Vano Merabishvili

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Nika Melia. Photo: Shota Kincha/OC Media

Davit Kezerashvili

Georgian opposition leader accuses former officials of plotting against him

by Shota Kincha

•4 min read

The chair of Georgia’s largest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), has accused former senior officials of attempting to sabotage his leadership. In a 17 January interview with TV channel Pirveli, Nika Melia accused the former Interior Minister (2004–2012) Ivane Merabishvili and ex-Defence Minister Davit Kezerashvili (2006–2008) of covertly plotting against him, including in the upcoming party leadership election. Melia described a 9 November call for internal party electio

Vano Merabishvili addressing a UNM rally in April 2013. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Georgia

Georgia ‘investigating’ alleged assault on former PM Vano Merabishvili

by Tata Shoshiashvili

•1 min read

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into an alleged attack on former Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Vano Merabishvili, by the son-in-law of conservative campaigner Gia ‘Utsnobi’ Gachechiladze. Speaking to Rustavi 2 on Wednesday, Giorgi Sharashidze confirmed that he ‘physically contacted’ Vano Merabishvili on Monday. ‘There was a confrontation between me and Vano Merabishvili at a pharmacy in Vake. I can’t even call it a confrontation, because Mr Merabi

Georgia

After release from prison, Georgia’s former Prime Minister pledges to defeat Georgian Dream

by OC Media

•3 min read

Georgia’s former Prime and Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili, who has called his sentence ‘politically motivated’ was released today after serving over six years in prison. Upon his release, he told journalists that he will be returning to politics and challenging the ruling party. Merabishvili was sentenced in February 2014 on multiple charges, including misspending state funds, bribery, and exceeding official powers. He had complained to the European Court of Human Rights that his pros

2018 Georgian Presidential Elections

Georgian Dream MPs warn of ‘civil war’ if Vashadze elected

by Shota Kincha

•9 min read

Georgia’s political scene is heating up as the country braces for a presidential run-off election. After Georgian Dream–endorsed Salome Zurabishvili failed to win a majority in the first round, members of the ruling party warned of ‘violence’ or a ‘civil war’ if the opposition’s Grigol Vashadze comes out on top. Zurabishvili narrowly defeated the United National Movement’s (UNM) Vashadze in the first round on Sunday, with 39% of votes to 38%. The second round, the first in Georgia’s hist

European Court of Human Rights

ECHR: Georgia violated rights of former PM Merabishvili

by OC Media

•3 min read

The Grand Chamber of the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Georgian authorities violated two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights in their treatment of former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili while in detention. However, the court stopped short of ruling that the charges against him were politically motivated, as Merabishvili’s lawyers claimed. Merabishvili was sentenced to 5 years in prison in February 2014 on multiple charges, including misspending stat