Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) conducted presentation of the first pre-election period monitoring report. GYLA conducted observation of the pre-election processes in Tbilisi and in eight regions: Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Samegrelo.
On May 21, 2014, the session, initiated by the non-judge members of the Supreme Council of Justice, was disrupted. According to the session agenda, important decisions should have been made during the session (decisions regarding overcrowding of the courts at the Tbilisi City Court and the issue of appointing additional reserve judges). The reason for disruption of the meeting was the fact that none of the judge members of the Council attended the session.
We would like to respond to the information publicized by media, according to which, the United National Movement member, Zurab Chiaberashvili was attacked and physically assaulted at the Literature Cafe, located on Abashidze #22. Zurab Chiaberashvili is the member of the United National Movement political council. Zurab Chiaberashvili is also representing the party at the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Free and Fair Elections.
Tbilisi City Court upheld the motion of the claimants – Kakha Kozhoridze and Dali Mamulashvili and suspended the decision of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection (dated March 13, 2014), which granted the company “RMG Gold” a right to conduct broad-scale works on Sakdrisi-Kachagiani. The decision of the court on upholding the motion prohibits the company to conduct the works (mining the natural resources) prior to the court making the final decision on the case.
On May 31, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili visited Ozurgeti and Lanchkhuti where he met with local population and nominated candidates of the coalition Georgian Dream for the local self-government elections in Guria. During his visits the Prime Minister stated that the Georgian Dream will not allow victory in the elections by any other political party in any city or district. He also said that they “they will get rid of any remnants of the ‘Nationals’”. In addition, the Ministry of Internal affairs also released a statement on June 1 rejecting allegations about pressuring election candidates without having conducted a probe. Therefore, reports about opposition candidates removing themselves from registration as a result of alleged pressure come as no surprise.
It was reported in recent days that candidates of various opposition parties, who had declared about their participation in elections through party list or majoritarian seats, have been withdrawing their candidacies as a result of pressure. Various opposition parties talk about such facts and provide NGOs with relevant information. Victims mostly do not specify as to who was pressuring them.
We express our concern about the incident taken place in Gardabani on May 28, when groups of individuals living in Gardabani region abused each other physically. As reported by news agencies, the attack was so serious that there was a need to mobilize special task force for resolution of the conflict (witnesses allege that up to 300 individuals participated in the conflict).
On June 3, 2013, in the Hotel “Tbilisi Marriot”, GYLA held presentation of the researches: “Freedom of Information and Protection of Personal Data” (analysis of court practice) and “Personal Data Protection Inspector” (Georgian Practice and International Experience).
On June 5, 2014, head of Marneuli District Election Commission annulled the registration of Akmamed Imamkuliev, candidate of the United National Movement to the office of Gamgebeli (local governor) on the basis of the statement of the monitoring organization "Free Development and Rights' Protection Association". Allegedly, the candidate failed to meet the country residence criteria, in particular he has not lived permanently in Georgia for the past two years. The decision of the District Election Commission(DEC) was followed with verbal confrontation. On June 5 GYLA's monitors were in Marneuli and observed the developments in the Commission.
We are deeply concerned about physical confrontation that took place in Zugdidi on June 6 and call on all individuals to refrain from violence.
According to information released by media yesterday, on June 6, members of Paata Kardava's Family, disappeared military intelligence operative of the Defense Ministry and some other individuals held a rally. Participants demanded investigation of the case and punishment of Tengiz Gunava, candidate of the United National Movement to the post of local governor in Zugdidi and other former high officials.
