Various media outlets across Georgia are publishing photo and video materials about violent incidents at polling stations. Here is a selection:
“Precinct 9! Georgian Dream’s enforcer Giorgi Jiqia physically assaults observers and district members!” – writes Ana Tsitlidze on social media. (Zugdidi, Precinct 9) – Publika.
“We were attacked in Akhmeta’s Matani precinct 11 by suspected precinct watchers when we demanded they and Georgian Dream coordinators leave the entrance and surrounding area. Today, both Lado and I are working as observers. They took our phone, preventing us from recording the first incident. Even after returning the phone, they interfered with recording, hit us, spat at us, and verbally abused us. Earlier, at Akhmeta precinct 1, we witnessed a Georgian Dream coordinator giving money to a voter, claiming it was debt repayment. We called 112, but there has been no response,” – writes Gela Mtivlishvili on social media (Akhmeta, Precinct 11) – “Mtis Ambebi” {Mountain News}.
“Video has emerged showing the physical assault on UNM’s local organization chairman, Azad Karimov, at Marneuli precinct 74. According to Karimov, he was struck by Kizilajlo’s majoritarian candidate, a city council member.”
“In Marneuli, precinct 74, UNM Marneuli organization chairman Azad Karimov was beaten. According to available information, they attempted to expel an observer who was pointing out violations, later unknown persons entered the building and physical confrontation began.” – reports Publika on social media (Marneuli, Precinct 74).
“CNEWS journalist Giga Gelkhvidze was beaten at Kutaisi polling station N2. The incident occurred after the journalist discovered people with voter lists on site. Informal individuals were mobilized in the security staff room. Their aggression was triggered by the journalist’s appearance,” – reports TV Pirveli (Kutaisi, Precinct 2).
“Salome Kenchiashvili, an observer at Nadzaladevi precinct 23/24, was pushed by a man standing outside the precinct. According to Kenchiashvili, she had previously asked men standing at the precinct to maintain the legally required distance,” – writes Publika (Nadzaladevi, Precinct 23/24).
“At Rustavi precinct 33, Radio Liberty’s journalist was verbally abused and attempts were made to take their phone,” – writes Radio Liberty (Rustavi, Precinct 33).
“There was noise and confrontation recently in Isani – several individuals were physically assaulted near precinct 56. Observers on site tell First Channel that particular aggression is shown by so-called ‘old boys’ who present themselves as observers. First Channel’s footage shows several men moving with batons. Over 20 people were kicking cars and throwing various objects, resulting in an accident. Former MP Vano Zardiashvili was present, saying he came to vote,” – writes TV Pirveli (Isani, Precinct 56).
“TV Pirveli reports that in Telavi municipality, at Kveda Khodasheni precinct 16, their filming crew was attacked and the TV company’s equipment was damaged. As the journalist stated during live broadcast, the crew arrived at the precinct because they had information about citizens with lists monitoring who came to vote and their choices. After TV Pirveli’s crew started filming the lists, citizens became agitated, destroyed equipment, and physically assaulted the cameraman. ‘We filmed special lists showing how money was being distributed, which caused the agitation… We contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs, police have arrived and are investigating the situation,’ – says TV Pirveli’s journalist,” – prepared by Publika.
“The situation is tense in Nadzaladevi as well. People armed with sticks are standing at the polling station located in kindergarten N21, attempting to intimidate voters. They are particularly aggressive towards media representatives,” writes TV Pirveli (Nadzaladevi, Precinct 21).
“The United National Movement office was attacked. Dozens of people wearing face masks with concealed faces arrived at UNM’s central office. As shown in video materials, physical confrontation took place,” – writes Netgazeti.
“Hand-to-hand fighting in Gldani – the situation has become extremely tense at precinct 60. The voting process is suspended. According to the opposition, Georgian Dream knows it’s losing elections in Gldani and is trying to disrupt the electoral process through violence. Several episodes of confrontation occurred on site. Opposition representatives say the special operation is led by Dream supporter Shako Kuchashvili and his group. Unity National Movement leader Irakli Edzgveradze is present. Kuchashvili’s group periodically verbally confronts the city council deputy,” writes TV Pirveli (Gldani, Precinct 60).
“During the hand-to-hand fighting at Gldani precinct 60, an observer was injured. Emergency medical assistance was provided on site. The beaten young man says the people who physically assaulted him and several others are members of Georgian Dream’s youth wing. He says they are carrying out State Security Service orders because the government knows they’ve lost the elections and are now trying to disrupt the process through violence.”
“Physical confrontation occurred in Isani, at Public School N99, where 3 polling stations are opened. Several people were beaten. Unknown individuals pelted one vehicle with stones,” – TV Pirveli, Publika (Isani, Precinct 99).
“According to information provided to TV Pirveli, near Isani precinct 9, a National Movement member was assaulted with batons. The injured person was taken to hospital, while the attackers fled after, according to the opposition, police cordoned them off. It appears Koba Tkeshelashvili, Kaladze’s former security guard and active Dream supporter whose name appears in the Kortskheli incident, was present at the scene,” – writes TV Pirveli, (Isani, Precinct 9).
“Physical confrontation in Zugdidi, at polling station N9,” reports Formula TV.
“At precinct 9, they had mobilized again, whether they’re so-called ‘old boys’ or whoever, they were in an intoxicated state, drinking right at the precinct steps, and after we went to investigate, exactly those people who had thrown bottles at me and verbally and physically abused me several hours ago attacked us. I’ve been kicked in the stomach with something, also in the jaw and head area, I’m in terrible pain… Cold weapons were falling from their pockets as they were throwing heavy objects at us, one had a cold weapon, I’m now transferred to Geo Hospital,” – says Dolidze, reported by Mtavari TV (Isani, Precinct 9).
“In Isani, near the High Council of Justice, police stopped a vehicle and confiscated mobile phones from 4 people inside,” – reports TV Formula (Isani, precinct unspecified).
