Georgian opposition politician beaten unconscious by police, party says, as government crackdown intensifies

Vocabulary: 200, Words: 357

1A leader of one of Georgia’s opposition parties has been detained by police after he was beaten unconscious by officers in the capital Tbilisi, his party said Wednesday, in the wake of fierce protests in the former Soviet republic.

2The Coalition for Change party – which comprises four opposition groups – published video on social media showing Nika Gvaramia being carried limp by several men down a street in broad daylight.

3Elene Khoshtaria, founder of the Droa party which Gvaramia represented, told CNN that police had stormed their offices on Wednesday.

4“They were quite aggressive. 5They took away everything,” she said. 6Shortly after Gvaramia arrived, police turned on him. 7“He was severely beaten by the police,” Khoshtaria said.

8The group said Gvaramia was then “dragged by the police and thrown into a detention car” outside the Droa party’s office.

9The unrest in the country was sparked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision last week to suspend talks to join the European Union. 10Tensions had been simmering since a disputed election in October. 11Georgian Dream – already 12 years in office – claimed victory, but observers say the vote was neither free nor fair. 12The European Parliament has called for a re-run.

13Following the vote, Georgia’s opposition parties said they would boycott parliament. 14Several opposition politicians have taken part in six nights of protests since Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said he was halting talks with Brussels.

15The protests have been met with a brutal police response. 16Georgia’s human rights ombudsman on Tuesday accused police of inflicting torture on people arrested during the protests. 17Georgian Young Lawyers Association, a watchdog, said most individuals detained on Monday night had been subject to violence “both during and after their arrest.”

18Gvaramia’s alleged beating may be part of a trend. 19Earlier this year, Levan Khabeishvili, then-chair of the United National Movement – Georgia’s foremost opposition party – said he was brutally beaten by special forces. 20Khabeishvili told CNN he had since stepped down as party chair, citing the effect the beating had on his health.

21Asked for comment, Georgia’s interior ministry told CNN that Gvaramia had been arrested over charges relating to “disobedience to the police.”

from CNN