Investigation launches on clash between activists and Georgian Dream supporters
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Wednesday, December 4
Representatives of the public movements ‘It’s a Shame’, ‘Dare’ and ‘Make a Change’ were protesting at the office of the Georgian Dream when they were ‘attacked’ by Georgian Dream supporters. As a result of the clash, five people were injured.
Activists decided to hold a rally outside the office of the ruling party after representatives of ‘Dare’ were arrested at the protest near the office of Dimitri Khundadze, Majoritarian MP. The protesters gathered near Khundadze’s office to ask him why he did not support the transition to the proportional electoral system.
The activists of ‘Dare’ were attacked by Georgian Dream supporters, 7 people were detained after the clash in Mtskheta.
As the representative of movement ‘It’s a Shame’, Shota Digmelashvili says, these kinds of behavior once again show the attitude of the ruling party. As Digmelashvili said, the authorities wanted to portray that two parts of society were opposing each other.
“Society is united in its desire for proportional elections. It is not the two parts of society, but Bidzina Ivanishvili against the whole society. They bought these people for GEL20-50 to come and attack the peaceful demonstrators,” stressed Digmelashvili.
According to the police, no one is arrested, but the police will have an accurate response. Ministry of Internal Affairs started an investigation of the clash with article 126 (violence) of the Criminal Code.
According to Kakha Bukhradze, deputy head of the Patrol Police Department, no one was detained by police during the clash.
“Two parties with different opinions were at the office of the Georgian Dream. Both sides were trying to express their opinions. There was a conflict between them. No one was detained. Police were protecting public order on the spot,” noted Bukhradze.
Public Defender Nino Lomjaria notes that the problem of confrontation between the ruling party and opposition supporters at rallies cannot be solved only by the police. According to her, political steps are needed for this.
"I think it is a very difficult situation. With elections approaching this is becoming part of our daily lives… The electoral system should be a result of political consensus, it should not be something that works for one political party, especially if it is a ruling party,” noted Lomjaria.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia says that anyone suspected of violence should be punished, no matter which side they represent.
“The important thing for me is that it is a very emotional background. This is because the political process is taking place on the street instead of parliament,” noted Gakharia.
Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze believes that activities that lead to possible confrontation should be prevented in advance. According to him, the protest should be held within the peaceful framework provided by law.
Activists started protests after the Parliament failed to pass the bill on the electoral amendments, according to which the 2020 elections should have been held in a proportional system.
The decision has been followed by a huge backlash, the opposition now tries to find a solution to this situation with a so-called German Model, while the ruling party calls this idea ‘unconstitutional.’
