Georgian priests attack on Mtavari Arkhi journalist sparks controversy
By Veronika Malinboym
Monday, May 10
A wave of controversy has hit Georgia after the recent incident in which Metropolitan Antony of Vani-Baghdati diocese verbally and physically attacked Mtavari Arkhi journalist Irakli Vachiberadze on May 7, when Vachiberadze visited the Vani-Baghdati diocese to conduct an interview but was met with Metropolit Antony who forbade him from entering. After releasing the footage of the attack, Mtavari Arkhi demanded that Metropolit Antony is brought to justice.
Violent incidents against our journalists have increased, and we believe that this is a deliberate campaign. It is unfortunate that representatives of the lower or higher hierarchy of the Georgian Orthodox Church are actively involved in this campaign. It responds to similar facts, but also justifies and thus encourages the aggression of the clergymen against journalists, the TV company said in a statement.
President Zurabishvili to discuss proposed amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences with opposition bloc members
By Veronika Malinboym
Friday, May 7
Earlier yesterday, it was announced that President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili will be meeting members of the countrys opposition bloc in order to discuss the proposed amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences. The president has already met several opposition politicians including one of the co-founders of the opposition Girchi party Iago Kvichia and representatives of the Citizens party, and she is going to hear the opinion of the other opposition parties on the matter, including Strategy Agmashenebelis leader Giorgi Vashadze and Salome Samadashvili.
By Veronika Malinboym
Wednesday, May 5
On May 4, Georgia continued to implement the nationwide vaccination program, now using the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm vaccine. According to the latest data of the Georgian Centre for the Disease Control, a total of 17,613 people aged over 18 have already registered to get a shot of the Sinopharm vaccine since April 27. The centre reported the vaccination with Sinopharm will be carried out in 33 medical centres and with the help of 33 specially trained brigades of professionals, and starting from May 5, vaccination will also be available in 44 additional medical centres. Earlier today, Head of the Georgias Center for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze received his shot of the Sinopharm vaccine at the University Hospital in Tbilisi while being broadcasted live on the national TV.
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs pays visit to Georgia
By Veronika Malinboym
Friday, April 30
On April 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis arrived in Georgia. Upon his arrival, Minister Landsbergis met with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, who used the opportunity to thank Lithuania for its unwavering support towards Georgias Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as well its territorial integrity and humanitarian assistance that Lithuania provided to Georgia amidst the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, the politicians addressed the bilateral partnership between the countries, as well as the scarce political situation in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
By Veronika Malinboym
Wednesday, April 28
On April 27, President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili pardoned the co-founder of the opposition Mtavari Arkhi TV Channel Giorgi Rurua as some members of the countrys opposition bloc entered the Parliament. In a post on her official Facebook page President Zurabishvili welcomed the beginning of the first stage of the implementation of the EU-proposed agreement, and emphasized that by signing the pardon of Giorgi Rurua, she kept to her word:
I welcome the fulfillment of the first phase of the agreement! On my part, I kept my word and signed the act of pardon! Congratulations on the election of Kakha Kuchava as the Speaker of the Parliament! Congratulations to all the MPs who used the mandate given by the people for the first time today and entered the Parliament! Good luck to everyone!, read the post.