Tbilisi Court fines opposition UNM member amid controversial trial

The Tbilisi City Court fined Irakli Edzgveradze, head of the Gldani electoral headquarters for the opposition United National Movement (UNM) 2,700 GEL for petty hooliganism and disobeying police orders.
During the trial on Friday, Edzgveradze protested by leaving the courtroom, stating he doesn’t trust the judiciary or the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In a media statement, Edzgveradze criticized the judicial process, questioning the validity of police testimonies and pointing to video evidence of his alleged mistreatment. He highlighted inconsistencies in the accusations, asserting that the charges were fabricated.
Edzgveradze further remarked that police behavior resembled a “violent punishment squad.”

His lawyer, Lasha Tkesheliadze, argued that no illegal substances were found during the search, raising concerns of a provocation against Edzgveradze. The defense presented video footage showing police misconduct, but authorities have not recognized Edzgveradze as a victim, fueling accusations of bias.

Edzgveradze and another member of the UNM, Irakli Nadiradze, were detained on September 4 for allegedly obstructing police during a narcotics investigation conducted by the Central Criminal Police.

The case remains contentious as Edzgveradze and his team continue to challenge the charges, with an important court date approaching in late October.