Prepared by Messenger Staff
Man Who Set Himself on Fire at IDP Agency Dies After Five Days
Zamir Kvekveskiri, the man who set himself on fire in the yard of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Agency, has died after battling for his life for five days. The Ministry of Health confirmed his passing on February 1.
"Doctors at the Simon Khechinashvili University Clinic fought selflessly for five days to save the life of 44-year-old Zamir Kvekveskiri. On January 27, he inflicted severe self-inflicted injuries on his body. He was taken to a medical facility, but unfortunately, despite the efforts of doctors, he died," the Ministry's statement read.
Kvekveskiri's son spoke to TV Pirveli about the circumstances that led to his father's tragic decision. He stated that the family had been requesting state-provided housing for years but had been repeatedly ignored.
"No one paid attention to us. He was in poor health, his leg was paralyzed. He had undergone six leg surgeries in Tbilisi. Finally, when we sent him to Germany, they let him go with a paralyzed leg, and they didn't perform the surgery here either-they said the necessary techniques weren't available."
The son described his father's prolonged suffering, stating that he had been in pain for four years and saw no way out. "He said, 'I don't have a house, I can't do anything,' and he decided to do this."
The family had been waiting for housing assistance for 13 years. "We were always told we were on the list, that we would be given an apartment, but no one ever knew when or where," Kvekveskiri's son said.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani Calls for Investigation into Police Violence at Tbilisi Mall Protest
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani has condemned the police violence that took place during a protest near Tbilisi Mall on February 2. Video footage has surfaced showing excessive force against citizens, journalists, and opposition leaders, including the arrests of Nika Melia and Gigi Ugulava.
"I am concerned about the facts of police mistreatment and excessive force, as depicted in video footage shared publicly," Ioseliani said, expressing particular concern over reports of a police officer injuring a journalist from TV Pirveli and the verbal abuse directed at women, including female politicians.
The Public Defender has called on the Special Investigation Service to launch an immediate investigation into the incidents and ensure criminal accountability for those involved. He has also urged the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct an internal review of the officers' actions.
Ioseliani stated that Public Defender representatives will visit all detained individuals, including politicians, and more details will be provided to the public soon.
Salome Zourabichvili Meets with Youth and Activists in Poti
Georgia's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili, met with youth, activists, and representatives of the non-governmental sector in Poti to discuss ongoing protests and reported intimidation tactics.
According to her press service, locals informed Zourabichvili about instances of pressure, intimidation, and harassment aimed at discouraging participation in protests. They asserted that these tactics were intended to instill fear in society and suppress dissent.
Zourabichvili emphasized that the main force behind protests in the country is the unity of society, collective support, and shared solidarity. She highlighted the importance of the widespread nature of the protests, noting that their reach into all regions of Georgia is a positive development. "We know that the smaller the city, the more difficult activism is," she stated.
Expressing her support for the protesters, Zourabichvili reassured attendees, "I stand with you, and we will see this through together to the end!"
