During the passage of the law on foreign agents, civil activism and mass protests helped to shake the grip of the ruling government on legitimate power, but not the apparatus of repression. Despite the protests of hundreds of thousands, the law passed. Georgians screamed “Yes to Europe” and the paths of the ruling party are clearly divergent. The Georgian Dream seems to be bent on repression in order to maintain power.
Since April 17, 22 people, including five opposition politicians/party representatives and three NGO representatives, were subjected organized physical attacks.
The law was designed to silence dissent and its impact was felt before it was passed. There has been an intimidation campaign against opponents of the new law, including politicians and activists. This included violent attacks, abusive messages, and threatening calls. The ruling party and government have encouraged and fanned hate against its opponents. They have either directly or indirectly endorsed or ignored many of these incidents.
Political repression has become a part of the campaigning and political life as the crucial parliamentary election scheduled for October 26 approaches.
This blog will keep you informed of any cases of violence, threats, or intimidation.
Today, October 24, the house of Giorgi Noniashvili, a leader of the newly formed party Federalist, and his wife Sopo Gelava, was searched. The police seized all electronic gadgets including the laptops of their children. Several reports claim that the search was related to an investigation into the contractor company of NGO Atlantic Council. Sopo Gelava works for Atlantic Council.
Social Justice Center, a rights organization, released a report on October 22. It said that the MIA was deliberately prolonging the case. Mumladze, a politician and lecturer at Ilia State University, was beaten on May 9 by four people in Kvemo Kartli, near his home. His parents, his wife, and his two minor children were present. Mumladze had been involved in protests in the spring against the Foreign Agents Law. The SJC claims that the investigation has not begun, despite the fact that eyewitnesses have provided many details to the relevant authorities.
Simon Janashia, an education expert, said on September 27 that Ilia State University only received “conditional accreditation”, raising concerns due to the positive evaluation from accreditation experts. The Accreditation Council did not explain its decision. A “conditional” accreditation is expected to delay a university’s full accreditation for an additional year. Janashia warned that “Georgian Dream” was trying to not only terrorize everyone in society, but also to take over the institutions which are still free. Not only Ilia State University but the entire higher educational system.
Gela Khasaia of the Coalition for Change, a member in the opposition, reported on September 25 that his bank account was frozen for failing to pay a fine ordered by a court, even though he claims that he never received this court order. Khasaia claims that he was physically assaulted by police during protests against Foreign Agents Law and then fined GEL 2700 ($990) by the court. He says that when he called to ask where he could pay for the fine, he was told to wait until the order came.
Khatuna lagazidze, leader of the “Vote For Europe” movement reported on September 25 that one bank illegally granted the Anti-Corruption Bureau the access to financial statements for the organization and its founders without waiting for a decision from the Appeals Court. On September 13, the Tbilisi City Court granted the Anti-Corruption Bureau access to personal data, including bank account information, and information about the activities of the founders and the organization of the newly launched movement “Vote For Europe”.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau, on September 24, declared Transparency International Georgia – a local watchdog – and Vote for Europe – a public movement – along with their leaders – as political actors, with respective “declared goals” related to elections, and demanded that they submit financial statements.
Boris Chele Kurua of Girchi More Freedom reported on September 24 that his bank account was frozen because he failed to pay a court fine, despite the fact that he claimed he never received the order. He was fined for blocking the road in May of this year during protests against Foreign Agents Law. He was originally fined GEL 500 (USD185) but reports now say that GEL50 (USD18) has been added because he didn’t pay on time.
The United National Movement, the main opposition party in Georgia reports to the media on September 16 that Zurab Abaevi was arrested and physically assaulted. He was charged under Article 166 of Georgia’s Code of Administrative Violations for petty homolganism. According to his attorney, he was detained on his way to the UNM Nadzladevi Office in Tbilisi.
Mikheil Kinkolia, the judge of the Tbilisi City Court, found Giorgi Shandze, a former soldier who fought for Ukraine against Russia in the war, guilty of violating Article 265 of Georgian Criminal Code which punishes the illegal cultivation plants containing narcotics and Article 187, which punishes the damage of surveillance cameras. Shanidze received a four-year prison sentence.
On September 11, the Tbilisi City Court fined one of the leaders of opposition coalition “Strong Georgia” GEL 2000 (approximately US $742) for petty hooliganism (Article 1666 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia), and disobedience towards the police (Article173 of Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia). Elisashvili, a leader of the opposition coalition “Strong Georgia”, was fined GEL 2000 (approximately USD 742) on September 11 for petty hooliganism (Article 166 of the Code Administrative Offenses of Georgia) and disobedience to police (Article 173 in the Code Administrative Offenses).
On September 10, the Tbilisi City Court imposed a fine of GEL 2000 (approximately US $742) on Saba Meparishvili for petty hooliganism (Article 16 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia), and disobedience towards the police (Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia). Meparishvili was also charged with the second part Article 187 of Georgia’s Criminal Code which deals with destruction or damage to property. He is accused of “deliberately” damaging the iron protective barrier near the Parliament Building.
On September 9, the Tbilisi City Court fined Aleksandre Samuelkharadze GEL 1,000 (approximately US $371) for calling MP Viktor Japaridze a “slave”, and giving him the middle-finger on May 28, after he called Japaridze a supporter the Foreign Agents Law. Samkharadze received a fine under Part One of Article 166 of Georgia’s Administrative Code, which punishes swearing in public, harassing citizens, and similar actions that disrupt the public order or peace of citizens.
Vitali Guguchia was ordered by the Tbilisi City Court to pay GEL 5, 000 (USD 1,900), bail, on August 6.
On August 5, the Prosecutor-General of Georgia charged Vitali Guggchia with obstructing journalistic activities by the journalist and cameraman from PosTV. Guguchia has been charged with violating the first part of Article 126 of the Georgian Criminal Code (inflicting physical pain on a person) and the first half of Article 154 of the Georgian Criminal Code (unlawful obstruction of a reporter in his professional activity). Both offenses are punishable by a maximum of one year in jail. The Prosecutor’s Office intends to request bail within the legal time frame to prevent the crime.
Giorgi Shanidze, a second defendant, remains in custody. A judge denied him bail. He is accused of damaging surveillance cameras as per the first part of Article 187 of Georgia’s Criminal Code during the protests against the Foreign Agents Law. He is also charged with the second part of Article 265 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which stipulates punishment for illegal sowing or growing of plants containing drugs. This article carries a harsher punishment. If the defendant is found guilty, he could be sentenced to between 4 and 7 years in prison under Article 265.
Judge Zviad Shavadze denied the defense’s request to release Pridon Buguteishvili. The 20-year old youth was arrested on May 9, allegedly for damaging the Parliament Gate and inflicting injury on a firefighter at the protest on May 1, against the Foreign Agents Law. The defense had requested a bail amount of GEL 3000 (approximately US $1,111). Bubuteishvili could face up to seven years behind bars.
Judge Natia Gudadze has once again denied the defense’s request to release Saba Mparishvili (23) or Omar Okribelashvili (age 19). They remain in custody. The two were arrested after damaging a temporary fence in a protest against Foreign Agents Law. The damage to the state was estimated at GEL400 (approximately US $150), a sum that has already been paid.
The Tbilisi City Court found Ted Jonas guilty of administrative charges for petty hooliganism under Article 166, and disobeying the lawful request from the police under Article 173. He was fined 2000 GEL, which is approximately 730 USD.
Davit Katsarava was found guilty on July 23 of the administrative charge for disobeying a lawful request by the police (Article 174). He was severely beaten and hospitalized after the incident that occurred on May 14. Katsarava received a fine of GEL 2000 (approximately US $730) and had his right to carry arms restricted for two years.
The Tbilisi City Court fined Lazare Grigoriadis 2300 GEL on July 10. He was one of those who were arrested and beaten in May 14 when the ruling party passed its Foreign Agents Bill, third reading.
Davit Katsarava, on July 5, stated that after he was brutally beaten, and while en route to the hospital he was told by the police that he had been arrested on administrative charges for petty hooliganism under Article 166, and for disobeying a lawful request from the police under Article 173.
Davit Katsarava is the leader of Power is in Unity’s anti-occupation movement. He was so badly beaten on May 14 that it required him to be hospitalized. On July 3, he received a summons from the court ordering him to appear in front of a judge for administrative offenses on July 5. Katsarava says on social media he expects that the court hearing will be another “kangaroo trial,” with police officers testifying they had turned their body cameras off when Katsarava was allegedly swearing at them.
On July 2, the Tbilisi City Court sent Omar Okribelashvili (who was arrested on May 14, during protests against a law on foreign agents) and Saba Meparishvili to custody. The two individuals have been charged under the second part Article 187 of Georgia’s Criminal Code. This article deals with property damage or destruction and is punishable for three to six years in prison when committed by a group. According to the Georgian MIA they intentionally damaged the iron barrier near the Parliament Building.
The UNM office at Poti in western Georgia was vandalized on June 25. Davit Khomeriki is the Chair of the UNM regional organisation in Poti. He said that the double-glazed window was broken by heavy objects.
Three masked men attacked Kote Abdushelishvili in daylight on June 25, a member of the group to save the village Zodi and another activist involved in the planning of the June 30 rally against the Georgian Manganese Mining Company.
Residents of Chiatura municipality in the Imereti region plan to protest on June 30 against the “Georgian Manganese Mining Company”. They claim that the company’s mining activities threaten to destroy their village.
Niko Gaprindashvili, an activist, was attacked by three men on June 22, who hit him with batons and caused him to suffer a concussion. He was attacked shortly after the announcement of a protest rally on June 30 against the Georgian Manganese Mining Company.
Leri Djania, a close friend of civic activist Datuna Danelia was severely beaten and attacked by seven men on June 17, Danelia wrote in social media: “At eight o’clock today morning, my friend Leri Djania was met and assaulted physically by approximately seven people.” Darjania, according to him, was hospitalized for a broken nose as well as other facial injuries.
Ivane Chkhikvadze was confronted at the airport by propaganda TV representatives and government supporters upon his arrival in Georgia, on June 14. The video footage shows the men, including a GD youth member, calling him “Sergo orjonikidze,” a “slave,” an “agent bought with Soros’ money,” and a “traitor who has no motherland” and harassing him: “Weren’t you ashamed that you made statements against your country ..?”? “, and “Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable to ask for sanctions against the nation?”
Beqa Papashvili, an activist, was beaten in a grocery shop on June 13 for calling Georgian Dream MP Beqa Odisharia a ‘Russian slave’ and a ‘traitor. Papashvili claims that Odisharia and his bodyguards were in the grocery store and wouldn’t allow Papashvili to get close to him. After Papashvili left the store, he was beaten by three men within minutes. Papashvili claims that one of the men announced proudly that he was Odisharia’s son.
Zuka Berdzenishvili was brutally attacked by three people on June 11, near his home. He is an activist and the son of Davit Berdzenishvili who is a leader of the Republican Party. Berdzenishvili recalls the incident and says that one of his attackers threatened to shoot him in the head while he was being beaten. The incident happened about two hours after Shalva Papuashvili posted on social media, accusing Berdzenishvili of being part of a “organized, politically motivated terror campaign” directed against members of parliament. The Speaker of the Parliament referred to recent incidents where citizens confronted MPs who voted for the foreign agents law.
On June 10, several men dressed in black gathered outside the apartment complex of Zurab Japaridze (leader of the opposition party Girchi-More Freedom), allegedly to attack him physically. The suspicious figures were noticed by the politician’s neighbours. Gia Japaridze reported them on social media. He was ambushed himself last month by thugs paid by the government. When the crew from TV Pirveli arrived and asked, the men replied that they were there to maintain public order. They then quickly left. Zurab Japaridze has been targeted three times over the past month. He had to fire warning shots from his gun to scare away the attackers.
Mariam Tsitsikashvili was detained on June 9 at the airport for administrative charges of petty hooliganism (Article 166), following a verbal exchange with People’s Power MP Viktor Japaridze regarding his vote in support of the Foreign Agents Law. She and Irina Gürgenashvili who was not involved with the incident had their passports confiscated and were denied boarding.
Niko Managadze was attacked in daylight by several men outside the Tbilisi State University on June 7. He is an activist, a representative of the Student Movement for Freedom, and one of the protesting students who were protesting Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s lecture. He told online media outlet Publika he was just leaving the university when he felt a blow behind him. Suddenly, other men joined the attacker. They surrounded him and started beating him. Managadze began to bleed and the men only let him go after passersby joined in the fight. The attackers are clearly visible in the video that was recorded by witnesses.
Nino Kalandia is an activist and representative for the organizations Talgha, and Georgian Down Syndrome Association. She reported that on June 6, when she returned to her apartment, a man met her in the lobby and asked her to stop doing what she was. He then threatened her. She confronted the man loudly and actively, and he was shocked and left her alone. Kalandia also reported receiving threats via phone.
Khatuna Beridze was arrested on June 5 and released after calling Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Head of Adjara Region’s Government Tornike Rizhvadze, “slaves” or “traitors”, as they walked along Batumi Boulevard.
Ioseb Babaevi was arrested in Gori on June 4, a controversial civic activist, businessman and owner of “Resto Bar”, a bar that opposes the occupation. According to media reports, Babaevi often sends humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. He was arrested for violating Article 236 of Criminal Code which prohibits the illegal storage or purchase of firearms. Babaevi’s lawyer and local protesters of his arrest claim that the police planted firearms on him. The lawyer said that Babaevi had been verbally and physically abused by police during his arrest. On June 6, when Babaevi was brought before the Gori City Court he had several visible injuries on his head. Judge Levan Darbaidze ruled Ioseb Babyevi not guilty, and that the investigation had been conducted illegally.
Tsotne Kobiridze, a young opposition politician from Girchi-More Freedom was attacked by two unknown assailants with electric shock devices on June 2. Koberidze resisted and bystanders shouted the attackers away. Koberidze was not physically hurt. Ana Subeliani is a civic activist, co-chairperson of Tbilisi Pride and received a strange phone call from someone unknown. The caller tried tricking her by telling her he had 150 GEL worth of strawberries (about 55 USD), hoping to meet her. When Ana refused to go with him, he began cursing her and verbally abusing.
On June 1, around 2:30 am, 30-40 thugs vandalized United National Movement’s central office. Levan Khabeishvili shared the video of the destroyed UNM office on Facebook Live. The night guards were forced to fire into the air multiple times to scare away the intruders. Khabeishvili said that the men worked with the police and Georgian State Security Service. The MIA launched an investigation under Article 187, which deals damage or destruction to property.
Vitali Guguchia was the target of a smear by a progovernment POSTV crew who visited Guguchia in his village in the western Georgian area of Samegrelo on May 31. POSTV journalist Natia Beridze accuses Guguchia secret operations under UNM government. The encounter escalated to a physical confrontation with the POSTV photographer. The Special Investigative Service launched an investigation under Articles 154 and 155 of the Criminal Code which deal with obstruction of journalism.
Giorgi Ushikishvili was verbally abused and chased while driving his car on May 31. The same person texted him the next day on Facebook, reminding of the incident, and telling him “he doesn’t like his [Ushikishvili] position on the country’s Euro-integration.”
On May 31, several opposition politicians and their families continued to receive threats. Tina Bokuchava, Ani Tsitlidze, of the UNM; Ana Buchukuri’s mother, Tata Khundadze of Droa; and several members from Girchi-More Freedom were among those who received the threatening calls. Tamar Belkania reported that her daughter had also received a threatening call.
Dimitri (Dito), GD MP, publicly announced on May 31 that he and thugs were behind a campaign of intimidation towards the government’s critics and civil society. His Facebook video shows an abusive, obscene man writing on the walls of protesters’ offices against the law against foreign agents. Samkharadze claimed that this was a reaction to the “neofascists,” or as he calls the people, who had written on the walls in the homes of GD MPs calling them “slaves”, “traitors” and other insults.
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