UNM plans to block state buildings, streets, ‘throw’ GD members out, ‘in accordance with law’
The United National Movement opposition party will hold a rally in central Tbilisi later today. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The United National Movement (UNM) opposition party has plans to ‘block state buildings and streets and to throw out the members of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) from the cabinets they occupied illegally’ after the recent municipal elections, UNM member Levan Khebeishvili stated earlier today.
The UNM is holding a rally in central Tbilisi at 20:00 today, demanding the annulment of recent municipal election results and the release of former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, from prison.
These will not be rallies [for the sake of] rallies. The demonstrations will bring results. We will act in accordance with the law,” Khabeishvili claimed.
The UNM and several opposition parties took to the streets shortly after municipal elections, accusing the Georgian Dream government of fabricating the elections.
“I will not die despite the ill will of the enemy, but will certainly wait to celebrate Georgia’s victory” @SaakashviliM #FreeSaakashvili pic.twitter.com/O0z8aTQ4Er
— Mikheil Saakashvili (@SaakashviliM) November 5, 2021
However, the international observers say that the race was ‘well-organized and competitive,’ marred with high polarisation.
Law enforcers are already present at the parliament building, ahead of the opposition’s rally.
Lelo opposition party leaders, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, who have offered the government to negotiate with the opposition earlier today, have met with parliament speaker Kakha Kuchava to discuss the possibility.
However, GD MP Gia Volksi says that Lelo is unlikely to play any positive role, as the UNM 'is interested in causing unrest.’
Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who reportedly has been on hunger strike for 38 days, has refused to receive hunger-related treatment, including tests, following the release of footage by the Georgian Special Penitentiary Service of him receiving food in Rustavi Prison No.12 on November 6.
The Lelo parliamentary opposition party has offered the government to launch negotiations with the opposition ‘immediately’ to prevent further escalation of the political situation and find a way out of the ‘existing crisis.’
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party chairman Irakli Kobakhidze has responded to the opposition’s demand to transfer former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili from prison to a private hospital, saying the opposition should avoid ultimatums. Kobakhidze said the government is responsible for peace, and if the opposition ‘attempts to take destructive steps, they will receive the strictest response.’
Nika Melia, the chairman of the United National Movement opposition party, has given the government 24 hours to ensure the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili is moved from prison to a private clinic, as law enforcement made arrests at the opposition's rally outside the detention facility in the city of Rustavi on Saturday.
Doctor of arrested ex-president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently serving a prison term, says a medical council has agreed to transfer him to a civil hospital following the deterioration in his health.
A protest rally organised by the largest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), is being held on Freedom Square in central Tbilisi, where UNM head Nika Melia announced a ‘permanent’ protest, calling on supporters to stay on the spot.
Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who reportedly has been on hunger strike for 39 days, has been transferred to Gldani No.18 prison hospital ‘to prevent deterioration in his health due to increased risks,' the Georgian Special Penitentiary Service reports.