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The News in Brief

Friday, September 9
Vice PM Baramidze attends international forum in Kryniza

Vice Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Baramidze is participating in the 21st International Economic Forum in Kryniza, Poland. Today, Baramidze met with the Vice President of European Parliament Mr. Libor Roucek to discuss ongoing reforms in Georgia, the Russia-Georgia conflict and issues on Georgia`s integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Baramidze thanked Mr. Roucek for its support to Georgia`s territorial integrity, for considering Georgia`s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as inseparable parts of the country and for the attempts by the European Parliament to convince Russia to facilitate the repatriation of IDPs safely back to their homes. (Rustavi 2)



NATO`s Assistant Secretary General meets students in Tbilisi

NATO`s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning Huseyin Dirioz met students at Tbilisi State University on Wednesday. When talking to the students, he stressed NATO-Georgia relations and assessed results of the Annual National Program.

Except the students, Huseyin Dirioz also met representatives of NGOs and answered their questions.

Representatives of other state and private structures also attended the meeting, which was organized by the NATO Liaison Office of Tbilisi. (Rustavi 2)



Georgian Nationals Being Abroad To Be Able To Make Applications For Pasports Throughout 24 Hours

Georgian nationals being abroad will be able to make an application for getting passports throughout 24 hours.

“With taking into account the interests of the citizens, due to the difference by the hour between the countries, the distance service will work throughout 24 hours. If a citizen lives abroad and want to receive a passport or any other document, he/she can call to the Civil Register Agency,” – the Deputy Chairman of the Civil Register Agency, Giorgi Gabrielashvili stated about it at a briefing held in the Justice house of Rustavi.

The citizens, who have mistakes in the ID cards, can correct them online from any country. They will be able to take the amnesty service until December 31, 2012 without being fined. (Prime-News)



Tbilisi City Court approves plea agreement with members of Okruashvili`s armed unit

Tbilisi City Court has approved a plea agreement with the members of Irakli Okruashvili`s (the fugitive leader of the Georgian Party) illegal armed unit.

The 15 citizens were members of the group gathered by Giorgi Chikhladze on the instruction of of Irakli Okruashvili and Ioseb Giguashvili in spring 2011.

According to the plan, the group had to provide security of Irakli Okruashvili after he would have arrived in Georgia.

The group members were also accused of illegal purchasing and keeping of firearms and explosive substances.

The Counter intelligence department of Georgia`s Interior Ministry arrested the members of the organized crime gang on July 23, 2011.

The Ministry the detainees were involved in criminal activities and the plans they intended to implement during the opposition rallies in the end of May 2011.

According to the MIA, Ioseb Giguashvili was the key figure in this plan; he chaired the general inspection of the ministry of defense when Okruashvili chaired the ministry. (Rustavi 2)



Solidarity event held in front of Georgian Young Lawyers Association

A solidarity event was held in front of the Young Lawyers Association. Various NGOs took part to protest against the government’s attack on the Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) this week. According to them, GYLA is one of the most professional organizations in Georgia.

"The government should have studied the materials presented by the Young Lawyers Association with regard to Nika Kvintradze’s case. Instead, they accused the organization of lying", representatives of the NGOs said. (Interpressnews)



Mamuka Charkviani dedicated new song for soldiers

Musician Mamuka Charkviani has created new songs after a 12-year pause. He will hold his first concert in the Tbilisi Concert Hall. "I have several new songs. One will be dedicated to my friend. Another will be for the soldiers. I wish to accomplish this within two months. I will announce the Premier as soon as possible." Charkviani said to GHN. Mamuka Charkviani had no special musical education, nevertheless his first song was written during his studies at the secondary school and later he established a band. (GHN)