Elections 2021: police detain 7, launch investigations into 16 criminal cases

Georgian law enforcers have detained seven individuals for administrative offences and have launched investigations into 16 criminal cases which took place during the municipal elections on October 2.

The seven individuals have been detained for disobedience to police and hooliganism. Three out of the seven individuals were detained in Marneuli, two in Aspindza, one in Lanchkhuti and another in Tbilisi.

• Labour Party supporter stabbed at polling station in Marneuli

Police have launched  investigations into following cases:

•  A physical confrontation took place near the polling station No. 30 in the Ponichala district in Tbilisi. The Interior Ministry launched an investigation into verbal and physical confrontation under article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The crime is punishable up to two years in prison.
• Investigating into a confrontation which took place at polling station No. 22 in Naduknari village of Akhmeta region is underway under article 162 of the Criminal Code of Georgia
• Confrontation  took place at polling station  No. 52 in Dashtapa village of Marneuli municipality. Investigation has been launched  under article 117 of the Criminal Code of Georgia – intentional infliction of grave injury.
• A verbal confrontation took place between the election observers at polling station No. 50 in Kirovakani village of Akhalkalaki municipality. Police have already launched an investigation into the incident under article 162 of the Criminal Code of Georgia – interference with the expression of will in the elections, referendum or plebiscite. The crime is punishable up to two years in prison.
• Kvemo Kartli police has launched an investigation into the confrontation on the territory adjacent to polling station No. 48 in the village of Kizilajlo, Marneuli municipality. Investigation has been launched under article 162 of the Criminal Code of Georgia – interference with the expression of will in the elections, referendum or plebiscite. The crime is punishable by a fine, corrective labour for a term of up to one year up to two years in prison.
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• Police have launched an investigation into the attack on the polling station No. 83 in the village of Kizilajlo. The crime is punishable by a fine, corrective labour for a term of up to one year or up to two years in prison.
• Zugdidi Police launched an investigation under Article 154, Paragraph I of the Criminal Code of Georgia into illegal interference with the journalist’s professional activities at No 84 polling station in Zugdidi. The crime is punishable up to three years in prison 
• Another investigation has been launched under Article 154 of the Criminal Code of Georgia into illegal interference with the journalist’s professional activities on the territory adjacent to polling station No. 24 on Kiev Street in Tbilisi.
• An investigation into a cyber-attack on the ruling Georgian Dream’s election-information website is underway. The crime is punishable up to four years in prison.
• Multiple voting took place at polling station No. 48 in the village of Kizilajlo, Marneuli Municipality. Investigation has been launched under article 164 of the Criminal Code. The crime is punishable up to two years in prison.
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 An official statement released by the Interior Ministry reads that police  responded to 2,000 incidents in the vicinity of polling stations on the election day.