The country’s main opposition leader was arrested in Sakartvele

The live television broadcast showed Melia being pulled from the party’s headquarters under the leadership of the opposition United National Movement (VNJ), founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Last Wednesday, the Tbilisi City Court granted the prosecutor’s request to change the pre-trial detention order for Melia to arrest. The VNJ leader refused to pay bail, stating that the criminal case against him in connection with the 2019 anti-government demonstrations was “political persecution.”

Melia faces up to nine years in prison if convicted of organizing mass riots during those protests.

The court’s decision to arrest Melia last week forced the resignation of Prime Minister Georgy Gachary.

VNJ activists told reporters that the special police forces that had invaded their party building used tear gas. Several opposition supporters were reportedly injured in the raid.

As seen on Mtavari TV, hundreds of riot police officers were also using tear gas to support Melia supporters and leaders of all opposition parties who had set up a protest camp at VNJ headquarters since Wednesday. last.

“I am overwhelmed by the scenes at VNJ headquarters this morning,” wrote Mark Clayton, UK Ambassador, on Twitter. – Sakartvel now needs the least amount of violence and chaos. I call on all parties to exercise restraint now and in the days to come. “

Sakartwell has been in a political crisis since the October parliamentary elections, which opposition parties see as manipulated.

The news of the intention to arrest Meliá provoked outrage from the opposition, and the Caucasian allies in the West warned Tbilisi.

Following Gacharia’s resignation, the opposition called for early parliamentary elections.

Last week, the United States and the EU called on the Sakartwell government to resolve the crisis peacefully and ensure that there are no political biases in the country’s judicial system.

Sakartwell Parliament has approved Prime Minister Garibashvili

Sakartwell’s parliament approved Defense Minister and former Prime Minister Heraklion Garibashvili as the new prime minister on Monday after his predecessor resigned last week over plans to arrest an opposition leader.

During the vote for the appointment of Garibashvili, 38, as prime minister of this Caucasian state, 89 legislators spoke out and two deputies voted against.

In 2013-2015, I. Garibashvili already served as Prime Minister.

Former head of government Georgy Gachary resigned on Thursday, citing disagreements with the ruling party over plans to execute a court decision to arrest opposition leader Nikanor Melia.

The attempt to arrest Melia, president of the United National Movement (VNJ), founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili, provoked outrage from the opposition. Some of Sakartwell’s allies in the West also issued alerts to Tbilisi.

Addressing MPs before Monday’s vote, Garibashvili said his government would comply with a court order to arrest Melia. According to him, the politician “will not be able to hide from justice.”

Leaders of all opposition Sakartwell parties have been on duty at the VNJ headquarters in Tbilisi since last Wednesday, vowing to prevent the police from arresting Melia.

On Tuesday morning, special police forces arrested N. Melija during a major raid on VNJ headquarters and confronted his supporters.

Garibashvili’s candidacy – “comic”

I. Garibashvili was a little-known political figure, when in 2012 he was brought into politics by an influential oligarch and Bidzina Ivanishvili from the ruling Sakartwell’s Dream party.

Ivanishvili, who called I. Garibashvili his “beloved child,” is considered by many to be the country’s gray cardinal, although he does not hold any official position.

Melia scoffed at Garibashvili’s candidacy, calling it “comical.” According to him, Sakartwell’s dream determined his collapse, nominating I. Garibashvili for the post of prime minister for a new term.

Melija, 41, denies the accusations against him of having organized mass riots during the 2019 anti-government protests, calling them politically motivated.

The court order to arrest Melia has deepened the political crisis in Sakartvele after the parliamentary elections last October.
The opposition believes that the October 31 parliamentary elections, won by a small margin by the ruler Sakartwell Dream, are rigged.

Following Gacharia’s resignation last week, the opposition called for early elections.