Co-founder of opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi TV Giorgi Rurua attacked in prison (VIDEO)

Co-founder of the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi TV channel Giorgi Rurua was attacked by other convicts in prison yesterday. 

The United National Movement opposition party leaders said that the attack had ‘political grounds.’ 

The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia has dismissed allegations that the attack on Rurua was deliberate, said that other prisoners attacked Ruria when he was taken out of the cell to meet with his lawyer. 

Convict P.N., who was speaking on the phone at that time, verbally and physically abused Rurua when the latter was walking (to meet with his lawyer). At that time the cell of P.N. was opened as the toilet is being renovated there. Before the attack took place, an officer closed the door and stood there. However, when P.N, attacked Rurua, the officer ran to them and other convicts from P.N. 's cell also ran out and attacked Rurua,” said the agency and released the video of the incident. 

The agency said that Rurua suffered bruises on the face following the incident. 

Rurua wrote shortly after the incident that he feels good and urged the opposition ‘to fight for victory.’

Rurua was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this year for illegal possession and carrying of firearms.  

The opposition says that Rurua is a political prisoner and he was convicted ‘personally by the founder of the ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili.’ 

It was because of Rurua the opposition parties refused to vote for constitutional changes earlier this year, per the March 8 election agreement between the ruling party and the opposition. 

The opposition stated that the ruling party accepted Rurua’s release in the election talks which were mediated by the diplomatic corps which the ruling party strongly denied. 

German ambassador to Georgia also said that Rurua was not mentioned in the election agreement.