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“Together in Europe” – UNM Holds Rally in Front of Parliament
The United National Movement (UNM) organized a protest rally called “Together in Europe” in front of the Parliament on April 9. The UNM members, supporters, activists, other opposition politicians and ordinary citizens gathered at the rally to declare that Georgian citizens “will not tolerate the Russification of Georgia” and “the loss of freedom.” …
Tags: Georgia, Lazare Grigoriadis, Protest
10/04/2023 - 10:45
Georgia Honors the Heroes of April 9, 1989
On April 9, Georgia marks the anniversary of the 1989 massacre of Georgians by Soviet troops. On this day, Georgians traditionally pay tribute to the victims of the bloodbath, when at least 21 people were killed and hundreds injured in front of what was then the Government Palace, now the Parliament building in Tbilisi, as …
Tags: April 9, Georgia, Independence, Salome Zurabishvili, საქართველო
09/04/2023 - 15:03
The Daily Beat: 7 April
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili ended his working week by visiting Baku, where he met with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and discussed the prospects of flourishing bilateral relations and regional security challenges. Both leaders pledged to continue contributing to Europe’s energy security and stressed the importance of peace and stability in advancing energy and …
Tags: Abkhazia, Azerbaijan-Georgia relations, High Council of Justice, Ilham Aliyev, Ilia Darchiashvili, Kelly Degnan, Levan Murusidze, Mtavari Arkhi, Parliament of Georgia, Péter Szijjártó, President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, TV Pirveli
08/04/2023 - 10:00
Enguri Crossing Point Closed
Moscow-backed Abkhaz de-facto authorities imposed temporary restrictions on leaving the occupation line across the Enguri River “ahead of an opposition rally in Tbilisi on April 9”. Rustam Latipov, the de-facto head of the “border service of Abkhazia”, announced the move and stated that exceptions to the restrictions include employees of the Enguri HPP, people traveling …
Tags: Abkhazia, Crossing Points, Georgia
07/04/2023 - 19:48
President on the Sanctioning of Georgian Judges: “The country’s image is being damaged”
The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, responded to the sanctioning of 3 current and 1 former judge by the US State Department at a briefing held at the Presidential Administration on 7 April, saying that it “damages the image of the country”. 05/04/2023 – BREAKING: US Department of State Sanctions Four Georgian Judges for “Significant” Corruption …
Tags: Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, Sanctions
PM Garibashvili Meets with President Aliyev in Azerbaijan
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who is visiting Azerbaijan on April 7, met with President Ilham Aliyev and discussed the issues of fruitful bilateral cooperation in various fields as well as regional security. According to the Georgian government administration, the parties discussed the Black Sea submarine electricity cable project connecting the Caucasus region with …
Tags: Azerbaijan, Georgia
Amb. Degnan Meets with the Speaker of Parliament
On April 7 US Ambassador Kelly Degnan met with Parliament Speaker Shalva Papushvili. Following the meeting with the Speaker, Kelly Degnan answered questions from journalists. Asked about the issues discussed at the meeting and whether the sanctions imposed on Georgian judges by the US State Department had been discussed, she said: “It’s always very useful …
Tags: Kelly Degnan, Salome Zurabishvili, Sanctions, Shalva Papuashvili, US-Georgian relations
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó Visits Tbilisi
On April 6, Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, met with Péter Szijjártó, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, who is visiting Georgia. According to the PM Office, during the meeting, the two leaders discussed the trend of fruitful cooperation between their countries in various areas and the progress achieved by Georgia …
Parliament Suspends Accreditation of Journalists from Three Government-Critical TV Channels
Parliament has suspended the accreditation of three journalists and three cameramen from three government-critical TV channels – Mtavari Arkhi, Formula and TV Pirveli – for a period of three months. According to a letter sent to them by the Parliament’s office reads that they had violated Paragraph 2 of Article 15 of the new accreditation …
Tags: Formula TV, Georgia, Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli, საქართველო, ტელეკომპანია პირველი
Amb. Degnan Interviewed by Mtavari and Imedi TV Channels Following the Sanctioning by US of Georgian Judges
On April 6, the US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan gave a television interview to the government-critical Mtavari TV, in which she spoke about the reasons behind the US State Department’s sanctioning against four Georgian judges, US-Georgia relations, Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, and other issues. She spoke about the steadfast support of the US for Georgia …
Tags: Imedi TV, Kelly Degnan, Mtavari Arkhi, U.S. Ambassador, US-Georgia relations
High Council of Justice Holds Session Following the Sanctions on Georgian Judges
On April 6, the High Council of Justice held a session to discuss the sanctions against Georgian judges, by the Secretary of the U.S. State Department. At the beginning of the session Nino Kadagidze, the Chairman of the High Council of Justice, called for a calm and appropriate response to the allegations made against her …
Tags: Dimitri Gvritishvili, Georgia, High Council of Justice, Levan Murusidze, Nikoloz Marsagishvili, Temur Gogokhia
The Daily Beat: 6 April
In his galvanizing letter sent to the US state secretary, foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili slammed the US sanctions against 4 Georgian judges, describing them as incomprehensible and unacceptable. Darchiashvili expressed hope that the State Department will provide relevant evidence or reconsider its decision, saying that otherwise, “the state of Georgia and the Georgian people perceive …
Tags: Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary, Geneva International Discussions, Ilia Darchiashvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Irakli Shengelia, Levan Murusidze, Opposition, TV Imedi, US State Department
Politicians React to US Sanctions against Georgian Judges
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on April 5 that the US State Department has sanctioned 4 Georgian judges – Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and Valerian Tsertsvadze – on the basis of visa ban Rule 7031(c), “for their involvement in significant corrupt activities.” This means that they and their family members will …
Tags: Georgia, judicial clan, Judiciary, US State Department
06/04/2023 - 19:37
Kobakhidze Speaks on Sanctioning of Four Georgian Judges
Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said in an interview with Imedi TV on April 5, shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced sanctions against four Georgian judges, that “the fact that the Secretary of State was directly smeared with such a statement is particularly worrying.” After speaking at length …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream, kobakhidze irakli, Sanctions
Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary Supports US Sanctions on Judges
The US Department of State’s recent decision to impose personal sanctions on members of the “clan”, an influential group of judges in Georgia, due to their alleged involvement in significant corruption, has been welcomed by the Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary. According to the Coalition statement, the governance of the “clan” has been a …
Tags: Georgia, Judiciary, US State Department
Georgian Judges Sanctioned by US State Department Speak Out Against Accusations
Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and Valerian Tsertsvadze, the judges from the Georgian “judicial clan” who were sanctioned by the U.S. State Department on April 5, have made their first comments on the sanctions imposed yesterday by the US Department of State. Levan Murusidze Speaking with the TV network “Mtavari Arkhi” Levan Murusidze denied …
Tags: Georgia, High Council of Justice, Irakli Shengelia, judicial clan, Levan Murusidze, Mikheil Chinchaladze, Valerian Tsertsvadze
Georgia’s Opposition Calls on President to Convene Extraordinary Session
Georgia’s parliamentary opposition is calling on the president to convene an extraordinary plenary session following the US State Department’s imposition of sanctions on four Georgian judges. The opposition is calling for a vote on creating an investigative commission to address concerns of “clan rule” within the country’s judiciary. The opposition stresses that any delay in …
Tags: Georgia, Judiciary, Opposition
Georgian FM Darchiashvili to the US Secretary of State Blinken: decision to sanction judges “completely incomprehensible and unacceptable”
In a letter sent today to the US Secretary of State, the Georgian Foreign Minister Darchiashvili says that the US State Department’s decision to sanction the judge “which was made public without presenting any evidence, is completely incomprehensible and unacceptable.” Darchiashvili expresses hope that the State Department will provide relevant evidence or reconsider its decision …
Tags: Antony Blinken, Ilia Darchiashvili, US-Georgian relations
57th Round of Geneva International Discussions
On April 4-5 the 57th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) – a multilateral forum to address security and humanitarian consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war – was held in Geneva. The meeting, which was supposed to be held in February this year, had been postponed triggering dissatisfaction and critique from the Abkhaz, Ossetian, …
The Daily Beat: 5 April
US Department of State sanctioned four influential judges and their family members for “significant” corruption and undermining the rule of law, making them ineligible to enter the United States. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken issued a statement publicly designating Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia, and Valerian Tsertsvadze under Section 7031(c) visa restriction authorities. …
Tags: Antony Blinken, Council of Europe (CoE), Foreign Ministry, Kelly Degnan, Levan Murusidze, Mikheil Chinchaladze, Transparency International Georgia, UN Human Rights Council, US State Department
CoE Report Says “Lack of Legislative Reform” in Georgia
According to the 16th annual report of the CoE Committee of Ministers “Supervision of the Execution of Judgments and Decisions of the ECHR 2022”, published on 6 April 2023, Georgia has lack of progress in further legislative reforms to strengthen the external independence of the Prosecutor’s Office and there is a lack of protection by …
Tags: Council of Europe (CoE), ECHR, European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Judicial Reforms, Judiciary, Vano Merabishvili
BREAKING: US Department of State Sanctions Four Georgian Judges for “Significant” Corruption
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken issued a statement announcing that the US Department of State has publicly designated Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and Valerian Tsertsvadze under Section 7031(c) visa restriction authorities. “These individuals abused their positions as court Chairmen and Members of High Council of Justice, undermining the rule of law and …
Tags: Georgia, High Council of Justice, judicial clan, Judiciary, Kelly Degnan, Levan Murusidze, Sanctions, US State Department
05/04/2023 - 20:17
UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution on Occupied Regions of Georgia
On April 4, with 22 votes in favor and 4 against, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution “On Cooperation with Georgia” which expresses serious concern about the human rights situation in the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. The preamble of the resolution reaffirms the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity …
Tags: Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, UNHRC
Two Georgian Fighters Killed in Ukraine
Two Georgian fighters have been killed while fighting in Ukraine, the Georgian Foreign Ministry confirmed to Civil.ge on April 5. Reports of the killing of two other Georgian fighters emerged late on April 4, when Nadim Khmaladze, who is fighting in Ukraine, published a post on Facebook. Further details about the killed Georgians emerged later …
Tags: საქართველო
Zugdidi Bank Robber Sentenced to Four Years in Prison on Firearms Charges
Badri Esebua, a Zugdidi bank robber who broke into the Bank of Georgia building in October 2020 armed with firearms and hand grenades, took 43 people hostage and demanded USD 500,000 and a security corridor, was sentenced to four years in prison on April 5. The Zugdidi City Court found him guilty of illegally acquiring, …
Tags: საქართველო
TI Georgia: Georgia is not Significantly Dependent on Russian Electricity
On April 5, Transparency International Georgia (TIG), a local watchdog, released a report on the main trends in the energy sector of Georgia in 2010-2022, according to which, despite the increase in imports of energy resources from Russia in recent years, Georgia is not significantly dependent on Russian electricity and “even if electricity from Russia …
Tags: საქართველო
Georgian Ministry Violates Law on Personal Data Protection
On April 5, the Personal Data Protection Service announced its findings on the legality of one of the ministry’s processing of its employees’ computer activities. The Service initiated an investigation following an anonymous tip-off and carried out an unscheduled inspection at the Ministry finding it violated the Law on Personal Data Protection. It was found …
Despite Protests, Health Ministry Has No Plans to Import Drugs for Achondroplasia
Despite protests from parents of children with achondroplasia, Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili said he has no plans at present to import a drug called Vosoritide into the country to treat the condition. Achondroplasia is a rare genetic disorder that causes disproportionate bone development and dwarfism. Speaking at a press conference after the government meeting …
Tags: Georgia, Ministry of Health, საქართველო
04/04/2023 - 19:20
Soso Gogashvili Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
On April 4, the Tbilisi City Court found the former deputy head of the State Security Service, Ioseb (Soso) Gogashvili guilty on all five charges and sentenced him to 5 years in prison. Soso Gogashvili was arrested late at night on July 16, 2022, as a result of a special operation carried out at his …
GYLA Raises Concerns Over Possible Rights Violations in Lazare Grigoriadis’ Case
The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) has issued a statement on the case of Lazare Grigoriadis, identifying possible violations of his rights, based on publicly available information. GYLA calls on the Special Investigation Service and the Public Defender to take appropriate action in accordance with their mandate. The court failed to publicly justify the need …
Tags: Georgia, GYLA, Lazare Grigoriadis
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
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
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