MP Aleko Elisashvili appeals Tbilisi City Court ruling over his assault

MP Aleko Elisashvili of the Citizens opposition party on Wednesday filed an appeal against the Tbilisi City Court’s ruling related to his assault during the protests against the Foreign Influence Transparency Law, labeled as a “Russian law” by the Georgian opposition, in April at Tbilisi Government office.

During the rally, Elisashvili was reportedly assaulted by special forces. Following the incident, he was charged with disobeying a police order and petty hooliganism, resulting in a fine of ₾2,000.

In comments to TV Pirveli, Elisashvili criticized the handling of the case. “About twenty policemen physically assaulted me, a member of the Parliament of Georgia, who is protected by immunity. Despite this, no police officers have been charged or identified, and no arrests have been made. Instead, I was fined for alleged hooliganism. It’s outrageous.”

The lawmaker expressed skepticism about the potential for justice, referring to the judge as part of a “biased system”.

“We are law-abiding citizens and have appealed this injustice. This is the country Bidzina Ivanishvili [the ruling party honorary chair and its founder] promised us twelve years ago.”

The incident also includes a prior altercation on April 15, where Elisashvili physically confronted Mamuka Mdinaradze of the ruling Georgian Dream party during a Legal Affairs Committee meeting. Following this, Elisashvili was attacked by a group of MPs, leading him to leave the parliament building.

Elisashvili claims that during the April 17 protest, he was beaten by several officers under the direction of Vazha Siradze, the head of the patrol police department.