Police arrest 46 at UNM opposition rallies in Tbilisi

Several opposition activists were detained by police at the rallies of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party earlier today, at the buildings of the Ministry of Health of Georgia and the State Security Service. 

The US government has called on Georgian authorities to take steps to ensure the country’s former president, Mikheil Saakashvili’s, urgent psychological and physical needs, US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price stated yesterday. The Department of State also encouraged the Georgian government to treat Saakashvili ‘fairly and with dignity,’ noting that they are ‘closely observing’ the situation around the former president. 

The opposition United National Movement (UNM) members and supporters have gathered in front of the parliament building this evening in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi, demanding former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s release from prison. The UNM chairman Nika Melia announced that rallies will be held in several locations of Tbilisi from tomorrow.

US Ambassador Kelly Degnan and EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell have called on the Georgian government to provide proper medical care for the imprisoned ex-president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. The ambassadors further expressed their support for the Ombudswoman Nino Lomjaria, who is frequently criticised by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party members.

Former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has not been allowed by the Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia to attend a trial in Tbilisi City Court today which is discussing a case involving him. 

Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has responded to the arrests of 46 citizens on today's United National Movement (UNM) rallies, saying that some families have not been informed about the whereabouts of the arrested. The Ombudswoman said that her representatives have visited 23 arrested citizens during the day. However, some detainees still cannot be located by their lawyers and families.

The opposition United National Movement (UNM) MPs Khatia Dekanoidze and Tina Bokuchava have met with Parliamentary Speaker Kakha Kuchava, asserting that if imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili is transferred to a private clinic, the UNM will be responsible for not holding rallies nearby. Following the meeting held earlier today, Bokuchava said the parliamentary speaker can play an ‘important role’ in overcoming the ‘political crisis.’

Two citizens have been injured by stones thrown during a United National Movement (UNM) rally held in front of the State Security Service (SSS) building. The stones, supposedly thrown from the roof of the residential building near the SSS, have been handed to the police for investigation.

The European Court of Human Rights has rejected a complaint by former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili on his transfer to a private clinic from a prison hospital, and instead urged him to call off his hunger strike, the Georgian Ministry of Justice said yesterday and released an interim judgement of the court.The court demanded from the Georgian government to inform them about Saakashvili’s state of health and ensure proper medical care for him now and in the post-hunger-strike period. 

The opposition Girchi - More Freedom party members on Friday blocked entrances of the State Security Service offices in six cities in Georgia, with police later removing the vehicles of the party leaders cars.

Tbilisi City Court has sentenced the opposition United National Movement (UNM) supporter Zviad Kuprava, who was among the 46 protesters detained at the November 10 UNM rally, to five days of administrative detention. Some other detainees have been fined, while the rest are awaiting the court's decision.

Girchi - More Freedom opposition party leader Zurab Girchi Japaridze has been fined, while 10 of his party members have been detained after blocking the entrances to State Security Service (SSS) buildings in six Georgian cities. Party members blocked the SSS office entrances with their cars as a form of protest, demanding the imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili's transfer from prison hospital to a civil clinic, as well as a fully proportional electoral system and snap elections.

The head of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) Nika Melia has announced two protest rallies and intent to block roads on both banks of the Mtkvari River in Tbilisi tomorrow. Melia said that the opposition is giving a 'warning sign' to the government.

Libertarian Girchi - More Freedom party has invited a 'witch' to 'put a hex' on the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia in response to their members being arrested at protest rallies over the last few days. The party claims that police arrested its members for 'no reason,' and maintains that the 'spell' will not be removed until all detainees are released.

The opposition United National Movement (UNM) party has held a car rally protest earlier today demanding imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s transfer from a prison hospital where he is currently receiving care to a civil clinic. Motorcade processions were held on Republic Square, in front of the UNM’s central office and the Central Election Commission building.