Investigation Started into Incident in the Georgian Wrestling Federation

Information Center of Kakheti

Investigation started into the incident of January 30 in the Georgian Wrestling Federation, when Federation President Luka Kurtanidze physically assaulted Vice-president Temur Kazarashvili and veteran wrestler Raid Abramishvili. According to the MIA, criminal case was launched under Article 120 Part I of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

This article envisages liability for premeditated minor injury of other person’s health and is punished by fine or imprisonment up to one year.

As a result of incident, Kazarashvili received minor injuries of the body. He said the reason of physical assault was his refusal to Kurtanidze to fire coaches.

“Entire world of wrestlers elected me to the position of the Federation President. We are one family and we will resolve our problems ourselves. Incidents always happen but everything will calm down. I have never inquired what is going on in your family; conflicts happen everywhere. It was nothing special. The main point is now to calm down the situation. We are brothers,” Kurtanidze told ICK.

President of Wrestling Federation Luka Kurtanidze, who is also pro-rector of the Police Academy, beat supporters of the National Movement during pre-election campaign in Lagodekhi where he was majoritarian candidate of the Georgian Dream. He physically assaulted even women – see video about the incident in Lagodekhi.

Scandalous audio-recording is also connected with Kurtanidze, which was published by ICK. In the audio recording, the majoritarian candidate of the Georgian Dream Luka Kurtanidze threatens attorney of Kabali village territorial entity Jemal Niazov with creating problems in living in Georgia unless he stops supporting President Saakashvili. Kurtanidze confirmed authenticity of the audio-recording.

Luka Kurtanidze failed to win parliamentary elections of October 1, 2012; he received 8 493 votes (36, 95%) while his rival from the National Movement Gia Gozalishvili received 13 330 votes (57.99%).

After elections, when Georgian Dream came in power, Luka Kurtanidze was elected to the position of the President of Wrestling Federation. He said they would value every professional and the Federation would properly use their experience.

About two weeks ago, Kurtanidze was appointed to the position of pro-rector at the Police Academy. “Minister of Interior acts according to team-building principle and they made this decision. It is huge responsibility and trust for me. I will share my professionalism, knowledge and experience with police officers. They will be trained much better and will implement their duties properly,” Luka Kurtanidze told ICK.

After information about the incident in the Wrestling Federation was spread, acting and veteran wrestlers arrived at the place. Veteran wrestler Raid Abramishvili said after he tried to find out the situation with Kurtanidze, the latter physically assaulted him too.

“Temur Kazarashvili calmed me crying; he said Kurtanidze had beaten him. I asked him where they were and went there. I was told Luka was in the room; there were women in the room too. I asked what had happened; Kurtanidze asked me to follow him out of the room and when he closed the door behind, he knocked me down and beat because I had asked what had happened between him and Temuri Kazarashvili. The man, whom we elected to be the President of Federation, can no longer be president because younger wrestlers saw him beating the world champion,” said Raid Abramishvili. 

Luka Kurtanidze told Rustavi 2 on the phone that allegedly Kazarashvili and Abramishvili were drunk and the incident had occurred on that ground.

“There was some misunderstanding but it is no problem; everything will calm down. Maybe they are drunk, or somebody does not want to put up with changes but everything will be resolved; we will try to take care of everybody,” said Luka Kurtanidze.

After this information was spread, Kazarashvili and Abramishvili took tests on alcohol which proved that they were sober.

After the incident Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Levan Kipiani and chairman of the Olympic Committee also arrived at the Wrestling Federation. They met federation members behind the closed door. After about two-hour conversation Kipiani and Khabelov left the office without comments.

Luka Kurtanidze claims the controversy in the federation was result of new reality and everything will finish soon.

“There is new reality now and I think recent turmoil in the federation was result of this innovation. We are wrestlers and there was some incident between us. It must not continue and escalate. Sometimes brothers also quarrel in the family and it is also a family. Wrestlers trusted me and elected to this position so everything will be resolved,” said Kurtanidze.