Head of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party Irakli Kobakhidze says that he ‘agrees with the content’ of recently appeared anti-opposition banners in Tbilisi which say ‘no to the United National Movement (UNM), no to evil, no to treason.’ 

The banners depict leaders and members of the opposition party, as well as former PM under GD, current head of opposition For Georgia party Giorgi Gakharia who is running for Tbilisi mayor in the October 2 municipal elections. 

“I agree with the context that the UNM was a bloody regime. As for the expression form, everyone may have their assessment according to their tastes,” Kobakhidze said. 

The banners come with red spots and splashes, making an expression of blood. 

Businessman Mikheil Gabriadze has stated that he, ‘as a victim of the UNM,’ stands behind the idea of the banner and financially backed the initiative ahead of municipal elections. 

Gabriadze says that Gakharia appeared on the banner ‘because he is playing the UNM game,’ which is what the GD says.