Businessman and animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili, who was detained on the evening of September 1, has gone on a hunger strike. A statement to this effect was posted on his Facebook page:
“Following today’s injustice, Tamaz Elizbarashvili has begun a hunger strike. He has been transferred to the Tbilisi Main Police Department in Dighomi.”
The day before, Ministry of Internal Affairs officers searched the entrepreneur’s car and subsequently his apartment. The dog shelter founder was investigated under two articles of the Criminal Code: making threats (Article 151) and the unlawful acquisition, storage, and carrying of firearms (Article 236).
During the search of Elizbarashvili’s apartment, a confrontation occurred, after which the businessman was placed under administrative arrest for disobeying a lawful order of a police officer. Meanwhile, Elizbarashvili’s lawyer, Ia Siranashvili, stated that she was subjected to physical violence by law enforcement officers during the search. An investigation into the incident has been opened.
According to Tamaz Elizbarashvili, the complaint against him was filed by employees of the pro-government television channel Imedi, with whom he had a verbal altercation at a Tbilisi restaurant on August 30.
