Police arrests businessman and civil activist Ioseb Babaev

On September 14, police arrested businessman and civil activist Ioseb Babaev in Gori, central Georgia, accusing him of disobeying police officers.

Babaev was protesting against restrictions imposed in Gori ahead of the visit of former Prime Minister and founder of the ruling party Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili and the actions of local authorities.

Currently, Babaev is being held in pre-trial detention in Gori. His case was scheduled to be heard by the Gori District Court on Saturday, but he was not transferred to the court, meaning he will likely spend two days in detention before his next hearing.

In addition to this incident, the Gori District Court is also reviewing another criminal case against Babaev. He was arrested on June 4 this year, accused of the illegal possession, storage, and carrying of firearms. Babaev claimed he is being politically persecuted and that the police planted the weapon. On June 6, Judge ordered his release, citing insufficient evidence. However, the prosecutor’s office appealed the decision. On June 14, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals partially upheld the prosecution’s request, ruling the search of Babaev’s vehicle was legal, but his personal search was unlawful.