One individual ready to post bail for UNM opposition leader Nika Melia

The head of the Psychologists’ Development Research Centre Besik Bogveli has requested consent from the country’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office to post 40,000 GEL bail instead of the head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia. 

Melia was arrested on February 23, 2021 for his refusal to pay 40,000 GEL of his 70,000 GEL bail which sparked further political tension in the country and pushed the opposition to the street again. 

Melia’s release is one of three top demands of the opposition, along with the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections, in the currently ongoing EU-mediated talks between the ruling party and the opposition. 

Bogveli, who participated in the 2020 parliamentary elections on behalf of a less-known People's Party, has stated that he acts ‘independently’ is not affiliated with any party and that ‘he has just tested the system.’

Bogveli says that he acts per the state interests. Photo: Facebook. 

He also says that his initiative serves the goal to ‘discharge the current political tension’ in the country.

Melia’s lawyers have stated that the ‘government stands behind’ Bogveli. 

• Melia is charged with incitement to violence during the June protests in Tbilisi back in 2019 which were sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament. 
• He was released on 30,000 GEL bail on June 27, 2020.
• However, Melia violated the conditions of his bail by publicly removing his surveillance bracelet and 40,000 GEL was added to his bail in November 2020. 
• Melia has refused to pay the 40,000 GEL bail (within 50 days of sentencing) and on February 5, 2021 the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office warned him of the possibility of his bail conditions being reversed to detention. 
• Melia says that it is not fair to pay additional bail in one case. 
• He said that he is against paying the bail by anyone else. 
• The Georgian Chief Prosecutor's Office stated on February 25,2021 that if Melia, or someone else posts bail, they will request his release from Tbilisi City Court. 
• However, Melia’s lawyers say that the bail has already been changed into detention and according to the law the offer of the Prosecutor’s Office is unlawful.