Prepared by Messenger Staff
Poet Zviad Ratiani Denies Police Assault
Protester and poet Zviad Ratiani appeared in court this week facing charges of assaulting police officer Teimuraz Meshvelashvili. According to prosecutors, Ratiani struck the officer in the face, an act that carries a prison sentence of four to seven years under Article 353, Part 1 of the Georgian Criminal Code.
During the hearing, Ratiani denied any wrongdoing, describing his action as "the least painful, symbolic act with historical significance."
"I agree with my lawyers; I don't think it requires much explanation as to what I did and why I did it. I will use the rest for my closing statement. I do not consider myself guilty of the charges brought against me," Ratiani told the court. "It was the least painful or minimally painful symbolic act, generalized, symbolic, with its historical significance. Every police officer involved in this injustice and betrayal of the country should take it personally. It was a slap to everyone, starting with Bidzina Ivanishvili."
He also addressed prosecutor Giorgi Gogaladze, criticizing his arguments. "From these absurd texts, the only meaning I derived was the word 'personality.' You don't even know the elementary meaning of the word 'valid.' It's clear what path you've chosen in life, but you need to work a bit harder," Ratiani said.
Ratiani further referenced other cases of violence, saying, "One of my main inspirations was the cases of Mzia Amaglobeli and Nino Datashvili. This slap will turn into a very big slap from society, from the people."
A substantive hearing on Ratiani's case is scheduled for August 27. He was initially detained on June 23.
Ukraine Condemns Georgian Dream for Using Russia-Ukraine War Footage in Political Video
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine criticized the Georgian Dream party for posting a video on its Facebook page that used footage from the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine called the move "cynical" and said it showed disrespect toward the Ukrainian people and the victims of Russian aggression.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has drawn attention to yet another unfriendly act by the ruling party, 'Georgian Dream,' which continues to use videos for its political PR that depict the horrific consequences of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement published on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia.
According to the statement, the actions of the Georgian Dream party provoke justified outrage in Ukrainian society. Ukraine also expressed regret that the Georgian government appears to be attempting to appease Moscow while disregarding principles of dignity and independence that have historically defined the Georgian nation.
Ukraine advised the ruling party to be honest with the public, noting that reality shows "on the right, the tricolor flag of Russia, and on the left, the closed doors of the European Union and NATO." The statement added that while Ukraine continues to support the Georgian people, the current Georgian government has deprived the country of a European future.
"Ukraine consistently and unwaveringly supports the friendly Georgian people in their aspirations to build an independent, democratic, and European state," the ministry said.
