**Violence in Georgia: Opposition Leaders and Journalists Attacked**
On January 15, two high-profile incidents of physical assault took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Batumi. Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the For Georgia party and former Prime Minister, was hospitalized after being attacked. Zviad Koridze, a journalist and member of TI-Georgia, also fell victim to violence.
**Opposition Leaders Condemn Violence**
While other opposition representatives and journalists condemned the physical assault on Giorgi Gakharia, officials from the Georgian Dream (GD) party claimed that he instigated the conflict. The GD even threatened Gakharia with serious charges if it was confirmed that his attack on their officials was politically motivated.
**International Community Speaks Out**
The United States Embassy in Tbilisi strongly condemned the Georgian Dream party’s ongoing violence against opposition leaders, journalists, and civil society members. In a Facebook statement, the U.S. Embassy criticized actions aimed at intimidating Georgians from exercising their fundamental freedoms.
British Ambassador to Georgia Gareth Ward also expressed deep concern over the situation, calling on the GD authorities to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. He emphasized that renewed violence against opposition politicians and arbitrary detention of journalists and protesters was unacceptable.
**Nationwide Strike**
On January 15, hundreds of Georgian companies participated in a three-hour nationwide strike to protest the country’s international isolation under the GD government. Protest banners appeared in Tbilisi, urging public participation to highlight the potential consequences of Georgia’s situation.
Strikers demanded the release of all imprisoned protesters and new elections. However, government-paid thugs, known as Titushky, physically and verbally assaulted employees from various companies participating in the strike.
**EU Concerns**
The EU Delegation to Georgia expressed concern about consecutive detentions of Georgian citizens, including director Mzia Amaghlobeli and cameraman Guram Murvanidze. The EU condemned these arrests, emphasizing the importance of protecting fundamental rights and freedom of expression.
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