According to a statement by the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, one individual has been charged in connection with the act of violence committed against Nika Melia on August 11, 2024, during an election event in Samtredia. Charges were also brought against two individuals accompanying Melia who, according to the investigation, “committed violence against Sulkhan-Saba Nikolaishvili” following the incident.
“The investigation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs established that on August 11, 2024, during the opening of a district office of the political party ‘Akhali’ (‘New’) in Samtredia, Sulkhan-Saba Nikolaishvili struck Nikanor Melia in the head area, causing him physical pain. In response to the incident, the individuals accompanying Nikanor Melia — Gabriel Kobaidze and Tsotne Mirtskhulava — physically assaulted Sulkhan-Saba Nikolaishvili, causing him pain and minor physical injuries.
Law enforcement officers charged the individuals under Article 162-prima, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (violence during an election event), which carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment for up to two years.
The Prosecutor’s Office will apply to the court within the timeframe established by law with a motion to select a pre-trial measure for the accused,” the statement from the Prosecutor’s Office reads.
On August 8, Tsotne Mirtskhulava, a member of the “Coalition for Change,” also published a post on social media stating that the Prosecutor’s Office intended to press charges against him.
“Remember that story when Nika Melia was attacked in Samtredia? Well, in that exact case, tomorrow the prosecutor’s office will charge me under Part 1 of Article 126. Everything happened live on air, in front of the cameras; for two years no one was punished in this case, and now, it turns out, the prosecutor’s office is bringing charges against me. Where it’s thin, it breaks. The main thing is to go all the way and win. We will definitely look back on this story with a smile,” wrote Akhali party member Tsotne Mirtskhulava.
For reference, on August 11, 2024, in Samtredia, following the opening of the “Coalition for Change” office, one of the leaders of the “Akhali” party, Nika Melia, was answering media questions when he was attacked and struck by a so-called “titushka” (hired thug).
The case was reopened by the Prosecutor’s Office two years later. On August 4, Melia’s lawyer stated that the investigation was initially launched under an article on violence, but it has now been reclassified and is being conducted under the article on assault or other violence during election campaigning or an election event.
