**Veteran War Protester Sentenced to Two Years in Prison**
A war veteran and protester, Anatoli Gigauri, has been sentenced to two years in prison after a judge changed the charges against him. The decision was made just before the verdict was delivered on August 12.
Gigauri had pleaded not guilty, with his lawyers pointing out that video footage shows a police officer hitting him first. The defense argued that Gigauri’s slap at the officer was an act of self-defense. However, the prosecution relied on footage from Imedi TV showing Gigauri striking a police officer during a confrontation between police and protesters.
The judge’s decision to reclassify charges was not expected by many. Initially, Gigauri faced charges of assault on a police officer, which carries a penalty of four to seven years in prison. However, the judge changed the charge to “resistance, threat or violence” against an official, punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to two years.
This is not the first time that protesters have been sentenced to jail terms over their involvement in anti-Georgian Dream protests since November 2024. In fact, this is the 12th such verdict against protesters arrested during this period. Many of those convicted have spoken out about their innocence and the politicization of the judicial system.
**The Case Against Gigauri**
Gigauri was detained on November 25 while heading home from a post-election rally in Tbilisi. He alleged violence and beating at the hands of police upon his detention. The prosecution relied on footage from Imedi TV showing Gigauri striking a police officer during a confrontation between police and protesters.
However, the defense argued that the extended video footage shows Officer Vakhtang Gabunia striking Gigauri in the head first, briefly knocking off his cap. The defense claimed that Gigauri’s slap was an act of necessary self-defense, prompted by Gabunia’s gestures indicating he was about to throw another punch.
**The Larger Context**
This verdict comes as no police officer has been held accountable despite numerous documented abuses during dispersals. Dozens of protesters remain in pre-trial custody, awaiting their rulings on similar or other protest-related charges. This has raised concerns among civil society groups and opposition politicians that the judicial system is being used to silence dissenting voices.
The case of Anatoli Gigauri is just one example of many protesters who have been sentenced to jail terms over their involvement in anti-Georgian Dream protests since November 2024. As the country prepares for elections, concerns are growing about the politicization of the judicial system and the targeting of opposition activists.
**Conclusion**
The verdict against Anatoli Gigauri is a clear indication that the judicial system is being used to silence dissenting voices in Georgia. The reclassification of charges from assault on a police officer to “resistance, threat or violence” against an official is a worrying trend that raises concerns about the independence of the judiciary.
As the country prepares for elections, it is essential that the government and the judicial system take steps to ensure that protesters are not punished for exercising their rights. The case of Anatoli Gigauri is a stark reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and justice in Georgia’s judicial system.
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