**Georgia’s Court Decision Sparks Concerns of Politically Motivated Psychiatry**
A court decision to place activist Nino Datashvili in a psychiatric institution against her will has sparked fears among human rights groups and opposition leaders that the Georgian government is using psychiatry as a tool for political repression. The move, reminiscent of Soviet Russia’s use of psychiatry as a means to silence dissenting voices, has been met with outrage and condemnation.
Salome Samadashvili, one of the leaders of the “Lelo for Strong Georgia” movement, took to social media to express her concerns. In a scathing post, she wrote that the court decision was a stark reminder of the 1987 Soviet film “Repentance,” which depicted the horrors of Stalin’s regime. Samadashvili warned that unless those responsible are held accountable, the Georgian people will struggle against the current regime for years to come.
The prosecution’s request for a psychiatric evaluation of Nino Datashvili was granted by the court, according to Partnership for Human Rights. The organization’s head, Tamuna Gabodze, stated that the move was unjustified and aimed at silencing an opposition voice. Nino Datashvili was detained on June 20 after an incident at the Tbilisi City Court on June 9.
**Background: A Growing Concern**
The move to place Datashvili in a psychiatric institution is just the latest example of the Georgian government’s growing use of repressive tactics against opposition activists and critics. The country’s human rights record has been deteriorating, with many concerns raised about the erosion of democratic freedoms.
As noted by Partnership for Human Rights, the prosecution’s actions were unjustified and aimed at silencing an opposition voice. The court’s decision to grant the request for a psychiatric evaluation raises questions about the government’s intentions and whether it is using psychiatry as a tool for political repression.
**What Does This Mean?**
The placement of Nino Datashvili in a psychiatric institution against her will has significant implications for Georgia’s human rights record. It suggests that the government is willing to use repressive tactics to silence dissenting voices, reminiscent of Soviet Russia’s use of psychiatry as a means to suppress opposition.
For Salome Samadashvili and other opposition leaders, this decision serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing a regime to consolidate power unchecked. As she noted, unless those responsible are held accountable, the Georgian people will struggle against the current regime for years to come.
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