Political Repressions in Georgia

A lot of cases of attacks on opposition activists and supporters were reported during last few days, after 21st of May Parliamentary elections:

1. On May 29, 2008, approximately at 18:00-19:30, an activist of the United Opposition David Jgarkava was attacked and severely beaten by four persons in masks near his home, in Didi Digomi. Mr. Jgarkava was placed in Ghudushauri Clinic.  He has cerebral contusion and some other heavy damages. 
Proofs: video record, medical report;

2. On may 29, 2008, approximately at 20.00 the member of the Republican Party Soso Shavdatuashvili (he was a member of #3 Precinct Election Commission in  Kareli district) was beaten near his home by four persons in masks. Before the incident Mr. Shavdatuashvili received anonymous order by phone (he is a taxi driver) and was leaving to give a drive. The aggressors left by white car with Ossetian Nambers, after neighbours ran up. Local police was informed about the incident.

3. On May 29, 2008 the member of the Republican Party Ramin Abuladze (he was an observer on #48 precinct in Karaleti district) was beaten by persons in masks near his apartment. The aggressors drove by the black Jeep and the dark-red Opel (number *** 888). Ambulance took Abuladze to Hospital. He has injuries to the head and body. It is significant that Ramin Abuladze had been constantly intimidated before the attack, since results of the precinct number #48 were annulled on the basis of his complaints during 21st May elections. United National Movement’s majoritarian candidate George Tatishvili has also personally intimidated Mr. Abuladze several times.

4. On May 30, 2008 approximately at 11:00 pm, Amiran Iobashvili, member of the oppositional party “For united Georgia” (United Opposition) was severely beaten in front of his house by five men in masks, driving BMW car without identity numbers and armed with cudgels.  He is placed in Ghudushauri clinic with cerebral contusion.  
Proofs: video records, medical report.

5. On May 30, 2008, at 14.00, six men in masks, armed with cudgels and driving Volkswagen Passat (state identification numbers: EEW 760) attacked United Opposition’s Isani district coordinator Nugzar Khutsurauli, near his home and beat him by cudgels. Mr. Khutsurauli was taken to #1 Clinic.
Proofs: video records, medical report.

6. On May 30, 2008, men in masks and armed with cudgels attacked an activist of the United Opposition, participant of the hunger strike of March, 2008, David Sazanishvili. Mr. Sazanishvili was forcefully taken to the suburbs of Tbilisi (Africa territory) and beaten by the cudgels. Currently David Sazanishvili is in a hospital under intensive treatment. 
Proofs: video records, medical report.

7. On June 1, 2008, four persons in masks, armed with the cudgels, driving black Volkswagen Passat with transit numbers, attacked and severely beat Khashuri majoritarian candidate of the United Opposition Boris Dzanashvili.
Proofs: video records, medical report.

8. On June 1, 2008, Mamuka Kvaratskhelia, United Opposition’s activist, former president of the football federation, was attacked in Avlabari. He was taken out of his car and driven to Vashlijvari. Later on, some passer by found him severely beaten and tied with a sticky tape. Mr. Kvaratskhelia was taken to resuscitation department of the “Republic” clinic.
Proofs: video records, medical report.

9. On June 1, 2008, in Varaziskhevi, United Opposition’s activist Zaza Narsia was crashed by car. He was taken to the resuscitation department of the “Republic” clinic. As a result of the accident, Mr. Narsia got multiple injuries, his left leg was broken.

10. On June 1, 2008, three men (2 in masks and 1 without), driving “Opel” with transit numbers, attacked and beat with cudgels Soso Bortsvadze, head of United Opposition’s Gori election headquarters, near his home.

11. On June 2, 2008 approximately at 16:00, four persons in masks, armed with cudgels and driving “Niva” car, attacked and severely beat Khashuri District Election Commission Member, appointed by United Opposition, David Metreveli. Mr. Metreveli was taken to hospital.

12. On June 2, 2008, at 12:00, on Digomi bridge, “Mercedes” silver car crashed into the car of the United Opposition’s activist, member of central election staff, George Tavdgiridze. 3 persons (appr. 30-35 years old) from the “Mercedes” attacked Mr. Tavdgiridze and beat him with reinforcing steel. He was taken to Ghudushauri hospital.

13. On June 2, 2008, Nona Saghareishvili, activist of the United Opposition, was attacked in Gldani, near her house, by two persons. The attackers tightened a rope around her neck and beat her. 

Supporters, members and majoritarian candidates of the United Opposition are constantly intimidated:

1. Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia started a case according to the criminal code’s article # 1641 against majoritarian candidate of Mestia district Viktor Japaridze. The law enforcement body representatives force the local population to witness falsely, as though Mr. Japaridze tried to bribe the voters, thus creating foundation for detainment order.

2. United Opposition’s majoritarian candidate in Khashuri district Boris Dzanashvili is menaced with detainment.

 3. Beso Sarjveladze, member of the United Opposition is summoned to local department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During May 21st parliamentary elections Mr. Sarjveladze removed nine ballot papers with already marked #5 from deputy head of Khashuri district #4 precinct election commission. This fact was also noticed by ODIHR mission representatives. Although later, number one of the UNM election lists David Bakradze made a statement noting that marked ballot papers were found in Sarjveladze’s pocket.

Recommendations:

1. To investigate immediately above described facts and detain the persons involved.
2. To stop unjustified investigations against United Opposition’s activists.

United Opposition