Opposition demands sanctions against politicians, law enforcers, judges

Georgian opposition parties have demanded the imposition of sanctions against politicians, judges and the law enforcers who participated in the recent arrest of the head of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Nika Melia and who ‘act against the rule of law.’ 

UNM member Khatia Dekanoidze stated earlier today that the current political crisis will not end without the release of Melia and repeat parliamentary elections. 

The leader of European Georgia opposition party Gigi Ugulava said that none of the law enforcers will be able to get jobs who participated in the special operation yesterday to arrest Melia. 

We have identified them. After the change of the government they will never be able to get jobs in the public service,” Ugulava said. 

51 of 60 opposition MPs, including Melia, have refused to take up their mandates in parliament. 

• Parliament rejects opposition request to suspend status for 51 opposition MPs

They say that the October 31, 2020 parliamentary elections in Georgia were fabricated and have been demanding repeat elections since November 2020. 

Opposition says that they will use all methods to suppress the government. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

Four rounds of talks have been held between the ruling party and the opposition with the facilitation of foreign ambassadors to help the parties end the political crisis. 

However, all the meetings ended without a result because the ruling party says that the elections were held in line with democratic standards and that no repeat elections will be conducted. 

The arrest of Melia yesterday for his refusal to pay bail escalated the tension. 

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

The international community has urged parties to continue negotiations. 

Melia is charged with incitement to violence during the June protests in Tbilisi back in 2019.