The ruling Georgian Dream has blamed an activist from the oppositional United National Movement for the death of their member, Ermile Gigiadze, in Tskaltubo. The news of Gigiadze's death was first reported by the government TV channel Imedi, followed by MP Givi Mikanadze addressing the issue during a briefing at the party's central office.
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Based on information from Imedi, during a door-to-door campaign at the headquarters in Geguti village, Roland Nutsubidze encountered members of Georgian Dream and repeatedly cursed Ermile Gigiadze during an argument. The TV channel also released video footage from a surveillance camera, showing individuals standing face-to-face on the street, arguing. Following the argument, one of them, Ermile Gigiadze, steps aside and collapses. Givi Mikanadze, a member of parliament from Georgian Dream and chairman of the Education, Science, and Youth Affairs Committee, stated at a briefing that Ermile Gigiadze died on the spot "due to nervousness."
"Yesterday, in Tskaltubo, the representative of the National Movement, Roland Nutsubidze, rushed to our party office and repeatedly verbally abused Ermile Gigiadze, which caused him, due to stress, to die on the spot. This is yet another confirmation and expression of the fascist policies and activities that the National Movement continues to pursue with its usual methods. On behalf of our team, I would like to express my deep sorrow and condolences to Ermile Gigiadze's family and friends," Mikanadze said.
Another Georgian Dream MP, Maya Bitadze, also responded to the incident, assigning responsibility to the National Movement. Zurab Lekvinadze, chairman of the United National Movement faction in the Tskaltubo City Council, told Georgian News that the ruling party's stance is inadequate. "I don't know Roland Nutsubidze, but we learned about the incident at the election headquarters. We did not know a briefing had been held or that such accusations were made. This is inadequate and has no basis in reality. Georgian Dream is trying to use the incident as a pre-election tactic," Lekvinadze said.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs informed Georgian News that an investigation into the incident has been initiated under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, which concerns suicide. The crime is punishable by imprisonment for two to four years, with or without the suspension of firearm rights.
