UNM Member Detained for Abusing Police
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, December 19
A member of the United National Movement Political Council, former UNM lawmaker and official David Kirkitadze, was detained for abusing police on the inauguration day last Sunday, during the clash between the opposition activists and policemen.
The Interior Ministry has released a video which depicts how Kirkitadze climbs up the police bus and abuses a policeman.
Kirkitadze, who does not admit to the crime and claims that the police attacked him, has stated that he will go on hunger strike.
He also said that the “Russian dictatorship is being established in the country.”
The UNM presidential runner-up Grigol Vashadze has called upon the Interior Ministry to release Kirkitadze on bail and stated that when released Kirkitadze would cooperate with police.
Before the detention, Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia vowed that everyone who insulted police on the inauguration day will be held accountable.
He thanked the police for showing more than obliged patience and asked pardon as up to ten policemen received injuries during the clash when the opposition was demanding a route to Telavi, to hold a protest rally there in parallel to the inauguration ceremony.
Gakharia claims that the opposition was informed to use the Kvareli road to get to Telavi, while the opposition activists tried to come to Telavi via the Gombori pass and then by the Gurjaani –Telavi highway, which was opened for only certain people.
Gakharia also stated that the ministry provided a bus for the opposition activists on the Gurjaani-Telavi highway to transport them to Telavi. However, the UNM activists attacked the police as “they wanted to create a jam in Telavi to hinder the inauguration process.”
The opposition claims that they did not know about the allowed Kvareli road and accuse the government of violation of their expression rights.
Freedom of speech should stay within the boundaries of peacefulness and calmness. We want Georgia to move forward, - EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said when assessing the actions of the United Opposition on December 16.
If confirmed Kirkitadze will be sent to prison for 4-7 years.
