Repression Continues Against Opposition in Georgia
Activist Revaz Kikvadze has written a letter from detention stating that he is being forced to testify against opposition leaders. He says he is being held illegally and refuses to make false statements.
Kikvadze’s letter claims that authorities are trying to get him to name opposition politicians as the ones who paid him to participate in demonstrations. However, Kikvadze denies any wrongdoing, saying he would not make such accusations even if it meant going on a hunger strike.
The politicians Kikvadze is supposed to blame include Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa party; Zurab Japaridze, leader of the Girchi More Freedom party; and Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Ahali party. All three parties are part of the Coalition for Change opposition alliance.
Nika Gvaramia was arrested on December 4 while police were raiding a office belonging to the coalition. A court sentenced him to 12 days in prison.
The authorities have renewed their campaign against opposition leaders and activists amidst protests against the government’s decision to leave the EU membership process.
In previous statements, GD officials promised to take action against opposition parties after the elections. They vowed to initiate legal proceedings to outlaw all opposition parties, calling them “foreign agents” and “traitors”.
Recent Developments:
* 224 people were arrested by the police during recent protests.
* 113 police officers were injured.
* Opposition activists have been subjected to “inhuman and degrading treatment”, according to a watchdog report.
Opposition parties are united in their demand for an end to police violence and repression.