Opposition party members detained and fined at protest
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, October 6
Opposition party Strategy Aghmashenebeli organised a protest on October 5th at Tbilisi city hall, demanding annulment of the fines that had been imposed on the party in August for putting up election posters on the locations where it is not permitted by law. During the rally, the party received another penalty of GEL1000. According to the Tbilisi City Hall, this time the party was fined for illegally putting up tents near Tbilisi City Hall territory.
The party members and supporters initially demanded a meeting with city Mayor Kakha Kaladze and an abolishment of the fines.
According to the representatives of the party, in the tents put up by protesters, party supporters were collecting signatures for legislative initiation on regulating banking loans( reduction of interest rates on bank loans). The party was fined GEL1000 under section three of article 150 of the Code of Administrative Offenses which implies the arbitrary placement of ventilation system, ATM, lattice, booth, stall and/or other light construction on the territory of Tbilisi Municipality. According to the Tbilisi City Hall, the party was fined under the same article a few months ago, which they appealed to the Legal Service of the City Hall, however, the appeal has not been satisfied.
During the rally, a physical and verbal confrontation took place between law enforcers and activists. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, 4 individuals are detained under article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia, which means non- compliance with a lawful order or demand of a law-enforcement or commission of any unlawful act against such a person.
As Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of the party Strategy Aghmashenebli reported, the police detained Secretary-General of the party, Paata Manjgaladze. According to Vashadze, Manjgaladze is a parliamentary candidate for the upcoming elections and is protected by the immunity. Vashadze stated that Manjgaladze’s detention was an unlawful act and demanded his immediate release.
