Former Director of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Amiran Gamkrelidze, has voiced his support for Dr. Giorgi Chakhunashvili, who was detained on October 9 in connection with the October 4 protest. Gamkrelidze described the arrest as unacceptable and urged authorities to avoid further escalation.
“My solidarity and support go to Gogi Chakhunashvili and his family. Gogi and the Chakhunashvili dynasty are distinguished members of the Georgian medical community. His family has served the population with dignity for decades,” Gamkrelidze wrote, highlighting the contributions of Chakhunashvili and his relatives to medicine in Georgia and abroad.
Gamkrelidze called for mutual concessions and dialogue, warning that continued confrontational approaches toward citizens and the medical community could deepen the country’s deadlock. He emphasized that retreating or compromising is not necessarily a weakness, but can demonstrate strategic wisdom. “I ask the decision-makers in the country to refrain from further escalating the situation and find a way out of this impasse together,” he stated.
For context, 71-year-old Dr. Chakhunashvili was arrested following police entry into his Tbilisi apartment. So far, 45 people have been detained in connection with the events of October 4. Gamkrelidze expressed confidence that justice will prevail and called for measured, constructive responses from the authorities.
