Abkhazia Votes to Scrap Russian Investment Deal After Mass Protests The Moscow Times
Day: December 3, 2024
On December 3, the Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned the Ambassador of Lithuania Darius Vitkauskas, Ambassador of Estonia Marge Mardisalu-Kahar, and Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Latvia Lolita Lenkeviča, following the Baltic states’ decision to sanction ruling Georgian Dream party’s founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and MIA officials.
The Georgian side expressed its “concern” over the decision of the three countries, stressing that this step “is not in line with the framework of partnership relations between the countries.” The Georgian side also claimed that Georgia is “faithful” to international norms and that Georgian state institutions act in accordance with the Constitution and international standards to ensure “public order and security”.
The press release of the Georgian Foreign Ministry noted that the statements of the representatives of the Baltic states “are aimed at influencing the activities of the institutions of a sovereign state and are perceived as interference in the internal affairs of the country,”
The Georgian side also said that Georgian Dream’s decision to take EU integration off the agenda until 2028 and to refuse budget support “does not mean the cessation of Georgia’s EU integration process” and is aimed at “preventing harmful speculation on this issue.”
“The Georgian government will resolutely continue the irreversible process of integration into the European Union on the basis of the Association Agreement with the European Union, which will allow the country to be better prepared to quickly conduct negotiations on EU membership. Accordingly, statements about the Georgian government terminating negotiations with the European Union are untrue,” the press release reads.
At the end of the meeting, the Georgian MFA representative expressed the hope that “the parties will return to the traditional friendly relations between the countries and cooperation will be based on mutual respect”.
The sanctions from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia came amid rising concerns over the erosion of democracy and human rights in Georgia, particularly following the announcement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on November 28, that the GD would stop the EU accession negotiations process until 2028. This decision has sparked widespread protests within the country.
Peaceful demonstrators in Georgia continue to be violently dispersed by riot police, special forces and unidentified masked men. There have been reports and footage of disproportionate use of force against demonstrators, including physical abuse while dispersing rallies, heavy use of tear gas and water cannons, and arrests. There were also several incidents of deliberate obstruction of and attacks on journalists, with riot police targeting members of the media with water cannons, breaking their cameras, physically assaulting them, and making arrests.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Luis Graça, has expressed concern over recent protests and clashes in Georgia following the October parliamentary elections, calling for dialogue, restraint, and respect for fundamental freedoms.
“I am deeply concerned about the ongoing developments in Georgia following the October parliamentary elections. Reports of violence during the recent demonstrations are alarming,” Graça said in the statement, urging protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and authorities to show restraint while upholding freedoms of assembly and expression.
Highlighting the polarized environment surrounding the elections, Graça called on all sides to engage in constructive dialogue to rebuild trust and strengthen democratic institutions. He also emphasized the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s readiness to support democratic and constitutional solutions in Georgia.
In his statement, Graça also referenced the OSCE PA’s Bucharest Declaration from last July, which called for reconsidering the security architecture to support Ukraine, and potentially Georgia and Armenia. The declaration stressed the need for security and protection for these “grey zone” states, which lack the necessary guarantees to fully enforce them, as outlined in the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Charter.
In accordance with this declaration, Graça reiterated the parliamentary assembly’s commitment to fostering dialogue and rebuilding trust in Georgia’s democratic institutions.
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30/11/2024 – OSCE/ODIHR Condemns Use of Excessive Force by Police During Protests in Georgia
During the trial of Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), 12 party members were detained. Four of them – Elchin Hacivelli, Rovshan Asparov, Bakhtiyar Huseynov, and Mikayil Ismailov – were brought before the Nasimi District Court.
According to a statement from the party, these individuals were subjected to physical abuse while in police custody, with one reporting injuries such as a torn nail. Ali Karimli’s bodyguard, Ruslan Amirov, was also reportedly beaten, though his current whereabouts are unknown. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet commented on the situation.
In a separate case, Ali Karimli was found guilty of defamation under Article 147.1 of the Criminal Code by the Nasimi District Court, which imposed a fine of 1,500 AZN. This decision stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former AXCP member Aydin Aliyev, who had demanded a six-month prison sentence for Karimli.
Karimli has called the verdict politically motivated and has vowed to appeal. During the court proceedings, among those detained included prominent figures such as Vidadi Mirkamal and Ruslan Amirov. Some were released later, but details about the others remain unclear.
The conflict between Karimli and Aliyev dates back to 2019 when Aliyev was expelled from the party for his alleged opposition to its political course. Aliyev accused Karimli of defamation in media statements, which Karimli denied, asserting that his comments were truthful and consistent with his party’s stance.
The AXCP has described the entire legal process as a politically driven attempt to weaken the party and remove its leadership from political activity. The party’s statement claims that the government is using Aliyev, a former active member who later aligned himself with pro-government activities, as a tool to undermine Karimli and the AXCP.
The post AXCP Leader Ali Karimli Found Guilty of Defamation as Party Members Are Detained in Ongoing Political Struggle appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
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–https://t.co/05HUW8ovRa… pic.twitter.com/XAUhq3JVPq— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) December 3, 2024
During the trial of Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), 12 party members were detained. Four of them – Elchin Hacivelli, Rovshan Asparov, Bakhtiyar Huseynov, and Mikayil Ismailov – were brought before the Nasimi District Court.
According to a statement from the party, these individuals were subjected to physical abuse while in police custody, with one reporting injuries such as a torn nail. Ali Karimli’s bodyguard, Ruslan Amirov, was also reportedly beaten, though his current whereabouts are unknown. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet commented on the situation.
In a separate case, Ali Karimli was found guilty of defamation under Article 147.1 of the Criminal Code by the Nasimi District Court, which imposed a fine of 1,500 AZN. This decision stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former AXCP member Aydin Aliyev, who had demanded a six-month prison sentence for Karimli.
Karimli has called the verdict politically motivated and has vowed to appeal. During the court proceedings, among those detained included prominent figures such as Vidadi Mirkamal and Ruslan Amirov. Some were released later, but details about the others remain unclear.
The conflict between Karimli and Aliyev dates back to 2019 when Aliyev was expelled from the party for his alleged opposition to its political course. Aliyev accused Karimli of defamation in media statements, which Karimli denied, asserting that his comments were truthful and consistent with his party’s stance.
The AXCP has described the entire legal process as a politically driven attempt to weaken the party and remove its leadership from political activity. The party’s statement claims that the government is using Aliyev, a former active member who later aligned himself with pro-government activities, as a tool to undermine Karimli and the AXCP.
The post AXCP Leader Ali Karimli Found Guilty of Defamation as Party Members Are Detained in Ongoing Political Struggle appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.