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Yesterday, Georgian police detained an opposition leader and used tear gas in a violent assault on his party’s headquarters, deepening a political crisis in the country since the parliamentary elections that took place last year.
Live-broadcast television scenes showed Nika Melia, leader of the United National Movement, the country’s largest opposition party, as he was removed from his party headquarters to be placed in pretrial detention before his trial.
Meanwhile, hundreds of riot police used tear gas against their supporters and leaders of all opposition parties who had been gathering in the building since Wednesday, according to scenes broadcast by “Imtavari” TV. Dozens of opposition supporters were arrested. The police operation follows the resignation of Prime Minister Georgy Gakharia, who belongs to the Georgian Dream Party, on Thursday, due to his party’s decision to detain Melia in reserve.
His arrest sparked outrage in the ranks of the opposition and warnings from the Western allies of this former Soviet republic.
One of the leaders of the “United National Movement” party, Georgy Bataraya, said that the police “stole information servers” that were located inside the party’s headquarters.
In a statement, the Georgia Interior Ministry responded that the police used “proportional force and special means” during this operation. British Ambassador Mark Clayton wrote on Twitter: “I am shocked by the viewer at the United National Movement headquarters,” adding: “The violence and chaos in Tbilisi is the last thing Georgia needs right now. I urge all parties to act in moderation. ”
‘A broken democracy’
And the arrest warrant for Melia, 41, has exacerbated the political crisis in Georgia since the parliamentary elections that took place last October.
Opposition parties say the elections were marred by fraud after the ruling Georgian “dream” party declared victory.
Following Gakharia’s resignation, the opposition called early elections.
Melia rejected accusations against him of “organizing widespread violence” during a rally condemning the government in 2019, saying it was politically motivated.
On Monday, Parliament confirmed the appointment of Defense Minister Irakli Garibashvili as prime minister.
In a speech to the deputies, he said that the government would arrest Melia, stressing that “she will not be able to escape justice.”
The new prime minister considers himself loyal to Bedzina Ivanishvili, founder of the Georgian Dream Party and the richest man in the country. He is suspected of taking power away from the limelight.
And the expert Matteo Pirza from the American Research Institute “Atlantic Council” says Georgia has reached a point “where opposition parties say they can no longer stay in parliament because the Georgian democratic system has been destroyed.”
“Without greater mediation from the West, the situation could become very dangerous,” added the former diplomat.
Last week, the United States and the European Union called on the Georgian government to resolve the crisis peacefully and ensure that the judicial system remains free from political bias.
And the Georgian Dream Party, which has ruled the country since 2012, its popularity has waned due to the economic recession and accusations of compromising democratic principles in this former Soviet republic.
