The 10th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is being held in the Portuguese city of Cascais under the theme “United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future”, Azernews reports.
Day: November 27, 2024
The Rule of Law Centre, a watchdog organization, calls on the Prosecutor’s Office and the Special Investigation Service (SIS) to thoroughly investigate allegations of police violence against Anatoli Gigauri, a participant in the November 24 protest near the Georgian Parliament, who was charged with assaulting a police officer.
The Rule of Law Centre outlined three reported episodes of alleged violence during Gigauri’s arrest, including verbal insult and a punch by a police officer; he was then stopped as he drove his car, with two other individuals and was stopped by the riot police and allegedly physically assaulted, leaving him with bleeding face; Gigauri claims that after he was then taken to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ main division several police officers assaulted him, and the patrol inspector for whose alleged assault he had been arrested, also assaulted him in the presence of other police officers.
The organization has urged the relevant agencies to promptly collect crucial evidence, such as video footage from the involved officer’s body cameras and surveillance cameras at the police stations where Gigauri was detained. The Rule of Law Centre also stressed the need for equal treatment under the law, demanding that police violence be investigated with the same urgency as when citizens are accused of assaulting officers.
The Center expressed concern that the law enforcement agencies react and provide information to the public only in cases involving alleged violations by protest participants, “and not when protest participants themselves become victims of violence.”
Anatoli Gigauri was arrested on November 25 and was charged under the first paragraph of Article 353 Prima of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to “assault on police officers or other representatives of the authorities or on a public institution.” Despite these allegations and physical evidence of his injuries, Gigauri was placed in pretrial detention on November 26.
Also Read:
- 26/11/2024 – GD Says New President to be Elected on December 14
- 25/11/2024 – Parliament Recognizes Credentials of All 150 MPs Despite Questions Over Their Legitimacy
- 25/11/2024 – President Zurabishvili: “Georgian Parliament Doesn’t Exist Anymore”
- 24/11/2024 – MIA Issues Stern Warning for Planned November 24-25 Protest, President Retorts
Mikheil Kavelashvili nominated as presidential candidate
Former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili has been announced as the presidential candidate for Georgia from the ruling Georgian Dream party. On 27 November, he was introduced to the public by the party’s founder and honorary chairman, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Kavelashvili’s football career includes playing for Tbilisi’s Dinamo, England’s Manchester City, Switzerland’s Grasshopper, and other European clubs.
In the previous parliament, he represented Tbilisi’s Nadzaladevi district as a member of the Georgian Dream majority. Prior to his political career, he worked as a football commentator for Public Television.
Notably, his educational background is absent from the official parliamentary webpage.
Salome Zurabishvili will be the last President of Georgia elected through direct voting. Going forward, the president will be chosen by a special electoral college, and the presidential term will be reduced from six years to five.
The electoral college will consist of 300 members, including:
- All 150 members of parliament,
- All 20 deputies from the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia (currently in exile),
- All 21 deputies from the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara,
- 109 representatives from local self-government bodies (sakrebulo).
To elect a president, a two-thirds majority—200 votes—is required. If no candidate receives 200 votes, a second round will take place between the two candidates with the highest vote counts. The presidency will be awarded to the candidate who secures the most votes in the runoff.
Presidential candidates will also be nominated by the same electoral college. Each nomination must have the support of at least 30 members of the college. However, members are limited to endorsing only one candidate, ensuring that no deputy can participate in multiple groups of 30 endorsers.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has scheduled the presidential election for 14 December, with the inauguration planned for 29 December.
“Successful footballer who represented Georgia for years” – How Ivanishvili introduced Kavelashvili’s candidacy
“Mikheil Kavelashvili needs no formal introduction to the public. A successful footballer, he spent many years honourably representing Georgia. Misha was a key player for the Georgian national football team and a multiple champion across several countries.
His illustrious football career saw him play for Tbilisi’s Dinamo, Vladikavkaz’s Alania, Manchester City, and top Swiss football clubs.
Even before embarking on his political journey, Kavelashvili consistently voiced his principled stance with unwavering conviction on all major issues affecting the country.
By nature—or habitus, if you will—he is the embodiment of the ideal Georgian man. He is a devoted husband and a proud father of four children,” said Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Mikheil Kavelashvili thanked Bidzina Ivanishvili, expressing “pride and happiness.”
“I want to start by expressing my gratitude to Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili. He is an exceptional and admirable person. I am both proud and happy to have the opportunity to work alongside him in defending our country during such a critical and challenging period. Thank you sincerely for placing this trust in me. I also want to extend special thanks to my colleagues and every member of the majority,” Kavelashvili said.
Mikheil Kavelashvili nominated as presidential candidate
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants took effect early Wednesday, marking a critical pause in nearly 14 months of hostilities. The agreement, which began at 4 a.m., follows a period of escalating violence, including Israel’s most severe airstrikes in Beirut on Tuesday, which claimed at least 42 lives, according to local reports, Azernews reports.