Georgia opposition leader beaten unconscious by police

A leader of one of Georgia’s opposition parties has been detained by police after he was beaten unconscious by officers in the capital Tbilisi, his party said Wednesday, in the wake of fierce protests in the former Soviet republic.

The Coalition for Change party – which comprises four opposition groups – published video on social media showing Nika Gvamaria being carried limp by several men down a street in broad daylight.

The unrest in the country was sparked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision last week to suspend talks to join the European Union. Tensions had been simmering since a disputed election in October. Georgian Dream – already 12 years in office – claimed victory, but observers say the vote was neither free nor fair. The European Parliament has called for a re-run.

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