Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition For Georgia party, was violently assaulted in Batumi, allegedly by members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, resulting in serious injuries. The incident highlights the escalating political tensions in Georgia, with opposition figures facing increasing violence since the contested elections in October.
Violence Erupts Against Georgian Opposition Leader Amid Political Unrest
Violence Erupts Against Georgian Opposition Leader Amid Political Unrest
Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia suffers severe injuries in a hotel attack, raising alarm over rising political violence in Georgia.
Former Georgian Prime Minister and current opposition leader Giorgi Gakharia was hospitalized following a brutal attack that left him with a broken nose and concussion. The violent encounter reportedly took place in the lobby of a Sheraton hotel in Batumi, allegedly involving members of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Gakharia's party has condemned the attack as a politically motivated act intended to intimidate opposition leaders, amid a backdrop of escalating political unrest in Georgia.
Since the contested elections in late October, which were marred by allegations of fraud, there has been significant unrest across the country. The announcement by Georgian Dream to suspend negotiations regarding EU membership further incited protests, which have continued nightly for over a month. Last Wednesday, numerous local businesses participated in a three-hour strike in solidarity with the protestors.
Video footage from the incident showed Gakharia being overwhelmed and forced to the ground by a group of attackers, with images later revealing blood on his shirt. Despite expressing that he is recovering well on social media, medical reports confirmed he sustained serious injuries during the confrontation.
European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper expressed horror at the reported involvement of Georgian Dream officials in Gakharia's assault, insisting that violence has no place in a democratic society. In contrast, Georgian Dream representatives, including MP Levan Machavariani, claimed Gakharia provoked the confrontation, arguing that the video evidence supports their assertion.
The attack on Gakharia coincides with an alarming trend of violence against opposition figures and journalists in Georgia. Zviad Koridze, a journalist for Transparency International, also faced a violent altercation during his recent visit to Batumi. Earlier this week, he had been covering the trial of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a media figure facing legal challenges after a confrontation with law enforcement.
In light of these developments, UK's ambassador to Georgia, Gareth Ward, expressed deep concern over the growing political violence and arbitrary detentions targeting journalists and political opponents.
The ongoing attacks reflect a troubling climate for opposition voices in Georgia, especially after the European Parliament condemned the recent elections, calling for a rerun due to extensive irregularities. Observers from the EU and the US have voiced apprehensions over the deterioration of democratic practices under Georgian Dream's leadership, which many allege aligns more closely with Russian interests rather than public demands for European integration.
Gakharia himself was once a prominent figure within Georgian Dream, serving as both the interior minister and prime minister before establishing his own opposition faction. His party, alongside others, played a role in the October elections yet chose not to engage in the parliament, accusing the ruling party of systemic electoral fraud.
Levan Ioseliani, Georgia's ombudsman, condemned the recent violence against Gakharia and Koridze, urging for prompt actions to safeguard the rights of politicians and journalists amidst rising tensions in the region.
