Tag: crime

Suspected contract killing in Batumi leaves one dead

July 19, 2025 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–A man was shot dead in broad daylight on Thursday at a restaurant in central Batumi, a popular seaside resort on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. The murder occurred around 3:00 pm local time at a grill restaurant near the Le Méridien hotel on Ninoshvili Street. Authorities say the victim was hit in the back … Read more

Germany delays visa waiver plan again, cites Georgian burglar gangs

June 9, 2016 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Germany on Wednesday again blocked visa-free access to the Schengen area for Georgian citizens, with reference to police reports that Georgian asylum seekers play an important role in organizing burglaries.

After the decision became

Shooting incident in Batumi, three wounded

September 15, 2013 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch–Three men were wounded in a shooting in Batumi on Friday night.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the incident began as a Russian citizen started shooting at the police.

Ministry spokesperson Nino Giorgobiani said on Saturday that the

Crime wave is receding, says interior minister

December 12, 2012 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch — The interior minister says the crime situation in Georgia now is under control, but remains difficult.

Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili says criminals have taken advantage of the process of handing over power.

“We weren’t able to timely

Crime wave hits Georgia due to 'vacuum'

November 29, 2012 by DFWatch staff

police-car — Criminals have taken advantage of a vacuum created by a restructuring of the interior ministry. Petty crime has doubled in the last month. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Interior Minister says he is not alarmed by a 50 percent increase in petty crime after the new government came to power, compared to previous months.

After the Georgian Dream coalition took over in early October, the National Movement

Village head murdered by friend

August 28, 2012 by Rusiko Machaidze

TBILISI, DFWatch – The head of a village near Tbilisi has been shot to death. A friend of the victim has admitted to have carried out the crime.

The body was found in a forest Monday morning.

The suspect says he was drunk and had a quarrel with the victim. After

Georgia is to punish hate crimes harder

March 7, 2012 by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgia increases its sentencing of hate crimes.

A new bill to amend the Criminal Code will make it mandatory for courts to use the maximum sentence if the crime was motivated by racial, linguistic, religious, national or ethnic prejudice.

For every