A mass crackdown on activists and opposition figures has been ongoing in Tbilisi amid ongoing protests against Georgian Dream’s suspending the country’s EU integration. Many were detained by the police through excessive, disproportionate force. Their condition is said not to be life-threatening, however, they were brutally beaten by the police while being arrested.
The trial of Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change and co-chairman of the Ahali party, is expected to take place on Friday.
Nika Gvaramia was physically assaulted and then arrested by the police on December 4, near the office of Droa. He is charged with an administrative offense and disobeying a police officer’s request, and has been transferred to the Marneuli pre-trial detention center. Gvaramia’s condition is said to be satisfactory.
On the evening pf December 4, in front of the Courtyard Marriott hotel on Freedom Square, opposition representatives were met by unknown persons in the street. There was a physical confrontation, during which Coalition for Change member Zura Datunashvili, the world champion in Greco-Roman style wrestling, was arrested. He was transferred to the Dighomi isolation unit.
His lawyer, Beka Kvinikadze, says that he has injuries.
“Zura has a visible injury to the throat, and also has a bruised left eye. He was detained according to Article 173, administratively,” Kvinikadze noted.
One of the leaders of Strong Georgia, Aleko Elisashvili, was also arrested. He was taken to Dusheti pre-trial detention center. His lawyer says that during the arrest, Elisashvili was subjected to serious violence – there was a beating and he has bruises on his body and face, and possibly a broken rib.
“I visited Aleko last night. He has injuries on his face and back, the lawyer said. “I think he might have a broken rib because he is in so much pain. We will request an examination and an X-ray will be taken and we will see his condition, but it is a fact and it is obvious that serious violence was committed against him during his detention. He was clearly beaten. We asked to have him transferred to a clinic.”
Civil activist Saba Skhvitaridze was also arrested. Reportedly, he was beaten before being taken to a pre-trial detention center.
Zviad Tsetskhladze, the leader of the youth movement Dapioni, was detained and charged with a crime under Part 1 of Article 225 of the Criminal Code, which refers to organizing or leading a group action. His lawyer says Tsetskhladze is exercising his right to remain silent at this stage.
