Mariam Nikuradze

53 Posts

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A veteran journalist with over a decade of experience, Mariam is passionate about gender equality and workers’ rights. Though often managing from behind a desk, her instinct to report from the ground kicks in whenever news breaks.

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Independent media is on the brink of collapse in Georgia

by Mariam Nikuradze

•2 min read

Months before the parliamentary elections in Georgia, a lot of people I’d meet would ask me what Georgia would be like if Georgian Dream would stay in power. I’ve met a lot of you who are receiving this newsletter, and I’d tell you that Georgia would take the path of Belarus and Russia, where there would be no civil society and media, where people would have to choose between leaving the country or going to jail. While I think it was an accurate prediction, I am still surprised how fast Georgia

Mzia Amaghlobeli

Opinion | Mzia Amaghlobeli is a political prisoner

by Mariam Nikuradze

•6 min read

The authorities in Georgia go to extreme lengths to pursue opponents of the government, while giving tacit approval to those who attack such opponents.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Official image.

Georgia’s EU U-turn

Georgia suspends participation in Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

by Robin Fabbro

•3 min read

It came after the body voted to accept the Georgian delegation’s credentials on the condition new parliamentary elections be announced.

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How police violated my rights as a journalist

by Mariam Nikuradze

•2 min read

On Tuesday, police dispersed an opposition-organised protest outside Tbilisi State University. It was the second night protesters were blocking Ilia Chavchavadze, Melikishvili, and Varaziskhevi streets, a major crossroads. Police didn’t issue a warning about the dispersal in advance; they only gave a verbal warning to protest organisers on the site 15 minutes in advance. The dispersal started at around 7:00 in the morning. Thousands of police officers started moving to clear the intersection

Zviad Papidze, Jaba Macharashvili, Jubo Tsutskiridze, Giorgi Bitsadze, Beka Neparidze, and Amiran Shekiladze were on a hunger strike for 43 days. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Chiatura Manganese Mines

Shukrutians end hunger strike in Tbilisi after mining company agrees to negotiations

by Mariam Nikuradze

•3 min read

Residents of the village of Shukruti who have been protesting the destruction of their village outside the Georgian parliament have agreed to end their hunger strike after 43 days, to begin negotiations with the mining company. The Chiatura Management Company, which runs the mines in and around the central Georgian town of Chiatura, agreed to begin negotiations with the protesters after the government intervened. On Sunday, Rati Ionatamashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, me

Shukruti protesters sleeping under rain outside the parliament. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Chiatura Manganese Mines

Dying on the steps of parliament — Georgia’s Shukrutians make last bid for their homes

by Mariam Nikuradze

•7 min read

After over a month on hunger strike, mostly on the steps of Georgia’s parliament, residents of the village of Shukruti are facing declining health and plummeting temperatures, with little hope of saving their village from destruction. ‘I don’t think I’ll witness my child growing up. I don’t have much energy left in me, maybe a few days? I don’t know’, says Giorgi Bitsadze, 33. Bitsadze has always been the funny one, cracking endless jokes to friends, family, and anyone he happens to meet.

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