Opposition activist Khasaya detained in Tbilisi

Security forces in Tbilisi suspect Gela Khasaya, an activist from the Girchi party, of beating a man. Khasaya was detained several days before the municipal elections, in which Girchi is participating.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on March 31, security forces already detained Gela Khasaya near the Georgian parliament building, where several activists were protesting the work of the parliamentary investigative commission. Khasaya was then accused of disobeying police.

Gela Khasaya, a member of the "Girchi – More Freedom" party, was detained by officers of the Old Tbilisi Police Department on suspicion of intentionally causing minor bodily harm, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

Another person has been detained in the same case. According to the agency, during an argument, they inflicted "various bodily injuries" on citizen "R. Ch., born in 1975," and then fled. The victim was taken to a hospital, InterPressNews reported today.

The case is being investigated under Article 120 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison, the publication notes.

It should be noted that the Girchi Party is one of 14 parties registered to participate in the municipal elections, which will be held in Georgia this coming Saturday. These elections will determine the political balance in Georgia for the coming years, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Municipal Elections in Georgia on October 4, 2025".

Since November 28, 2024, Georgian opposition members and activists have been holding daily protests in front of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi and blocking traffic on Rustaveli Avenue, demanding the release of all arrested demonstrators and the calling of new parliamentary elections.

On September 29, the 306th day of protests, protesters in front of the parliament building again blocked Rustaveli Avenue.

Caucasian Knot has compiled materials on preparations for municipal elections and protests by opposition supporters on the thematic page "Georgia: Elections Amid Protests".