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Danish Ambassador Summoned by MFA for Calling Ivanishvili ‘Oligarch’
On January 11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia summoned the Ambassador of Denmark, Anne Toft Sørensen, for referring to Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and the recently inaugurated honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, as an “oligarch” in her article dedicated to Georgia’s European integration, published on January 10 on the Danish daily …
Tags: Anne Toft Sørensen, Denmark, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oligarchy
12/01/2024 - 01:22
Media, Locals Raise Concerns About Extensive Fishing in occupied Abkhazia
Recent media reports, citing local residents, suggest that Turkish vessels have been engaging in illegal anchovy fishing in the territorial waters of Georgia, specifically off the coast of the occupied Abkhazia. Fishing involving Turkish vessels, which has persisted for years, has raised concerns locally this year due to an increased volume of fish caught and …
Tags: Illegal Fishing, Russian Occupation
11/01/2024 - 15:15
The Daily Beat: 10 January
Supporters and activists of the pro-Russian political party Conservative Movement/Alt Info surrounded the residence of civic activist Nata Peradze, the person who defaced the icon with the image of Joseph Stalin at the Tbilisi Trinity Cathedral. Angry demonstrators led by Alt Info demanded a public explanation from Nata Peradze for “insulting the icon,” also accusing …
Tags: Alt-info, Anri Okhanashvili, asylum, Germany, Joseph Stalin, Nata Peradze, Poland, Russia, TASS, Tskhinvali Region
Activist’s Home Surrounded by Angry Protesters Led by “Alt Info” After Stalin Icon is Defaced
On January 10, the ultra-conservative, anti-Western, pro-Russian and homophobic political party Conservative Movement / Alt Info led a group of angry demonstrators who gathered near the residence of civil activist Nata Peradze, who a day before had defaced the icon with the image of Joseph Stalin at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. The demonstrators …
Tags: Conservative Movement / Alt Info, Giorgi Kardava, Joseph Stalin, Nata Peradze, Zurab Makharadze
10/01/2024 - 19:12
Russia Abolishes Oil and Gas Export Duties to Occupied Tskhinvali
Effective from January 10, Russia has abolished “customs duties” on the export of oil products and gas to the occupied Tskhinvali region, the Russian news agency Tass.ru reported on January 10. According to the same source, a zero duty will be applied to the volumes agreed upon by the Kremlin and the de facto authorities …
More than 9000 Georgians Sought Asylum in Germany in 2023
According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees of Germany, 9,399 Georgian citizens applied for asylum in Germany in 2023 of which only 0.3% were approved. In total, Germany received 351,915 asylum applications in 2023, an increase of 51.1 percent compared to 2022. Most asylum seekers came from Syria (104,561), Turkey (62,624), Afghanistan (53,582), …
Tags: Emigration, Germany, Migration
The Daily Beat: 9 January
An anti-occupation movement, “Power is in Unity,” which regularly monitors the occupation line and reports on the situation, shared pictures of new military trenches being dug on the occupied territory of the Tskhinvali region near the village of Gremiskhevi. The State Security Service later confirmed the borderization activity by Russian forces, adding that the hotline …
Tags: Annual Inflation, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Borderization, CSOs, EU Candidacy, Irakli Garibashvili, Kakha Kaladze, National Statistics Office, Russia Occupation, SOVLAB, Stalin, State Security Service
Russian Occupation Forces Dig Military Trenches Near Gremiskhevi Village
On January 7, Davit Katsarava, the leader of the anti-occupation movement “Power is in Unity”, which regularly patrols the occupation line and reports on the situation on the ground, shared pictures of new military trenches being dug on the occupied territory of the Tskhinvali region near the village of Gremiskhevi, Dusheti municipality. Davit Katsarava emphasized …
Tags: Georgia, Russian Occupation, Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia
09/01/2024 - 17:35
CSOs Critical about the Content of Government’s Action Plan on EU Conditions
On January 9, ten civil society organizations (CSOs) issued a joint statement reacting to the Georgian government’s endorsement of the action plan to fulfil European Commission recommendations which the country was given upon receiving the EU candidacy. While acknowledging the approval as a “positive step,” CSOs emphasize that the plan lacked their engagement during its …
Tags: CSOs, EU Candidacy, European Integration, Government of Georgia
“Honorary Chairman” to Formally Wield Power According to GD Updated Statute
Amendments to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s statute, approved at the party’s December 30 congress, were published on January 8. The updated statute introduces an “Honorary Chairman” position, currently held by party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, who was elected as such at the congress. The updated statute formalizes the powers that Ivanishvili has always had, being …
Tags: Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgian Dream, Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili
Individual Wanted on Interpol Red Notice Extradited from Georgia to USA
An individual wanted on an Interpol Red Notice for committing particularly serious crimes has been extradited from Georgia to the United States, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia reported on January 9. According to the Office the extradited individual was wanted by the U.S. authorities on charges including sexual violence against minors and assault on a …
Tags: Extradition, Georgia, Interpol, United States
The Daily Beat: 8 January
Welcome back, and a Happy New Year to all readers. Georgia celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Sunday, marking the end of the New Year and Christmas holidays. Political life will be revived slowly but surely as the country is heading to the 2024 parliamentary elections in October. Traditionally, Georgian Patriarch Ilia II issued an annual Christmas …
Tags: Alliance of Patriots, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Christmas, Christmas Epistle, For Georgia, Georgian Dream party, Giorgi Gakharia, Giorgi Kandelaki, Irma Inashvili, Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia the II, President of Georgia
Patriarch’s Christmas Epistle Addresses Wars, Lack of Faith, AI
In his annual Christmas epistle, Georgian Patriarch, Ilia II focuses on issues such as wars, growing faithlessness and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The epistle mentions the “controversy” of the world, but stresses that today’s conflicts and wars can destroy the whole of humanity: “Therefore, we are all obliged to care for peace …
Tags: AI, Christmas Epistle, Ilia II, Patriarchate of Georgia
08/01/2024 - 13:43
Georgia’s Annual Inflation at 0.4% in December 2023
Georgia’s annual inflation rate amounted to 0.4% in December 2023, the National Statistics Office (Geostat) reported on January 3. On a monthly basis, meanwhile, consumer prices increased by 0.1%. The annual inflation rate was primarily driven by price changes in miscellaneous goods and services (10.1% increase); transport (5.1% increase); food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.7% decrease); and health …
Government’s EU Action Plan: the Intention that Counts?
On December 14 the European Council decided to grant Georgia candidate status. The decision to open accession negotiations will depend on Georgia’s progress in meeting the nine recommendations made by the European Commission on November 8. Given the Georgian government’s mixed record on the perceived political will to implement in good faith the EU’s 12 …
Tags: EU, EU Candidacy, European Commission, Government, Government Administration
05/01/2024 - 13:05
President’s New Year’s Eve Address to the Nation Stresses Importance of Unity
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili addressed the nation on the occasion of the New Year’s Eve, mentioning the importance of unity more than once, beginning her speech against the background of the Enguri Bridge, which connects the Georgian regions of Samegrelo and occupied Abkhazia, and ending it at the Orbeliani Palace. At the beginning of her …
Tags: President, Salome Zurabishvili
01/01/2024 - 17:08
Reactions to Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Formal Return to Politics
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and patron of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was elected its honorary chairman during the party congress on December 30. This marks the return of Ivanishvili to at least a semi-formal political role after he announced the decision to quit politics “for good” in 2021. Civil.ge has collected domestic reactions to …
Tags: Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgian Dream
30/12/2023 - 20:37
Bidzina Ivanishvili Returns to “Protect the Government from Human Temptation”
Bidzina Ivanishvil, the founder of the Georgian Dream party said today, while addressing the Georgian Dream Congress, that he is returning to politics and will assume the position of the Honorary Chair of the Georgian Dream Party. He began by saying that political activity “is not part of his character”, citing his earlier pledge in …
BREAKING: Ivanishvili Elected GD Honorary Chair
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and patron of the ruling Georgian Dream party, has been elected its honorary chairman during the unscheduled party congress today. Bidzina Ivanishvili is Back to “Protect the Government from Human Temptation” This marks the return of Ivanishvili to at least a semi-formal political role after he announced the decision to quit …
SJC Calls on Government to Review Policy on Abkhazia Following Bichvinta Land Transfer
On December 28, a local watchdog, the Social Justice Center (SJC), issued a statement on the ratification of agreement on transfer of occupied Bichvinta land to Russia by Abkhazia’s de-facto legislature, calling on the Georgian Government to systemically review its policy toward the occupied region. On December 27, the de-facto Parliament of occupied Abkhazia ratified …
Tags: Abkhazia, Bichvinta, occupation, SJC, Social Justice Center
29/12/2023 - 16:09
Gagloev Announces Plans to Produce UAVs in Occupied Tskhinvali
The de- facto authorities are planning to establish the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the occupied Tskhinvali region, the de-fact leader of the occupied region, Alan Gagloev announced at this year’s last press conference on December 28, answering a question that mentioned that “Georgia has established its own production of UAVs”. According to …
Tags: Russian Occupation, Tskhinvali Region, UAVs
Georgia’s GDP Up by 5.9% in November 2023
Georgia’s estimated real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate amounted to 5.9% for November 2023 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the rapid estimates released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia on December 28. Source: Geostat According to Geostat, the following activities contributed significantly to growth: financial and insurance activities; construction; …
Tbilisi City Court Approves Plea Bargain for Drug Arrest
On December 28, the Tbilisi City Court approved a plea bargain for Zura Nizharadze, a man arrested for possession of several types of club drugs, whose arrest reignited criticism of repressive drug policy in Georgia and prompted calls for systemic reforms of narcotics policy in the country. As told to Civil.ge by Nizharadze’s lawyer, under …
Tags: Drug Policy, Tbilisi City Court, Zura Nizharadze
28/12/2023 - 18:38
International Reactions to Transfer of Occupied Abkhazia’s Bichvinta Dacha to Russia
On December 27, at a special session held at 6 a.m., ahead of the previously declared date and time, the de facto Parliament of occupied Abkhazia ratified the agreement on the transfer of the Bichvinta (the so-called “Pitsunda state dacha”) to Russia for a 49-year lease [ed.- the residence and its dependencies cover the land plot of …
Tags: Bichvinta, Russia Occupation
Interior Ministry Ordered to Pay Damages and Monthly Allowance to June 20 Protesters
On December 27, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) reported that the Tbilisi Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the injured demonstrators of the June 20-21, 2019 protests. According to the ruling, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for paying moral compensation and monthly sustenance allowance to the demonstrators injured during the violent …
Tags: Georgia, GYLA, June 20-21 developments
Abkhaz Concern Over “Loss of Territory” in Bichvinta Residence Transfer
On December 27, the opponents of the newly ratified agreement on the transfer of the Bichvinta state residence (the so-called “Pitsunda state dacha”) to Russia continued to protest against the law, publishing a statement which stressed that agreeing to the transfer “has resulted in the loss of [so-called] jurisdiction over a part of [Abkhazian] territory.” …
Tags: Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia Occupation
Reactions to Transfer of Occupied Abkhazia’s Bichvinta Dacha to Russia
On December 27, at a special session held at 6 a.m., ahead of the previously declared date and time, the de facto Parliament of occupied Abkhazia ratified the agreement on the transfer of the Bichvinta (the so-called “Pitsunda state dacha”) to Russia for a 49-year lease [ed.- the residence and its dependencies cover the land plot of …
Tags: Bichvinta, Russia Occupation
27/12/2023 - 16:16
Occupied Abkhazia Transfers Bichvinta Dacha to Russia
On December 27, at a special session held at 6 a.m., ahead of the previously declared date and time, the de facto Parliament of occupied Abkhazia ratified the agreement on the transfer of the Bichvinta (the so-called “Pitsunda state dacha”) to Russia for a 49-year lease [ed.- the residence and its dependencies cover the land …
Tags: Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia Occupation
Interview | Alexander Vinnikov: Any progress Georgia makes towards EU is also progress towards eventual NATO membership
As 2023 draws to a close Civil.ge sat down with the Head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia Alexander Vinnikov to discuss the NATO-Georgia integration, achievements and challenges, Georgia’s reforms, NATO’s view of the Black Sea and the Alliance’s priorities for the near future. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy …
Tags: Black Sea, NATO, NATO-Georgia relations, Substantial NATO-Georgia Package
26/12/2023 - 14:49
Annual Georgian Ambassadors’ Conference Kicks Off in Tbilisi
On 26-28 December, the annual Georgian Ambassadors’ Conference – “Ambassadors’ Conference 2023, Georgia – a candidate country for the European Union” – is taking place in Tbilisi. The event, which brings together Georgian heads of missions and consulates, is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister of Georgia as …
Tags: EU Candidacy, Ilia Darchiashvili, Irakli Garibashvili, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shalva Papuashvili
Government’s Plan of Measures to Implement European Commission’s Nine Steps
On December 25, the Government of Georgia published a document entitled “The measures for the implementation of steps defined for Georgia in the European Commission’s Communication on the 2023 Enlargement Policy”. The plan was endorsed by the Government Commission for European Integration on November 27, 2023. The document reflects the nine conditions defined by the …
Tags: EU, EU bid, EU Candidacy, Government
TI Georgia: 45 Cases of Attacks on Georgian Media in 2023
On December 25, local watchdog Transparency International – Georgia released “2023 Statistics of Violence against Georgian Media Representatives and the State’s Response”. According to the data, approximately 45 incidents of various forms of violence, harassment and intimidation against journalists critical of the ruling party have been publicly documented this year both in Tbilisi and in …
Tags: Attack on Journalist, Georgia, Transparency International Georgia
25/12/2023 - 16:11
Prosecutor’s Office Initiates Criminal Proceedings Against Organizers of Transnational Crime Linked to Call Centers
On December 25, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia issued a statement announcing that it had initiated criminal proceedings against three organizers of a transnational organized criminal group, one member of an organized group, and one legal entity. The Prosecutor General’s Office stated that it had cooperated with Eurojust and the German authorities to initiate …
Tags: call centers, Prosecutor’s Office, Transnational Crime
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative: NATO-Georgia Relations in ‘Very Good Health’
In an interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) aired on December 24, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Javier Colomina, stated that the relations between the Alliance and Georgia are in “very good health.” “We are using all the tools we have to cooperate with our partners, particularly practical …
Tags: Javier Colomina, NATO, NATO integration
Georgia’s OGP Council Endorses Fifth Open Governance Partnership Action Plan
The Government of Georgia, which coordinates the open governance reform, held a high-level Georgia’s Open Governance Partnership (OGP) interagency council meeting to discuss the draft of the Fifth Action Plan of the OGP for 2024-2025 and endorsed the mentioned Action Plan. According to the government, the meeting was led by Revaz Javelidze, head of the …
Conservative Movement Leaders Charged for Burning EU Flags
On the evening of 22 December, the leaders of the pro-Russian “Conservative Movement”, Zurab Makharadze and Irakli Martinenko, removed the flag of the European Union from the Tbilisi City Hall building and burnt it on the spot. A video of event was published on the website of the propaganda media “Alt-Info”, the mouth piece of …
Tags: Alt-info, Conservative Movement, EU, Irakli Martinenko, Zurab Makharadze
23/12/2023 - 21:23
The Daily Beat: 22 December
The leaders of the pro-Russian party “Conservative Movement,” Zurab Makharadze and Irakli Martinenko, tore down the EU flag from the Tbilisi City Hall building and burned it on the spot without any interference. Pro-Russian activists explained their action as an expression of solidarity with Lasha Sharukhia, who also tore down the EU flag from the …
Tags: Alt-info, Conservative Movement, Ekaterine Tikaradze, EU flag, Georgian Dream party, Georgian Public Broadcaster, GYLA, Irakli Kobakhidze, Kakha Kuchava, Media Advocacy Coalition
Tbilisi City Court Rules in Racha Forest Rally Detainees’ Case
According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, on November 29 and December 15, the Tbilisi City Court heard the case of eleven persons arrested on November 18 near the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture during the rally against the alienation of the Racha forests. The case against three of the detainees, two of whom …
Tags: Georgia, GYLA, Tbilisi City Court
22/12/2023 - 16:59
Media Coalition Slams Public Broadcaster for Failing to Uphold Independence
The Media Advocacy Coalition, a press freedom watchdog, issued a statement on December 19 regarding the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s (GPB) decision to cancel several of its TV programs. According to the Media Coalition, the cancellation of the TV programs without a proper explanation reinforces the suspicions that GPB is under the influence of the ruling …
The Daily Beat: 21 December
Former PM Giorgi Gakharia’s “For Georgia” party called the GD authorities to transfer jailed ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili from a hospital ward to a penitentiary establishment, citing Saakashvili’s active engagement in Georgian politics and good health. Lawmakers from the “For Georgia” party also accused the GD authorities of using Saakashvili’s political activity for its own purposes, …
Tags: Dmitry Peskov, Electoral reform, For Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, Interior Ministry, Kakha Kaladze, Mikheil Saaakshvili, Tagesschau, Venice Commission, Zurab Azarashvili
Venice Commission Opinion on Electoral Reform Provokes Mixed Reactions
In response to the Venice Commission’s opinion on amendments to Georgia’s electoral code, the ruling Georgian Dream party criticized the findings, citing a lack of legal arguments. The opposition, in turn, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts and criticized it for failing to embrace European values. Following this exchange, the Central Election Commission (CEC) issued …
Tags: Central Election Commission, Georgia
21/12/2023 - 17:05
Tagesschau: Georgian Government Uninterested in Germany’s Offer to Easy Labor Market Access
A publication by Tagesschau, a German national and international television news service, says that the Georgian Government rejected the initial proposal from Germany to expand the Western Balkans Regulation and to include Georgia in this regulation, “which would have made it easier for Georgians to access the German labor marker”. The article notes that this was Joachim …
Tags: Germany, Labor migration, Migration, Nancy Feaser, Tagesschau
Russian-Ukrainian War Impacts Georgian General Education System: Report Highlights Challenges and Opportunities
An extensive research titled “The Dynamics of the Development of Russian-Language Education in Georgia in the Context of the Russian-Ukrainian War,” carried out by the Centre for Civil Integration and Inter-Ethnic Relations (CCIIR) with the support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, comprehensively examines the shifts in Georgia’s general education system. The study delves into …
Tags: General Education in Georgia, Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Russian language schools
The Daily Beat: 20 December
The Central Election Commission (CEC) issued a statement on the recent calls to create ballot boxes for Georgian citizens living abroad and the related petitions, saying they could not have any legal consequences. In its statement, the CEC further clarified that it opens the polling stations abroad only based on the voters’ data provided by …
Tags: Alt-info, Central Election Commission, Droa, Foreign Ministry, Girchi - More Freedom, Monetary Policy Committee, National Bank of Georgia (NBG), Radio Tavisupleba, Taiwan
CEC Reacts to “Ballot box in your city” Campaign
On December 19, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia issued a statement on the recent calls for the creation of ballot boxes for Georgian citizens living abroad and the related petitions, saying that they could not have any legal consequences as the Electoral Code of Georgia does not provide for such a procedure and …
Tags: CEC, Central Election Commission, Droa, Election, Elections 2024, Girchi - More Freedom
20/12/2023 - 14:27
NBG Reduces Key Refinancing Rate from 10% to 9.5%
On December 20, the Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reduced the key financing rate by 0.5 percentage points to 9.5%. According to the NBG, inflation in Georgia continued to decrease more than anticipated, standing at 0.1% in November. NBG noted that core inflation reached 1.8% in November, also following a …
Tags: Economy, Key Rate, National Bank of Georgia (NBG), Refinancing rate
The Daily Beat: 19 December
In a December 19 Decision, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Russia bears responsibility for the killing of Giga Otkhozoria, who was fatally shot on Tbilisi-controlled territory by Abkhazia occupation forces. The ECHR ordered the respondent state to pay the applicants a total sum of EUR 130,000 for non-pecuniary damage and EUR …
Tags: European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Foreign Trade, Giga Otkhozoria, Javier Colomina, Nancy Feaser, National Statistics Office, NATO-Georgia relations, Russia, Vakhtang Gomelauri, Venice Commission
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative: We want democracy to work
On December 19, as part of his visit to Georgia, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, Javier Colomina, held a press conference to discuss Tbilisi’s possible participation in the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington next year, the implementation of necessary reforms by the Georgian authorities, the recent European Council …
Tags: Georgia, Javier Colomina, NATO
19/12/2023 - 22:57
Venice Commission: further electoral changes needed, long-standing recommendations must be addressed
In its new opinion, prepared jointly with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and issued on December 19, the Venice Commission states that the current amendments to the Electoral Code and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia concerning the composition of the CEC and the election of its …
Tags: Election Code, Georgia, Venice Commission
ECHR: Russia Responsible for Unlawful Detention of Two Georgian Men in Abkhazia
On December 19, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in the case of O.J. and J.O. v. Georgia and Russia that Russia had violated the rights of two Georgian men during their unlawful detention in the occupied Georgian territory of Abkhazia on March 15, 2012. As part of its decision, the Court has directed …
Tags: Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, Russian Occupation
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