Lawyer Sandro Baramidze questioned the legal grounds for launching an investigation into the Central Election Commission (CEC) incident under Article 118 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to intentional infliction of less severe bodily harm.
The incident took place during the parliamentary elections’ summary session of the CEC. Davit Kirtadze, a United National Movement opposition representative, sprayed black paint on CEC Chair Giorgi Kalandarishvili. Kirtadze himself said it was black paint, adding his action was a form of protest against ‘forged’ parliamentary elections.
Baramidze argued that CEC Chairman Giorgi Kalandarishvili could not have sustained such an injury, as he was able to physically return and continue his duties shortly after the incident.
“Kalandarishvili could not have sustained an intentionally inflicted less severe bodily injury as he had the ability and capacity to return to work and carry on with his responsibilities. This clearly highlights a political aspect. If it had been someone else, the response would not have been the same,” the lawyer said.
He also linked the incident to the broader context of alleged electoral fraud, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party and the CEC of orchestrating the manipulation of election results.
“If the elections had not been massively rigged with the involvement of the CEC, there wouldn’t be protests today. Now, they are countering this protest with criminal procedures,” Baramidze added.
