Appeal of NGOs regarding violent incident in Akhaltsikhe

We, the under-signed organizations, are concerned about the incident that happened on October 27 in Akhaltsikhe and call on the police to investigate the case promptly, objectively and impartially and take all lawful measures. Particularly alarming is allegation about possible participation of the regional governor in the incident. 

Similar violent incidents during the pre-election period negatively impact the election environment. 

We call on the political parties and their representatives to pay deliberate attention to their actions during the election period, to avoid confrontations and violence, and statements, which encourages such kind of activities. 

According to the media reports, on October 27, 2016 facts of alleged facts of robbery and threat of violence took place during the pre-election propaganda or pre-election campaign on the Uraveli-Muskhi road. 

In particular, the single mandate candidate from the UNM and activists of the political party conducted the election campaign and were meeting the population during all day long. While moving from one location to another, the UNM activist N.KH claimed a white car was following them. N.KH video-recorded the car and afterwards Akaki Matchutidze, the Samtskhe-Javakheti regional governor, caught up them by car. Giorgi Baliashvili, the former head of the public amenities service in the regional administration, got off the car, insulted the video-recorder and seized the camera. 

Later, as the UNM activist stated, the governor and his company assaulted and insulted him when he was coming back from the village and was on Uravelo road. 

According to the media reports, the Samtskhe-Javakheti regional governor Akaki Matchutadze and Giorgi Baliashvili denied accusations. 

The MIA commenced investigation based on the article 178 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (robbery). 

We believe the MIA shall pay attention not only on the obvious seizure of other’s property (camera), but on alleged violence and threat of violence. In particular, the victim said the UNM candidate conducted pre-election campaign and the UNM activists were intimidated on that ground. 

It is important, to adequately respond to the facts of violence and threat of violence. The action described by the victim and media reports indicates at the signs of the crime punishable under the article 1621 of the Criminal Code of Georgia: violence or threat of violence during the pre-election propaganda or campaign in the voting building, in the place of election commission or around. 

Besides, N. KH said his brother was dismissed from job and he links it to his political activities. 

We, the NGOs, believe it is inadmissible to pursue people based on their political affiliation, to dismiss them from work, to interfere in others’ political (pre-election) activities and other. 

The immediate and objective reaction is important. Particularly, considering the fact that the incident happened couple of days before the second round of the elections. 

• Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
• Transparency International - Georgia
• Civil Development Agency (CiDA) 
• International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
• Public Movement - Multinational Georgia (PMMG)
• Open Society Georgian Foundation (OSGF)
• Human Rights Center (HRIDC)