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Doctors Invited by the Public Defender Asses Saakashvili’s Health
On April 4, the expert group invited by the public defender to monitor the health condition of imprisoned ex-president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, published a conclusion stating that Saakashvili’s condition had “deteriorated” since their last visit in February. On April 2, doctors visited the former president at the “Vivamedi” clinic, where he has been receiving …
Tags: Georgia, Ombudsman, Saakashvili
04/04/2023 - 16:15
EU Ambassador Talks About Georgia’s EU Membership
Speaking to journalists today during a visit to Georgia’s Imereti region, EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Herczynski expressed hope that Georgia would be granted candidate status for EU membership. Ambassador Herczynski said: “In the end, the decision will depend on the progress made by Georgia. And it will be in the hands of 27 EU …
PACE Co-Rapporteurs Urge Holistic Reforms in Georgia for EU Integration
The statement released on April 3, following the visit of co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to Georgia, urges Georgian authorities and all political forces to implement EU’s 12 conditions, calls for the holistic reforms in judiciary, investigation of intensified attacks against CSOs, calls for depolarization and expresses concerns about …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, De-oligarchization, Georgia, Judicial Reforms, Mikheil Saakashvili, PACE Co-Rapporteurs
The Daily Beat: 3 April
President Salome Zurabishvili arrived in Vilnius with an official visit, holding meetings with her Lithuanian counterpart Gitanas Nausėda and chairman of the Seimas, Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen. After the meeting at Presidential Palace, President Nausėda reiterated Lithuania’s support for Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, emphasizing the importance of transformation and reforms. In his public statement, Lithuania’s president also …
Tags: Davit Kezerashvili, Georgian fighter, Gitanas Nausėda, Kakha Kaladze, Lazare Grigoriadis, Lithuania, MFA, President Salome Zurabishvili, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
Photo story: “Women’s Solidarity March in Tbilisi”
Against the background of the revelations of sexual harassment of several women by Shalva Ramishvili, the founder and presenter of the pro-government television channel “PosTV”, and against the backdrop of the support expressed for Ramishvili by the ruling team, a “Women’s Solidarity March” was organized in Tbilisi on April 2. 27/03/2023 – President Expresses Support for …
Tags: Georgia, Women's rights
03/04/2023 - 23:23
Lazare Grigoriadis Rights Reportedly Violated in Detention
According to information provided to journalists by Lika Bitadze, the lawyer of Lazare Grigoriadis arrested after the 7-9 March protests, his rights were violated in detention, and he was subjected to psychological pressure during interrogation. Moreover, according to Bitadze, Grigoriadis’ hair was shaved against his will in prison. According to Bitadze, he was denied legal …
Tags: Lazare Grigoriadis, Protest rally
Annual Inflation 5.3% in March
According to data published on April 3 by the National Statistics Service of Georgia, the annual inflation rate in March was 5.3%, while consumer prices decreased by 0.2% in comparison with the previous month. Annual inflation was mainly influenced by price changes in the following groups: food and non-alcoholic beverages (up 11.8%); housing, water, electricity, …
Tags: Georgia, inflation, საქართველო
Georgian Dream Reacts to MEP Viola von Cramon’s Participation in the Rally
MEP Viola von Cramon’s presence at a rally near the Government Administration in support of Lazare Grigoriadis, arrested on March 29 for allegedly throwing stones and the so-called “Molotov cocktails” during the March 7-9 protest rallies, has caused discontent among members of Georgia’s ruling party accusing her of promoting the agenda of the radical opposition …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream, Lazare Grigoriadis, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
PM Garibashvili Criticizes Participants of March 7-9 Rallies and the Opposition, Talks Again of “Second Front”
On April 3, at the meeting, of the Cabinet of Ministers Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili discussed the economic growth of Georgia, the protest rallies of March 7-9 and the case of Lazare Grigoriadis, who was arrested on March 29 for allegedly throwing a so-called “Molotov Cocktail” at a police officer. After talking at length …
Tags: Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, Lazare Grigoriadis, Opposition
Davit Kezerashvili Responds to the Accusations Against Him
Davit Kezerashvili, former Minister of Defense and owner of a controlling stake in Formula TV, gave a wide-ranging interview to his television channel on April 2, in which he spoke about the change of government, his business interests in Georgia, the accusations against him and the extent of his involvement in Georgian politics. Change of …
Tags: Davit Kezerashvili, Georgia, Georgian Dream, United National Movement, საქართველო, ქართული ოცნება
Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili Officially Welcomed in Lithuania
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili was officially welcomed at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius on April 3. Zurabishvili arrived with a delegation that includes Aleksandre Elisashvili and Teona Akubardia, members of the Georgian Parliament, Natia Sulava, Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia, and Ketevan Tatoshvili, Advisor to the President of Georgia on Relations …
Tags: Georgia, Lithuania, Salome Zurabishvili
Georgia’s GDP Up 5.8% in February 2023
Georgia’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 5.8% in January 2023, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the rapid estimates released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia on March 31. Geostat said that growth was observed in construction, financial and insurance activities, trade, transportation and storage. A decline …
Tags: economic growth, Georgia, Geostat
Georgia’s Public Defender Appoints New Deputies
The Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, today announced the appointment of new Deputy Ombudsmen to his team. Elene Ghudushauri and Natia Julakidze will be taking over the roles previously held by Giorgi Burjanadze and Ekaterine Skhiladze. Ioseliani presented Ghudushauri as a legal professional with a master’s degree in law. Julakidze holds a master’s degree …
Tags: Georgia, Public Defender
Photo story: “For the Freedom of Lazare” – Rally in Front of the Government Administration
On April 1, another protest rally “For Lazare’s Freedom” in support of 21-year-old Lazare Grigoriadis, who was arrested following the March 7-9 protests against the so-called Foreign Agents’ law, took place in front of the Government Administration. Gigoriadis was arrested on March 29 and on March 31, the Tbilisi City Court ordered him to be …
Tags: Georgia, Lazare Grigoriadis
01/04/2023 - 23:20
President Zurabishvili Addresses Bucha Summit
In her video address to the participants of the Bucha Summit on March 31, marking the one-year anniversary of the de-occupation of the Ukrainian town from Russian troops, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said that “Ukraine’s formidable resilience and courage in front of aggression and atrocities” would never be forgotten. President Zurabishvili told Ukrainian President Volodymyr …
Tags: Georgia, President, Salome Zurabishvili, Ukraine
Georgian Fighter Killed in Ukraine
Another Georgian fighter, Mikheil Mazanashvili has been killed while fighting in Ukraine, the Georgian Foreign Ministry confirmed to Civil.ge. The Ministry noted that the Georgian Embassy in Ukraine has been informed and is taking the necessary steps to repatriate the body to Georgia. According to media reports, Mazanashvili was a native of the village of …
Tags: Georgia, Ukraine, War in Ukraine
The Daily Beat: 31 March
Radio Free Europe runs a scoop from Brussels, saying the EC will likely recommend granting Georgia the EU candidacy in October with a proviso that Tbilisi makes no further escalatory steps against the EU and sticks with reforms in the spring of 12 conditions during the intervening six months. According to the same sources, the …
Tags: Irakli Kobakhidze, President Salome Zurabishvili, Robin Dunnigan, Tbilisi City Court, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Politicians React to President’s Annual Parliamentary Address
On March 31, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili presented her annual report to the Parliament, in which she strongly criticized the ruling party. The President’s speech drew mixed reactions from Georgian Dream and opposition MPs. Below is a compilation of the remarks made by the ruling party and the opposition: Ruling party reacts Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream, Parliament of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, ოპოზიცია, სალომე ზურაბიშვილი, საქართველო
31/03/2023 - 18:40
President Slams GD Government in her Annual Parliamentary Address
On March 31, the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili presented her annual report to the Parliament. The session was attended by the heads of the central government, as well as of the autonomous republics of Adjara and Abkhazia, representatives of the Orthodox Church, the diplomatic corps, and international organizations. The President began her 40-minute address …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream, Parliament of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, სალომე ზურაბიშვილი, საქართველო, ქართული ოცნება
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearing for Ambassador Nominee to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan
On March 30, the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held a nomination hearing during which Robin Dunnigan, the nominee for the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia, discussed her plans and goals for her term. Robin Dunnigan was introduced to the Senate by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, who took the opportunity …
Tags: Robin Dunnigan, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Ambassador
The Daily Beat: 30 March
Russia’s deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin believes the West is behind the recent protests in Tbilisi and continues to rock the boat, the official TASS reported. “Behind the March protests, we see the desire of the West, dissatisfied with the pragmatic stance of the Georgian authorities, to shake up the situation in the republic, persuade …
Tags: Giorgi Burjanadze, Interior Ministry, Kakha Kaladze, Mikhail Galuzin, National Statistics Office, Princess Victoria, Russian Census
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Visits Georgia
On March 29-30 Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Georgia. According to the Swedish Embassy in Georgia: “The visit forms part of the programme of Sweden’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2023. By visiting Georgia, The Crown Princess wishes to highlight the long-standing friendship …
Tags: Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria, EUMM, Georgia
30/03/2023 - 23:19
58 Arrested on Drug-related Charges
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia announced on March 30 that 58 people, including 31 drug dealers had been arrested on drug-related charges as a result of operational activities carried out across the country. According to the Ministry, those arrested on drug-related charges were involved in schemes to sell narcotics, specifically “placing narcotics …
Tags: Drug-related crime, Georgia, MIA
The Main Demographic Indicators of Georgia in 2022 Published
According to the data published on March 30 by the National Statistics Service on demographic indicators in Georgia in 2022, last year more people died (49,118) than were born (42,319). General demographic indicators According to the Service, despite the negative natural increase, the number of deaths fell by 18% compared to the previous year. In …
Russia 2020 Census Lists Some 114 Thousand Ethnic Georgians
The publication of the 2020 general population census of Russia has revealed a significant drop in both ethnic Georgian and Georgia-born residents of Russia since 2010. According to statistics, there are 113,687 persons identified as ethnically Georgian and residing in Russia; out of these, 3,045 hold Georgian citizenship. The figure fell by 45 thousand since …
One Detained for “Assaulting Police Officer and Damaging Property” during March 7-9 Rallies
The Georgian Interior Ministry reported on March 29 that police had arrested a man for “assaulting a police officer and damaging another person’s property by setting it on fire” during the 7-9 March rallies against the ruling majority’s “foreign agents” laws. According to the Interior Ministry, the detainee threw stones and Molotov cocktails at a …
Tags: Georgia, MIA, საქართველო, შსს
The Daily Beat: 29 March
President Salome Zurabishvili participated in the Democracy Summit held at the initiative of US President Joe Biden, reaffirming Georgia’s commitment to democracy and its willingness to cooperate with international partners to build a more democratic world. President Zurabishvili also spoke of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, which she described as “a war against democracy, freedom, …
Tags: Amnesty International, Badri Patarkatsishvili, Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria, EUMM, Irakli Rukhadze, PACE Co-Rapporteurs, Palitra Media, President Salome Zurabishvili
CSOs Express Solidarity with Palitra Media Amid Government ‘Attacks’
A group of local civil society organizations expressed solidarity with Palitra Holding and all media outlets that are “under open and undisguised attack by the Georgian Dream and its satellite parties, organizations and propaganda media outlets.” The CSO statement came after reports surfaced online a few days ago that Palitra Media was financed by Davit …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream, Media Advocacy Coalition, Media Freedom, Palitra TV
29/03/2023 - 19:20
Georgian President Speaks at “Democracy Summit”
The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, spoke at the “Democracy Summit” held at the initiative of US President Joe Biden, reaffirming Georgia’s commitment to democracy and its willingness to cooperate with international partners to build a more democratic world. Zurabishvilii highlighted the unprecedented challenge presented by Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, which she described as …
Tags: Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili
Patarkatsishvili Family Wins Compensation Battle on UK Appeal
The Appeals Chamber of the Court of England and Wales upheld the March 25, 2022 judgment ordering wealthy Georgian businessman Irakli Rukhadze, along with his business partners, to pay significant compensation to the companies Revoker and Recovery Partners. This is a win for the family of deceased Georgian tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili’s family. The case relates …
Tags: Badri Patarkatsishvili, Georgia, UK
PACE Co-Rapporteurs Visit Georgia
The co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), who are visiting Georgia, met with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on March 28. Today, they visited the Georgian Parliament and met with opposition lawmakers. A meeting with members of the ruling party is also planned for later on March …
Tags: Council of Europe (CoE), Georgia, Georgian Dream, Opposition, ოპოზიცია, საქართველო, ქართული ოცნება
Central Bank Holds Key Rate at 11%
On March 29, the Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) kept the refinancing rate unchanged at 11%. NBG said that despite certain stabilization signs, inflation remains a global challenge, noting that annual inflation is still high in Georgia and that “the reduction of headline inflation has been supported by tight monetary …
Tags: Central Bank, Georgia, Refinancing rate
Amnesty Int’l Report Reveals Concerns Over Human Rights in Georgia
Amnesty International has released its annual report on “the state of the world’s human rights” which includes Georgia. The report highlights a number of concerns: “Freedom of expression was further restricted. Selective justice and politically motivated prosecution of government opponents persisted. New laws increased the government’s surveillance powers and further eroded the independence of the …
Tags: Abkhazia, Amnesty International, Georgia, Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia
The Daily Beat: 28 March
The Nordic drama unfolds further as the Georgian foreign ministry summoned Norwegian Ambassador Helene Sand Andersen over the Norwegian Conservative Party’s decision to award imprisoned ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili a human rights prize. The foreign ministry demarche followed an apparently ruling-party-inspired picketing at the Norwegian embassy, where the participants demanded the Ambassador to deny her government’s …
Tags: Georgian Dream, Georgian MFA, Giorgi Amilakhvari, Helene Sand Andresen, Irakli Kobakhidze, Kakha Kaladze
Georgian Dream Holds Nationwide Conferences
After the Georgian Dream was forced to withdraw the Russian-inspired bill on “foreign agents” amid mass protests, the ruling party announced of its plans to hold party conferences across the country. The first such meeting was held on March 28 at the Batumi Drama Theater, and was attended by Georgian Dream Chairman, Irakli Kobakhidze, General …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream
28/03/2023 - 18:29
Georgian Foreign Ministry Summons Norwegian Ambassador Over Saakashvili’s Human Rights Prize
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned on March 28 the Norwegian Ambassador to Georgia Helene Sand Andresen to express the position of the Georgian side regarding the Norwegian Conservative Party’s decision to award a human rights prize to former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. According to the Georgian MFA during the meeting First Deputy Foreign …
Tags: Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, Mikheil Saakashvili, Norway
The New Deputy Minister of Education is Appointed
On March 28, Giorgi Amilakhvari, the newly appointed Minister of Education and Science in Georgia, presented Gela Geladze as his deputy. Geladze, who will replace Valerian Gobronidze, will oversee the vocational education development, economic, legal, and administrative departments, as well as the LEPL Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions, LEPL Educational and Scientific Infrastructure …
Tags: Education Minister, Gela Geladze, Georgia, Giorgi Amilakhvari, საქართველო
Georgian National Platform is Ready to Participate in Legitimate Parliamentary Formats to Implement EU Conditions
The Georgian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF GNP) has expressed its readiness to participate in legitimate parliamentary formats to implement the European Union’s 12-point plan to obtain EU Candidate’s status. The statement expressed concern about the recent escalation of political polarization, in particular the Prime Minister’s references to civil …
CPT Conducts an Ad Hoc Visit to “Vivamedi” Clinic
A delegation from the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) is currently on an ad hoc visit to Georgia to investigate the penitentiary healthcare issues in the “Vivamedi” clinic. It is believed that the main purpose of the delegation’s unplanned visit is to examine …
Tags: CPT, Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, Vivamedi
The Daily Beat: 27 March
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili publicly slammed Saakashvili’s recent award of the Sjur Lindebrække Prize for Democracy and Human Rights in Norway and compared the ex-president to Anders Breivik. He recalled Saakashvili as an authoritarian, almost dictatorial ruler, creator of an oppressive murderous system, describing the Norwegian award for his human rights records as an insult …
Tags: Anders Breivik, European Peace Facility, Georgian Orthodox Church, Helene Sand Andresen, Irakli Garibashvili, Lithuania Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee Statement, Patriarch Ilia the II, President Salome Zurabishvili, Radio Free Europe, Russia-Georgia Economic Forum, Shalva Ramishvili
President Expresses Support for Women – Victims of Sexual Harassment
“I categorically condemn any harassment, verbal or physical attacks. I condemn it first of all as a woman and as a President,” said Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili at a briefing on March 27, expressing solidarity with the women who in recent days have accused the founder and presenter of the pro-government television channel PosTV, Shalva …
Tags: Georgia, President, Salome Zurabishvili, სალომე ზურაბიშვილი, საქართველო
27/03/2023 - 19:38
Georgian Orthodox Leader Unexpectedly Weighs Into Ukraine Church Conflict
On March 25, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, the leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, sent a letter to Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, expressing his “concern” about the “current circumstances in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church” and asked Bartholomew I to help “reduce tensions” by “in the first stage, the creation of conditions for peaceful …
Tags: Georgia, Patriarchate of Georgia
Prospects for Economic Cooperation Explored at Russia-Georgian Economic Forum in Moscow
According to the information shared on March 22 by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, an economic forum on “Prospects for the Development of Economic Relations between Russia and Georgia” was held in Moscow. The event was organized by the Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots of the …
Tags: Economy, Georgia, Russia, Russia-Georgia Flights, wine export
EU is Stepping up Nonlethal Military Aid for Georgia
According the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Georgia will receive some 30 mln Euros worth of non-lethal military aid through the European Peace Facility. While EU has been busy providing weapons to Ukraine to the tune of 3 billion Euros, a sum that will increase by a further 2 billion in the coming months, the Union …
Tags: European Union (EU), Georgia
PM Garibashvili Compares Mikheil Saakashvili to Anders Breivik
Speaking to journalists today, Prime Minister Garibashvili was asked to comment on the Sjur Lindebrække Prize for Democracy and Human Rights, which was awarded in absentia to former President Mikheil Saakashvili in Norway. The prize was accepted by the former president’s son, Nikoloz Saakashvili. The Prime Minister said: “We inherited the hellish system, which was …
“TI Georgia”: Georgian Officials Submit Asset Declarations with Violations
On March 24, the non-governmental organization “Transparency International Georgia” (TIG) published a report based on the results of monitoring the declarations of 346 officials in 2022 by the Public Service Bureau, according to which every second declaration (181-52%) was filled with violations. According to the Bureau’s decision, 136 officials (39%) were fined, and 45 (13%) …
Tags: Corruption, Declaration, Georgia, Transparency International Georgia
25/03/2023 - 23:14
President Zurabishvili Talks with TV Pirveli about the Current Processes in the Country
The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, who recently returned from her tour of the capitals of the United States and the European Union, gave an in-depth interview to TV Pirveli on March 24 in which she assessed the current processes in the country. Salome Zurabishvili devoted a large part of the interview to discussing the …
Tags: Bidzina Ivanishvili, EU Candidacy, Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, Ukraine
Ambassador Degnan: We see the Narrowing of Media Environment in Georgia
Speaking to journalists today, US Ambassador Kelly Degnan said: “We are seeing the narrowing of the media environment in Georgia”. Asked about the possibility of President Zurabishvili pardoning Mtavari TV director Nika Gvaramia, which the President did not rule out in yesterday’s interview with TV Pirveli, Kelly Degnan noted that this is a decision for …
Tags: EU Candidacy, EUbid, Georgia, Kelly Degnan
The Daily Beat: 24 March
German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock had a busy Friday schedule in Tbilisi, signaling Germany’s support for Georgia’s European choice. She started off with meeting NGOs and went on to encounter the foreign minister, the President, and students of Ilia State University, ending the day with a meeting with the prime minister. Germany’s top diplomat also …
Tags: Annalena Baerbock, Giorgi Khelashvili, Gubaz Sanikidze, Irakli Garibashvili, Irakli kovzanadze, Kelly Degnan, Khatia Dekanoidze, Salome Zurabishvili, TV Pirveli, US Human Rights Report on Georgia 2022, Vladimir Chachibaia
Opinion | “Clarity” Should be German Foreign Minister’s Key Word in Tbilisi
Thornike Gordadze is a Professor at the Paris Institute of Political Studies; he served as Georgia’s State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, made an unexpected visit to Tbilisi on March 24. Her arrival illustrates the urgency and gravity of the moment: it was not planned in advance, and …
Tags: Annalena Baerbock, EU-Georgia relations, Georgian Dream, Germany, Law on Foreign Agents
24/03/2023 - 18:59
Page 39 of 765
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)