law on the occupied territories

Georgia bars former Moscow mayor Luzhkov from entering

By | May 11th, 2017|Categories: News|Tags: , |

In this photo from 2006, Yuri Luzhkov (right) is seen in Abkhazia with Abkhaz and Russian politicians. (Alexander Popov/TASS.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has placed the former mayor of Moscow on its ‘black list’ of people barred from entering the country. Yuri Luzhkov was briefly in Georgia last weekend and the opposition called for his prosecution for violating a 2008 law. When Luzhkov’s tourist trip became […]

51 people jailed for entering Georgia’s breakaway territories the wrong way

By | February 11th, 2017|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

The bridge over the river Inguri is currently the only legal way to enter Abkhazia. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has jailed 51 persons over the last nine years for entering Abkhazia or South Ossetia from the wrong direction. The ombudsman now calls for a review of the law. Georgia’s Law on the Occupied Territories […]

Georgia lets Russian MP visit Tbilisi despite ban on Abkhazia & SO visits

By | March 18th, 2016|Categories: News|Tags: , |

Grigory Karasin. (Atlantic Council.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Russian member of parliament will be allowed to attend a meeting of the parliamentary assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Tbilisi between July 1 and 5, although he has violated […]

Council of Europe imposes sanctions against Georgia

By | December 1st, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

Vassiliy Likhachev, Russian Duma member and PACE observer. (Photo: Council of Europe.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has imposed sanctions against Georgia after a Russian election observer was denied entry before the presidential election a month ago. The organization has decided not to hold any committee […]

Government criticized for inaction over Depardieu’s Abkhazia trip

By | July 5th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

Gerard Depardieu. (IPN.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is coming under fire at home for not doing more after Gérard Depardieu violated Georgian law by visiting the breakaway region Abkhazia. The government says it will not react, as it does not consider it a serious violation. […]

Saakashvili’s party urges president to block three bills

By | April 10th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party members demand that the he uses his right to veto three important drafts which parliament currently is reviewing, one of which has already been passed. The draft bill about court reform was adopted on Thursday. […]

Saakashvili’s party criticizes easing of A, SO travel rules

By | April 4th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party is critical to a process to amend the law on the occupied territories. The amendment deals with rules for how to travel to the breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia and punishment for breaking the rules. […]

Russia asks for renewed visa talks with Georgia

By | March 24th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia again has offered to cancel visa requirements for Georgian citizens, if Georgia creates legal guarantees for Russian citizens to safely visiting the country, which means that Georgia will have to amend its law on the occupied territories. […]

Azerbaijan warns against visiting Georgia’s breakaway regions

By | April 14th, 2012|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch – The Azerbaijani government warns its citizens about visiting Georgia’s occupied territories. The warning is more matter-of-fact than a previous warning from the Kremlin to Russians who might be tempted to go to Georgia after a visa is no longer needed […]