The leader of the pro-Russian party “Conservative Movement”, Irakli Martynenko, was issued an administrative offense protocol for taking down and burning the EU flag in front of the Tbilisi City Hall - subject to a fine of 1000 GEL. Another leader of the party, Zurab Makharadze, is charged with repeatedly burning the EU flag, which is punishable by a fine of up to 2000 GEL or 15 days of administrative imprisonment.
News
Trending stories
- 1 Protests Erupt in Abkhazia Over Russia-Favored Law, Opposition Members Arrested
- 2 Kobakhidze: German Chancellor Should Be More Concerned About His Own Problems
- 3 Edison: 13% Discrepancy Between Exit Polls and CEC Results Suggests Manipulation
- 4 US-Sanctioned Russian Propagandist Present in Georgia During Elections
- 5 President’s Lawsuit on Elections Registered by Constitutional Court
- 6 Judge of Tetritskaro Annuls Results of 30 Precincts Over Vote Secrecy Violations
The leaders of Alt-Info took down the flag of the European Union erected in front of the Tbilisi City Hall on the evening of December 22 and burned it. The footage depicting this was broadcast by the TV channel of the pro-Russian party. The video does not show the security service of the City Hall reacting to the incident in any way.
“We took down the flag of the European Union from the administrative building of Tbilisi City Hall and burned it, that is, we carried out the same action for which Lasha Sharukhia is now in prison. Then catch us too. We demand that he be released, otherwise, we are going to continue this campaign,” said Zurab Makharadze. According to Alt-Info footage, the leaders of the pro-Russian party contacted the police themselves and informed them about the burning of the EU flag.
The officers of the patrol police took Martynenko and Makharadze to the police station, but they were soon released. The Tbilisi City Court will review the criminal records drawn up against them.
Alt-Info activist Lasha Sharukhia was arrested a few days ago under Article 187, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which stands for damaging or destroying someone else's property by arson, explosion, or other generally dangerous means. He was sentenced to prison. If found guilty, Sharukhia faces 3 to 6 years in prison.
Following Sharukhia's arrest, Alt-Info launched the ‘Burn the EU flag’ campaign, after which video and photographs were released showing the priests of the Georgian Orthodox Church burning EU flags. In this way, they expressed their solidarity with Lasha Sharukhia.
According to Tamar Kordzaia, the opposition member of the parliament, the campaign of burning the EU flags by pro-Russian radicals is encouraged by the Georgian Dream. According to Kordzaia, the ruling party is trying to show Russia that not everyone in Georgia yearns for Europe. “The ruling party works with a double standard, and I think this part serves to send a message to Russia that not everyone in Georgia wants Europe,” said Tamar Kordzaia.
