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The live television broadcast showed Melia being pulled out of 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.
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