The illegitimate Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, addressed the searches conducted in the offices and homes of political parties and activists during a briefing. According to him, "These actions are more preventative than repressive."
News
Trending stories
Irakli Kobakhidze stated that systematic violence had been planned, which, according to him, is "directly confirmed" by statistics on the sale of pyrotechnics.
"From November 1 to November 27, we analyzed the statistics and compared them to the same period last year. There is a 90% increase in sales. The sale of pyrotechnics in Georgia has practically doubled, which clearly indicates that everything was planned in advance. This systematic and gross violence, orchestrated by certain political forces, was undoubtedly premeditated.
Furthermore, today you saw that when the relevant agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs entered the party offices, they removed specific materials from those locations. Even before the operation began, one of the opposition leaders, such as Elene Khoshtariya, openly stated that they were purchasing pyrotechnics and continuing to do so. With this, these political parties have essentially admitted their actions. They had previously made public statements admitting this, but now, today, they have explicitly acknowledged that their entire party resources are behind this systematic, brutal violence.
There is also a well-known group called Daitove, which was supposedly created by sincere young people. However, the so-called administrator of this group turned out to be a seasoned nationalist (National Movement supporter), someone who had previously visited Saakashvili in Ukraine, among other connections. There is no sincerity here. It is entirely about party interests - the objective of changing the government through violence - and all of this has now come to light.
I would not call this repression. It is more prevention than repression. One thing is clear: people were systematically supplied with pyrotechnics and other means by the relevant political forces. This is absolutely evident," said Kobakhidze.
Employees of the Central Criminal Police Department are conducting searches in the offices and residential apartments of opposition parties and activists involved in the protests. Searches took place at the offices of the Coalition for Change and Unity - National Movement, during which Nika Gvaramia, co-chairman of the Ahali party, and Gela Khasaia, a member of Girchi - More Freedom, were arrested. Additionally, several members of the Unity - National Movement youth organization were detained.
On the same day, the police conducted a search of the apartment of Ilia Ghlonti, the founder of the Daitve group, without a court order. The police explained that the search was related to a case initiated under Articles 225 and 2391 of the Criminal Code, which involve organizing, leading, or participating in group violence and publicly calling for violent actions. The apartment of another founder, Kristine Botkoveli, also known as Nancy Woland, was searched, and according to her, the police confiscated pepper spray, an air conditioner, and her phone.
On December 3, criminal police carried out a personal search of activist Dodi Kharkheli. She was found on the street after leaving her son at kindergarten, while at the same time, his apartment was being searched. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the search was part of an investigation that had been underway for several months concerning Dodi Kharkheli's ex-husband, Ucha Abashidze.
Politicians and activists view the searches and arrests as an attempt to intimidate them.
