Friday, December 5, 2025

Tbilisi and Brussels: tending to the democracy we have fired up

Tedo Japaridze is Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Parliament of Georgia.
Ambassador Tedo Japaridze is a former Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Parliament of Georgia.

Every time someone in Brussels criticizes the Georgian government, a chain reaction begins in Tbilisi.  With specs of truth, the opposition starts a fire designed to scorch the reputation of Georgia, while certain media will provide ventilation.

It is not long before the whole

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ECHR suspends Rustavi 2 takeover 'until further notice'

A letter by ICHR to Rustavi 2 lawyer published on facebook by Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia
A letter by ICHR to Rustavi 2 lawyer published on Facebook by Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia

TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday confirmed a decision by one of its judges to suspend a ruling by Georgia’s Supreme Court about changing the ownership of the opposition-leaning TV company Rustavi 2.

“A Chamber constituted from the Section

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Georgian PM proposes creating new media ombudsman post

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PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister proposes creating an office of media ombudsman.

The PM’s proposal comes at the same time as the situation surrounding a lawsuit about the country’s most popular TV company remains in a deadlock.

After a meeting with PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili

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Georgia's embattled TV station Rustavi 2 plans new rally on Saturday

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A scene from the February 19 rally. (Rustavi 2.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Embattled Georgian TV channel Rustavi 2 plans another rally in Tbilisi on Saturday to protest what it claims is an attempt by authorities to silence free speech in the country.

On March 3, Georgia’s Supreme Court upheld a decision to change ownership of Rustavi 2.

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Georgia Supreme Court upholds decision to change Rustavi 2 ownership

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Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Supreme Court in the former Soviet republic of Georgia has controversially upheld a decision to take away ownership of the country’s biggest opposition TV channel and hand it to a private investor. Critics say the decision will effectively silence

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Georgia Supreme Court begins review of Rustavi 2 case Thursday

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Rustavi 2’s director Nika Gvaramia. (Palitra TV.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Supreme Court in the former Soviet republic of Georgia on Thursday begins to review a highly publicised lawsuit about the ownership over the country’s biggest TV channel.

The case concerns who shall control 100 percent of shares in Rustavi 2,

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