Matthew Miller, the US State Department spokesperson, has stated that for the US to continue its cooperation with Georgia, the Georgian government needs to change its course.
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During the briefing held on May 9, Matthew Miller was asked about the recent events in Georgia, specifically the attacks on opponents of the Russian law: “You made it clear that you stand with the people of Georgia. Is there any obvious example you can give us to prove that’s the case?”
“So we are deeply troubled by the actions taken against those protesting against the draft law and the actions taken to advance it. We are aware of increased reports of harassment and physical assault of civil society and opposition activists and journalists. We condemn this and we call for a full, independent, and timely investigation. And I will just say, and kind of in response to the broader question,
we have enjoyed a successful partnership with Georgia for more than 30 years. We would like to continue to work with Georgia. There is still time to work collaboratively with Georgia, but the Georgian Government needs to change course for that to be the case,” Miller said.
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On May 3 in Tbilisi, young people participating in a protest against the Russian Law were attacked and physically assaulted. The Internal Affairs Ministry did not arrest anyone for the incident. Among the attackers identified by the media are coaches financed by Tbilisi City Hall.
On May 5 in Lanchkhuti, teacher Lado Abkhazava and his son were attacked. The prosecutor's office charged one person with physical violence, although Abkhazava stated that two people participated in the attack. The court released the attacker, an employee of the Lanchkhuti emergency medical service, on bail.
On May 7, Giorgi Klidiashvili, the director of the non-governmental organization Institute for the Development of Information Freedom, and the film crew of Formula were attacked after leaving the Swedish embassy in Tbilisi.
On May 8, Dimitri Chikovani, a member of the National Movement, was attacked in the entrance of a residential building and suffered multiple injuries to his face and head. The attack was preceded by a statement made by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on April 23, alleging that "people financed by Davit Kezerashvili and Dima Chikovani for 1000 GEL are standing at the rallies” against the Russian Law. Chikovani is the brother of the wife of the TV company Formula’s founder and the former Georgian Defense Minister, Davit Kezerashvili.
On May 8, unknown individuals attacked Gia Japaridze, a lecturer at the University of Georgia and a researcher at the Chavchavadze Center. He is the brother of Zurab Japaridze, the leader of the opposition party Girchi - More Freedom, and is actively involved in actions against the Russian Law. "They started beating me directly. They were holding some sticks. They said, 'Why am I against Russian Law?'", said Gia Japaridze. He has injuries to his head and face, including a skull-brain injury.
On May 8, biker Lasha Gvinianidze, one of the organizers of protests against the Russian Law, was attacked. "They called my 72-year-old father and threatened to stop his son. We thought it was just a threat, but we see that they attacked us at home as well. I don't know how they knew where I was. I received a call from a suspicious number, but there was no answer. Maybe that's how they found out about the location. In about 10 minutes, three people with masks arrived. My friend and I were late. Then they greeted us and approached us from behind," said Lasha Gvinianidze.
On May 8, biker Lasha Gvinianidze, one of the organizers of protests against the Russian Law, was attacked. "They called my 72-year-old father and threatened to 'stop your son.' We thought it was just a threat, but we see that they attacked us at home as well. I don't know how they knew where I was. I received a call from a suspicious number, but there was no answer. Maybe that's how they found out about the location. In about 10 minutes, three people with masks were injured. My friend and I were late. Then they greeted us and approached us from behind," said Lasha Gvinianidze.
On May 9, late at night, Boris Chele Kurua, a member of the opposition political party Girchi - More Freedom, and Nodar Chachanidze, a member of Ahali, were attacked near their homes. Before the attack, both of them had taken part in the Formula TV the topic of which was the repression of opponents of the Russian Law in recent days.
On May 10, at night, Nodar Meladze, the head of the information service of TV Pirveli station, reported that suspicious cars with masked individuals were seen at the entrance and in the yard of the TV station. TV Pirveli also broadcasted video footage showing this. As Meladze says, the ambushed individuals could pose a danger not only to the people working in television but also to their guests. In response to the immediate threat, Meladze contacted the Internal Affairs Ministry, called 112 five times, and reached out to the head of the Strategic Communications Department of the Internal Affairs Ministry, Keti Kovziashvili, but the police did not arrive at the scene of the call.
