In 2024, the investigation into the case of the attack on Nika Melia in Samtredia was reopened, with the prosecutor’s office conducting witness interrogations. Defense attorney Beka Kvinikadze told Netgazeti that about two weeks ago Nika Melia himself was questioned, though his lawyers were not notified.
According to the attorney, on August 11, 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated a criminal case under Article 126, which covers assault. However, the prosecutor’s office reclassified the offense, and the investigation is now being conducted under Part 1 of Article 162-prima of the Criminal Code, which pertains to obstructing an election campaign through violence. The charge carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.
The lawyer noted that Nika Melia is awaiting verdicts in two cases and that the state now wants to signal: “We convicted Nika Melia and added years to his sentence, but look, we have also raised the issue of accountability regarding the attack on him in Samtredia.”
“As the investigator told me, [the attacker] has been questioned, admitted guilt, and stated that he attacked him out of political motives. […] Failing to question the people who were present means you are not carrying out any investigative actions at all. As an explanation, [the investigator] cited that they were allegedly waiting for a forensic habitoscopic examination, which, of course, does not prevent other investigative actions from being conducted,” Beka Kvinikadze told Netgazeti.
According to the lawyer, a verdict in the case against Nika Melia regarding alleged contempt of court may be announced on August 6. In parallel, the so-called sabotage case is also proceeding.
In the case involving splashing water at Judge Irakli Shvangiradze, Nika Melia was sentenced to 1.5 years of imprisonment.
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