Tbilisi, 23 May 2016 - Today, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili made the following statement concerning the violent incidents which occurred on Sunday outside a polling station in Kortskheli (Samegrelo region) during a local by-election:
"The events which took place during the by-election in Samegrelo are unacceptable. Such incidents shall not occur again. I cannot stress enough the importance of moving away from the former practice of conducting elections in a violent environment: this belongs to the past and has no place in today's Georgia. We shall not allow violence to determine the outcome of the elections and shall ensure better mobilisation of the law enforcement agencies to prevent any such incidents from taking place in the future.
The authorities will carry out a full investigation into the matter and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. The Government of Georgia upholds the right to peaceful elections and free vote for our citizens as a matter of honour for our state.
Allegations concerning the fact that we funded sportsmen are preposterous. We have not funded anyone. I would like to reiterate that the Government has the obligation to conduct elections in a violent-free and peaceful environment - this is our duty, it is our responsibility. We will not respond to provocation.
Once again, I condemn the violence that occurred during the by-elections in the territory adjacent to one of the polling stations in Samegrelo. The acts victimize the Georgian state and its citizens. An investigation into this case has been launched, and I expect the Ministry of Interior to identify in a timely manner all those responsible for this violent act so that they are held responsible for these acts to the fullest extent of the law. Because the applicable law does not prescribe penalties severe enough for such offenses, I instruct the Ministry of Justice to propose legislative amendments immediately, at the next government meeting, to introduce tougher sanctions against those committing violent acts amid political and electoral processes. The government will not tolerate violence in the electoral process, and our reaction to any violent offender, regardless of his/her political affiliation, will be swift and severe. Our goal is to hold the upcoming elections in line with the highest democratic standards, to enable every citizen to make a free choice, and to ensure a peaceful and competitive electoral environment for every political entity."
The Ministry of Interior has launched an investigation under the article 125 of the Criminal Code (inflicting physical injury) with regard to the confrontation incident in Kortskheli.