innocence of his ‘brothers-in-arms’, the Prosecutor’s Office dealt the beleaguered minister another blow. The Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday brought a new case about food […]
Prosecutor’s Office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As five defense officials remain in pre-trial detention on corruption charges, the Defense Ministry and Prosecutor’s Office are quarreling over whose fault it is that the case documents remain classified. The five, who were detained October 28, […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Traffic is currently rerouted from Chakvi-Makhinjauri highway in western Georgia after a landslide on Sunday blocked the road. According to the Regional Development and Infrastructure Ministry, about 20-30 thousand cubic meters of land collapsed […]
Kutaisi airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia on Sunday deported two Russian citizens who were planning to go to Chechnya. The two were held at Kutaisi airport and eventually sent to Moscow. The Interior Ministry claims the reason they were deported was that they couldn’t answer […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–290 out of 486 employees of Tbilisi City Hall have failed a test on Saturday. The former ruling party claims it is political, as many of the workers are from the previous government. 563 employees were expected to show up for Saturday’s test. […]
Irakli Alasania says there are signs of bias against the five detainees.(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The detention of Defense Ministry officials is a severe blow to the country’s security, says Irakli Alasania, head of the MoD, who vouches for his fellow colleagues’ innocence, calling them ‘my brothers-in-arms and team-mates’. Meanwhile a corruption […]
