Luka (Eldar) Kurtanidze, a former member of parliament and veteran wrestler, has been arrested on charges of domestic violence and failing to comply with obligations set out in a protective order.
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His ex-wife, Khatuna Mikatsadze, stated that Kurtanidze physically assaulted her in front of police officers. The incident occurred today, July 27, in Kobuleti.
TV Pirveli released video footage filmed by Mikatsadze on her phone, which reportedly shows Kurtanidze running towards the woman. Several individuals, including one police officer, unsuccessfully attempted to restrain him before Kurtanidze allegedly tackled and beat the woman.
Mikatsadze's voice can be heard in the footage, calling Kurtanidze a "thief" and "abuser," and questioning police officers why they weren't arresting him.
Later, Mikatsadze gave an interview to TV Pirveli from an ambulance. She displayed visible injuries on her arms, hands, and neck, and stated she also had injuries on her knees.
"This isn't the first, second, or even tenth time," Mikatsadze said. "Every time I went to the police, they told me that because he's Eldar Kurtanidze, we shouldn't 'sacrifice' him, and should limit it to psychological violence. I hope now, with police officers witnessing this physical assault, they can no longer claim it was just psychological."
Kurtanidze had been prohibited from approaching Mikatadze.
"A 9-month protective order was issued against him. He is prohibited from approaching me. I told the patrol crew the address where Eldar Kurtanidze's car was, and instead of going there, they came to me and said, 'Come, we need to question you.' This person threatens that he’s the government, he’s the state, and I am the one opposing the state," Mikatsadze stated.
The 53-year-old Luka Kurtanidze has been arrested under Articles 126 Prime and 381 Prime of the Criminal Code, which pertain to domestic violence and non-compliance with protective orders. The Ministry of Internal Affairs states that the crime carries a penalty of up to two years in prison.
Luka Kurtanidze is a multiple world and European champion in freestyle wrestling and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist. From 2012 to 2014, he served as the President of the Georgian Wrestling Federation. In 2015, he became a member of the 8th convocation of Parliament through the Georgian Dream party list.
After his parliamentary mandate expired in 2017, Kurtanidze was a project manager at the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to TV Pirveli, he was removed from this position after a young woman accused him of violence.
TV Pirveli also reported that since 2022, Georgian Dream has employed Luka Kurtanidze at JSC Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation. Kurtanidze previously physically assaulted a female journalist who questioned him about his activities.
