The News in Brief
Monday, May 19
Pro-opposition TV channel back on air
Kavkasia TV, Georgia’s most prominent remaining pro-opposition television station, resumed broadcasts on May 16, shortly after going off-air due to apparent technical problems two days before.
After the government raided and shuttered pro-opposition Imedi TV in November, Kavkasia became the only television station giving heavy airtime to opposition politicians.
Its closure last week, which station representatives said was due to a damaged transmitter, prompted concern that it would not broadcast in the final few days before parliamentary elections on May 21.
(Messenger Staff)
Construction begins on Interior Ministry office in Kutaisi
Construction has begun on an Interior Ministry office in Kutaisi, western Georgia. The office was formerly located in the police station and the new building will be finished by the end of the year.
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili attended the ceremony marking the beginning of construction.
He said that the new office will provide a more comfortable environment for locals who want to obtain a firearm and driving licenses.
Merabishvili also attended the opening of an Interior Ministry office in Poti on May 17.
(Prime News)
Russian organization hands out icons to peacekeepers
Russian organization Svobodnaya Russia distributed icons to Russian peacekeepers and Abkhazian militiamen.
Organization representatives crossed the Russian-Georgian border with 50 000 icons to hand out under the slogan “Holy gifts for our Abkhazian brothers” on May 17.
They said the goal of the initiative was to support the orthodox population of Abkhazia and the Russian peacekeepers based there. Separatist officials participated in the event.
(Prime News)
Construction begins on Khobi city
Construction began on the International Youth City of Friendship in Khobi on May 17.
Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze was among the officials who attended the inauguration ceremony.
The project will see the construction of hotels, cottages sporting facilities and business parks on a 260 hectare plot of land, in the village of Khetta.
(Prime News)
President pardons prisoners
In line with a presidential decree, 145 prisoners have been pardoned. A total of 137 were released while the rest had their sentences reduced. There were six women among the pardoned.
(Prime News)
CEC delegation leaves for Iraq
A delegation of the Central Election Commission (CEC) left for Iraq on May 17 where it will oversee voting in the parliamentary elections.
The delegation consists of CEC representatives, political parties and the media.
(Prime News)
Journalists discuss pre-election situation at Human Rights Ombudsman’s office
Journalists from throughout Georgia gathered in the Human Rights Ombudsman’s office to discuss the pre-election situation.
Reports of voter intimidation as well as allegations of illegal use of administrative resources by the ruling party were among the issues discussed.
Reports of pressure on the media were also on the agenda.
(Prime News)
Kavkasia TV, Georgia’s most prominent remaining pro-opposition television station, resumed broadcasts on May 16, shortly after going off-air due to apparent technical problems two days before.
After the government raided and shuttered pro-opposition Imedi TV in November, Kavkasia became the only television station giving heavy airtime to opposition politicians.
Its closure last week, which station representatives said was due to a damaged transmitter, prompted concern that it would not broadcast in the final few days before parliamentary elections on May 21.
(Messenger Staff)
Construction begins on Interior Ministry office in Kutaisi
Construction has begun on an Interior Ministry office in Kutaisi, western Georgia. The office was formerly located in the police station and the new building will be finished by the end of the year.
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili attended the ceremony marking the beginning of construction.
He said that the new office will provide a more comfortable environment for locals who want to obtain a firearm and driving licenses.
Merabishvili also attended the opening of an Interior Ministry office in Poti on May 17.
(Prime News)
Russian organization hands out icons to peacekeepers
Russian organization Svobodnaya Russia distributed icons to Russian peacekeepers and Abkhazian militiamen.
Organization representatives crossed the Russian-Georgian border with 50 000 icons to hand out under the slogan “Holy gifts for our Abkhazian brothers” on May 17.
They said the goal of the initiative was to support the orthodox population of Abkhazia and the Russian peacekeepers based there. Separatist officials participated in the event.
(Prime News)
Construction begins on Khobi city
Construction began on the International Youth City of Friendship in Khobi on May 17.
Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze was among the officials who attended the inauguration ceremony.
The project will see the construction of hotels, cottages sporting facilities and business parks on a 260 hectare plot of land, in the village of Khetta.
(Prime News)
President pardons prisoners
In line with a presidential decree, 145 prisoners have been pardoned. A total of 137 were released while the rest had their sentences reduced. There were six women among the pardoned.
(Prime News)
CEC delegation leaves for Iraq
A delegation of the Central Election Commission (CEC) left for Iraq on May 17 where it will oversee voting in the parliamentary elections.
The delegation consists of CEC representatives, political parties and the media.
(Prime News)
Journalists discuss pre-election situation at Human Rights Ombudsman’s office
Journalists from throughout Georgia gathered in the Human Rights Ombudsman’s office to discuss the pre-election situation.
Reports of voter intimidation as well as allegations of illegal use of administrative resources by the ruling party were among the issues discussed.
Reports of pressure on the media were also on the agenda.
(Prime News)