Saturday, December 13, 2025

Lawmaker in Georgia suggests making it a crime to cause offense to religious feelings

Emzar Kvitsiani.

TBILISI, DFWatch–A conservative MP in Georgia has presented a bill that would prescribe punishment of up to one year in jail for ‘offending someone’s religious feelings’. The human rights committee in parliament agrees with the bill ‘in principle’.

“I’m ready to take part in and make

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Alania diocese facing uncertain future as South Ossetia confiscates bishop's 'passport'

Bishop Ambrosi. (osinform.org)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Alania diocese, which covers the area of the separatist region South Ossetia, is facing an uncertain future after law enforcers for the breakaway republic confiscated the ‘passport’ of the head of the diocese.

The ‘passport’, which is required

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Seven Georgian schools may be closed in the southern part of Abkhazia

The Georgian school in the village Tagiloni was closed recently. (DFWatch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Abkhazia’s breakaway authorities are planning to close seven Georgian schools in Gali, according to locals, who fear that such a decision, if taken, will cause the district to be depopulated.

The school closures are being considered as part of an ‘optimization’ plan for the public schools in Abkhazia.

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GEM Fest 2018 thrown into doubt after application for permit rejected

TBILISI, DFWatch–GEM Fest may be canceled this year, after an agency of the Georgian government denied the festival a permit to rent a land plot.

The fate of the annual electronic music festival, which is popular among youth in Georgia and neighboring countries, was thrown into doubt because the The National Agency of State Property (NASP)

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Russia bans fruit and vegetables from Abkhazia, which in turn blocks same products from Georgia

Breakaway vice premier Aslan Kobakhia finds it strange that Russia has imposed a blockade only on Abkhazia, not Georgia. (aiaaira.com.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–From April 2, Moscow will prohibit the import of fruit, vegetables and herbs from breakaway Abkhazia, which heavily relies on selling agricultural commodities to Russia. Sokhumi responded by imposing an embargo

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