GD MP says he supports Ivanishvili, but sees no need of a demonstration

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party MP Beka Davituliani says that he supports Bidzina Ivanishvili, but suggests that “there is no need of a rally to express the support,” responding to a statement of former opposition politician Gia Gachechiladze on Thursday that he would be able to gather thousands of people in the Georgian capital if there were any threats of sanctions on the founder of the ruling party.

Ivanishvili, who won a lawsuit against a Swiss Bank earlier this year, faced a delay in the transfer of 500 million USD.

The GD top figures have expressed their suspicion that the delay could be related to a “coordinated action,” aiming to force Ivanishvili back to politics to drag Georgia into Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Davituliani says that Ivanishvili has no plans to use his  contacts in Georgia as he has already left politics, noting that “even in the case Ivanishvili decides to use his influence, I am sure he would be against Georgia’s involvement in the war.”

“I do not understand what the demonstrators may demand at the rally, I am unable to see the purpose of such a rally,” Davituliani said on Friday.

He stated that the situation in the region is dire and that victory is essential for all opposing sides.

“Georgia is trying to stand by Ukraine in humanitarian and political terms during this period. We are trying to ensure peace in Georgia in this very complicated time,” Davituliani said.

Hostilities have been in progress in Ukraine since late February.