Vepkhia Kasradze and Vaso Kadzelashvili, members of the Strong Georgia coalition, have been arrested. This information was shared by Saba Buadze, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition.
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According to Buadze, Kasradze and Kadzelashvili are being detained for a recent "stupidity" broadcast on Imedi TV.
Footage of Vasil Kadzelashvili’s detention was filmed by Imedi TV, Rustavi 2, and Pos TV. “It’s a fairy tale, everything is a fairy tale,” the detainee said before being placed in a police car.
On December 2, state propaganda television stations aired a secret recording allegedly taken at the rally, in which they claim Vepkhia Kasradze and Vasil Kadzelashvili discussed damaging the property of Georgian Dream members and organizing sabotage.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not released any information regarding the detention of Vepkhia Kasradze and Vaso Kadzelashvili.
Officers from the Central Criminal Police Department are searching the offices and residences of opposition parties and activists involved in the protests.
The searches were carried out at the offices of the Coalition for Change and the Unity - National Movement, during which Nika Gvaramia, co-chairman of the Ahali Party, and Gela Khasaia, a member of Girchi - More Freedom, were detained.
The police, acting out of urgent necessity and without a court ruling, also searched the residence of Ilia Ghlonti, the founder of the group Daitove. As explained by the police officers, the case has been initiated under Articles 225 and 2391 of the Criminal Code, which pertain to organizing, leading, or participating in group violence and publicly inciting violent actions.
On December 3, criminal police conducted a personal search of activist Dodi Kharkheli. She was found on the street after dropping her child off at kindergarten. At the same time, a search was carried out at the activist’s apartment. In this case, the Ministry of Internal Affairs cited the investigation launched several months ago into the case of Dodi Kharkheli’s ex-husband, Ucha Abashidze, as the reason for the search.
Politicians and activists view the searches and detentions as an attempt to intimidate.
