Opposition leader Gigi Ugulava, who was arrested on November 29 near Tbilisi City Court while protesting the former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s trial, has been released earlier today and fined 3,000 GEL (about $962/€846).
Ugulava was arrested for ‘disobeying the lawful request of the police’ to vacate an area. He had been under arrest for about two days.
Two police officers participating in the arrest of the politician were questioned at the trial today who stated that Ugulava verbally insulted them via calling police officers ‘dogs,’ however, the opposition leader denies accusations.
Saakashvili’s supporters and opposition leaders gathered outside the court building several days ago protesting the ex-president’s trial in the case of the illegal dispersal of an opposition rally in central Tbilisi on November 7, 2007 in which Saakashvili is charged with abuse of authority. As a result of the protest rally near the court building a total of 15 people were arrested by police officers on the spot including Ugulava.
After the release, Ugulava stated that the court’s decision was not ‘a surprise’ for him, noting that the government and the court work ‘in tandem.’
The government is trying to intimidate civil activists and representatives of political parties with fines and arrests. Absolute stupidity,” says Ugulava.
The opposition United National Movement (UNM) member Besik Tamliani was also arrested during the rally and has been charged for the ‘obstruction of the police officer by pressure, violence or threats’ earlier today.
The next trial hearing in the case concerning Saakashvili is scheduled for tomorrow where the opposition will hold the protest rally again in support of the former president.