15 April 2009, 23:40
Singer-oppositionist beaten in Georgia
On April 14, in the capital of Georgia, popular local singer Zurab Mandzhavidze, who took part in the actions of the opposition, was beaten.
It was reported earlier that yesterday in Tbilisi, near the residence of President Mikhail Saakashvili three members of oppositional parties - Gizo Sartaniya, Gamlet Gulordava and Malkhaz Charkviani - were beaten. Not far from the residence they were attacked by unidentified persons. The oppositionists have reported that the attackers were armed and were MIA employees. The police gave no comments on this information.
Singer Mandzhavidze and his brothers were attacked in Rustaveli Avenue, when they were coming home from the action of the opposition held in front of the building of Public Television.
Ten armed men in masks destroyed the singer's car, beat him and ran away after local residents came to the singer's help. According to the singer, the police was too late to arrive after the incident.
Oppositional leaders have treated the attack on the singer as "government's hunt on rally participants," as the "Georgia Online" reports.
Besides, on April 14, Vakhtang Lagidze, Director General of the "Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia", was also severely beaten. His wife Maka Tavamaishvili said to journalists that her husband was attacked by unidentified persons in Chavchavadze Avenue, when he was coming home last night from the action of the opposition. The victim was taken to the Republic's Hospital. Some of the oppositionists connect this attack with the pressure on participants of protest actions.
So far, the police have failed to make any comments on these incidents.
