A resident of Tbilisi declared a hunger strike after his detention.
Entrepreneur and animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili has declared a hunger strike in pre-trial detention, complaining of persecution by the authorities after a conflict with employees of a pro-government television channel. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia stated that a case against Elizbarashvili is being investigated for threats and illegal possession of weapons.
Regarding the hunger strike after his detention, entrepreneur, animal rights activist, and founder of a dog shelter Tamaz Elizbarashvili reported today on his Facebook page.
"After today's injustice, Tamaz Elizbarashvili began a hunger strike. He has been transferred to the Main Directorate of Tbilisi in Digomi," the publication states.
Law enforcement detained Elizbarashvili for disobeying a lawful request from a police officer, noted the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, whose message was reported by the agency "Interpressnews" on September 1.
Elizbarashvili's detention followed investigative actions within the framework of a criminal case. Initially, police stopped Elizbarashvili's car in the area of Lake Lisi, after which they searched his car and home. The investigation is being conducted under articles regarding threats and illegal possession of weapons, reported Netgazeti on September 1, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
The details of the alleged threat, as well as the grounds for suspicions of illegal possession of weapons, were not provided by the agency.
During the search of Elizbarashvili's home, law enforcement seized firearms and ammunition; however, the weapon was legally registered in the entrepreneur's name and he was not carrying it with him, reported lawyer Lexo Swimonishvili, whose words were cited today by the publication Netgazeti.
Elizbarashvili previously spoke about a conflict that occurred on August 30 with employees of the pro-government television channel "Imedi" at the restaurant "Skhva" in Tbilisi. Elizbarashvili stated that his arrest is related to this incident.
According to him, about eight men blocked his passage in the corridor and demanded an apology, introducing themselves as employees of the channel "Imedi." The men stated that they were unhappy with his support for Ukraine and sharp remarks about Russians, and demanded an apology for this. Elizbarashvili refused, after which he said he would take his wife home and return for a conversation. Upon returning about 20 minutes later, he found the men no longer in the restaurant, reported Tabula on September 1.
The next day, Elizbarashvili addressed the alleged employees of "Imedi" on social media, demanding an apology from them by the end of the day and threatening otherwise to find them one by one and put them on their knees, reported Civil Georgia on September 1.
Elizbarashvili believes that the statements of the conflict participants led to the investigation and searches.