Son of ruling party majoritarian candidate detained for stabbing two in Dmanisi

Police have detained 28-year-old Davit Dautashvili for stabbing two supporters of the opposition United National Movement party in Georgia’s eastern Dmanisi municipality, reports the Interior Ministry.

Police say Datuashvili attacked supporters of the UNM party and stabbed them during a rally in the village of Gantiadi on September 21.

• Opposition says ruling party supporters attacked, injured 2 in Dmanisi

Both individuals with injuries to the face and head were taken to the hospital. Their life is not in danger.

David Dautashvili is the son of Mikheil Dautashvili who is the majoritarian candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream party for the upcoming October 2 municipal elections.

Mikheil Dautashvili told Imedi TV that his son has mental health problems and the opposing side was trying to provoke him.

I brought my son to the police. He must be punished for the crime he committed yesterday”, said Mikheil Dautashvili.

On September 21, later after the incident, acting Mayor of Dmanisi Giorgi Tatuashvili said that local members of the ruling Georgian Dream party attacked two opposition supporters during his election meeting in the village of Gantiadi.

Tatuashvili, who is the incumbent candidate from the united opposition, also said that the attackers were convicted of attacking opposition members during the 2020 parliamentary elections.

Member of the united opposition Kakha Okriashvili said that the attackers included majoritarian candidate of the ruling party Mikheil Dautashvili and his son David.

The ruling party members deny the accusations. They instead claim that the clash took place between supporters of the opposition United National Movement - the party, which leads the united opposition.