The Prosecutor’s Office has charged poet Zviad Ratiani in connection with the assault of a police officer.

According to information released by the Prosecutor’s Office, “The investigation established that on June 23 of this year, near the Parliament of Georgia, Zviad Ratiani assaulted and physically attacked a patrol police officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

“The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has brought charges against one individual for the assault of a police officer. The investigation, conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, determined that on June 23, near the Parliament of Georgia, Z.R. assaulted and physically abused an officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Patrol Police Department. Law enforcement officers arrested the accused on the same day. He has been charged under Article 353¹, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (assault on a police officer in connection with the officer’s official duties), which carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years of imprisonment. The Prosecutor’s Office has already filed a motion with the court to impose pre-trial detention as a preventive measure,” the statement reads.

The court will rule on the preventive measure for Zviad Ratiani today. His hearing at Tbilisi City Court is scheduled for 17:30.