ISFED Condemns Political Violence as Elections Loom

(Tbilisi, August 9, 2003, Civil Georgia) – The election watchdog NGO International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) in its statement issued on August 8 condemns clash between the members of the Samshoblo (Homeland) and Labor parties on August 4.

“The event that took place on August 4 at the Labor Party office is an example of blatant violence against the political union. We consider that the crime of August 4 was committed not only against the Labor Party, but also against each voter and against the people that wish to!
conduct the Parliamentary elections of November 2 in compliance with the provisions of the Georgian Constitution and the law,” the ISFED statement reads.

A Tbilisi District Court sentenced three members of the opposition movement Samshoblo for three months pretrial detention on 7 August for their role in a fight on 4 August at the Labor Party’s headquarters. Up to one dozen people were injured in clash. 

The ISFED says that the violence of August 4 represents a breach of the tenth provision in “Baker’s Scorecard,” delivered in Georgia by US former Secretary of State James Baker in early July and which outlines anti-fraud measures for November Parliamentary elections.

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