Georgian Opposition Leader Attacked in Hotel Incident Linked to Ruling Party**

The backlash against opposition leaders continues in Georgia as former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia is beaten up by alleged members of the ruling Georgian Dream party. This incident underscores the rising tensions following disputed elections and mounting protests advocating for EU integration.**

Former Georgian Prime Minister and current opposition leader Giorgi Gakharia was hospitalized after suffering injuries in an attack at a Batumi hotel, which he attributes to members of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Reports indicate that Gakharia sustained a broken nose and concussion due to the altercation in the hotel lobby. His party has characterized the incident as a politically motivated assault designed to intimidate opponents.

Political unrest has surged in Georgia following the contentious elections in late October, which have sparked daily protests. The situation escalated notably after Georgian Dream leaders halted discussions regarding potential EU membership, generating widespread public dissatisfaction. A business strike recently took place during these protests, marking the 49th consecutive day of civil discontent.

Video footage of the altercation was unclear, but it allegedly shows Gakharia being subdued by several men, ultimately resulting in visible injury. Although he has shared that he is stable health-wise, his doctor confirmed the severity of his injuries.

Condemnation flowed from various figures, including European Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper, who expressed shock at the alleged involvement of political members in this violent act, reinforcing that such behavior has no place in a democratic society. Conversely, officials from Georgian Dream have accused Gakharia of provoking the clash.

This incident is not isolated, as Zviad Koridze, a journalist with the anti-corruption group Transparency International, faced a similar violent encounter in Batumi while covering the trial of an independent media figure. The government's approach to dissent has drawn the concern of international observers, including the UK's ambassador to Georgia, who criticized the recent trend of violent reprisals against opposition and media.

Gakharia, a former minister in the Georgian Dream party until 2021, established his own opposition group, For Georgia, in response to the ruling party's methods. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Gakharia’s injuries highlight the perilous conditions facing opposition figures and journalists in the country.

The attacks on Gakharia and others have prompted calls from Georgia's ombudsman for immediate action to prevent further violence, echoing the widespread fears regarding Georgia's democratic integrity amidst accusations of electoral manipulation by the ruling party. The European Parliament has since called for a re-evaluation of the recent elections, asserting that they lacked fundamental fairness.