Georgia court orders arrest of two opposition leaders over 'violent protests'

(CLO) A court in Georgia ordered the detention of two opposition leaders on Friday, as the government cracked down on pro-Western protest groups demanding the election results be overturned.

Anti-government protests are expected to continue on Friday. The ruling Georgian Dream party says the protests are part of a plot to overthrow the government .

Alliance for Change party leader Nika Gvaramia. Photo: REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze

Nika Gvaramia, leader of Georgia's largest opposition party, Alliance for Change, has been sentenced to 12 days in prison for "disturbing public order" and disobeying police orders.

Meanwhile, Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the Strong Georgia Party, was remanded in pretrial detention for two months. He was accused of assaulting a politician from the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Elisashvili was detained on Wednesday evening and transferred to hospital from detention due to assault during his arrest, Georgian media reported.

In addition to the two leaders, eight other opposition activists arrested in recent days have been charged with “gang violence.” The charges could carry a prison sentence of up to nine years, according to local media reports.

Georgia's suspension of EU accession talks has sparked a wave of opposition protests, leading to a series of demonstrations. Georgian authorities claim that the protests are aimed at destabilizing the country and are being orchestrated by Western intervention.

Cao Phong (according to TASS, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/toa-an-georgia-ra-lenh-bat-giu-hai-lanh-dao-phe-doi-lap-do-bieu-tinh-bao-luc-post324511.html