Georgian opposition journalist’s son arrested for drug possession

Senior editor of a Georgian opposition newspaper Eliso Kiladze accused the police of planting false evidence on her son David Karshiladze, 28, who was arrested yesterday on drug possession charges.

Kiladze says her foe, deputy chief of Georgia’s state security service Iosif Gogashvili, personally oversaw the arrest, which she claims is yet another sign it was an attempt to put pressure on her. “Two weeks ago, I published a very critical article about the central police department,” Kiladze said. “My conflict with the deputy chief of the state security service is no secret to anyone. If they want to make a deal with me, to force me to give up my journalistic activity, to influence me in any way, my answer is ‘nothing doing’”.

A whole four hours passed before David’s family was notified about his arrest, according to Kiladze. A drug test was performed on him, showing he was clean. It couldn’t have been otherwise, his mother says, given that he is being treated for hepatitis C.

David’s lawyer says he was physically abused by the policemen who arrested him. After visiting him in custody, a representative of the ombudsman’s office confirmed his face bore slight traces of violence.