Thursday, March 12, 2026

New Rustavi 2 owner vows to develop it as a "rigorous and critical" TV channel

TBILISI, DFWatch–The new owner of Rustavi 2 is not planning to sell his shares. Instead, Kibar Shalvashi plans to develop Georgia’s largest opposition TV channel as a “critical and rigorous” outlet. “I consider it my primary duty to put television freed from Saakashvili into public service and regain confidence, to be critical and rigorous, but … Read more

Russia’s military superiority is visible but its status in Georgia continues to erode: Robert Hamilton

Voice of America’s Georgian Service’s Anna Kalandadze talked to Robert Hamilton, Professor of Eurasian Studies at the US Army War College in Washington about trending topics in current-day Georgia. VoA: How do you assess the Anti-Russia protests that are ongoing in Tbilisi?  What are the protests all about? Robert Hamilton: The direct catalyst for the … Read more

Several families in Georgia forced to leave their homes by Russian solders to make way for South Ossetia "border" fence

TBILISI, DFWatch–At least two families in Georgia were forced to leave their homes in a village near the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict line on Thursday. The families left after Russian troops approached them and asked them to vacate their homes within 72 hours. The village of Gugutiantkari belongs to Gori Municipality and is located 32 km … Read more

Two disappeared tourists from Belarus found dead in Svaneti

TBILISI, DFWatch–Two women from Belarus have died and one survived with injures in an hiking accident in Svaneti, on the slopes of Mount Tetnuldi, a 4,858m high peak in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.  The three tourists, aged between 36 and 60, departed from a larger group en route to the camp and disappeared on … Read more

Tbilisi court imposes strict bail conditions on former Rustavi 2 director in corruption trial

TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has placed Nika Gvaramia under GEL 40,000 bail in a controversial corruption trial that the opposition calls politically motivated. Initially, the Prosecutor’s Office wanted even stricter bail conditions: GEL 80,000 bail and banning the former head of Rustavi 2 from leaving the country.  Gvaramia claims the case is politically motivated and … Read more

Georgia's government and opposition trade accusations on 11th anniversary of Georgia-Russia war

TBILISI, DFWatch–Members and supporters of Georgia’s current and previous governments traded accusations on the 11th anniversary of the war between Russia and Georgia. Members of the incumbent government once again blamed the previous government and personally former President Mikheil Saakashvili of irresponsible actions which brought Russian troops on Georgian soil. United National Movement (UNM) and … Read more

Fundamental human rights continue to be violated: EU statement on August War anniversary

On the eve of 11th anniversary of Russo-Georgian War of 2008, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia issues the statement saying that fundamental human rights of the conflict-affected population continue to be violated and Russia keeps on violating the ceasefire agreement by maintaining and even increasing its military presence in the region. “Eleven … Read more

Tbilisi authorities ponder renaming Moscow Avenue

On the eve of 11th anniversary of the 2008 August War between Russia and Georgia, Tbilisi city authorities are considering changing the name of Moscow Avenue. “I confirm that this issue is on the table and included in our agenda,” Giorgi Tkemaladze, Chairman of Tbilisi City Council, said on Wednesday. “When the decision is adopted, … Read more

სოხუმის რეჟიმი "საერთაშორისო აეროპორტის" აღდგენაზე მუშაობას იწყებს

სოხუმის რეჟიმი ბაბუშარას აეროპორტის აღდგენასა და მისთვის, არც მეტი არც ნაკლები, საერთაშორისო სტატუსის მინიჭებას გეგმავს. სეპარატისტულ ხელისუფლებაში აცხადებენ, რომ აეროპორტში არსებულ სიტუატიას უკვე სწავლობს რუსული კომპანია და განსახორციელებული სამუშაოების გეგმაზე ანგარიშს ამზადებს. თბილისში კი აცხადებენ, რომ საქართველოს თანხმობის გარეშე ბაბუშარას აეროპორტში საერთაშორისო მიმოსვლის დაწყება შეუძლებელი იქნება. როგორც ჩანს, სოხუმში ისევ რუსეთთან “საერთაშორისო მიმოსვლის” იმედი აქვთ … Read more