Droa leader Khoshtaria, ISFED file complaint at CEC over ‘bloody’ billboards

By Khatia Bzhalava

Tuesday, September 21

“No to the National Movement, No to evil, No to betrayal” – reads the banner.

Leader of the political movement Droa Elene Khoshtaria and ISFED claim that the ‘bloody billboards’ violated Article 41 (6) of the Election Code, according to which, all campaign materials should indicate the name and address of the organization that ordered the material as well as circulation-related information.

Leader of the political movement Droa Elene Khoshtaria as well as International Society for Fair Elections (ISFED) has filed separate complaints in the Central Election Commission (CEC) over billboards showing opposition leaders on a bloody background.

According to them, the ‘bloody billboards’ violated Article 41 (6) of the Election Code which reads that all campaign materials should indicate the name and address of the organization that ordered the material as well as circulation-related information.

The billboards read “No to the National Movement, No to evil, No to betrayal” and show political and media leaders, including TV Pirveli journalist Nodar Meladze, European Georgia’s leader Giga Bokeria, Mtavari Arkhi TV director-general Nika Gvaramia, leader of Girchi-More Freedom party Zurab Japaridze, MP Gubaz Sanikidze, UNM head Nika Melia, ex-President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, and ex-Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia.

Businessman Mikheil Gabriadze has told TV channel Rustavi 2 that he and his friends stand behind the ‘bloody’ billboards, claiming that he is not part of any political party, but believe that UNM should not return to power.

Khoshtaria believes that the Georgian Dream party is behind this campaign, however, ruling party leaders have denied the accusations.

GD chair Irakli Kobakhidze told the journalists that in the previous elections, as well as in this election, no one is surprised by hate speech, hatred and aggression, but stated that such an approach is not part of their agenda. He claimed that opposition-minded TV channels are the ones who stir up the atmosphere of hatred and aggression. According to him, he agrees with the content of the banners, but does not approve of the form of expression.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze denied any links with the banners as well and stated that putting them up was part of the opposition’s dirty campaign. Kaladze stated that he dislikes the billboards, however, he stressed that they belong to advertising company ALMA and the City Hall has no right to interfere. According to ALMA, they only sell and rent space on constructions for banners and do not take responsibility for the content and design of the billboards.

On September 18, a photo was published on Facebook showing that a Covid-19 vaccination banner was replaced by the ‘bloody’ billboard. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of Georgia condemned the fact and stated that the NCDC had nothing to do with it.

Yesterday, NCDC addressed the advertising company ALMA with a letter and urged them to immediately restore the banners supporting the vaccination against Covid-19.