(Facebook/Eliso Kiladze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Unknown assailants brutally beat a former interior ministry official in Tbilisi Monday morning.

The two masked men assaulted Gela Khvedelidze, a former deputy interior minister, close to his home in the center of Tbilisi, as he was leaving his flat.

Khvedelidze received injuries to his eye and jaw. He was taken to hospital where he remains in the intensive care unit in a serious condition.

His wife was accompanying him at the moment of the attack, but was not targeted by the assailants.

After Georgian Dream came to power, Khvedelidze was appointed deputy minister of internal affairs in 2013. He was arrested on May 12 that same year, for releasing a compromising video of a journalist.

Khvedelidze pled not guilty, but the court sentenced him to one year in prison. He was later released on parole.

Georgia’s recent history of street justice

In January, 2017, former justice minister and now director of TV station Rustavi 2 Nika Gvaramia was attacked at a restaurant by the son of a former politician.

In March, 2016, former minister for Euro-Atlantic integration Alexi Petriashvili from the Free Democrats was beaten and shot at a cemetery in Tbilisi.

In August, 2015, former deputy interior minister Levan Gvazava was injured in a shooting outside of Tbilisi. His cousin, an ex-cop, was killed.

In May, 2014, ex-Mayor of Tbilisi and National Movement member Zurab Chiaberashvili was brutally attacked at a cafe.

In March, 2014, Nugzar Tsiklauri, a close ally of former President Saakashvili, was left with a bruised face after being attacked by half a dozen men at night.

Also in March, 2014, Davit Kodua, brother of former top police official Erekle Kodua was brutally beaten by masked men in broad daylight.