NEWS

Police detain 21 citizens during Melia's arrest

In addition 17 citizens were given first aid and two of them were taken to a clinic. Photo: IPN.

Agenda.ge, 23 Feb 2021 - 15:10, Tbilisi,Georgia

Twenty-one people were detained earlier today when special unit servicemen stormed the United National Movement office to arrest party chair Nika Melia, announces Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

One of the leaders of the UNM Giorgi Baramidze is also among the detainees.

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In addition 17 citizens were given first aid and two of them were taken to a clinic.

One hospitalised patient has already left the clinic and one other will leave the medical facility later today, announced the Ministry of Health of Georgia.

Police used tear gas in the room where Melia was gathered with his supporters, however before starting the special operation they evacuated the UNM office, where party leaders and opposition parties' representatives had been protecting Melia for several days.

US Embassy: 'Georgia has moved backward on its path toward becoming stronger democracy in Euro-Atlantic family of nations'

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The US Embassy in Georgia has responded to the arrest of the United National Movement leader Nika Melia and a special operation which stormed the UNM office this morning and stated that 'Georgia has moved backward on its path toward becoming a stronger democracy in the Euro-Atlantic family of nations'.

PM Garibashvili: Melia is a criminal, everyone is equal before the law

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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has responded to the arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia earlier today and stated that ‘Melia is a criminal’ and that everyone in a democratic state is equal before the law.

Georgian ombudswoman, NGOs condemn Melia’s arrest

23 Feb 2021

Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria and Transparency International Georgia NGO have condemned the recent arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia and stated that the move will further complicate current political tension in the country.

Foreign diplomats concerned by special operation at UNM office, call on Georgian gov't to start negotiations

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Foreign diplomats and politicians have expressed concern over the special operation of Georgian police which stormed the United National Movement office this morning to arrest its chair Nika Melia.

EU Ambassador: 'all sides need to demonstrate responsibility'

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EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell has responded to a special forces storm of the United National Movement office this morning to arrest its chair Nika Melia and said that 'all sides need to demonstrate responsibility and have the best interest of the country and the Georgian people at heart' in his post on Twitter.

Opposition blocks off Rustaveli Avenue following UNM chair Melia’s arrest

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Opposition parties and their supporters have blocked off central Rustaveli Avenue earlier today, following the recent arrest of the head of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Nika Melia.Melia, who is charged with incitement to violence during the June protests in Tbilisi back in 2019, has been arrested for refusal to post bail.

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