2012 in Georgia (country) explained
Events in the year 2012 in Georgia.
Incumbents
National
Mikheil Saakashvili (since January 25, 2004)
Nika Gilauri (since February 6, 2009), Vano Merabishvili (since June 30, 2012), Bidzina Ivanishvili (since October 25, 2012)
David Bakradze (since June 7, 2008), David Usupashvili (since October 21, 2012)
Autonomous republics
Adjara
Abkhazia
Giorgi Baramia (since June 15, 2009)
- Chairman of the Supreme Council (-in-exile): Elguja Gvazava (since March 20, 2009)
Disputed territories
Abkhazia
Alexander Ankvab (since May 29, 2011)
Mikhail Logua (since September 26, 2011)
Leonid Lakerbaia (since September 27, 2011)
Nugzar Ashuba (since April 3, 2002), Valeri Bganba (since April 3, 2012)
South Ossetia
Vadim Brovtsev (acting; December 11, 2011 – April 19, 2012), Leonid Tibilov (since April 19, 2012)
Vadim Brovtsev (since August 5, 2009)
Zurab Kokoyev (acting; October 5, 2011 – July 2, 2012), Stanislav Kochiev (since July 2, 2012).
Events
January
February
- February 6 - Anatoliy Bibilov, a runner-up in the annulled presidential race in breakaway South Ossetia announces his withdrawal from the planned March 25 repeat election.[10]
- February 13 - An explosive planted on an Israeli diplomatic car is safely defused by police in Tbilisi, with Israel blaming Iran for an attempted attack.[11]
- February 14 - The Georgian police says a man from breakaway Abkhazia is detained, while plotting a terrorist attack in a market in Zugdidi, western Georgia.[12]
- February 16 - Georgia severs diplomatic relations with the South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu due to the latter's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in September 2011.[13]
- February 22 - The Ministry of Defense of Georgia announces the death of three servicemen of the Georgian Armed Forces in the line of duty in Helmand, Afghanistan, bringing the total death toll of Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan to 15 since Georgia joined the ISAF in November 2009.[14]
- February 22 - Alexander Ankvab, president of breakaway Abkhazia, survives the sixth assassination attempt as his motorcade is ambushed on the road from Gudauta to Sukhumi.[15]
- February 25 - The Ministry of Defense of Georgia presents the first-ever Georgia-produced tracked infantry fighting vehicle Lazika, developed by the Ministry's research center Delta.[16]
- February 29 - Georgia unilaterally lifts visa rules for Russia, enabling the Russian citizens to stay in Georgia without a visa for 90 days.[17]
- February 29 - The Russian-Georgian painter and sculptor Zurab Tsereteli opens the Museum of Modern Art, dominated by his own works, in the late 19th-century building in Tbilisi.[18]
March
April
May
- May 12 - Severe flooding hits parts of Tbilisi, resulting in five deaths and causing damage to the city's infrastructure.[33] [34]
- May 14 - Georgia submits a formal expression of interest to host the 16th UEFA European Football Championship in 2020. The bid is joined by Azerbaijan on May 25.[35]
- May 26 - President Saakashvili opens Georgia's new parliament building in Kutaisi, where the Parliament holds its inaugural session to mark the country's Independence Day.[36]
- May 26 - FC Dila Gori wins the 2011–12 Georgian Cup, defeating FC Zestafoni 4 – 1.
- May 27 - Tens of thousands demonstrate in downtown Tbilisi in support of the billionaire-turned-opposition politician Bidzina Ivanishvili and his political coalition Georgian Dream.[37]
- May 28 - Two policemen and one local resident die in shooting at a café in the town of Gali in breakaway Abkhazia. Sukhumi and Tbilisi trade accusations over the incident.[38]
June
- June 3 - The Russian rock-band DDT concludes the Tbilisi Open Air festival, gathering nearly 80,000 people, the largest attendance for a music event in the capital of Georgia.[39]
- June 5 - The United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Georgia as part of her South Caucasian tour, focusing on the new aspects of the U.S.–Georgian security cooperation and the importance of upcoming elections in Georgia during her news conference in Batumi.[40]
- June 21 - Georgian police seizes a large number of satellite dishes belonging to a company connected to a billionaire opposition leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, as part of an investigation into possible vote-buying.[41]
- June 28 - Severe floods and landslides hit the western province of Samegrelo, with no casualties reported, forcing President Saakashvili to abort his visit to Azerbaijan.[42]
- June 30 - The Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi is selected to host the 2015 UEFA Super Cup.[43]
- June 30 - President Saakashvili names Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili as the new prime minister.[44]
July
- July 3 - Seventy-three people are hospitalized after a chlorine leak at a water distribution company in Tbilisi's suburban neighborhood of Lilo.[45]
- July 4 - The Parliament approves the new cabinet, with Ivane Merabishvili as Prime Minister.[46]
- July 18 - The Machakhela National Park is inaugurated in the Machakheli valley at the border with Turkey, accompanied by the signing of the USAID-supported Georgian–Turkish "Trans-boundary Cooperation Action Plan".[47]
- July 19 - Heavy rainfall, hail, and hurricane hit the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti, inflicting severe damage to its infrastructure and agriculture.[48]
August
- August 8 - On the 4th anniversary of the Russian–Georgian war, President of Russia Vladimir Putin reveals that the Russian General Staff had laid down a contingency plan for a conflict with Georgia in 2006–2007 and trained "militiamen" in South Ossetia as part of this plan.[49] [50]
- August 12 - Georgia finishes the 2012 Summer Olympics with 1 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals.[51]
- August 16 - President Saakashvili unveils the renovated castle complex of Rabati in the city of Akhaltsikhe, which features the medieval and early modern Christian, Islamic, and Jewish buildings.[52]
- August 28–30 - Lopota Gorge hostage crisis: the Georgian special forces clash with an armed group of North Caucasian militants, freeing 10 hostages in the process.[53]
September
October
- October 1 – Georgian parliamentary election: the opposition coalition Bidzina Ivanishvili–Georgian Dream wins majority of seats in the parliament. The incumbent United National Movement led by President Saakashvili concedes defeat.[59]
- October 1 – Adjara legislative election: the opposition coalition Bidzina Ivanishvili–Georgian Dream wins majority of seats in the Supreme Council in autonomous Adjara.[60]
- October 5 – The government of Georgia starts negotiations on handing over power to the Georgian Dream coalition, winner of the parliamentary election. Bidzina Ivanishvili is designated by the coalition as the incoming Prime Minister.[61] [62]
- October 8 – Brigadier General Giorgi Kalandadze is appointed Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, replacing Lieutenant General Devi Chankotadze.
- October 12 – The Georgian defense officials announce that the total number of Georgian soldiers killed in Afghanistan rises to 18 since the country joined the NATO-led operation in November 2009.[63]
- October 25 – Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his government nominated by the Georgian Dream coalition are approved by the Parliament.[64]
Deaths
- January 4 - Merab Eliozishvili, a Georgian writer and actor (born 1934).
- January 13 - Kakha Katsitadze, a Georgian military and political analyst (born 1959).[65]
- January 24 - Merab Megreladze, a veteran Georgian football player (FC Torpedo Kutaisi) (born 1957).[66]
- January 25 - Zurab Kometiani, a Georgian biophysicist and cell biologist (born 1934).[67]
- February 12 - Alexi Chincharauli, a Georgian folklorist, professor (born 1925).[68]
- March 1 - Luiza Shakiashvili, a Georgian politician and Soviet-era dissident, member of the Parliament (1992–1995) (born 1942).[69]
- March 7 - Ramaz Urushadze, a veteran Georgian football player (born 1939).
- March 11 - Janri Kashia, a Georgian journalist and husband of the politician Salome Zourabichvili (born 1940).[70]
- March 20 - Erlom Akhvlediani, a Georgian script writer (born 1933).[71]
- May 30 - Revaz Bairamashvili, Georgian architect (born 1929).
- April 10 - Shalva Gatserelia, Georgian theatre director (born 1931).[72]
- May 4 - Alexander Chikvaidze, Georgian diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs (1992–1995) (born 1932).[73]
- June 14 - Vano Gurgenidze, retired lieutenant-general, Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia (1992–2000) (born 1941).
- June 20 - Ramaz Shengelia, a retired Georgian football player (born 1957).[74]
- July 9 - Marine Iashvili, PAG, a Georgian violinist (born 1932).[75]
- July 24 - Nino Javakhishvili, a Georgian anatomist (born 1914).[76]
- August 3 - Giorgi Gomiashvili, a Georgian businessman and ex-Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (2004–2005).[77]
- August 7 - Bondo Shalikiani, a controversial Georgian businessman and alleged mafia boss, found murdered in Minsk (born 1961).[78]
- August 9 - Athanasius (born Anzor Chakhvashvili), a Georgian Orthodox cleric, Metropolitan Bishop of Rustavi and Marneuli (1996–2009) (born 1936).
- December 21 - Revaz Gurgenidze, a retired Georgian major-general (born 1951).[79]
Notes and References
- https://web.archive.org/web/20120301232619/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hM5gO8K0e9mtUdT69VtirAXQGJYA?docId=CNG.befd8261ddab57b82fa93d007250aad6.471 Somalia pirates free Georgian sailors
- http://www.interpressnews.ge/en/society/34492-unique-discovery-at-abanotubani-archeological-digs.html Unique Discovery at Abanotubani Archeological Digs
- http://www.eng.ghn.ge/news-5180.html Unique discoveries in Tbilisi
- http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/CrisisWatch/2012/cw102.pdf Crisis Watch 102
- http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1985241.html Georgia, Turkey agree to build mosque and restore churches
- http://www.geotimes.ge/index.php?m=home&newsid=26662 Nika Rurua Commented Georgian-Turkish agreement on cultural Monuments
- Kültür ve Turizm Bakanı Ertuğrul Günay: "Batum'daki yıkılan Aziziye Camii için Gürcistan bize bir yer tahsisi yapacak ve orada bir cami yapacağız". Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism. January 26, 2012. Accessed January 28, 2012.
- http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-us--us-georgia,0,5194971.story White House: Obama will affirm US support for Georgia's current borders in Oval Office meeting
- http://georgia.usembassy.gov/latest-news/official_statements2012/obama_saakashvili_meeting.html Remarks by President Obama and President Saakashvili of Georgia After Bilateral Meeting (January 30)
- http://en.ria.ru/world/20120206/171171869.html Bibilov Quits South Ossetia Poll
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-security-embassies-idUSTRE81C0QZ20120213 Israel says Iran behind India, Georgia attacks
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24443 Police Say 'Terror Plotter' Planning to Target Market in Zugdidi Arrested
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24456 Georgia Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Tuvalu
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24470 Three Georgian Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17124746 Abkhazia Georgia leader Ankvab escapes deadly ambush
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24485 Georgia Presents its Infantry Fighting Vehicle 'Lazika'
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24502 Georgia Lifts Visa Rules for Russia
- http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Controversial-sculptor-Zurab-Tsereteli-opens-museum-in-Georgian-capital/26102 Controversial sculptor Zurab Tsereteli opens museum in Georgian capital
- http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24513 Tbilisi to Russia: 'Reciprocate on Visa without Preconditions'
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24512 Georgian-Produced Multiple Rocket Launcher Unveiled
- http://police.ge/index.php?m=8&newsid=3129 Statement of the Ministry Of Internal Affairs
- http://www.eumm.eu/en/press_and_public_information/press_releases/2999/ EUMM expresses concern at reported incident in Ganmukhuri and urges restraint on all sides
- http://www.rferl.org/content/abkhazia_vote/24512504.html Abkhaz Officials Say Only 13 Of 35 Legislative Seats Filled
- http://georgia.usembassy.gov/latest-news/official_statements2012/abkhazian_elections.html Abkhazia de facto "Parliamentary Elections" (March 10)
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24547 EU 'Does Not Recognize Legal Framework' of Abkhaz Elections
- http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforeur/Pages/Marines,Georgianinfantrybrigadeparticipateincombinedtrainingexercise.aspx#.T2y7W2Hx2Mg Marines, Georgian infantry brigade participate in combined training exercise
- http://www.onlinenews.ge/index.php?id=21062&lang=eng Parliament Approves Reshuffled Cabinet
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24589 NSC Publishes 'Alasania's Files on Paramilitary Groups'
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24641 Ex-KGB Chief Becomes S.Ossetia New Leader
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24649 Georgia Tests Domestically Produced Drone
- ივერიის ღვთისმშობლის ხატის სახელობის ტაძარი და სამონასტრო კომპლექსი ("The Monastery Complex of Iverian Theotokos") . Iveriisa.com. Accessed April 15, 2012.
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24683 Ivanishvili's Political Party Launched
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24759 Deadly Flood in Tbilisi
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18050415 Georgian capital Tbilisi hit by floods - five dead
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24810 Azerbaijan Joins Georgia's Euro 2020 Bid
- https://web.archive.org/web/20181211070227/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/georgia-opens-new-parliament-in-kutaisi-far-from-the-capital/2012/05/26/gJQAOhOGsU_story.html Georgia opens new parliament in Kutaisi, far from the capital
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18228575 Mass opposition rally in Tbilisi, Georgia
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24841 Sokhumi Accuses Tbilisi of Gali Café Attack
- http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/culture/27375.html 80,000 people attend Shevchuk's concert in Tbilisi
- http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24853 Clinton Stresses Importance of Elections
- News: Roth. Andrew. Georgia: Satellite Dishes Seized. 23 June 2012. The New York Times. June 21, 2012.
- http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2041951.html Saakashvili cuts short visit to Baku due to floods in Georgia
- News: UEFA Super Cup decisions . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations . 30 June 2012 . 30 June 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130601100042/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/aboutuefa/organisation/executivecommittee/news/newsid%3D1836837.html . 1 June 2013 .
- https://archive.today/20130102074617/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-georgia-governmentbre85t0d6-20120630,0,7779265.story Georgian president names new PM as elections loom
- https://www.reuters.com/article/georgia-chlorine-idUSL6E8I42BJ20120704 Chlorine leak in Georgia, 73 taken to hospital
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24965 Reshuffled Cabinet and its New Program Confirmed
- http://georgia.usaid.gov/news/press-releases/2012/07/18/1123 U.S. Government Helps Government of Georgia and Government of Turkey Cooperate on New National Park
- http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2048402.html#popupInfo Georgian president arrives at disaster hit region of country
- http://www.euronews.com/2012/08/08/georgia-and-russia-mark-anniversary-of-south-ossetia-war/ Georgia and Russia mark anniversary of South Ossetia War
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25089 Putin on Russian 'Plan of Repelling Georgia's Aggression'
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25104 Georgia Finishes London Olympics with Seven Medals
- http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News/Releases/?7771 The President of Georgia attended an opening ceremony of the Rabat Castle in Akhaltsikhe today
- http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25160 Georgia Says 'Main Phase' of Operation Against Militants Over
- http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=46593&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=0 Reconstructed Bagrati Cathedral opens in Kutaisi
- News: Modebadze. Salome. Bagrati Cathedral renovations halted. 23 June 2012. The Messenger Online. June 19, 2012.
- http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25233 Interior Minister Akhalaia Resigns Amid Protests
- https://archive.today/20130115045922/http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2068673.html Georgian president lays foundation of new city
- http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2699_september_24_2012/2699_lazika.html Lazika building underway
- http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/02/world/europe/georgia-elections/index.html Georgia's ruling party concedes defeat in parliamentary elections
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25309 Georgian Dream Winning Majority in Adjara's Supreme Council
- https://web.archive.org/web/20181211101222/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/georgias-leadership-negotiates-handover-of-power-to-opposition-after-election-defeat/2012/10/05/6c67bc0e-0ece-11e2-ba6c-07bd866eb71a_story.html Georgia's leadership negotiates handover of power to opposition after election defeat
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25318 GD, UNM Launch Power Handover Talks
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25343 Eighteenth Georgian Soldier Dies in Afghanistan
- http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25389 Ivanishvili Confirmed as Prime Minister
- ექსპერტი კახა კაციტაძე გარდაიცვალა (The expert Kakha Katsitadze dies) . GHN News Agency. January 13, 2012. Accessed January 13, 2012.
- გარდაიცვალა ლეგენდარული ფეხბურთელი მერაბ მეგრელაძე. FC Torpedo Kutaisi. January 24, 2012. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/news/71058.html Stepfather of the Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili died
- ფოლკლორისტი ალექსი ჭინჭარაული გარდაიცვალა . GHN News Agency. February 14, 2012. Accessed February 15, 2012.
- ლუიზა შაკიაშვილი გარდაიცვალა. Medianews. March 1, 2012. Accessed March 1, 2012.
- В Париже скончался известный грузинский телеведущий Джанри Кашия. Ekho Kavkaza. March 11, 2012. Accessed March 11, 2012.
- http://www.geocinema.ge/en/scenari.php?kod5=127 Erlom Akhvlediani
- 81 წლის ასაკში შალვა გაწერელია გარდაიცვალა . GHN News Agency. April 10, 2012. Accessed April 10, 2012.
- ალექსანდრე ჩიკვაიძე გარდაიცვალა . GeoNews.ge. May 8, 2012.
- News: Reuters. Former Georgian striker Shengelia dies at 55. 23 June 2012. Chicago Tribune. June 21, 2012.
- http://1tv.ge/news-view/39957/en Violinist Marine Iashvili died
- გარდაიცვალა აკადემიკოსი ნინო ჯავახიშვილი. MediaNews.ge. July 24, 2012.
- https://archive.today/20121206040811/http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2053178.html Former deputy FM found shot dead in Tbilisi
- http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2012/8/7/56432/ Who was killed in Minsk: a Georgian MP or a Russian criminal boss?
- გარდაიცვალა გენერალ-მაიორი რევაზ გურგენიძე . GHN News Agency. December 21, 2012.