Georgia
Gakharia appears before anti-UNM commission, grilled by ex-colleagues over his once-praised tenure
It was unclear until the last moment whether Giorgi Gakharia would even attend the commission’s hearing.
2019 Gavrilov’s Night Protests
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2019 Gavrilov’s Night Protests
Putin expands visa-free regime for Georgian citizens
Russia will allow Georgian citizens to stay in the country without a visa for more than 90 days, including for the purposes of working and studying. President Putin signed the decree to expand the visa-free regime for Georgian citizens on Thursday, which went into effect immediately. According to the document, the visa-free entry regime to Russia now applies to citizens of Georgia arriving ‘to the Russian Federation for the purpose of carrying out work activities or for a period of more t
2019 Gavrilov’s Night Protests
Georgian court awards lifelong payments to person injured in ‘Gavrilov’s Night’ protests
Tbilisi City Court has ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to pay one of those injured during the 20–21 June 2019 Gavrilov’s night protests damages for life. According to the Tbilisi-based rights group the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), who represented the unnamed victim, the court awarded them ₾30,000 ($12,000) in moral damages and ₾1,155 ($440) monthly for life, due to a reduction in their working capacity. ‘[The victim] tried to help a participant surrounded by tear g
Charles Michel Agreement
Amnesty controversy threatens to derail EU-brokered deal in Georgia
Months before the local elections, disagreements over a proposed amnesty law are threatening to derail a deal brokered by the EU to bring an end to the political crisis in the country. At present, most opposition MPs remain against the amnesty for actions during the June 2019 anti-government protests. The amnesty is part of an EU-mediated agreement signed by the government and opposition parties on 19 April to end their 7-month boycott of parliament. While the deal was not signed by several
2019 Gavrilov’s Night Protests
Protesters mark ‘Gavrilov’s Night’ anniversary in Tbilisi
Georgian anti-government group Shame and several opposition parties have marked the anniversary of last year’s violent clashes with police with a demonstration outside parliament. Organisers said the protest was directed against both the Kremlin’s policies toward Georgia as well as the ruling Georgian Dream party, who they dubbed ‘pro-Russian’. Giorgi Margvelashvili, who was elected fourth President of Georgia as part of Georgian Dream before breaking with the party, was among the spea
2019 Gavrilov’s Night Protests
Former Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili given 5 years for 20 June violence
Former Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Okruashvili has been sentenced to five years in prison for ‘participating in group violence’ at an anti-government rally last June. Several opposition groups have claimed the verdict against him and others endanger a deal with the ruling Georgian Dream party to reform the electoral system together. On 20–21 June last year, protesters clashed with riot police throughout the night in Tbilisi as they attempted to occupy the parliament building. The ensuin
2019 Gavrilov’s Night Protests
Gakharia failed to act but did not give order to use rubber bullets, Public Defender reports
In her annual report to parliament, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria states that police officers used ‘non-lethal weapons’ unlawfully on the night of 20 June last year. However, they did so without being ordered by then-Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia or his deputy ministers. The Public Defender’s office, which has been overseeing the ongoing investigation by Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office into allegations of excessive force led since last July, has confirmed that orders were given by ex-
