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“The US embassy is deeply concerned by the Sacartwell government’s decision to detain the leader of the main opposition party at the party headquarters this morning. We regret that calls from the United States and other international partners to refrain from dialogue have been ignored, “said US diplomacy.
The statement added that “coercive methods and aggression cannot be a way to resolve political differences.”
– United States Embassy in Tbilisi (@usingeo) February 23, 2021
The embassy called the comments by Sakartwell leaders about the opposition’s arrest “divisive rhetoric.”
According to US diplomats, Tbilisi has taken a step back on the democratic course.
The United National Movement (UNJ) statement affirms that the arrest “marks a tragic moment for Sakartwell’s democracy” and calls on the international community to help reduce the situation.
The United States (US) embassy in Sakartvele issued a security warning to its staff to avoid possible “violent demonstrations” after calling for “self-control” following the resignation of Georgy Gacharia.
Melia’s arrest was commented on by General Ben Hodges, former commander of the US Ground Forces in Europe.
A big step back for Georgia. The only people who benefit from this are the Kremlin and Bidzina and their closest circle of facilitators. Nothing good at this for Georgians, especially young people. I hope President Biden is strong on this. The Kremlin is watching. https://t.co/3wm6wCCOUQ
– Ben Hodges (@general_ben) February 23, 2021
“It just came to our attention then. The people who benefit from it are only in the Kremlin. Among them are Bidzina Ivanishvili and her associates. There is nothing good here for Sakartvelians, especially young people. I hope President Joe Biden take a hard line on this. The Kremlin is watching, “the general wrote.
Michael Carpenter, former deputy chief of the Pentagon and director of the Penn Biden Center for Analytics at the University of Pennsylvania, called the events “very serious.”
“There is a very serious turn of events in Sakartvele, including the storm at the opposition party headquarters. I hope common sense prevails and the situation can be alleviated,” wrote M. Carpenter on Twitter.
Very unfortunate events in the Republic of Georgia with the assault on the headquarters of the opposition party. In the hope that the cooler heads will prevail and the situation may still calm down.
– Michael Carpenter (@mikercarpenter) February 23, 2021
“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. “
Shocked by the scenes at UNM headquarters this morning. The violence and chaos in Tbilisi are the last thing Georgia needs right now. I urge all parties to exercise restraint, now and in the days to come. @UKinGeorgia
– Mark Clayton (@MarkClaytonFCDO) February 23, 2021
Sacarvelo’s opposition promises to protest against the arrest of the opposition leader
The situation at VNJ headquarters, where party chairman N. Melia was arrested a little earlier, is relatively calm, the police are leaving the area where the operation took place and dozens of opposition supporters are near the office.
Earlier Tuesday, Sakartwell police arrested the country’s top opposition leader, Nikanor Melia, during a special forces raid on his party headquarters.
Opposition officials told reporters that the police, along with Melia, had detained several other sympathizers.
As Chatija Dekanoidze, one of the leaders of the VNJ, told reporters, the opposition continues to fight against the “regime”.
“It just came to our knowledge then. The fight against the regime will continue with new forces and this power will collapse very soon”, Capt. Decanoidosis.
According to her, in the next few hours a massive anti-government protest will be held near the State Chancellery building, and the release of N. Melija will be demanded.
@UNMGeorgia Chair @ NikaMelia5 he was arrested this morning in a police raid of the party’s headquarters in which hundreds of patrol policemen and special forces participated. Pepper spray was used against opposition leaders and sympathizers pic.twitter.com/7XL0nzg4xq
– UNM Georgia (@UNMGeorgia) February 23, 2021
At the time, Iraklis Kobachidze, chairman of the ruling Sakartwell Dream party, said the operation to arrest the opposition leader was “exemplary.”
He thanked the police for their ability to “arrest Melia” in an exemplary manner and without excessive force.
“Responding to the radicals, enforcing the law and protecting the constitutional order is the only way to end the polarization in Sakartwell politics and develop democratic processes in the right direction,” Kobachidze said.
Earlier on Tuesday, a live television broadcast showed Melia, led by an opposition party founded by former president Mikheil Saakashvili, being dragged out of the party’s headquarters.
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. About two dozen people were arrested.
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.
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.
In the capital Sakartwell, doctors from the ambulance brigade provided medical assistance to 17 people injured Tuesday morning in clashes with the police at VNJ headquarters, the Health Ministry said.
The ministry said 15 people were seriously affected and received assistance at the scene. The two victims were taken to one of the capital’s medical facilities.
Nikanoras Melija
According to a SAM report, one of the hospitalized people has already left the hospital and the other will be discharged on Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, Interior Ministry staff organized an arrest operation for Nikanor Melia, the leader of the opposition, president of VNJ. Opposition supporters gathered at the party headquarters unsuccessfully tried to prevent the police from arresting Meliá.
The Interior Ministry noted that the police used commensurate force against opposition supporters. More than 20 people were arrested for not following the instructions of the police officers.
Sakartwell has been in a political crisis since the October parliamentary elections, which opposition parties see as manipulated.
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.
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