Thursday, August 14, 2025
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Gigi Ugulava

Two Georgian opposition politicians released from prison, threw scathing remarks towards Ivanishvili

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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 imprison many … Read more

Electoral reform in deadlock, opposition threatens resuming rallies in Georgia

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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, the government, … Read more

Ex-defense minister sentenced for participating in Gavrilov Night clashes

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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 group violence by the … Read more

Georgia’s opposition claims charges against leaders of June 21 revolt is political persecution

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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 political reasons, while the government accuses the opposition of having attempted to … Read more

Party which reformed Georgia during a decade breaks apart

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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

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Too late to have any meaning, court lifts bail against former Tbilisi mayor

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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.

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Human Rights Watch finds indications of political persecution in Georgia

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(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

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Georgian president rejects politically motivated pardons

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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

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