Opposition, activists to camp out in front of parliament to protest UNM chair Melia’s detention

Opposition politicians and civic activists who gathered in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi following the detention of opposition United National Movement (UNM) chair Nika Melia plan to camp out in protest tonight. 

It is a critical night tonight. There are a lot of us here now and they [referring to police] did not irritate us after the disaster what they did this morning… but as soon as the number of people reduces, they might come closer like jackals”, European Georgia leader Gigi Ugulava said.

Demonstrators had initially gathered at the administrative building of the government of Georgia and then moved to the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue where they set up tents. 

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

Demanding the release of Melia and repeat parliamentary elections be held, opposition has called on everyone to join a large-scale rally on February 26. 

Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Melia, who is charged with incitement to violence during the June protests in Tbilisi back in 2019 sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament, was detained for refusal to post bail shortly after the parliament approved Irakli Garibashvili prime minister and his cabinet late yesterday.