**Georgian Poet and Researcher Attacked by State-Sponsored Thugs**
A well-known Georgian poet, Zviad Ratiani, was physically assaulted in front of his house by state-sponsored thugs known as Titushky. This is not the first time Ratiani has been attacked. He was previously beaten by representatives of special forces and spent eight days in prison.
Another researcher, Vato Bzhalava from the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation), was reportedly seized while walking his dog earlier on Tuesday. It’s believed he is now in police custody.
**Opposition Parties Reject Georgian Government**
The opposition parties, including Coalition for Change, Unity-UNM, and Strong Georgia, have released a joint statement rejecting the “self-proclaimed government” of Georgia. They claim that President Salome Zurabishvili is the only legitimate institution in the country, arguing that the parliament lacks the authority to elect a president.
**MEPs Demand Fair Elections**
A delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) visiting Georgia held closed-door meetings with the President, opposition coalitions, NGOs, and media representatives. They emphasized the need for fair elections and stronger EU involvement. The MEPs also called for the rerun of recent elections, which they deemed neither free nor fair.
**Diplomatic Reaction**
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Georgia, Gareth Ward, expressed his dismay at the decisions made by the Georgian Dream party. He condemned the violence used by law enforcement and informal groups, urging their immediate cessation. The UK government also raised an issue in the House of Commons about the appropriateness of investigating Honeywell Partners, a company linked to Imedi TV.
**International Concern**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his concern that the West has not reacted strongly enough to the situation in Georgia and Russia’s efforts to control the country. International media freedom organizations have also issued a letter asking EU leaders to act against violence by Georgian authorities against media representatives.
**GYLA Releases Results of Monitoring Criminal Cases**
The Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association (GYLA) released the results of monitoring criminal cases against demonstrators. For more updates on anti-Russia protests and related developments, visit our Liveblog: Resistance.
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