Irakli Edzgveradze, a member of the oppositional United National Movement and deputy of the Tbilisi City Council, who has accused the police of violence, was found guilty by Judge Natia Togonidze of the Tbilisi City Court and fined 2700 GEL. Edzgveradze left the session shortly after it began as a sign of protest.
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As his lawyer, Lasha Tkesheladze says, the judge’s decision is politically motivated.
“The judge fined him 2700 GEL despite the fact that Irakli Edzgveradze was physically assaulted and then kept in solitary confinement for 48 hours. It turns out that the Special Investigation Service hasn’t even interviewed the violent police officers involved. We presented video evidence in court, showing that Irakli Edzgveradze did not commit any administrative offense. The court had no evidence to support its decision,” said Tkesheladze.
During the trial, criminal police officer Giorgi Zubadalashvili testified, stating that they used proportional force during Edzgveradze’s arrest and did not abuse him.
Irakli Edzgveradze was arrested at his home in Gldani on September 4. The Ministry of Internal Affairs claims that the Central Criminal Police were conducting an investigation related to drug crimes when they were obstructed by Edzgveradze, who had no connection to the investigation. Edzgveradze claims that the police became aggressive after he inquired why they were mobilized near his garage.
"A serious crime was committed against me. They dragged me into the garage, held me there for more than an hour, threw me to the ground, and verbally abused me. Then they brought my 70-year-old father and began questioning him. Later, they presented me with a protocol in the pre-trial detention cell, which stated that I verbally insulted them and disobeyed," Edzgveradze said before leaving the courtroom.
On the night of September 4, another member of the National Movement, Irakli Nadiradze, who arrived at Edzgveradze’s home after the confrontation began, was also arrested. He was released a few hours later with a handwritten note.
Both opposition members were accused of violating Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which pertain to petty hooliganism and disobedience to the lawful orders of a police officer. According to the court’s decision, Irakli Nadiradze was fined 2500 GEL.
