Georgian businessman, animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili begins prison hunger strike
Activist Elizbarashvili on hunger strike
Georgian businessman, animal rights activist and outspoken critic of the Georgian Dream government Tamaz Elizbarashvili, who was detained earlier, has gone on hunger strike.
Tamaz Elizbarashvili was detained at his home after law enforcement officers searched his car and flat.
The Interior Ministry said the search of Elizbarashvili’s car was carried out as part of an investigation into alleged threats and the illegal acquisition and possession of weapons.
According to his lawyer, Elizbarashvili is currently being held in administrative detention.
What is known so far?
According to Elizbarashvili’s lawyer, Iako Siranashvili, her client was detained by law enforcement officers as he was attempting to jump from a balcony and take his own life.
Siranashvili said Elizbarashvili attempted to take his own life after seeing law enforcement officers use force against his lawyer and witnessing his children in distress.
“Tamaz Elizbarashvili was going to take his own life when he saw me being pushed into the building and beaten. When he saw his children crying and in distress, he tried to jump from the balcony. Tamaz was detained over this and charged with disobeying police orders,” Siranashvili said.
According to the lawyer, law enforcement officers tried to take her phone away when she began filming the search. She alleges that around 20 officers then used physical force against her.
“They tried to take my phone away to stop me filming the search. Anyone is allowed to film, especially a lawyer. They probably wanted to plant a weapon or some other prohibited item, but I prevented them from doing so because I was filming. Around 20 people then attacked me: they grabbed me and snatched the phone from my hands. When I resisted their attempts to take it, they twisted my arms, threw me to the ground and began kicking me,” Siranashvili said.
The lawyer said she had sustained injuries to various parts of her body and was having difficulty walking. Siranashvili said she had left the clinic of her own accord.
“My injuries are such that I can barely walk. I have difficulty moving around. My left arm is in severe pain. My hearing has also deteriorated and I have swelling around my facial bone. I left the clinic of my own accord because I did not think it was necessary to remain there,” she said.
According to Siranashvili, an investigation has been launched under Article 333 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which covers abuse of official powers. She said, however, that investigators should also examine whether offences had been committed under Articles 364 and 365, which concern obstruction of a lawyer’s professional activities.
“What angers me most is not the fact that I was beaten, but that I was prevented from carrying out my professional duties. That is what makes me most angry, as does the fact that violence was used against a lawyer. Other articles must also be applied; the investigation cannot be limited to Article 333 alone,” the lawyer said.
She said her health had so far prevented her from attending the investigative authorities for a medical examination.
“I feel very unwell and have not yet been physically able to get to the relevant authorities. Investigators have ordered a medical examination, and I hope it will be carried out,” Siranashvili said.
