Two lawmakers from UNM parliamentary minority group, Davit Sakvarelidze and Giorgi Vashadze, as well as ex-governor of Samegrelo region, Zaza Gorozia, were treated in hospital after suffering injuries following a fistfight in a restaurant in Tbilisi center last night.

A man said to be involved in the fistfight from an opposite side also required medical treatment after the incident.

According to a doctor, MP Sakvarelidze suffered a concussion, broken nose and an injury to his hand; MP Vashadze had an injury to his head and Gorozia suffered broken bones in hand; all three were discharged from the hospital.

UNM lawmaker, Levan Bezhashvili, told journalists outside a hospital in Tbilisi, where his colleagues were treated last night, that “the criminal attack” against UNM representatives was “politically motivated”. 

One of the two men, involved in the incident from the opposite side, told journalists that a verbal altercation, which then grew into the fistfight, started after his female companion was “insulted” by head of one of the Tbilisi district administrations, who was accompanying UNM lawmakers.

The Interior Ministry said on Sunday that the police launched investigation into the hooliganism case.

It said that at about midnight a verbal altercation between visitors of La Truffe restaurant grew into a brawl, which, according to witness accounts, lasted for about 10-15 minutes.

Citing witness accounts, including restaurant staff, the police said that “during the incident some visitors, including UNM secretary general Vano Merabishvili and his wife, left the restaurant.” It also said that among those present in the restaurant were several UNM lawmakers, including Tina Bokuchava, Giorgi Vashadze and Davit Sakvarelidze, as well as ex-governor of Samegrelo region Zaza Gorozia and “some other persons”.

“The law enforcement officers will question politicians, mentioned in witness statements, in the near future,” the Interior Ministry said.