Batumi State University rector elected amid protests, allegations of Intimidation

Tite Aroshidze, a member of the Georgian Dream ruling party Ajara Supreme Council, has been elected rector of Batumi State University in western Georgia in a controversial process marked by allegations of threats and ongoing student protests.

The election saw two candidates vying for the position – Aroshidze and Archil Guchmanidze. Days before the vote, Guchmanidze alleged that he had been threatened and pressured to withdraw his candidacy, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.

Simultaneously, students staged a protest against Aroshidze’s candidacy, expressing dissatisfaction with his political affiliations and perceived lack of academic independence. Protesters remained at the university throughout the election, chanting slogans such as “No to Tite, the State Security Service is attacking us,” “There will be no justice, there will be no peace,” and “Fire to the oligarchy.”

Adding to the tense atmosphere, unknown individuals entered the university during the election, aggressively confronting the protesting students while vocally supporting Aroshidze. The presence of these individuals heightened tensions and further fueled the students’ grievances.