Special teams began entering closed mines in Chiatura this morning to assess current conditions as part of efforts to resume operations.

According to the Chiatura Management Company, during an inspection of the Perevisa mine, organisers from an initiative group and the Shukruti mine piquet verbally confronted company representatives.

The company’s statement reveals that as Tengiz Koberidze, head of the working group, was leaving the Perevisa mine, his vehicle was blocked by approximately 30 individuals, among them, Giorgi Neparidze, Merab Saralidze, Archil Chumburidze, and Tengiz Gvelesiani took the lead. Koberidze was forcibly removed from his vehicle, subjected to verbal abuse, and struck with stones, resulting in injuries to his face before the assailants fled the scene.

“Regarding the victim’s health condition, Tengiz Koberidze received initial medical treatment and has been diagnosed by doctors with fractures to his jaw and face. He requires urgent surgery. Law enforcement officers have investigated the area near the mine where the incident occurred. The severely injured company employee, along with two others accompanying him, have already been questioned. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched a probe into the incident.

The physical assault that took place in Chiatura today underscores the radical group’s ulterior motives and their lack of interest in resuming production. Today’s events further demonstrate that the protest organizers aim to undermine the agreement reached by the tripartite commission, as evidenced by their daily threats and acts of intimidation directed toward both company management and ordinary employees,” the statement asserts.