On the night of May 9, Boris Chele Kurua, the opposition political party Girchi - More Freedom member and Nodar Chachanidze, Akhali member were attacked near their homes. Prior to the attack, both had participated in the TV Formula, discussing the recent repression of opponents of the Russian Law.
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"There were at least six people. When I arrived home, I noticed someone waiting for me at the entrance. One person was visible. I approached and shouted, 'I'm waiting for you, you b**ch,' and those who were hiding behind the cars came out.
Someone hit me from behind, turned me around, and stood on top of me with his legs.
Then they ran away, as often happens," said Boris Chele Kurua, who sustained head injuries.
Unknown individuals also confronted Nodar Chachanidze, a member of the Ahali party, at the entrance of his house.
"Two people were waiting for me at the entrance, and two more were in the car. Unfortunately, we live in a reality where I expected this. One approached from one side, and two from the other. They confronted me as if they had planned it.
Covering my face with my hands saved me. I ran away during the attack and was kicked. Everything happened very quickly.
"I shouted so that others could hear. The light turned on, and they couldn't continue the fight for long. I was luckier than the others at this stage. As my neighbor said, the two people waiting at the entrance were wearing hoods and masks. They were young athletes who were often used by provocateurs like Dito Samkharadze. It's a shame that young people have to carry out such tasks," said Nodar Chachanidze.
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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.
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"We demand an immediate end to intimidation, threats, and violence," stated EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski today.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the US is aware of increasing reports of harassment and physical attacks:
"We are deeply concerned by the actions taken against those who oppose the draft law and the efforts to advance it.
We are aware of increasing reports of harassment and physical attacks against civil society, opposition activists, and journalists. We condemn these actions and call for an independent, thorough, and timely investigation.”
On May 9, the Georgian Internal Affairs Minister, Vakhtang Gomelauri, stated that the investigation into the attacks from the previous day was initiated immediately: "We will determine what occurred, who attacked, and the circumstances. I cannot definitively say whether one thing or another occurred. An attack occurred, unfortunately, people were injured, and the investigation has been initiated."
