**Georgia’s President Slams Use of Psychiatric Institutions as Tool of Repression**
In a scathing post on the social media platform X, Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, has condemned the use of psychiatric institutions in her country. The move, she claims, is reminiscent of the Soviet Union’s tactics.
The issue revolves around Nino Datashvili, an activist, teacher, and single mother who was arrested on June 20. A court order today transferred her to a psychiatric facility, despite protests from human rights organizations. According to Partnership for Human Rights, the Prosecutor’s Office requested a psychiatric examination for Datashvili, and the court approved it.
**The Background: Nino Datashvili’s Arrest**
Datashvili was arrested on June 20 in connection with an incident at Tbilisi City Court that occurred on June 9. She is charged under Article 353^2, Part 3 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which involves assaulting a public official while performing their duties. This charge carries a penalty of 4 to 7 years in prison or a fine.
**A Tool of Repression?**
President Zurabishvili sees this move as a step towards returning Georgia to the Soviet Union’s repressive era. She views the psychiatric institution as a new tool of terror, aimed at silencing activists and dissenting voices. Her statement raises concerns about human rights abuses in the country.
**Implications and Analysis**
This development highlights the growing tensions between civil society and the government in Georgia. The use of psychiatric institutions to silence critics is a tactic that has been used throughout history to quash opposition and suppress dissent. This move by the Georgian authorities will likely spark outrage from human rights organizations and the international community.
As President Zurabishvili noted, this step towards returning to the Soviet Union’s repressive era is a worrying sign for democracy in Georgia. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the country’s human rights record.
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