The News in Brief
Friday, November 8, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Tbilisi Court of Appeals Upholds Disputed Election Results Amid Alleged Ballot Secrecy Violations
After nearly 24 hours of deliberation, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected appeals by the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) and local observer mission My Vote, dismissing their claims of ballot secrecy violations in the October 26 elections. Despite the watchdogs' concerns, the court upheld the official results, which have been subject to dispute.
The GYLA had sought to annul results from all polling stations using electronic voting devices, arguing that thin ballot paper compromised voter anonymity, revealing party choices through the paper. Nona Kurdovanidze, head of GYLA, noted that the decision was not unexpected, but she firmly maintained that the secrecy of ballots had been violated.
The Tbilisi Court consolidated all complaints from polling stations in eastern Georgia into a single case and dismissed all 26 filed by GYLA and My Vote. Similarly, the Kutaisi Court of Appeals rejected complaints from polling stations in western Georgia, siding with the official stance late last night.
U.K. Sanctions De-Facto Ex-President of Occupied Tskhinvali
On November 7, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Anatoly Bibilov, the former de-facto president of the occupied Tskhinvali region, as part of a new sanctions package targeting Russian interests.
The sanctions, totaling 56 new measures, target entities and individuals supporting Russia's military operations. Among the targets are suppliers aiding Russia's military production, Russian-backed mercenary groups active in sub-Saharan Africa, and three private mercenary groups connected to the Kremlin. Additionally, 11 individuals linked to Russian proxy groups are also sanctioned.
Bibilov faces sanctions for his association with Kremlin-linked private mercenary groups. The penalties include an asset freeze, a travel ban, and restrictions on trust services.
The U.K. Government stated "Anatoly Ilyich Bibilov is or has been involved in destabilizing Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine because he engages in, provides support for, or promotes any policy or action which destabilizes Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine."
Tbilisi Court of Appeals Upholds Disputed Election Results Amid Alleged Ballot Secrecy Violations
The GYLA had sought to annul results from all polling stations using electronic voting devices, arguing that thin ballot paper compromised voter anonymity, revealing party choices through the paper. Nona Kurdovanidze, head of GYLA, noted that the decision was not unexpected, but she firmly maintained that the secrecy of ballots had been violated.
The Tbilisi Court consolidated all complaints from polling stations in eastern Georgia into a single case and dismissed all 26 filed by GYLA and My Vote. Similarly, the Kutaisi Court of Appeals rejected complaints from polling stations in western Georgia, siding with the official stance late last night.
U.K. Sanctions De-Facto Ex-President of Occupied Tskhinvali
The sanctions, totaling 56 new measures, target entities and individuals supporting Russia's military operations. Among the targets are suppliers aiding Russia's military production, Russian-backed mercenary groups active in sub-Saharan Africa, and three private mercenary groups connected to the Kremlin. Additionally, 11 individuals linked to Russian proxy groups are also sanctioned.
Bibilov faces sanctions for his association with Kremlin-linked private mercenary groups. The penalties include an asset freeze, a travel ban, and restrictions on trust services.
The U.K. Government stated "Anatoly Ilyich Bibilov is or has been involved in destabilizing Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine because he engages in, provides support for, or promotes any policy or action which destabilizes Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine."