Unity – National Movement opposition calls for the immediate release of its two members, Irakli Nadiradze and Irakli Edzgveradze, who are members of the party’s political council and the Tbilisi City Council.
The party released a statement on Wednesday evening, claiming that the arrests followed a statement by Irakli Kobakhidze, which they interpreted as a call for violence against the opposition.
“After the violence announced by Irakli Kobakhidze against the opposition, two members of the United National Movement’s political council and Tbilisi City Council, Irakli Nadiradze and Irakli Edzgveradze, have been detained. Additionally, the police have used force against several of our supporters,” the statement reads.
The party demanded the immediate release of both detained members, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of systemic violence and repression since coming to power.
“Since coming to power, Georgian Dream has used violence against society, dividing people and leading the country into isolation and a dead end. This is Georgian Dream’s desperate attempt to maintain power through violence, leaving the country in isolation and poverty,” the opposition added.
The party vowed that on October 26 elections, the Georgian people would end this “illegality and violence.”
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia also released a statement late Wednesday saying Irakli Edzgveradze and Irakli Nadiradze, members of the Unity–National Movement had been detained on administrative charges.
The statement reads that officers from the Central Criminal Police Department were conducting an investigation related to drug crimes when Irakli Edzgveradze interfered with their duties. The Ministry emphasized that Edzgveradze had no connection to the ongoing investigation.
“Irakli Edzgveradze has been detained under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses,” stated the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The incident occurred near Edzgveradze’s residence, where unrest was reported. Law enforcement officers were deployed to the scene in response to the situation.
Earlier on September 4 Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze raised concerns about alleged threats to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and “radical opposition leaders”, citing different reasons. He also warned of potential attacks on opposition leaders, particularly those “whose targeting could be used by the National Movement and its allies to discredit the electoral process and the government”. The PM cautioned against any attempts to “artificially create chaos,” emphasizing that any attempts to incite unrest or disrupt the country’s stability would be met “with severe consequences.”
