Georgian activist Katamadze begins new hunger strike in prison

Temur Katamadze, a detained activist during pro-European protests, launched a new hunger strike from Tuesday, according to Georgia’s Young Lawyers Association.

Katamadze described his protest as symbolic, dedicating it to ethnic Georgian activist Akhmed Melashvili and what he referred to as “prisoners of conscience.”

The activist was first detained on January 11 under administrative charges and sentenced to five days in prison. However, upon his release on January 16, he was immediately re-arrested and transferred to an immigration detention center at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Following his second detention, Katamadze initiated a hunger strike. After 48 days without food, his deteriorating condition led to his transfer to the Vivamedi Tbilisi clinic for medical care.

A prominent figure in anti-government protests, Katamadze was often seen waving the Georgian flag at demonstrations against the controversial “foreign agents” law and other government policies in Batumi. His continued imprisonment has sparked concerns among human rights groups and opposition activists, who view his case as politically motivated.