Tbilisi City Court Judge Zviad Tsekvava ruled that Nika Gvaramia, one of the opposition leaders and co-chairman of the Akhali party, had violated the law and imposed a fine of 5,000 GEL. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused Gvaramia of organizing a roadblock in Tbilisi on November 17.
News
Trending stories
- 1 Marauding Kadyrovites Among Masked Raiders in Tbilisi - Editor's Column
- 2 Presidential Candidate Mikheil Kavelashvili Lacks Higher Education
- 3 Fischer: Heidelberg Cement Exits Georgian Market, One of Germany's Largest Investments
- 4 Putin Expresses Surprise at Georgian Authorities' Courage
- 5 Online Journalists Banned from Parliament Indefinitely
- 6 12 Found Dead in Bedroom of Indian Restaurant in Gudauri
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs presented unclear evidence. The video footage did not even show the area; Nika Gvaramia was simply standing and addressing the public. No evidence of a violation of the law was provided. Holding a person accountable and imposing a fine under such circumstances is, of course, illegal,” said lawyer Beka Kvinikadze.
Gvaramia’s human rights defender emphasized that illegal and arbitrary decisions are being made by sanctioned judges.
“Six judges are handling administrative violation cases at the Tbilisi City Court. Since the start of the protests, all six judges have been on duty, meaning they are overwhelmed with so many cases that they cannot properly review them. No evidence of any violations has been presented in the cases of those detained during these protests,” Kvinikadze noted.
On November 17, opposition leaders and citizens protesting the rigging of the parliamentary elections and demanding new elections blocked Chavchavadze Avenue. They set up tents near the first building of Tbilisi State University and announced a 24-hour, non-stop protest.
The peaceful protest was dispersed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with force at dawn on November 19. Police detained 16 people on Chavchavadze and Melikishvili Avenues, including Sergi Baramidze, a cameraman for the TV company Mtavari Arhi, who was performing his professional duties.
