Statement of the Deputy Minister of Interior Mrs. Natia Mezvrishvili
The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues to take measures in order to ensure conducting the election in a peaceful manner. Police mobile groups patrol throughout the country. All facts within the scope of police are imminently responded upon which the international and national observing organizations are periodically informed.
Until now, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched investigation into the 11 alleged incidents, in particular:
• Investigation has been launched under the 1st paragraph of the Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia on physical attacks on TV Pirveli journalist in adjacent to the election district in Tbilisi. Relevant investigative and procedural activities are being carried out in order to commence criminal prosecution against the alleged criminal offender;
• Investigation has been launched under the 1st paragraph of the Article 1621 of the Criminal Code of Georgia on physical abuse in adjacent to election district in Mtskheta. Questionned parties of the incident employed different versions of the incident. In this regard, investigative and procedural activities are being carried out.
• Investigation has been launched under the 1st paragraph of the Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Georgia on two incidents of damage the automobile tyres owed by the representatives of United Opposition Party in Adigeni. Investigative and procedural activities are being carried out in order to assess criminal offenders.
• Investigation has been launched under the 1st Paragraph of the Article 1621 of Criminal Code of Georgia on two cases of physical abuse that took place in the adjacent to election districts in Batumi. Victims have already been questioned. At this stage, none of the cases include signs of crime. Investigation and procedural activities are being conducted.
• Investigation has been launched under the 1st Paragraph of the Article 126 of Criminal Code of Georgia on the case of physical abuse in Vake-Saburtalo district, Tbilisi. The victim and witnesses having information on the case, have been questioned. At this stage, questioned persons do not have information about the identity of alleged criminal offender. Investigation and procedural activities are being conducted in order to assess criminal offenders.
• Investigation has been launched under the Article 1642 of Criminal Code of Georgia on the case of the attempt of repeated voting in Kvemo Kartli. 9 such cases were revealed, relevant persons are being questioned.
• Investigation has been launched under the 1st Paragraph of the Article 126 of Criminal Code of Georgia on the case of physical abuse in Tbilisi, Lilo settlement. The victim has been questioned. Operative-investigative activities are being conducted in order to reveal the identity of perpetrator.
• Investigation has been launched in the election precinct of Abasha, district №10, under the Article 164 of Criminal Code of Georgia on the case of the alleged breach of the secrecy of the ballot by the member of Sakrebulo from Georgian Dream. Relevant investigative activities are being conducted.
• Investigation has been launched under the 1st Paragraph of the Article 177 of Criminal Code of Georgia on the case of theft in the election district in Dusheti.
Alleged criminal offenders and victims of the abovementioned cases include representatives of the ruling as well as opposition parties.
Regarding the fact that took place in Chumlaki, investigation has been launched under the Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. At this stage, on the basis of witnesses’ interviews, abovementioned does not have any connection with the election and there is no sign of political motive. Shooting took place at the certain distance from №19 Chumlakhi election district. Shooter was under influence allegedly used flare gun.
Besides, police took into administrative arrest a citizen under the influence of alcohol, who was swearing loud at the territory of election district in village Qesalo. The given person failed to obey police officer’s lawful order and was arrested under Article 166 (Pity Hooliganism) and Article 173 (Resisting to Police) of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia.
Additional information on investigative activities and results will be disseminated to the public.
