Opposition activist denied bail after election agreement

Besik Tamliani, who stands charged with violence and disobedience to police during the June protests in Tbilisi last year, has been refused bail. 

 Tamliani is among the four opposition leaders and activists who are described as ‘political prisoners’ by the opposition. 

• Opposition says despite election deal with ruling party, one issue remains unresolved

 They say that the ruling party accepted the release of Gigi Ugulava, Giorgi Rurua, Besik Tamliani and Irakli Okruashvili in the election agreement made on March 8, with the mediation of the diplomatic corps. 

The Georgian Interior Ministry released a video which detects Besik Tamliani at June 20. 2019 rally in central Tbilisi. 

 However, the ruling party says that no such deal was made and that there are no political prisoners in Georgia. 

• Ruling party denies opposition’s reports on release of opposition leaders

 During today’s trial at Tbilisi City Court Tamliani requested 1,000 GEL bail. However, the judge said that there is the possibility of Tamliani going on the run or influencing witnesses and thus denied him bail. 

 Tamliani, who does not admit to the charge, protested the decision and was dismissed from the hall by the judge. 

 If found guilty Tamliani will be sentenced to four to six years in prison.