Prepared by Messenger Staff
Opposition Parties Collect Evidence on 'Chemical Poisoning'
Several opposition parties have announced a joint effort to gather information regarding the alleged "chemical poisoning" of protesters. The groups involved include the United National Movement, Strong Georgia-Lelo, Droa, Ahali, Girchi More Freedom, and Strategy Builder.
The parties stated that they worked with Georgian experts, the International Council for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IRCT), and the Independent Forensic Expert Group (IFEG) to create a specialized questionnaire. This data will serve as the basis for an upcoming report.
"We are starting to collect information about chemical poisoning," the statement reads. "Together with Georgian experts, the International Council for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IRCT) and the Independent Forensic Expert Group (IFEG) have developed a questionnaire, based on which a conclusion will be written."
The coalition is urging citizens who participated in recent protests to document any health symptoms they may have experienced. The parties claim that specific substances used against the public have caused ongoing medical issues.
"We need to know what health problems the use of chemical substances against the population has caused," the statement says. "By filling out this questionnaire, you are helping us to establish the truth about chemical poisoning. Thank you for your trust."
The results of the investigation are expected to be released once the expert groups complete their review of the submitted evidence.
Former Mayor and Officials Arrested Over Abuse of Office
The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia has announced the arrest of the former mayor of Lentekhi, Gia Oniani, along with municipal officials Nugzar Tvildiani and Giorgi Gulbani for abuse of official authority. The charges follow an investigation into a hotel construction project initiated by Oniani after he was elected mayor.
The investigation revealed that Oniani purchased a plot of land and submitted a construction project through a company registered in his wife's name. Authorities claim the project did not meet mandatory development codes. According to the prosecution, "the area of the development did not comply with the relevant coefficient" required by law. Officials allege that Oniani and Tvildiani ignored national regulations regarding territory development and spatial planning.
The site also contained a cultural heritage monument. Prosecutors stated that the officials issued permits "despite the fact that they had not agreed on the construction issue with the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Protection," and that the "construction permits were issued that were not in accordance with the legislation under such conditions."
The case also involves Giorgi Gulbani, the husband of the former mayor's sister-in-law. As head of the supervision service, Gulbani was responsible for monitoring the construction. Investigators say that instead of stopping the project, Gulbani allowed it to continue even as it "went beyond the boundaries of the construction site" and onto land owned by private individuals and the state.
The prosecution concluded that "the aforementioned actions of the defendants essentially violated the legitimate interest of the state." The investigation into the case remains ongoing as the Western Georgia Regional Prosecutor's Office continues to review the evidence.
