Paphkhadze: Vakho Sanaia's Arrest Shows Government Establishing Elements of Dictatorship

Gedevan Popkhadze, a member of the "Coalition for Change," is responding to the arrest of journalist Vakho Sanaia over posts published on social media. In his words, deprivation of liberty has become a routine matter, which is characteristic of the regime and a necessary element of dictatorship.

In a broadcast of "Palitranius" on "Rezume," Popkhadze stated that the government has "picked out" Sanaia because he does not back down and is very principled and consistent in his position. Popkhadze says that "some people have decided" to make society live according to the scenario of "1984."

"I don't know which European standards they are guided by. There is nothing in Vakho Sanaia's speech that would justify jailing a person. Deprivation of liberty has become a routine matter, which is precisely characteristic of the regime," he said.

Popkhadze noted that television stations have been given a list of words that must not be aired, and added that this will never end as long as the regime exists. In his assessment, the persecution of Sanaia leads to his social degradation, while society is told that if they choose Sanaia's position, they will end up in prison.

Vakho Sanaia was detained today outside his home. Judge Tornike Kochkiani sentenced him to 30 days of administrative detention over posts published on social media. Sanaia did not attend the hearing and states that "persecution over posts is absurd."

This is the journalist's second arrest. Previously, he had been sentenced to 14 days of detention over a post written on July 22.