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The News in Brief

Monday, November 24
Georgian inmates try to escape from prison in Athens

A riot ensued on November 23 at Korydallos prison in Athens, Greece, as six Georgian inmates occupied the prison clinic after failing an attempted escape.

According to prison officials, the six Georgian inmates were hospitalized in the prison clinic. The grandmother of one of the inmates visited this morning and tried to smuggle a large quantity of drugs, but the guards took notice of the woman and stopped her.

After that, the inmates started breaking things on the first floor of the prison clinic and a riot ensued involving a total of 25 Georgian prisoners. Three guards were slightly injured and locked themselves in a safety room to avoid the fury of the inmates. The prisoners then took over the clinic and protested the prison conditions.

The riot squad, the counter-terrorism squad, a police negotiator and a state prosecutor arrived on the spot to restore order. The police forces entered the prison clinic and forced the inmates to return to their cells after they searched them for makeshift weapons.
(IPN)



“There is a stable political and economic environment in Georgia”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has attended an opening ceremony of “Poti’s Grain Terminal”.

According to the Prime Minister, this project will facilitate the creation of additional jobs.

“The government will always stand with the private sector. On behalf our government, I want to tell you that I will support every interesting project proposed by the private sector. There is a stable political and economic environment in Georgia, which is important for the private sector development”, Gharibashvili said.

“More than 90 new factories have been opened and more than 490 plants have been renewed over the past two years”, the PM added.
(Frontnews)



House for homeless to be built in Tbilisi

Tbilisi Government has allocated about two million GEL to build a house for the homeless in the Georgian capital.

Tbilisi City Hall announced a tender to build a shelter that could hold 240 people. When complete, the homeless shelter will have a living area, a dining room, reception, administrative area, crisis department and medical centre.

Two rooms will be equipped to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

The money to fund the homeless shelter will be allocated from 2014-2015 Tbilisi budget.

Currently there is only one temporary shelter for homeless in Tbilisi. It opened last winter.
(Agenda.ge)



Occupied Abkhazia’s de-facto leader meets European diplomats

Occupied Abkhazia’s de-facto leader Raul Khajimba has met with co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions - Special Representative of the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship for the South Caucasus Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger; Ambassador Herbert Salber of the EU and Political Adviser to the UN Representative for the Geneva Process, Hailu MAMO in Sokhumi.

According to the de-facto President’s press service, the sides discussed the situation in the region.

When asked about the possible influence, of a planned agreement between Russia and Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region, on the Geneva Discussions, Raul Khajimba told Herbert Salber: “Abkhazia is an independent and sovereign state and it signs any international document in accordance with its national interests, so there is nothing alarming”.

“We will sign this agreement in the near future. Its main issue is the protection of Abkhazia’s sovereignty and independence. As for the Geneva Discussions, we will usually continue to participate in the process”, Khajimba added.

Moscow has proposed a new treaty with occupied Abkhazia, which is viewed in Tbilisi as a step towards Russian annexation. The deal would create joint Russian and Abkhazian military forces.
(Frontnews)



Poti opens Shah Deniz-2 gas pipeline transport terminal

A transport terminal of the Shah Deniz-2 gas pipeline opened in Poti, the Georgian government told Trend.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili attended the opening ceremony.

"The terminal as part of the Shah Deniz-2 project will transport the pipes and other equipment required for the expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline through Azerbaijan and Georgia," Garibashvili said.

He also stressed the importance of the Shah Deniz 2 project.

"This is one of the most difficult and complex energy projects, which will strengthen the geopolitical positions of Azerbaijan and Georgia," Garibashvili said.

The gas production as part of the Shah Deniz- 2 project is scheduled for 2018. The gas is expected to be supplied to Turkey in 2018 but to the European market in 2019.

The cost of the entire project is estimated at $ 28 billion.
(Trend.az)



Azerbaijan, Georgia discuss military-political situation in region

Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov received Georgia’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Teimuraz Sharashenidze Nov. 21, the Azerbaijani defense ministry said.

The military-political situation in the region was discussed at the meeting. The sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

Georgian military attache in Azerbaijan Colonel Shalva Turashvili attended the meeting
(Trend.az)