Animal-Rights Campaigner Elizbarashvili Charged With Threats After Restaurant Clash

Tbilisi dog-shelter founder and animal-rights campaigner Tamaz Elizbarashvili, detained Sep 1 during a home search, was charged under Criminal Code Article 151(1) over an Aug 30 restaurant confrontation with employees of pro-government broadcaster Imedi TV and businessman Shako Kutchashvili. Prosecutors say Elizbarashvili threatened the group over a social-media post about them, left and returned with his hand 'demonstratively tucked inside his jacket,' then continued threats in livestreamed posts; he faces up to one year in prison. His defense says the group confronted him and denies any weapon was involved, noting no witness places one at the scene.