23:05, 21 July 2013

Georgian presidential candidate detained in Batumi at protest against UNM's primaries

A presidential candidate Merab Gorgadze was detained in Batumi, for disorderly conduct at a protest rally against the primaries of the "United National Movement" (UNM). The Batumi Court released Gorgadze after imposing a fine.

On July 21, inBatumi, a protest action was held near the "Sheraton" Hotel, where another round of intra-party primaries was held by the UNM. Refugees, persons released in the status of political prisoners and socially vulnerable people gathered in front of the hotel; the participants of the rally, who support the "Georgian Dream", threw stones and eggs at the UNM members.

Before the start of the primaries, policemen detained Merab Gorgadze, one of the registered presidential candidates, for disturbing the public order.

According to the police, Gorgadze threw eggs in the direction of the MP Mikhail Machavariani; then, a clash burst out between policemen and protesters.

The Batumi City Court sentenced Gorgadze to a fine of 100 laris and released him from the courtroom, the "Interpressnews" reports.

A similar protest was held on July 21 in Zugdidi, where the UNM also held its primaries.