Georgian Dream supported presidential candidate says she is threatened
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Tuesday, November 13
Georgian Dream ruling party supported independent presidential candidate Salome Zourabichvili says that her son and daughter have received messaged which included threats to her and their lives.
"In the last days, on 9, 10 and 11 November, my children - Teimuraz and Ketevan, and I received short text and voice messages, which included obvious threats, saying “we will kill you”, “We will drink your blood”.
“The threats are real as the authors have already been identified: former military servicemen linked with the United National Movement and its leaders," Zourabishvili said.
The candidate has also called upon the civil sector to react to the violation of her rights and accused them of ignoring her previous address.
"I address non-governmental organizations, which are obliged to protect peace and balance in the pre-election period. I remind them that my first appeal in October was left without a response from the organizations that should protect human rights, condemn hate speech, gender discrimination and observe political correctness. Thus, if they do not respond, they will share responsibility if anything happens to me or my family, as well as possible destabilization in the country," Zourabichvili said.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has launched the investigation regarding the issue.
The United National Movement member Salome Samadashvili says that many politicians receive abuse via messages in the election and non-election periods.
“It seems that Zourabichvili is trying to stage a tragedy in the election period. However, of course, she has a right to demand the investigation of the treats,” Samadashvili said.
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has stated that she has several times become the target of attack and reacting to such issues is the job of law enforcement agencies and not the civil sector.
Head of the Transparency International Georgia Eka Gigauri said that Zurabishvili’s statement on our responsibility “is absolutely unclear”; “I do not understand why she is trying to stain our reputation since both the Transparency International and I have repeatedly responded to the insulting statements against her.”
Zourabichvili received 0,9 percent more than her opponent from the United National Movement in the first round of elections on 28 October.
As neither Zourabichvili nor Grigol Vashadze was able to accumulate at least 51 percent of votes, the runoff will take place no later than December 2nd.
