U.S. Embassy Condemns ‘Acts of Violence Meant to Harm Citizens and Democratic Process’

Explosion late evening of August 4 ripped off rear of MP Givi Targamadze’s car, which remained on the scene next morning as police were investigating the crime scene. Photo: Eana Korbezashvili/Civil.ge

In a statement released on Wednesday morning in connection to an explosion that hit opposition UNM MP Givi Targamadze’s car, the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi condemned “acts of violence meant to harm Georgian citizens and the democratic process in Georgia.”

MP Targamadze and his driver survived in a car blast late on Tuesday evening in the center of Tbilisi, close to Freedom Square; four by-passers were injured. Police investigate the case as “an attempted murder in aggravating circumstances.”

The explosion occurred on the eve of UNM’s final campaign rally in Tbilisi planned for 4pm on October 5 and about 84 hours before the polling stations are due to open in parliamentary elections on October 8.

“Together with the international community, we have called on all parties to refrain from violence and respect the rule of law,” the U.S. embassy said.

“Political violence has no place in a democratic society, and a calm and peaceful pre-electoral environment is critical to ensuring that the parliamentary elections on October 8 reflect the will of the Georgian people,” reads the statement.

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