(IPN.) Embattled Georgian Dream admitted a major concession on Friday when President Salome Zurabishvili pardoned two opposition politicians. The two, former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava and ex-Minister of Defense Irakli Okruashvili were soon released and immediately hailed Bidzina Ivanishvili, the GD leader, with scathing remarks. "The only easy promise that Ivanishvili made was to [...]
(Newposts.ge) Political conflict in Georgia over electoral reform has escalated again amid disagreement between the government and main opposition forces, as the latter accuses the Georgian Dream of renouncing an agreement struck in March 8. The tension is so high some opposition politicians threaten to resume protest rallies despite Covid 19 restrictions. In particular, [...]
Irakli Okruashvili. (1tv.ge) Irakli Okruashvili, who served for various important offices under President Mikheil Saakashvili in early 2000s, was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for taking part in the Gavrilov Night clashes with police. Initially he was accused of attempting coup d’état but later was charged with organizing of and participating [...]
A police officer puts an electronic bracelet on Nika Melia. (1tv.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Authorities are pursuing criminal charges against several high-profile opposition figures after the June 21-22 uprising in the center of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Spokespersons for two major opposition parties, United National Movement (UNM) and European Georgia, claim they are being targeted for [...]
Davit Bakradze (left), the probable chairman of the new party, and Gigi Ugulava at Thursday’s briefing. (1tv.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three months long infighting in Georgia’s main opposition party concluded with dozens of members announcing their departure and formation of a new opposition party on Thursday. 38 heads of municipal and regional organizations […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former mayor of Tbilisi was released from prison Friday evening. Tbilisi Court of Appeal partially reduced his sentence to 1 year, 3 months and 22 days. As the detention is counted from September 18, 2015, his term expired on January 6. […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court ruled in favor of former Mayor Gigi Ugulava on Tuesday, lifting a 50,000 lari bail imposed on him and a freezing order on the house of his mother-in-law. But the lifting of Mr Ugulava’s bail won’t mean that he can walk free. He is currently serving a four and a half year prison sentence in another case. […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In its latest world report, Human Rights Watch draws attention to a number of alleged violations in Georgia, including political persecution, pressure on the media and ill treatment. The first chapter on Georgia in the World Report 2016 […]
Former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A citizens’ appeal to pardon former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava has been rejected by President Giorgi Margvelashvili. Ugulava has been in detention since July 2014. His supporters argue that there have been committed several violations […]
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has rejected a call by his predecessor Mikheil Saakashvili that it is a test of ‘decency’ to pardon three former top government officials who are convicted of crimes committed while in office. Saakashvili, who is now […]
Pedro Agramunt. (Council of Europe.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A European human rights observer claims Georgia is using excessive pre-trial detention for political reasons against former government officials. The new report is written by Pedro Agramunt from the Spanish People’s Party, and published by […]
Gigi Ugulava was Friday sentenced to four and a half year in prison. He has already served 440 days. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After one day in freedom, Tbilisi’s former mayor was Friday sentenced to four and a half years in jail. Although the city court in Tbilisi sentenced Gigi Ugulava to nine years, the sentence was reduced to four years and six months in compliance […]
Gigi Ugulava greeted by Giga Bokeria (back, left) and others. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court released former Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava from detention Thursday night. Upon his release, the most prominent leader of the Georgian opposition vowed to challenge “Ivanishvili’s grip on power”. He said the National […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court Wednesday evening announced a ruling that the detention of former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava is unconstitutional. He is awaiting trial for numerous charges including corruption. The ruling sets aside a provision in the […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday failed to announce a ruling concerning the pre-trial detention of the former Tbilisi mayor, claiming that the judge feels ill and he cannot be present to sign the ruling. Ex-Mayor Gigi Ugulava, an ally of former […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi decided Tuesday that the former mayor and Saakashvili confidante Gigi Ugulava must remain in detention. Tuesday’s decision by Tbilisi City Court regarding Ugulava is strongly challenged by the National Movement, the former ruling […]
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Tbilisi ruled Sunday that a former mayor and close ally of Mikheil Saakashvili must stay in prison on aggravated charges recently presented by prosecutors. The ruling in Tbilisi City Court came not long before ex-Mayor Gigi […]
Mikheil Saakashvili. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office on Saturday modified the charges against five former high officials, including ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili. In Saakashvili’s and former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili’s cases, the charges […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Tbilisi court decided on Wednesday that former Mayor Gigi Ugulava must stay in detention. Lawyers asked the court to release Ugulava on bail and promised to hand his ID card and passport over to prosecutors as a guarantee […]
Tbilisi City Court. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Monday rejected a motion by the Prosecutor’s Office to change the USD 30,000 bail set for former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava into pre-trial detention. The judge said that the arguments in the motion were not strong enough […]
Suspended Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has asked a court to further toughen the pre-trial conditions of former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. Ugulava is already in detention for one charge, but in another case he was given 50,000 lari (USD 30,000) bail. […]
Suspended Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava lost his appeal and must remain in detention. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Appeal’s Court in Georgia rejected an appeal from former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava and he must therefore remain in detention. Ugulava is charged with embezzlement of more than one million lari from parking fees. His lawyers say they […]
The court building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Seven people were Saturday fined 100 lari (USD 60) each for hooliganism after being detained the day before in a violent disturbance outside Tbilisi City Court. The violence happened after the court had decided to place former Mayor […]
Former Member of Parliament Kote Gabashvili was one of the detained National Movement supporters. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of the National Movement were Friday night involved in a violent disturbance outside Tbilisi City Court, after it decided to place former Mayor Gigi Ugulava in pre-trial detention. Several of its representatives were detained by police […]
Former Mayor of Tbilisi, Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court Friday night placed former mayor Gigi Ugulava in pretrial detention. He faces charges of money laundering and election fraud. Ugulava was detained at Tbilisi airport Thursday morning as he was about to take a plane to Ukraine. […]
Former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava was detained at the city’s airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Mayor Gigi Ugulava was detained Thursday morning at Tbilisi airport as he was about to leave for Ukraine. He is accused of money laundering. The Finance Ministry’s investigation service on Monday brought new charges against […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday decided not to set bail conditions for former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava, who is charged with embezzlement of more than one million lari from parking fees. The court did not agree with a request […]
Former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava is charged with embezzlement of money from parking fees. He vigorously denies the charges. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has asked the court to set a 50,000 lari (USD 30,000) bail for former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava in a case involving embezzlement of money from parking fees. The office on Tuesday also asked Tbilisi City […]
Gigi Ugulava called the new charges absurd. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former mayor of Tbilisi, Gigi Ugulava, was Monday charged with embezzlement involving the city’s parking company. In a statement the Finance Ministry’s investigative service says the company CT Park Ltd, which hires parking […]
Former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Tbilisi mayor who was removed from office has called off his lawsuit to get back his job, calling the whole justice system ridiculous. Gigi Ugulava, who was elected mayor of Tbilisi in 2010, at a time when most of the international community […]
Suspended Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava and other National Movement members accuse a district election official of being partial. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Suspended Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava Thursday broke into a district election commission office in Marneuli and swore at the local official in charge. It’s the latest in a series of incidents involving the party, as Georgia gets closed to the local […]
Gigi Ugulava in court in March, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Constitutional Court on Friday revoked a decision to suspend Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava pending a corruption trial, and he now plans to go back to work only weeks before the local election. Tbilisi City Court suspended Ugulava […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the National Movement is crying foul over the trial against one of their top people, suspended Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. The reason is that the prime minister recently announced a ‘moratorium’ on prosecuting any member of the National […]
Former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava was pelted with eggs as he left the Constitutional Court Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s minister of justice calls on everyone to allow political parties to conduct their election campaign in a normal environment, after eggs were thrown at National Movement activists last weekend. People threw eggs at former Mayor of Tbilisi […]
National Movement spokesperson Andro Barnovi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement is planning a series of anti-Putin demonstrations in several cities and towns, but first wants to meet with the people. The party’s spokesperson Andro Barnovi said on Monday that the government is passive as the Winter Sochi […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office lost its appeal about issuing bail conditions for Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava in a case about money laundering and embezzlement. The Appeals Court refused to set a one million GEL (USD 600 000) bail for mayor and suspend him […]
Gigi Ugulava will continue as mayor of Tbilisi until the first trial hearing. He is charged with money laundering and embezzlement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court did not listen to a plea from the Prosecutor’s Office to suspend Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Uglava from his position. Neither did it set bail conditions. Monday, the court reviewed the charges against Ugulava, a member of President […]
Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava addressing supporters after being questioned by investigators Saturday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office wants Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava removed from office and on a USD 600 000 bail as he awaits trial for money laundering and embezzlement. Even though Ugulava, a close ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili, is an elected […]
Vano Merabishvili, Secretary General of the National Movement. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava was charged with money laundering and embezzlement of the city’s money, but not detained. Politicians from the United National Movement party of President Mikheil Saakashvili on Friday hastily left parliament Kutaisi […]
Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava appoints Sevdia Ugrekhelidze as his replacement, in case he himself ends up in prison. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava is slapped with charges of money laundering and embezzlement, he appoints who will replace him if he is arrested. Thursday evening, Ugulava presented Sevdia Ugrekhelidze, a Tbilisi Council member, as the new first vice […]
Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava is charged with money laundering and embezzlement of public money. Ugulava is a close ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili and in 2010 became the first elected mayor of the capital. Natia Sukhiashvili, spokesperson for […]
Mayor Gigi Ugulava told police Feb. 8 that they had to establish order. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava has left the police building after three hours of questioning. He said that he thinks he won’t be questioned again about the street violence he was involved in on February 8. The mayor was questioned as a witness […]
Mayor Gigi Ugulava waving his arms, urging supporters to break through a crowd of demonstrators Feb. 8, 2013. TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court Friday issued a ruling that orders the city’s mayor, Gigi Ugulava, to appear before the police and explain himself about a massive street scuffle that he was involved in February 8. The court instructs Interior Ministry employees […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Interior Ministry appeals to Tbilisi City Court asking for it to issue a court order requiring the Tbilisi mayor to appear for questioning. Mayor Ugulava has been asked repeatedly to come to the police and talk about the violence outside […]
TBILISI, DFWatch–For several days, investigators in Georgia have been calling National Movement members in for questioning without them appearing, including the Tbilisi mayor. Mayor Gigi Ugulava’s answer has repeatedly been to call on the investigators to come to his […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — After having been questioned about his role in a large embezzlement case, the Tbilisi mayor says the Prosecutor’s Office is in a deadlock and in a hurry. Even though Gigi Ugulava refused to appear for questioning, he invited investigators […]
“If anyone has illusions that I am leaving and won’t come back, I will tell them that I cannot grant such a pleasure to Ivanishvili, Kbilashvili, Tsulukiani and the others,” says Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch — Tbilisi mayor and staunch Saakshvili ally Gigi Ugulava failed to show up for questioning at the Finance Ministry’s Investigative Service today. He was called to explain himself regarding a case of suspected embezzlement of five million lari […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — 2012 ended differently than previous years for Tbilisians, as there was no concert or other event organized in the center of the city on New Year’s Eve. Mayor Gigi Ugulava said the reason is that people don’t like outside concerts and therefore […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian investigators are preparing a massive check-up of seven departments in the Tbilisi City Hall system. The press office of City Hall says an investigation has been launched at three different bodies: the Finance Ministry, Interior Ministry […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The prosecutor’s office is considering to investigate the mayor of Tbilisi who feels offended that he wasn’t allowed to attend the government session on Friday, even though he didn’t have a right to attend. Georgia’s finance minister Friday […]
TBILISI, DFWatch — The mayor of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi has decided to set up a new security force. Mayor Gigi Ugulava has signed a protocol about setting up the service, which has already been published on Georgia’s legislative website Matsne, which means that […]
TBILISI, DFWatch - The Georgian Chamber of Control is looking closer at the financial activities of an organization which campaigned for Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava in 2010. The organization is called Our Vote to Gigi Ugulava and had several well-known Georgian singers among its members. This is the result of recent changes in the law [...]
