We, the signatory organizations, condemn the attacks on the offices of the United National Movement and N(N)LE Center for Freedom and Support and the violence against political opponents and their supporters which took place on March 15, 2015, in Zugdidi. We call on law enforcement bodies to investigate this incident effectively and bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to the information we obtained, 47 persons of the participants in this incident are public officials of various ranks (including Deputy Chairmen of the Zugdidi Town Assembly, members of the Town Assembly, the Deputy Governor of Samegrelo), which causes particular concern. In fact, the incident can be assessed as a politically-motivated attack of representatives of public institutions on an opposition political party and its supporters.
The video footages clearly confirm that the assailants’ violent acts contain signs of a crime, which unconditionally gives rise to an obligation to launch an investigation into the incident. The footages also make it possible to fully identify the persons who took part in the attack.
It is particularly noteworthy that, according to news reports, when the protest participants attacked the Center for Freedom and Support, police officers were also nearby, but they did not try to diffuse the incident, prevent violence, and stop the attack on the office.
Georgian Democracy Initiative
Media Development Foundation
Georgia’s Reforms Associates
Identoba
Tolerance and Diversity Institute
Article 42 of the Constitution
