“This regime has never served the Georgian people; it has served Russia and its national interests,” said Grigol Gegelia, one of the leaders of Strong Georgia - Lelo.
Russian-born activist Denis Kulanin, who was convicted of damaging a police vehicle during a protest last year and was pardoned by Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, is on a dry hunger strike. He is being held at the Migration Department of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs and faces deportation to Russia.
An independent forensic examination will also be conducted on the body of deceased Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava. Buava’s lawyer, Natia Mezvrishvili, told InterPressNews.
Guram Khutashvili, who was detained during a protest rally, said it came as a surprise to him that he would leave the penitentiary facility on August 28. According to him, he had submitted a pardon request earlier.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an initial examination of the body of Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava, who was found dead in Tbilisi, revealed no signs of violence.
According to Interpressnews, President Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned Giorgi Kachkachashvili, who was convicted in a separately prosecuted episode of the case concerning the contract killing of businessman Levan Jangveladze for financial gain.
Denis Kulanin, who was convicted of damaging a police vehicle during a protest rally last year and was pardoned by Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, has been placed in the Migration Department of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“Daur Buava used to receive many threats because of his views, and the possibility of violence, as well as its cause and circumstances, must be properly ruled out. It is essential that the investigation promptly provide the public with information about what happened and examine the cause of death in detail,” Tamta Mikeladze, Director of the Social Justice Center, wrote in response to the death of Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava.
“Suddenly, the local staff came in and shouted, ‘C вещами’ [with your belongings]. We were all shocked, including me. We simply couldn’t believe it,” said Davit Khomeriki in his first comments after being released from prison under a presidential pardon. Khomeriki had been detained during the protests on charges of preparing an explosion.
According to Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chair of the United National Movement’s Governing Council, Regional Development Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze’s resignation and departure from politics are linked to a “clan” struggle, a confrontation with Irakli Garibashvili, and the extraction of money.
“Mamuka Mdinaradze’s departure is a loss, but we respect his decision. He himself said that he has never sent a letter to anyone, and everything else is absolute speculation,” Archil Gorduladze, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, told journalists.
Georgian Dream MP Tengiz Sharmanashvili has commented on the President’s pardon of some individuals detained during the protests, saying that “this is very welcome.”­
