Leader of “Strong Georgia” Denies Political Persecution Charge
Aleko Elisashvili, a leader of the opposition party “Strong Georgia”, has denied charges of political persecution in court. He was speaking at a hearing where he was questioned by Judge Mikheil Jinijolia.
Elisashvili said that the charges against him were not true. He claimed that Ali Babaev, the chairman of the Azerbaijani National Congress and a founder of the “Georgian Dream” party, had actually been chasing him with an iron rod before the alleged assault took place. Elisashvili stated that he did not mean to hit Babaev and that it was Babaev who started insulting him on Kostava Street.
The defense team requested to introduce new evidence in the case, including a complaint against Ali Babaev for allegedly trying to murder Elisashvili with an iron rod. However, the judge denied this request.
Elisashvili has been charged under Article 156 of the Georgian Criminal Code and released on bail for 4,000 GEL.
The incident occurred on December 2, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.