Politician attacked, officials call for quick investigation

A Georgian official is condemning the vicious attack on a politician in a Tbilisi café today.

Justice Minister and head of the Interagency Commission for Free and Fair Elections, Tea Tsulukiani, called on police to urgently investigate the violent attack against United National Movement party member Zurab Tchiaberashvili.

Tsulukiani said the attack would be heavily discussed at the Commission’s next meeting on May 29.

Tchiaberashvili was rushed to hospital after he was physically assaulted by two men at the Literature Café on Abashidze Ave in Tbilisi today.

During the attack Tchiaberahsvili said he was hit in the face with a cup and told to "get out of the café and run away”.

Tchiaberashvili, who is an active member of the former ruling party was reportedly attacked by theatre director Giorgi Mgeladze and Rezo Tabukashvili Junior – the son of Georgian writer Lasha Tabukashvili.

The UNM representative was accompanied by Ilia University Professor Nodar Ladaria at the cafe. Tchiaberahsvili said the pair was sitting at the café when one of the attackers approached.

"[Tabukahsvili] poured hot tea into Nodar’s face and then hit me in the head and face with the glass several times,” Tchiaberahsvili said.

"I don’t know the attackers personally. The motive of the attack was that they did not like our political activities.”

Tchiaberashvili and Ladaria were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Latest information showed Tchiaberashvili had been discharged from hospital after receiving stitches for his injuries.

Meanwhile, writer Lasha Tabukashvili, who is the father of one of the alleged attackers, said his family condemned any kind of violence and his son going to surrender to police.

The Interior Ministry confirmed an investigation into the incident had begun under Article 120 of the Criminal Code, which concerned deliberately inflicting harm on others to cause minor injuries.

In Tchiaberashvili’s career, he has represented Tbilisi as the city’s Mayor, been the country’s Health Minister, the permanent representative of Georgia to the European Council, head of the Central Election Commission, Georgia’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and the Governor of Kakheti region.