Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the Citizens party, made a claim on Thursday, stating he was assaulted by law enforcement officers near the government administration building on Wednesday. The incident allegedly occurred after Elisashvili confronted the ruling party's executive secretary over a contentious foreign transparency bill.
Elisashvili recounted the altercation, asserting he sustained visible injuries to his face and body during the confrontation. According to his version of events, the altercation began after purported instructions from police official Vazha Siradze, leading to Elisashvili's forceful detention by several policemen wielding batons.
In response to these allegations, the Special Investigation Service has launched an inquiry into the reported assault, as confirmed by the agency's press office. Acting upon a request from the public defender, the investigative service has initiated an examination into the incident involving Elisashvili. The latter has been called upon to provide testimony as part of the ongoing investigation.
This incident occurs amidst heightened political tensions in Georgia, further exacerbated by recent legislative developments. On the same day as the alleged assault, Georgia's Parliament passed a controversial transparency bill in its initial reading, sparking widespread protests in Tbilisi near key government buildings.
The bill, resubmitted by the ruling Georgian Dream party, aims to increase transparency regarding non-governmental organizations and media outlets receiving foreign funding while purportedly "safeguarding national sovereignty." However, critics, including a significant portion of civil society and opposition parties, have decried the legislation as pro-Russian. They argue that the true intent of the law is to stifle organizations advocating for democratic development and impede Georgia's aspirations for European Union integration.Repeated warnings from the European Union and the United States have cautioned that the adoption of such legislation could impede Georgia's progress towards EU membership.
