Day: December 4, 2024

GYLA appeals to ICC

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) plans to file an appeal with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the use of violence during the dispersal of protests and is establishing a coordination framework for this purpose. GYLA Chairperson Nona Kurdovanidze announced at a briefing that anyone, including victims, would be able to participate in the coordination process.

Kurdovanidze stated that GYLA has been monitoring human rights violations in Georgia daily in recent days and believes that the systematic and brutal repression of civilians constitutes a crime against humanity, warranting a case at the International Criminal Court.

Ivanishvili and associates: Baltic states sanction Georgian officials

These individuals are banned from entering Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

“Given the scale of escalating repression and systemic human rights violations, the unfolding events may reach the threshold of crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Specifically, acts of torture through large-scale and systematic attacks on the civilian population, persecution on political and discriminatory grounds, and other inhumane acts of a similar nature are being observed.

However, there is no longer an independent mechanism within the country capable of properly investigating these crimes. Considering this reality, the ‘Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association’ will explore the possibility of appealing to the International Criminal Court and utilizing other international mechanisms,” Kurdovanidze stated.

The Baltic states are imposing sanctions on “those suppressing legitimate protests in Georgia”

It is not yet specified who exactly will be targeted by the sanctions

On December 2, Georgian Ombudsman Levan Ioseliani reported that the majority of those detained during the protests (124 out of 156 individuals interviewed by the Ombudsman’s Office) complained of violence and inhumane treatment by law enforcement officers.

“This is a very alarming indicator. I urge the police not to exceed the limits established by law,” Ioseliani stated.

A feature-documentary film “The Atabegs of Azerbaijan” has premiered in Heydar Aliyev Center, Azernews reports.

Searches and arrests of opposition in Georgia

On December 4, police in Georgia conducted a series of raids on the offices and homes of opposition figures and activists amid mass protests in Tbilisi and other cities, demanding a return to the path of European integration.

Raids targeted the offices of the youth wing of the National Movement party, the “For Change” coalition, and its member parties. Police also searched the home of activist Ilo Glonti, an administrator of the Daitove Facebook group, which has over 200,000 members supporting the protests. Glonti reported that his laptop and phone were confiscated.

The Daitove group was founded in early 2024 during protests against the “foreign agents” law and has provided transport and accommodation for demonstrators traveling to Tbilisi from across the country.

Glonti is reportedly accused of inciting violence and organizing unrest.

Additionally, it was reported that police searched the home of Nancy Voland, another administrator of the Daitove group.

Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the opposition party Ahali, has been severely beaten and detained.

The incident occurred near the Droa party office, where a police raid was taking place. At this time, Gvaramia’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Gela Khasaiya, a member of the Ahali party, has also been arrested.

Gvaramia’s arrest followed a confrontation with police. The politician requested to be allowed into the office as an opposition representative to observe the search, a request the officers denied.

Law enforcement informed him that the investigation was already underway, a representative was present, and “any interference would result in action being taken according to the law.”

Earlier, police began searching the Ahali party office, which Gvaramia streamed live. During the broadcast, he also gave an interview to the Mtavari TV channel, stating that he did not know on what grounds the Ministry of Internal Affairs had entered the party’s office.

“This is authoritarianism—it’s turning into a dictatorship. Searches of political party offices, confiscations, and arrests of political leaders are normal practices for dictatorships. If anyone isn’t ready to face this reality, I will repeat it again: society in Georgia has truly begun a liberation movement,” Gvaramia said.

Opinion: Georgian Dream government has never been more vulnerable

Political analyst Gia Nodia believes that Ivanishvili created a revolutionary situation himself.

On December 3, police searched the home of activist Dodi Khorkheli. She was arrested right outside a kindergarten where she had dropped off her three-year-old son.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling party Georgian Dream stated that opposition members would be held accountable for their actions.

Opposition groups and civil society organizations argue that the ruling party is fulfilling its pre-election promise to suppress dissent as protests against government policies continue to intensify.

Searches and arrests of opposition in Georgia

You can see it clearly https://t.co/2IZYgsz6by

— Gvantsa Seturidze (@GvantsaSeturid2) December 4, 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.

The establishment of the “E-SME House” in Azerbaijan is in its final stages, according to Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMEDA) under the Ministry of Economy, Azernews reports.

Nika Gvaramia is said to have been loaded into the car unconscious.

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) December 4, 2024

I’m 14, photographing the violent protests in Georgia. The EU dream is slipping away  Coda Story

I’m 14, photographing the violent protests in Georgia. The EU dream is slipping away  Coda Story

I’m 14, photographing the violent protests in Georgia. The EU dream is slipping away  Coda Story