TV channel founder alleges possible ties between former Interior Minister Merabishvili, Russian special services
In his remarks over the latest intra-party feud at UNM - now the largest opposition party - Rurua alleged there was “great suspicion” about a relationship between Merabishvili and Russian state services. Photo: InterPressNews
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Giorgi Rurua, the founder and shareholder of Mtavari Arkhi TV, on Tuesday alleged possible ties between Vano Merabishvili, the country’s former Interior Minister in the United National Movement Government, and Russian special services, while claiming Merabishvili had blamed former President Mikheil Saakashvili for starting the 2008 war with Russia in private conversations with foreign partners.
In his remarks over the latest intra-party feud at UNM - now the largest opposition party - Rurua alleged there was “great suspicion” about a relationship between Merabishvili and Russian state services.
Retrograde officials headed by Merabishvili are fighting against [incumbent UNM Chair] Nika Melia”, the channel founder said in reference to ongoing controversy in the party ahead of internal elections for its leadership.
“A person who has left politics with riches should become an unacceptable person for the public. And the return of Merabishvili to the main opposition force is also beneficial for Ivanishvili [founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party]”, Rurua added.
The media figure also said he supported Melia in the race for the UNM Chair position.
Rurua’s comments follow those by Nugzar Tsiklauri, a UNM member, who on Wednesday accused Merabishvili of ongoing “shadowy interference” in developments in the party and domestic politics in general.
Tsiklauri alleged Merabishvili was interfering in the country’s politics “from the backstage”, without having made a public announcement of his political goals after leaving prison in 2020, following sentences on violations stemming back to his time in the former UNM Government.
Nugzar Tsiklauri, a member of the United National Movement opposition party, on Wednesday accused Vano Merabishvili, the former Interior Minister from the party during its time in Government, of ongoing “shadowy interference” in developments in the UNM and domestic politics in general.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, on Wednesday said the ongoing struggle for the chairmanship of the opposition United National Movement party had “crossed all ethical and moral limits”, and noted the intra-party feud would “further weaken” it.
Bacho Dolidze, a member of the United National Movement - the largest opposition party in Georgia - on Tuesday said the former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili could be behind the recent release of illegal audio recording involving the party’s incumbent Chair Nika Melia.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said a recording released on Wednesday by Rustavi 2 channel and allegedly featuring Giuli Alasania, the mother of the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili, was a “continuation of the intra-party feud” at the United National Movement opposition party.
Nika Melia, the Chair of the opposition United National Movement party, on Tuesday said “certain processes” taking place amid ongoing controversies in the party were “inspired, planned and organised from beginning to end” by Vano Merabishvili, the former UNM Government Interior Minister and David Kezerashvili, the former UNM Defence Minister and now private TV channel owner.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights on Saturday said the confrontation in the opposition United National Movement party became so “critical” that any possibility for the party “to remain united could be excluded”.