The News in Brief
Monday, February 11
Foreign media’s critical assessment: "There is more conflict than the cohabitation"
The foreign media responded to the developments that took place in front of the National Library on February 8. “There is more conflict than cohabitation,” Eurasianet wrote regarding the current developments in Georgia.
“The Georgian president’s state-of-nation address was marred by forced relocations due to protests,” an article in the Washington Post says. According to the article, the protests underlined the strong tensions in Georgia, whose characteristically quarrelsome politics have grown more vociferous since Saakashvili’s party lost control of the parliament in last October’s elections.
BBC also responded to the current developments in Georgia writing: "Scuffles have broken out in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi as protesters sought to stop President Mikheil Saakashvili from delivering a speech.”
"Politicians loyal to the president, including MPs and the mayor of Tbilisi were assaulted outside the National Library where he was due to speak. Saakashvili, who chose the library after being prevented from speaking in parliament, had to abandon the attempt,” the article says.
(Front News)
Unpleasant events, which recently took place ahead of the president's speech, were a pity – Ilia ll
The unpleasant events that recently took place ahead of the president's speech were a pity, Georgia’s Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, said in his Sunday sermon.
His Holiness said everyone should remember that evil is cured only by love, while human life is a test – the good and the evil, sorrow and joy.
“Evil cannot be cured by evil. It can be cured by love. Georgians always build new buildings, new ideas and spread kindness. Do not be afraid of the recent events. All this will pass and Georgia will be in peace,” the patriarch said, noting that people often look for an enemy in others, instead of searching the enemy in themselves.
(IPN)
88 prisoners will be released from prison, 13 prison terms have been halved
The Pardon Commission’s sitting is over at the President’s Administration. According to Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili, 88 prisoners will be released from prison, 13 inmates’ prison terms have been halved. Among the pardoned prisoners are also women and juveniles.
(Front News)
Ex-official of MIA bailed out
Former head of the PR department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Guram Donadze, was released after posting 25,000 GEL bail this morning. The court discussed the motion of the prosecutor’s office on preventive measures against Donadze and six other defendants with regard to the case of the murder of Buta Robakidze. However, the court considered different circumstances and set bond. One of them, Zaza Bakradze is not currently in Georgia and therefore, the judge ruled to suspend the validity of his passport. Other defendants had their bail set at 15,000 GEL each. They were charged with the abuse of duties and the extortion of testimony via violence and insult.
(Rustavi 2)
Georgia – Portugal 25:12
The Georgian National Rugby Team won its first home European Nations Cup match against Portugal by13 points (25-12). The match saw the Georgian players score three tries, with Vazha Khmaladze's early effort followed by two by Tedo Zibzibadze in the second half. Merab Kvirikashvili scored two out of the three conversions and added a free kick, while the Portuguese replied with four kicks. The match against Portugal was second at the competition for the Georgian team, with a visiting 17-13 win against Belgium being the first game. Russia is the next opponent for the Georgian players in the February 23 match.
(Georgian News TV)
The foreign media responded to the developments that took place in front of the National Library on February 8. “There is more conflict than cohabitation,” Eurasianet wrote regarding the current developments in Georgia.
“The Georgian president’s state-of-nation address was marred by forced relocations due to protests,” an article in the Washington Post says. According to the article, the protests underlined the strong tensions in Georgia, whose characteristically quarrelsome politics have grown more vociferous since Saakashvili’s party lost control of the parliament in last October’s elections.
BBC also responded to the current developments in Georgia writing: "Scuffles have broken out in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi as protesters sought to stop President Mikheil Saakashvili from delivering a speech.”
"Politicians loyal to the president, including MPs and the mayor of Tbilisi were assaulted outside the National Library where he was due to speak. Saakashvili, who chose the library after being prevented from speaking in parliament, had to abandon the attempt,” the article says.
(Front News)
Unpleasant events, which recently took place ahead of the president's speech, were a pity – Ilia ll
The unpleasant events that recently took place ahead of the president's speech were a pity, Georgia’s Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, said in his Sunday sermon.
His Holiness said everyone should remember that evil is cured only by love, while human life is a test – the good and the evil, sorrow and joy.
“Evil cannot be cured by evil. It can be cured by love. Georgians always build new buildings, new ideas and spread kindness. Do not be afraid of the recent events. All this will pass and Georgia will be in peace,” the patriarch said, noting that people often look for an enemy in others, instead of searching the enemy in themselves.
(IPN)
88 prisoners will be released from prison, 13 prison terms have been halved
The Pardon Commission’s sitting is over at the President’s Administration. According to Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili, 88 prisoners will be released from prison, 13 inmates’ prison terms have been halved. Among the pardoned prisoners are also women and juveniles.
(Front News)
Ex-official of MIA bailed out
Former head of the PR department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Guram Donadze, was released after posting 25,000 GEL bail this morning. The court discussed the motion of the prosecutor’s office on preventive measures against Donadze and six other defendants with regard to the case of the murder of Buta Robakidze. However, the court considered different circumstances and set bond. One of them, Zaza Bakradze is not currently in Georgia and therefore, the judge ruled to suspend the validity of his passport. Other defendants had their bail set at 15,000 GEL each. They were charged with the abuse of duties and the extortion of testimony via violence and insult.
(Rustavi 2)
Georgia – Portugal 25:12
The Georgian National Rugby Team won its first home European Nations Cup match against Portugal by13 points (25-12). The match saw the Georgian players score three tries, with Vazha Khmaladze's early effort followed by two by Tedo Zibzibadze in the second half. Merab Kvirikashvili scored two out of the three conversions and added a free kick, while the Portuguese replied with four kicks. The match against Portugal was second at the competition for the Georgian team, with a visiting 17-13 win against Belgium being the first game. Russia is the next opponent for the Georgian players in the February 23 match.
(Georgian News TV)