Tbilisi Mayor: UNM has the right to hold campaign march, but no one will be allowed to stir conflict

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated today that the United National Movement opposition sent a letter to Tbilisi City Hall on 25 September and requested permission to hold a campaign march on Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square on 19, 20 and 21 October between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

In the letter they said that around 100,000 supporters of the opposition will take to the streets and this will create problems for transport and pedestrians.

Freedom of expression is fully protected in our country and the opposition party will be allowed to hold the demonstration. If there is a need to block roads, the roads will be blocked and appropriate agencies of the City Hall will take care of the issue,” Kaladze said.

However, Kaladze stated that the UNM with its “partial TV channel Rustavi 2” has been engaged in creating destabilisation in the country prior to the elections.

He said that the TV channel has already released several “staged recordings” to create problems for the Georgian Dream ruling party, “but they failed as people no longer believe in such tales.”

It is very likely that the UNM will try to stir confrontation during the upcoming march,” Kaladze said.

He stated that his office will not be able to cope with such challenges alone and said that the involvement of several state agencies to ensure peace during the events will be necessary.

Kaladze added that the 28 October presidential elections will be held in a free and transparent environment and no one will be allowed to hinder the process.