20 December 2018, 13:21
Georgian court refuses to let media to Kirkitadze's trial
The trial of David Kirkitadze, an activist of the oppositional "United National Movement" (UNM) Party, has started today against the background of the opposition's protest.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after the December 16 clashes of activists with the police in the Gurjaani District, four oppositionists, including David Kirkitadze, were detained; the latter has gone on a hunger strike in custody.
On December 16, after the above clashes with oppositional activists, who were heading to Telavi aiming to hold protests during the inauguration of the newly elected Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, seven policemen were hospitalized. A number of Georgian NGOs called on the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
David Kirkitadze is suspected of assaulting a policeman, beating him and damaging his property. About 30 policemen have been mobilized in the yard of the Gurdjaani District Court that is considering David's case. The gate into the yard of the courthouse is locked; and the action of supporters of the opposition is being held in front of the gate. They demand to release Kirkitadze right from the courtroom. Only 30 oppositionists were let into the courtroom, but not a single journalist, under the pretext that there are no vacant seats in the room. However, additional chairs were provided, which remain vacant, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported at 10:02 a.m. Moscow time.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 20, 2018 at 10:53 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Inna Kukudzhanova Source: CK correspondent
