Events of June 20 to be investigated under the article of revolt and overthrow of authorities
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Friday, July 5
The General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has redefined the articles of the investigation launched on the events of June 20-21. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation will continue under the Article 225 and Article 315 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which implies a revolt to overthrow the government and seizure of the state power. The statement was made at the briefing held at the General Prosecutor’s Office.
As stated, based on further investigative actions, evidence, and statements of a number of witnesses, the investigative body concluded that on the night of June 20th, 2019 individuals intended to overthrow authorities and seize the state government violently.
“It was established that the first phase of implementation of this intention aimed to invade Georgian Parliament, which would lead to further criminal actions throughout the country, which was neutralized by the direct efforts of the law enforcement agencies of Georgia. Accordingly, the legal qualification has been specified as the criminal case, and the investigation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will continue under Article 225 and third part of Article 315 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which implies a revolt to overthrow and seize the state power, which has caused severe consequences. In the nearest future, the number of accused people will increase, and the society will be periodically informed,” said the prosecutor Koka Katsitadze.
According to Katsitadze, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia continues intensive investigation regarding the organization, leadership, and participation of group violence against the member of the Parliament of Georgia, Nikanor Melia. He is charged under Article 225 of the Criminal Code. Additional investigative actions were conducted on the case, witnesses and victims were interviewed. At this time, up to 60 people gave testimony to the investigation.
An intensive investigation is underway on the events of June 20-21, on the fact of alleged abuse of power by law enforcers against individual participants of the demonstration on the territory adjacent to the Parliament building.
A special investigation team has been created. In the course of the investigation, about 170 people have been interviewed, including injured people, journalists, and other media representatives.
According to the prosecutor, to ensure transparency of the investigative process, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia has been working closely with the Public Defender and NGOs.
Redefinition of the article is not acceptable for the opposition. Opponents say that the ruling team is trying to cover their illegal activities.
According to opposition MP Otar Kakhidze, the member of the “European Georgia,” the third series has started: “The government cannot understand why people protest in the street and cannot understand the situation – reversing of the article is not the answer to damaged eyes,” said Kakhidze.
Sergi Kapanadze, MP from the same party “European Georgia” also commented: “We have already gone through this opera,” noted Kapanadze. According to him, it’s a very short-term strategy that will be unsuccessful.
MP from the “National Movement,” Roman Gotsiridze assessed the ongoing events as well: “In fact, the political repressions were announced in the country,” he said.
His colleague, Salome Samadashvili, said that government is getting funny and it’s almost impossible to soberly assess the accusations that “Georgian Dream” (GD) is changing and aggravating.
On the contrary, the “Georgian Dream” members have no doubts about the competence of the Prosecutor’s Office; they also consider that the investigative agency has sufficient evidence.
According to MP from GD, Gia Volski, the guarantee of order and stability in the state is a fair, large-scale and detailed investigation:” Politicians must be competent in the process of lawmaking, but invading the investigation process through political statements is damaging to the country,” said Gia Volski.
After a peaceful demonstration in front of the parliament on the evening of June 20, part of the protesters tried to attack the building. The riot police broke up the rally and used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. As a result, 240 people were taken to the hospital, 80 of which were law enforcers, and 4 received severe eye injuries from rubber bullets.
The rally was held in Rustaveli Avenue after the member of the Russian Duma Communist Party Sergei Gavrilov addressed the members of the Orthodox Parliamentary Assembly from the place of the Chairman of the Parliament. This fact was followed by a wave of protests and the resignation of the Chairman of the Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze.
Before the investigation on June 20-21, the head of the Department of Special Tasks of MIA was suspended.
