There have again been cases of alleged discriminatory dismissals, reports of alleged pressure on opposition candidates, violence, political pressure on kindergarten/public school staff, alleged illegal processing of personal data and bribery of voters. Such a statement made today the Public Defender of Georgia.

“59 opposition candidates were allegedly pressured and intimidated to make them withdraw their candidacies. As a result, they, with a few exceptions, filed applications to withdraw their candidacies. According to our data, 52 of them were representatives of the For Georgia party, 6 were representatives of the United National Movement and 1 was a representative of the Third Force - Strategy Builder.

69 people have been dismissed or harassed at work allegedly for discriminatory, politically motivated views. In a conversation with the Public Defender’s Office, most of these people explained the above by having friendly relations or being relatives of members of former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s party. Some named the posting/sharing of posts and comments in support of the party leader on social networks as a reason”, - says Nino Lomjaria.