Two people, United National Movement member Igor Narmania and an underage person, were injured after what student activists said was an attack by a violent group in Tbilisi on the evening of October 3, on the eve of Georgia’s municipal elections and a planned parallel mass protest rally.
Police said they opened an investigation under Article 126 of the Criminal Code, which covers group violence.
Videos and photos from the scene show the two activists with their heads covered in blood after a tense physical confrontation. According to fellow activist Beka Papashvili, a group of students had gathered at Tbilisi’s Europe Square to announce their plans for the October 4 rally when they were assaulted by a violent group. Both of the injured have reportedly been hospitalized. Activists on the scene have reported that injuries were inflicted with metal objects.
In its statement, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said the incident originated from a “minor conflict” between members of the UNM and individuals serving at a local cathedral. According to police, “citizens nearby” intervened in support of the cathedral personnel, after which the verbal conflict grew into a physical confrontation.
More details emerged from the Interior Ministry’s October 4 statement, which said that “at this stage of the investigation, the testimonies obtained indicate that more than ten young men accompanying Igor Narmania participated in the fight, while two other men came to the defense of the church clergy.” The statement added that “this fact is also confirmed in the testimony of one of the young men who was with I. Narmania.”
The police noted that both “United National Movement members and citizens involved in the incident” sustained injuries. They added that several participants have been identified and are currently being questioned.
The incident comes amid rising tensions ahead of the October 4 municipal elections and a parallel mass rally set for 4 p.m. outside parliament, where organizers have called to “peacefully overthrow” the Georgian Dream government. It also follows a series of what critics fear is unpunished violence by pro-ruling party thugs.
Editor’s Note: This news article was updated on October 4 at 12:30 p.m. to include additional details from the Interior Ministry’s October 4 statement regarding the investigation.
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