Day: December 19, 2024

In a December 17 interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Georgia office, Grigol Sakandelidze, former head of Operations Planning and Management at the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Special Tasks Department, revealed key insights into MIA’s handling of protests. He highlighted the misuse of police special forces during demonstrations and excessive force in crackdowns. Sakandelidze also criticized the decline in U.S.-backed training programs and rising homophobic and xenophobic sentiments within the MIA. His account sheds light on the challenges and controversies shaping police operations in Georgia.

Career in MIA and Dismissal

According to Sakandelidze, he served in the Georgian armed forces from 1997 to 2016. In the fall of 2016, he transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and became the head of Operations Planning and Management (G-3, Main Division) within the Special Tasks Department.

As he recalls, in the fall of 2017, a new minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Gakharia, took office. This was followed by the dismissal of leadership within the Special Tasks Department. As Sakandelidze stated, he was asked to appoint an individual to the Planning and Management Directorate who lacked the necessary education and experience. This person he noted, was a police officer from the Tbilisi division of the Special Tasks Department and had served as a sniper for many years. Sakandelidze rejected the candidate, claiming that the position required entirely different expertise. According to him, this individual was a “protégé of the deputy minister of the MIA”, and Sakandelidze was subsequently pressured to resign from his position.

A few months later, he returned as a regular police officer. After Zviad Kharazishvili (“Khareba”) was appointed as the head of the Special Tasks Department, Sakandelidze faced significant pressure. Due to this pressure, he submitted his resignation letter to him, though it was ignored. He then addressed Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri, which led to further harassment. In 2022, Sakandelidze ultimately resigned and emigrated from the country to the United States.

Structure of the Special Tasks Department

According to Sakandelidze, the Special Tasks Department consists of two main divisions: Police Special Forces and Crowd Control Units (which include riot police). Each division receives distinct training and operates with different objectives – Police Special Forces undergo specialized psychological preparation and have different operational goals compared to the Crowd Control Units. However, he revealed that due to insufficient numbers of riot police officers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs frequently deploys Police Special Forces to manage protests, a practice he strongly criticized as these units are not properly trained for crowd control as their training instead focuses largely on anti-terrorist operations.

“The problem lies in the training of police special forces, who receive anti-terrorist training. Anti-terrorist operations are focused on neutralization or elimination of the person, which is entirely different from the tactics employed by riot police. Riot police, are not trained to eliminate threats but to manage crowds”, he highlighted.

Leaders of the Protest Crackdown

Sakandelidze criticized the MIA for its “excessive and disproportionate use of force” during protests and discussed the leadership behind the crackdowns. He singled out Zviad Kharazishvili, who, according to Sakandelidze is manages the protests dispersal.

Sakandelidze also alleged that Kharazishvili has been given a free hand to appoint his own personnel, who in turn bring in their own subordinates. Sakandelidze pointed out that most of these personnel come from special units of the State Security Service, particularly the anti-terrorist forces stationed at Shavnabada military base, as well as the Special Tasks Department.

Over the years, crowd management tactics were trained under American programs, but this training has ceased. Sakandelidze mentioned that while he was still in office, the U.S. Embassy had announced a new tender to resume these trainings, “but for reasons unknown, possibly the pandemic, they never materialized.”

Sakandzelidze noted that Merab Malania who was appointed Deputy Minister of MIA in 2016 had a negative attitude toward cooperation with the United States. Sakandelidze recalled particularly his statements such as “The boss won’t like it” or “The boss will get angry,” referring to Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Protest Crackdown Plan and Order

Sakandelidze explained that the department in which he worked was responsible for drawing up plans for crackdowns on protests. “The head of the department supervises the process and receives orders either from a deputy minister or directly from the Minister of Internal Affairs,” he added.

He claimed that police officers stationed at checkpoints near occupied Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region are sometimes taken from their posts and used in protest crackdowns. He also said that officers from other regions and departments were being transferred to make up the shortfall.

Additionally, Sakandelidze also reported that some sportsmen are formally listed as Ministry of Internal Affairs employees, receive salaries, and are mobilized for protests. He noted that individuals from private security companies are also being used by Kharazishvili to suppress protests; it is known that Kharazishvili himself co-owns a security company.

Sakandelidze also alleged that agents provocateurs are planted at demonstrations – individuals who are later identified as unknown to other protesters – and added that homophobic and xenophobic sentiments are prevalent within the special forces.

Psychological Factors of the Special Task Forces

The main motivational factor for officers, he stated, is the prospect of receiving bonuses, as their salaries are “shockingly low.” He added: “I’ve seen happy officers saying, hopefully, I’ll be at the crackdown, and my bonus will come through.”

“I’ve seen happy officers saying, hopefully, I’ll be at the crackdown, and my bonus will come through.”

Advice to the Protesters

The interview concludes with key advice from Sakandelidze, who urged demonstrators not to break into small groups during protests. Instead, he recommended remaining in clusters of several dozen people, with each group having a leader. He also advised demonstrators that it was time to choose a central figure to coordinate their actions during the protests.

Lankaran State Drama Theater has conducted a master class as part of the project “Professional Theater Master Class”, Azernews reports.

The trial of seven journalists arrested in connection with the criminal case related to the publication “AbzasMedia” has commenced. The case is being heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, chaired by Rasim Sadikhov, with Novruz Karimov and Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova serving as members of the judges’ panel.

The accused journalists are Ulvi Hasanli, the director of “AbzasMedia”; Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova), the editor-in-chief; Mahammad Kekalov, the deputy director; Hafiz Babali, an editor at Turan News Agency; journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova; and economist and Radio Azadliq employee Farid Mehralizade. The trial is part of a broader investigation that includes charges related to alleged corruption and illegal activities exposed by the journalists.

The trial’s preparatory hearing took place on December 17, 2024, and it was revealed that a significant portion of the seats designated for attendees had been occupied by outsiders. It was claimed that about 20 of these individuals were those who had taken exams for judicial positions or were present for internships.

The accused journalists objected to this, stating that the hall was deliberately filled with unnecessary people while their family members and supporters were left outside. They demanded the removal of these individuals. Additionally, media representatives who had come to observe the proceedings were not allowed entry, with an order issued specifically barring journalists from attending the session.

As the trial began, Sevinj Vagifgizi objected to two of the three judges on the panel, Rasim Sadikhov and Novruz Karimov, citing their history of issuing politically-motivated rulings. Vagifgizi argued that Sadikhov had been involved in sentencing human rights defender Intigam Aliyev to seven and a half years in prison in 2014-2015, a decision later found to violate the European Convention on Human Rights.

She stated that this demonstrated Sadikhov’s lack of independence and his role in political repression. Vagifgizi also accused Novruz Karimov of being involved in illegal activities during his tenure at the National Security Ministry (NSM) and later as a judge, where he allegedly issued unlawful verdicts in politically-charged cases, including the prosecution of journalist Parviz Hashimli. Vagifgizi emphasized that these judges had been involved in corruption and that they should not be presiding over her case.

The third judge, Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova, was mentioned by Vagifgizi as someone whose background was unknown to the defense team, with the hope that she would not become complicit in what they perceived as an unjust process.

The objections raised by the accused journalists were supported by other defendants, including Farid Mehralizade, who declared that judges like Sadikhov and Karimov were not needed in the country. Despite these objections, the court did not uphold them, and the trial proceeded with the judges in place.

During the hearing, the personal details of the accused journalists were clarified, and their rights and responsibilities were outlined. The judge informed the court that Ramil Abbasov, an official from the State Tax Service, was acting as the civil claimant, as the agency had filed a civil lawsuit against the journalists.

This civil case was in addition to the criminal charges against them. The court’s physical layout featured a glass booth divided into two sections. Three female journalists—Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova—were placed in the smaller section, while the other four accused individuals were seated in the remaining portion.

Defense lawyers condemned this arrangement, describing it as inhumane, and requested that the journalists be allowed to sit next to their attorneys for proper consultation. The court granted this request, allowing the journalists to sit beside their legal representatives for the duration of the proceedings.

The defense lawyers then raised several motions, including a request to terminate the criminal case, or if that was not possible, to release the accused on house arrest or with bail. Lawyer Javad Javadov, representing Farid Mehralizade, argued that his client had no connection to the “AbzasMedia” case and believed his arrest was related to his work with Radio Free Liberty’s Azerbaijani service.

He further requested that Mehralizade be placed under house arrest, as he was not a flight risk and had family ties, including a newborn child. Hafiz Babali’s lawyer, Rasul Jafarov, also argued that his client had not committed any criminal acts and highlighted Babali’s health problems, including a Group III disability due to eye and foot issues. Jafarov pointed out that medical records from the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed these health issues. Other lawyers, such as Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, referred to the accused journalists as “knights who expose corruption,” emphasizing their role in uncovering state corruption.

In response, journalist Hafiz Babali told the court that all seven defendants had been punished for their investigative work exposing corruption. He stated that the public had been shaken by their arrests and that their investigations into corruption had been misinterpreted as criminal activities. Babali also explained that their bank accounts were thoroughly checked and no illegal activities were found.

He asserted that they were victims of political and legal repression. Babali criticized the judicial system, stating that the law prohibited judges from knowingly issuing unlawful decisions, but that these judges had done so intentionally. Farid Mehralizade echoed this sentiment, adding that “AbzasMedia” had been at the forefront of exposing corruption and that Azerbaijan’s law enforcement agencies were punishing those who exposed wrongdoing, not those who committed it.

Despite the defense’s motions and arguments, the judges, led by Rasim Sadikhov, did not grant any of the requests. The next hearing in the trial has been scheduled for December 28, 2024.

The arrests of the “AbzasMedia” journalists began on November 20, 2023, with Ulvi Hasanli and Mahammad Kekalov being detained first, followed by Sevinj Vagifgizi. Investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, along with Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, and Farid Mehralizade, were arrested shortly after. They face charges under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for smuggling by a group of persons, but the charges were later escalated to include illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and more, carrying penalties of up to 12 years in prison.

Following Ulvi Hasanli’s arrest on November 20, 2023, a search was conducted at the “AbzasMedia” office, where it was claimed that 40,000 euros were found. However, Hasanli denied the allegations, insisting that the money was planted by those who claimed to have found it. The accused journalists maintain their innocence, arguing that they are being punished for exposing corruption, including the business dealings of several high-ranking officials, including members of the President’s family. Government representatives, however, insist that the arrests were based on concrete evidence of criminal activity.

The post “AbzasMedia” Trial Has Begun appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

The 7th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan took place in Dushanbe, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties, Azernews reports.

Cardin and European MPs for sanctions against Georgian Dream

U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, along with his European colleagues, issued a statement calling for financial sanctions against members of the Georgian government.

The statement highlights the excessive use of force by the “Georgian Dream” party against peaceful protesters and the Georgian people’s determination to defend their euro-Atlantic aspirations, as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

US Senator Ben Cardin: “Georgian Dream elected an anti-American provocateur as president”

“Biden must hold accountable those responsible for orchestrating acts of violent repression in Georgia”

Chair Cardin Leads Transatlantic Counterparts in Pledging Continued Support for Ukraine, Belarus’ Democratic Forces, and the Georgian People:

This week, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led leaders of European foreign affairs committees in a statement of democratic solidarity, pledging continued support for Ukraine, Belarus’ democratic forces, and the Georgian people in their efforts against authoritarianism.

Chair Cardin was joined by the Chair of the Estonian European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee Lia Quartapelle, Deputy Chair of the Lithuanian European Committee Ruslanas Baranovas, Deputy Chair of the Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Committee Žygimantas Pavilionis, Deputy Chair of the Polish Foreign Affairs Committee Radoslaw Fogiel, Vice President of the Spanish Congress of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee Carlos Rojas Garcia, and Chair of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada’s Foreign Affairs Committee Oleksandr Merezhko.

“Thirty-four years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we take pride in the historic levels of freedom across the continent and remain committed to a Europe that is whole, free, democratic, sovereign, and at peace.

Yet, that vision faces grave threats as a coalition of forces opposed to Euro-Atlantic democracy – led by Vladimir Putin and supported by dictatorships in Iran and North Korea, along with the People’s Republic of China – continues its brutal assault on Ukraine. Innocent civilians endure bombs and bloodshed, while the stability of Europe hangs in the balance.

While all wars end around a negotiating table, peace cannot come at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Our governments must ensure Ukraine leads decisions about its own future. This requires urgent security assistance, a clear path towards NATO membership, and meaningful security guarantees, including plans for an international peacekeeping mission should a ceasefire be agreed to.

Ukraine’s fight is also the fight of Belarus’ democratic forces and the people of Georgia, and these courageous partner nations have made their desire for democracy and respect for human rights crystal clear.

We must reject Aleksandr Lukashenka’s sham elections and deny him the legitimacy he seeks. We must stand with Georgians defending their constitutionally enshrined Euro-Atlantic aspirations against the Georgian Dream’s violent crackdowns.

And we must push back against those directing flagrant assaults on peaceful protesters using tools we know will deal a crippling blow, such as financial sanctions.

In our shared spirit of democracy and respect for human rights, we proudly declare: Glory to Ukraine. Long Live Belarus. Georgia belongs in Europe.”

Helsinki Commission: “Expect US action against those committing violence in Georgia”

According to Congressman Joe Wilson, Vladimir Putin is to blame for the current events in Georgia.

Helsinki Commission slams Georgian Dream

The US Helsinki Commission issued a statement on X social media platform, claiming that Bidzina Ivanishvili’s team is steering the Georgian people away from their chosen path of Euro-Atlantic integration and towards alignment with authoritarian regimes.

“Despite massive resistance from Georgian people, GD continues to integrate with the world’s autocrats,” the statement reads.

According to the Commission, if Georgian Dream remains in power, it will transform Georgia into a platform for Russian, Chinese, and Iranian influence.

In August 2024, Georgian Dream signed a strategic partnership agreement with China. Currently, a Chinese consortium is constructing a deep-sea port on Georgia’s Black Sea coast.

US Helsinki Commission: ‘Personal sanctions needed for those responsible for repression in Georgia’

Joe Wilson: The U.S. government must respond to punish those involved in perpetrating violence and brutality against innocent Georgians immediately.

Today, Ben Cardin, Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, alongside his European counterparts, issued a statement urging financial sanctions against Georgian Dream.

The joint statement accuses Georgian Dream of using excessive force against peaceful protesters and underscores the Georgian people’s commitment to safeguarding their Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as guaranteed by the country’s constitution.

In Azerbaijan, the number of employment contracts has increased by 609,000 (50%) over the past 6 years, Azernews reports, citing the Labor and Social Protection of the Population Minister Sahil Babayev, as he said during his speech at the Azerbaijan Career Development Forum.

https://t.co/D5h6ablEhP
“Armenian Historical Narrative: Between #Myth and #Reality – A Struggle for #Truth and #PoliticalInfluence” #ArmenianHistory #HistoricalNarratives #SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #ArmenianPolitics #InternationalLaw #HistoryInCrisis

— Today.Az (@TodayAz97) December 19, 2024

The “Azerbaijan Career Development Forum 2024” is organized by the State Employment Agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, Azernews reports.

The trial of seven journalists arrested in connection with the criminal case related to the publication “AbzasMedia” has commenced. The case is being heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, chaired by Rasim Sadikhov, with Novruz Karimov and Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova serving as members of the judges’ panel.

The accused journalists are Ulvi Hasanli, the director of “AbzasMedia”; Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova), the editor-in-chief; Mahammad Kekalov, the deputy director; Hafiz Babali, an editor at Turan News Agency; journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova; and economist and Radio Azadliq employee Farid Mehralizade. The trial is part of a broader investigation that includes charges related to alleged corruption and illegal activities exposed by the journalists.

The trial’s preparatory hearing took place on December 17, 2024, and it was revealed that a significant portion of the seats designated for attendees had been occupied by outsiders. It was claimed that about 20 of these individuals were those who had taken exams for judicial positions or were present for internships.

The accused journalists objected to this, stating that the hall was deliberately filled with unnecessary people while their family members and supporters were left outside. They demanded the removal of these individuals. Additionally, media representatives who had come to observe the proceedings were not allowed entry, with an order issued specifically barring journalists from attending the session.

As the trial began, Sevinj Vagifgizi objected to two of the three judges on the panel, Rasim Sadikhov and Novruz Karimov, citing their history of issuing politically-motivated rulings. Vagifgizi argued that Sadikhov had been involved in sentencing human rights defender Intigam Aliyev to seven and a half years in prison in 2014-2015, a decision later found to violate the European Convention on Human Rights.

She stated that this demonstrated Sadikhov’s lack of independence and his role in political repression. Vagifgizi also accused Novruz Karimov of being involved in illegal activities during his tenure at the National Security Ministry (NSM) and later as a judge, where he allegedly issued unlawful verdicts in politically-charged cases, including the prosecution of journalist Parviz Hashimli. Vagifgizi emphasized that these judges had been involved in corruption and that they should not be presiding over her case.

The third judge, Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova, was mentioned by Vagifgizi as someone whose background was unknown to the defense team, with the hope that she would not become complicit in what they perceived as an unjust process.

The objections raised by the accused journalists were supported by other defendants, including Farid Mehralizade, who declared that judges like Sadikhov and Karimov were not needed in the country. Despite these objections, the court did not uphold them, and the trial proceeded with the judges in place.

During the hearing, the personal details of the accused journalists were clarified, and their rights and responsibilities were outlined. The judge informed the court that Ramil Abbasov, an official from the State Tax Service, was acting as the civil claimant, as the agency had filed a civil lawsuit against the journalists.

This civil case was in addition to the criminal charges against them. The court’s physical layout featured a glass booth divided into two sections. Three female journalists—Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova—were placed in the smaller section, while the other four accused individuals were seated in the remaining portion.

Defense lawyers condemned this arrangement, describing it as inhumane, and requested that the journalists be allowed to sit next to their attorneys for proper consultation. The court granted this request, allowing the journalists to sit beside their legal representatives for the duration of the proceedings.

The defense lawyers then raised several motions, including a request to terminate the criminal case, or if that was not possible, to release the accused on house arrest or with bail. Lawyer Javad Javadov, representing Farid Mehralizade, argued that his client had no connection to the “AbzasMedia” case and believed his arrest was related to his work with Radio Free Liberty’s Azerbaijani service.

He further requested that Mehralizade be placed under house arrest, as he was not a flight risk and had family ties, including a newborn child. Hafiz Babali’s lawyer, Rasul Jafarov, also argued that his client had not committed any criminal acts and highlighted Babali’s health problems, including a Group III disability due to eye and foot issues. Jafarov pointed out that medical records from the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed these health issues. Other lawyers, such as Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, referred to the accused journalists as “knights who expose corruption,” emphasizing their role in uncovering state corruption.

In response, journalist Hafiz Babali told the court that all seven defendants had been punished for their investigative work exposing corruption. He stated that the public had been shaken by their arrests and that their investigations into corruption had been misinterpreted as criminal activities. Babali also explained that their bank accounts were thoroughly checked and no illegal activities were found.

He asserted that they were victims of political and legal repression. Babali criticized the judicial system, stating that the law prohibited judges from knowingly issuing unlawful decisions, but that these judges had done so intentionally. Farid Mehralizade echoed this sentiment, adding that “AbzasMedia” had been at the forefront of exposing corruption and that Azerbaijan’s law enforcement agencies were punishing those who exposed wrongdoing, not those who committed it.

Despite the defense’s motions and arguments, the judges, led by Rasim Sadikhov, did not grant any of the requests. The next hearing in the trial has been scheduled for December 28, 2024.

The arrests of the “AbzasMedia” journalists began on November 20, 2023, with Ulvi Hasanli and Mahammad Kekalov being detained first, followed by Sevinj Vagifgizi. Investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, along with Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, and Farid Mehralizade, were arrested shortly after. They face charges under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for smuggling by a group of persons, but the charges were later escalated to include illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and more, carrying penalties of up to 12 years in prison.

Following Ulvi Hasanli’s arrest on November 20, 2023, a search was conducted at the “AbzasMedia” office, where it was claimed that 40,000 euros were found. However, Hasanli denied the allegations, insisting that the money was planted by those who claimed to have found it. The accused journalists maintain their innocence, arguing that they are being punished for exposing corruption, including the business dealings of several high-ranking officials, including members of the President’s family. Government representatives, however, insist that the arrests were based on concrete evidence of criminal activity.

The post “AbzasMedia” Trial Has Begun appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.