The recent events at the Babilo restaurant highlight the escalating tensions & mutual leverage tactics between Ivanishvili & the judicial clan. This confrontation underscores the systemic issues associated with a so-called mafia state.

The incident unfolded as members of the judicial clan gathered at the Babilo restaurant to hold annual celebration. However, families of unlawfully detained peaceful protesters, along with activists, blocked their entry & exit. The protesters expressed their grievances by throwing eggs & chanting „slaves,“ illustrating public outrage at perceived judicial corruption & complicity in politically motivated decisions. 

The delayed response of the police & zero political reaction from the illegitimate GD leadership raise significant questions. It is likely that Ivanishvili (possibly through intelligence leaks) orchestrated this delay to exert pressure on the clan. The growing dissatisfaction among judges, many of whom are reportedly demanding greater compensation for their cooperation, further complicates this power dynamic. Thus, this calculated move left the judges vulnerable to public humiliation, allegedly as a tactic to ensure compliance with Ivanishvili's demands for future unlawful rulings. 

Hours later, police & riot police, including water cannons, were deployed to the scene. This intervention was likely prompted by demand of the clan leader, US sanctionel Levan Murusidze (on the left) by threatening Ivanishvili to release detainees or block further politically motivated imprisonments. The events at Babilo may signal the start of a more overt vendetta between these two factions of mafia.

As competing mafia factions vie for dominance, citizens bear the brunt of the conflict & public trust in state institutions continues to erode. Only new elections can return the country to normalcy.

#TbilisiProtests #terrorinGeorgia