RFE/RL fires Georgian head for ‘refusing to work with Rustavi 2’
Reports say staff at the Georgian service have been united in support of their former head, with bureau chief Marina Vashakmadze resigning in protest.
‘Fourteen injured’ in Tbilisi Metro collapse
Mayor Kakha Kaladze has vowed to ‘punish the culprits’ after the ceiling of the newly renovated Varketili Metro collapsed in the Georgian capital.
Georgian kindergarten agency responds to backlash over new menu
The new ‘healthier’ meals in Georgian kindergartens have been backed by the Kindergarten Agency and UNICEF in the face of backlash from parents.
Georgian internet giant Silknet ‘to acquire Geocell’
The for $153 million deal still needs the green light from the Georgian National Communications Commission.
Hundreds protest in Tbilisi in support of jailed actor
Demonstrators were demanding the release of Giorgi ‘Bakhala’ Giorganashvili, who was sentenced to eight years on drug charges.
Taxi licensing ‘to become mandatory’ in Georgia
Plans by Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze to ‘improve taxi services’ by requiring licenses will be submitted to parliament.
Russian Duma ratifies merger of South Ossetian forces with Russian military
Russia gave the final go-ahead for the merger on 24 January, a day after the first batch of American Javelin anti-tank missiles arrived in Georgia.
Death threats against Memorial staff in Daghestan after car set ablaze
An arson attack against the rights group’s car was followed by a warning: ‘next time, we’ll set fire to the office with you inside’.
The Caucasus in Human Rights Watch’s 2018 report
Georgia’s drug policy, Armenian elections, the persecution of queer people in Chechnya and Azerbaijan all criticised in HRW’s annual report.