Dimitri Cikovani suffered a concussion, a broken nose, cuts to his face and a black eye on both eyes in the attack outside his home.
by Dominic Waghorn, International Affairs Editor, Sophie Alexander, International Affairs Producer
Sunday 12 May 2024 21:16 UK
A Georgian opposition politician who was beaten by a group of hooded thugs said he was targeted by “Putin’s puppets”.
Dimitri Cikovani, a member of the United National Movement, was taken to hospital with a concussion, a broken nose, cuts to his face and black eyes in the attack outside his home.
In an interview with Sky News, Chicobani said the attack was not surprising and was condemned. georgian Authorities are trying to quell large protests in the capital, Tbilisi.
“This is their last hope to physically attack people to maintain power,” he said.
“They are Putin’s puppets, people who make decisions based on KGB guidelines, and they are Russians. That’s it.”
CCTV footage of the attack showed Chicobani walking through the parking lot to his apartment before five “athletic” men ran up to him and pushed him to the floor.
They repeatedly punched and kicked him in the head and ribs.
Cikovani was not the only government opponent defeated on Wednesday.
Two other activists, one an international relations expert and the other an organizer of Saturday night’s freedom march, were also treated in hospital after being attacked.
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Undeterred, Chikovani plans to take part in next week’s protests against the so-called “foreign agents bill,” which has sparked protests across Georgia.
Describing the atmosphere among many Georgians, he said: “This is a battle for the soul of Georgia. It is a question of national identity. Either you are part of Western civilization or you are part of the Russian Empire.”
Britain and the United States called on the Georgian Dream party’s government to take immediate steps to stop the threat. protester.
Demonstrators block traffic in Tbilisi
The party’s chairman, Bidzina Ivanishvili, is an oligarch worth billions of dollars and suspected by many Georgians of continuing close ties to Russia.
Ivanishvili argued that the “foreign agents” bill was needed to assert Georgia’s sovereignty against Western powers seeking to draw Georgia into a conflict with Russia.
Chikovani believes the billionaire is behind the growing political repression in Georgia in recent weeks.
“You can’t expect anything from Ivanishvili,” he said.
